CHAPTER 4: Off To The Party

It was 8:30 p.m. as I checked my wristwatch. Time to return to Edward’s suite, my mind already fixed on the horrors I was about to release at the party. 

I looked at my reflection in the mirror one last time, my face tightening. “Elvis played his game and messed with my heart. That’s a mistake he's going to regret!” I said, clenching my teeth. “I won't let this slide. He hit me once; I'll come after him twice as hard.” 

I stepped out of the room and took the elevator back to the top floor, my heels clicking against the tiles. I stood outside Edward's door and knocked softly. The electronic lock clicked open almost instantly.

When he opened the door, my breath caught in my throat.

Edward stood there wearing nothing but a white towel wrapped securely around his waist. He had the build of an elite athlete, with a broad chest, sharp collarbones, and a well-defined six-pack that moved as he breathed.

I quickly looked away, fixing my gaze on the doorframe to maintain my composure.

“You haven’t gotten ready yet?”

“Girlfriend, you look extraordinarily beautiful,” he said instead of answering, his voice deep.

“Thank you,” I replied, forcing my voice to remain steady, though my heart was thumping against my ribs.

I slowly turned back to face him, keeping my expression blank. I refused to let him see that he had rattled me.

“Excuse me. I’ll be back,” I said sharply, taking a step backward.

Before he could respond, I grabbed the edge of the door and pulled it shut between us. I leaned against the corridor wall, clutching my gold purse against my chest as I took a deep breath.

I returned to my room and waited exactly twenty minutes, staring at the digital clock on my phone as the seconds ticked away. Only then did I return to his suite.

This time, when I knocked and entered, Edward was fully dressed. He had changed into a white button-down shirt, which he had left unbuttoned down to the center of his chest, revealing his sharp collarbones and part of his athletic frame.

The sleeves were rolled neatly to his elbows, complementing his dark trousers. The scent of his cologne filled the suite.

My phone buzzed in my hand. It was a text from Julie.

“Where are you, girl? The party has started. The turn-up is mad. Elvis is so happy, but he doesn’t know you’re coming. Your best friend, Lilian, is already here too.”

I stared at Lilian’s name on the glowing screen. My grip tightened around the phone until my fingers throbbed. Suddenly, a cold calm settled over me, replacing the last traces of my heartbreak.

“I’m already on my way, Julie. I need you to send me the W******p contacts of all our guests so I can thank them for coming,” I typed back, keeping my tone casual.

Within five minutes, Julie sent me a compiled list of the contacts of everyone invited to the party.

I sat on the edge of the sofa, my fingers moving quickly across the screen. I created a new W******p group chat and named it The Biggest Surprise Party. One by one, I added every guest from Julie’s list, saving the two most important names for last: Elvis and Lilian.

I guessed Elvis and Lilian were far too engrossed in each other to notice that they had been added to a new group.

“Let’s go,” Edward said, cutting through my concentration.

He grabbed his key fob, leather wallet, and phone from the bedside table, stuffing them into his trouser pockets.

We walked to where he had parked his car in silence, the sound of my designer heels and his shoes echoing across the concrete walkway.

The cool night air hit my bare shoulders, sending a shiver through my body. I wrapped my hands around my neck to shield myself from the breeze.

Edward pressed his key fob, and the car’s amber lights flashed as the doors unlocked. We climbed into the front seats, and the doors clicked shut.

He started the engine and tapped the music panel, playing a low soul track that filled the car. Then he pulled smoothly onto the street. The chaotic Boston traffic from earlier had died down, and the streetlights glowed steadily along the road.

Neither of us spoke during the drive. My mind raced through every detail of what was about to happen as I counted down the minutes.

Exactly twelve minutes later, the car slowed as we entered Elvis’s street. The quiet residential neighborhood had been transformed. Cars lined the driveway bumper to bumper, their headlights illuminating the front yard, where small groups of people stood around with red Solo cups in their hands.

My chest tightened, and my breathing grew heavier as the reality of the confrontation sank in.

Edward shifted the car into park but left the engine running, the headlights casting long shadows across the lawn. He turned toward me and held my gaze.

“Are you ready for this?” he asked, one hand resting on the door handle.

I took a deep breath, feeling the fabric of my gold gown tighten against my ribs.

“Yes... I’m ready.”

I unlocked my phone, opened the chat, and sent Julie one final text.

“I’m here. Announce the surprise to Elvis.”

The double checkmarks turned blue instantly.

“Let’s move,” I said, my voice hardening.

We stepped out of the car at the same time. Edward pressed his key fob to lock the doors, and the car emitted a sharp chirp. He walked around the hood, his long strides covering the distance effortlessly, and held out his hand.

I reached for it, and our fingers interlocked. Side by side, we walked toward the front door, matching each other’s pace as we approached Elvis’s apartment.

“May I have your attention, everyone?” Julie’s voice rang through the speakers in the living room, drowning out the guests’ chatter. “We have a big surprise for my friend, the celebrant. Elvis, we’ve been planning this all week...”

Her announcement died in her throat the moment we walked inside.