it has been eight years

 

★★★★★

Upon arriving at the house, Clover remained seated in the car. She watched the house through the window and a flood of memory flashed in her thoughts. Even though many years had passed, she still wished she could erase them all at once.

"Madam, are you waiting for somebody?" asked the driver, who was perplexed seeing Clover sitting in the car. He knew his Madam well, who never liked to waste her time. Unless... unless she was having some trouble.

"No," Clover replied, opening the door as she got out.

The house was brighter than on any other day, indicating that the night was special in this house.

It made sense now why someone sent her a party gown. She was just not able to guess who had sent it, someone from this family or someone else?

Suddenly, a black BMW X7 stopped in front of her house, pulling her out of her reverie, and she found herself curious about the guest.

Her eyes stayed on the car, and she saw the driver pull the door open and a man come out of it.

Since she was standing on the opposite side of the road, she could not recognise the person, but he had a loud, enigmatic aura.

His gaze was straight, and he made his way to her house, leaving her a quiet puzzle. She kept note of her father's business for a long time, and it was hanging on a string. For the past couple of years, he had not cracked a great deal for the company; instead, he had taken a couple of loans to help the business stand.

Then who was this man?

Clover had her own thoughts, but when the car drove away from her sight, she decided to see what was cooking inside.

She pushed the hair behind, displaying the diamond necklace. But before she took a step forward, a woman came to a halt next to her.

"I know, you forbid me, but I cannot trust anyone, not even your family," said the woman, and Clover drew a sharp breath.

"Don't just blast on Mark. It is not him, exposing your whereabouts."

"People will scream seeing an assassin with me, guarding," Clover muttered, a little troubled, causing a frown to appear on her face. "I will call you, Jemma, if I need you."

"How come? I arranged this pretty dress for tonight. How could people think I am an assassin other than a sweet girl who is accompanying you," said Jemma, giving a twirl to her dress, "I swear I don't have any gun with me."

"Fine. But keep your anger in check," Clover agreed, having her eyes on Jemma, who smiled and nodded, "I will act as a sweet girl."

Finding Jemma's words convincing, Clover turned around and headed toward the main door, Jemma followed her closely.

As soon as Clover stepped over the threshold of the house, all eyes were locked on her. In contrast, Clover had her eyes on Cindy, whose arm was hooked around Kayden.

"Oh my god, sister!" Cindy cried out louder, and her voice reached to every corner.

Clover wore an unreadable, almost regal expression. Neither a smile nor a scowl marked her face, but her silence spoke volumes. The room buzzed, one hushed Whisper after another ripped like a wave behind her.

Cindy rushed to where Clover stood. She opened her arms and wrapped them around Clover, wiping bitterly, "How could you leave us like that? We looked for you everywhere, but it's like you vanished into thin air."

"What's the occasion here?" Clover asked ignoring Cindy's baseless wiping.

"Oh, ummmm..." Cindy released her arms around Clover and looked toward Kayden, who had a dark expression on his face as his eyes were glued on Clover. There was a complexity in those eyes that he was trying hard to cover with his anger.

"Clove, my goodness!" Another woman with blonde hair, dolled up in a Chanel gown, made her way to Clover.

It was her stepmother. Clover rolled her eyes inwardly. Though she had thought it would not be hard to watch the drama, now it was making her feel nauseated.

"Child, where have you been? Oh my god! Only god knows how madly we had looked for you."

Before Clover could open her mouth, her stepmother hugged her, then she withdrew herself, "But I can no longer complain because you have decided to return on such a day."

"Such a day!?" Clover asked with a poised expression as her eyes moved from her stepmother to Cindy.

"Cindy and Kayden are getting engaged today!" Her stepmother said with a proud tone, and Clover glanced at Cindy, who suddenly looked down to avoid her eyes, but for Clover, it was no surprise at all. Rather she was confused why it took eight years for Cindy to marry Kayden.

It was supposed to happen long ago.

"Sis, don't be angry at me..." Cindy started to act and Clover knew Cindy was going to pour out her tears to attract sympathy. Hence, Clover skillfully pulled Cindy into a hug and said, "I am happy that you are going to marry Kayden; otherwise, who would?"

And with that, Clover pulled away, leaving Cindy puzzled. She was confused. However, she was not given enough time to think about it as her mother approached her and said, "Darling, it is not time to be sad. Kayden is waiting. Let's go. I know Clover, she is just as happy as I am. Isn't it, Clove!" The woman sweetly looked at Clover.

"Yes, I am," Clover said with a smile, then she moved her eyes to Kayden and made her way to where he stood. "I think you two look better together!"

Kayden just stared at Clover, and felt like his world spun right before his eyes. He had things to ask, but he could not. Then, in the next blink, Clover turned around and walked away like a low breeze, soft yet devastating.

"I know it's really awkward, but she is my sister, and she returned after eight years. We can't ask her to leave," Cindy said, as she hooked her arm again with Kayden, who stared at Clover’s back with baffled eyes as if he did not hear any of her words.

"Kayden, is there something wrong?" Cindy asked with a forced smile, not letting the tension appear on her face since there were people and cameras.

"You are kind!" Kayden replied with a kind tone, "You should not give me any explanation. Nothing can bother me anymore."

"Love you," Cindy muttered, quite pleased with the response.

"Kayden, son, your family is urging you to start the ceremony," Cindy's mother said, though it was a lie. She was the happiest person at that moment, but she could not lie to herself that Clover's presence felt like a dangling sword on her daughter's happiness.

"I don't know what we are waiting for," Kayden replied.

"Hah!" A blissful crackle left Cindy's mother's lips, "Yes, yes... son.. we must not delay on such an auspicious event." Saying, she looked toward a girl who was holding the microphone, waiting for instructions.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please. It is time to gather around for the beautiful couple who are about to exchange rings and take the next step into a lifetime of togetherness," the woman announced, causing a loud, happy eruption from the crowd. Everyone clapped as the ring was brought in on an exquisite tray.

Cindy had a blissful smile on her face. It was visible that the thing she had been waiting for so long was happening today.

Cindy grasped the ring in between her fingers and slid it into Kayden's hand delicately, and a loud clap erupted into the atmosphere.

Then Kayden grabbed the ring, while Cindy's hand rested in his other hand. But even though it was just a split second, Kayden's eyes slid to where Clover was standing.

Clover was not hiding, nor did she look disappointed. Rather, she had a calm expression, and especially the way she was sipping the drink, made it clear she was enjoying it.

"Kay..." Cindy lovingly said as her finger was itching to feel the ring. Simultaneously her words brought Kayden out of the reverie.

He, then, giving Cindy an assured smile, slid the ring onto her finger.

The cheerful murmurs and laughter filled the corner. Meanwhile, Clover had a devilish grin on her lips as her eyes moved, but it soon stuck on a man, who was resting lazily in the corner.

"He is not here to enjoy the ring ceremony and I am absolutely sure about it," Jemma muttered, leaning to the side.

"Ah-huh!" Clover questioned, "Then what is he doing here?"