An hour later, at exactly three o'clock, I received Richard's text informing me of his arrival. I was done with plotting, drawing up character arcs for my book, and had been waiting eagerly. The second I got the notification, I stood up and took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself to see him again. My chest was suddenly on fire, goosebumps spreading all over my body. Good goosebumps. I didn't head outside immediately, waiting back for a few minutes.
Grabbing my purse, I locked my office and headed toward the entrance, sighting him from far off as he leaned against his car, fiddling with his phone. He'd brought his Lexus today. With each step I took, my heart raced faster and faster, the sound growing louder and louder, drowning me in it.How could a man look...so out of this world? So fucking perfect?Every time I saw him felt like the first.I pause for a minute, and inhale deeply, taking him in. I'd memorized his soft features like the back of my hand. That silky blonde hair, that well-defined jawline, those cerulean blue eyes that are identical to Talia's — the most beautiful eyes I'd ever seen. It wasn't fair that he got even more handsome and attractive as we grew older. Each time I saw him, he felt a little more out of reach. Like he was right there, in front of me, but I couldn't get to him. It made my chest tighten, made me even more sad.As though he could feel my eyes on him, he looked up just then, and our gaze collided. He slipped his phone back into his pocket and straightened, a warm smile transforming his face, making me lose my breath.I closed the distance between us, my knees weak. “Hey,” I said quietly, trying to sound breezy. He pulled the door open, grinning. I couldn't resist smiling back at him as I clambered into the car, breathing in the smell of new leather and his deep, manly cologne. There was a good chance that I would regret giving in to this shopping idea later, but until then, I was going to make sure I enjoyed every second of it with him.“So, where are going?” I asked when he got in beside me, his brawny hands wrapped around the steering wheel.He exhaled, leaning his head back against the headrest. I couldn't blink when he tilted his head toward me. “Elena,” he called softly, sounding frustrated. My heartbeat picked up, a thousand miles per minute now. It was so sickening how he had me spellbound whenever he called my name. The world always faded away, leaving me and him alone. “What's wrong? Why don't we see each other anymore?”He looked genuinely distraught, as though he really had missed me, and that fire I keep trying to put out, reignites once more, stronger this time.“It's nothing, Richy. I've just been battling writer's block. I've been busy.” My voice is low, almost weak, even though I was telling the truth. “I've never been so stressed about my writing career as I am now. I've been trying to cure my block, brainstorming long hours. My readers need me. It's been three years since I got a book out. I'm scared of so many things. I'm scared they wouldn't find the next book as good as the last, or the others. Some days, I don't even eat. Some days I can't sleep. Failure feels so... crippling.”A flash of guilt glows in his eyes, but it's only for a brief moment. So brief, I almost didn't see it. He nodded and dragged his eyes away, a look of concern in his eyes as he revved up the car. “Don't push yourself too hard, Elena. Your mental and physical health is more important than getting out the next best seller. You can't always be so worried about your writing, to the point that you barely eat. No wonder you're looking so tired. Apart from work, you also need to have a social life. Tell me, when was the last time you visited home to see your parents?”I forced a smile onto my face and crossed my arms over my chest, thinking about the best way to lie to him without him detecting it. The older I got, the more strained my relationship with my parents got. Not that they loved having me around, anyways. Their entire world revolved around Sarah, and her hot, busy life. I hated going where I wasn't welcomed. It was my home, I knew, but I didn't feel like I belonged there. My mother always made sure of that. “I do have a social life. Talia dropped by my office an hour ago,” I said confidently. “I do have other friends too who I do meet up every once in a while.”He stared at me for a long moment, like he always did as though he could see through my lies and deception, but choosed not to press further.“What do you intend to get her this year?” I asked him after a few minutes' silence had passed between us.He glanced back at me with a grin. “What do you think she'd like? Some hospital equipment she's been raving about lately? Medical books?”I scrunched up my face. “Ew. Do you know your girlfriend at all? Sarah's not nerdy like me.”He exhaled. “Jewelry?”I nodded. “That's more like it. She'd love a new statement piece. Or that new diamond necklace from La Ganza.”He blinked at me with such a blank expression, I couldn't hold myself from bursting out in laughter. He shook his head, his eyes glittering. “You looked so... Oh Jesus. You're so funny, Richy.”“It's been a while since I heard you laugh,” he said seriously. “I didn't realize I missed it. It sounds so nostalgic.”My laughter died away instantly, and I pursed my lips, shifting my gaze to my lap, my heart aching. I wish he didn't say things like that. He saw him as his best friend, and future sister-in-law, but whenever he dropped sweet lines like that, it made me hope dangerously. Like he was leading me on without ever knowing. I tightened my hold on my purse, and exhaled, my head pounding now. “Sarah's obsessed with diamonds. La Ganza has some really good pieces. They're the best jewelry store in all of Manhattan.”“I've heard of them before from Phillip.” He grinned at me. “How about I just let you pick?”I gave him a pointed look. “Like you let me do every year? She's your girl for fuck's sake, Richard. You should know what she'd love.”“Well, I don't, so you're picking it for me. Pretty please,” he pleaded, making a sickening puppy-eyed face.I groaned. “Okay, fine.”“You're the best!” he bumped the steering wheel in glee, then drove carefully into La Ganza's parking lot. He jumped out, rushing around it so he could open the door for me, offering me his hand. I took it and stepped out of his car, my eyes on his.A flash of light, followed by the sound of a camera click startled us both, and I turned to my side to find a paparazoo that has been stalking my lately smirking at me.“What the fuck,” Richard gritted out, taking a step toward him, but the paparazoo bolted off, quicker than lightening. “That idiot — ”I held onto Richard's arm, preventing him from going after the brute. “Leave him. He's not worth it. Let's just... let's just go inside. Come on.”A flash of light, followed by the sound of a camera click startled us both, and I turned to my side to find a paparazoo that had been stalking my lately smirking at me. “What the fuck,” Richard gritted out, taking a step toward him, but the paparazoo bolted off, quicker than lightening. “That idiot — ”I held onto Richard's arm, preventing him from going after him. “Leave him. He's not worth it. Let's just... let's just go inside. Come on.”He exhaled, placing a hand on the small of my back, causing me to look up at him. “This is all my fault, Elena. I should've known that taking you to public places would result to this. I'm so sorry. That picture will never see the pages of a magazine or tabloid, I promise.”I shook my head, and we began walking toward the entrance of the store. “It's nothing, really. I've become used to it over the past few months. I can't stop living my life because I'm afraid of getting photographed all the time. It used to annoy me, you know? The public always
“I'm not sure I'll take Sarah's advice to invite the Krashingdowns to the wedding ceremony,” Mom said. “Their daughter, Eloise, has been Sarah's nemesis right from when they were little. It gets even worse because Eloise works in the same hospital with Sarah, and I'm sure she tries her best to outshine your sister. Not that she's ever successful. Sarah is that surgeon everyone trusts and wants to handle their cases. She's a star.”I gasped, looking up from the book I was reading. “Eloise now works at Elysium Healthcare?” I asked, surprised. How could that be? Eloise and I were pretty close. She was a sweet soul, and one of my best friends, and there was never a time I remember her disliking or even talking about Sarah. Yes, they weren't the best of friends, but Eloise kept to her lane. I wouldn't be surprised if Sarah had been feeding Mother lies about Eloise because she felt insecure. Eloise was also a hot-shot surgeon who knew her work quite well, and if she'd moved to Elysium Healt
“It feels so surreal, Elena. My little girl is going to be a bride soon. Oh, I'm so thankful,” Mother murmured as she rearranged the flowers in the replica of the arrangement she'd sent the church to be decorated with. We were in Dad's study now, where most of the planning was done. “You know, Elena, when you and Sarah were little, she was so sickly. I was worried she wouldn't live long enough to see the end of winter, or see the first day of spring. There were so many things I thought she'd never experience, yet here she is twenty-two years later, one of the most sought-after surgeon, about to marry one of the most eligible billionaires in the world. In the process, she's taking off the workload from me and your dad's shoulders, letting us retire at last, knowing our company is in safe hands, and will reach new heights soon.”A sharp stab of jealousy pierced my heart, causing me to look away. I was ridiculous of me to envy my twin sister, more so begrudge her the pride in Mother's ey
“Oh, come on now, Sarah,” I sighed, tightening my grip on the phone. “You promised that we'd attend the event together. How do you think your sister would feel? She was counting on you coming with me. This is the fourth time this month you're cancelling on me at the last minute. I would appreciate it if you give me an adequate notice before hand. Honestly, this sucks.”The phone rustled as she sighed. “I'm so sorry, Richy. I really wanted to be there tonight, you know that. I wanted to support Elena and be there with you, but we just got an emergency right now and I can't get away. I'm supposed to be in the theater by now, but I just wanted to let you know so you wouldn't be worried. I know you hate it when I leave you handing.”“I'm tired of the same excuses every time, Sarah. I'm trying to be caring and supportive as I can be, but you keep taking it for granted. I can't keep being the only one who's got to compromise. It's annoying.”“No one knows that better than me, love,” she sai
Once Elena finished her speech and announced the name of her book, the fundraising began. She got off the podium and went over to sign autographs, everyone cat calling, excited to have her so close. It was as though she was a goddess. Two women were crying as they told her about how her works had changed their lives. They were crying so hard that Elena began crying too. It was so beautiful to watch.“Mr. Delmonte! So glad you were able to make it.” I forced a smile onto my face as I reluctantly walked over to Jude Bellingham, the event's organizer, prepping myself mentally for the unnecessary small talk. As long as you were famous, gracing events like this had people treat you with so much pretentiousness. Too much ass-kissing from people who didn't give two fucks about who you were, but what your fame and wealth brought them. It was sickening to watch, let alone be an active participant.“Thank you once again for your generosity in letting us use this beautiful, spacious event center
My palms turned sweaty as I parked my car in front of the Williams mansion. It was Sarah and Elena's birthday today, and while I was happy to see Elena and celebrate with her, I couldn't say the same about Sarah. Things had not been the same between us for a while, and I was tired of ignoring it. I couldn't keep up with the pretense anymore.With barely three weeks to our wedding, every issue we'd ever had seemed amplified. Perhaps I'd lost interest, call it cold feet, but it felt bigger than that. There was a part of me that kept wondering if the only reason she and I even started dating was the knowledge that we'd end up eventually, through our arranged marriage.But the catch was... would we have? The woman my parents had chosen was Elena. If I hadn't...if that night hadn't happened, would I have been married to Elena now?I ran a hand through my hair and drew a shaky breath. It didn't matter now, did it? There was no going back in time to change anything, and loss of interest or n
“Guess what, Ponyo? I've got something for you too. You honestly didn't think I forgot that did you?”She pouted at me. “You know you didn't have to.”“I wanted to,” I said firmly, holding up a second paper bag I'd brought along with me. “What sort of best friend would I be if I don't get a birthday present for my best friend?”“Richy — ”“See what's inside first. Please.”She exhaled, taking the bag from me. “You're so sweet, it hurts,” she murmured. I watched her carefully as she unwrapped the box inside the bag, her eyes widening, my heart beating erratically. When was the last time I was nervous about something as simple as a gift?“Oh, Richard,” she gasped, and I breathed a sigh of relief. “Richard, this book isn't out yet! I got it on pre-order, but it won't be released till another six months gone by. How did you ever — ” she flipped it open, tears escaping her eyes when she saw the personally written note inside. It was from Nina Simone, her favorite romance author. “Is this...
“Are you home right now, babe?” The phone line rustled with Talia's yawn as she replied lazily. “I'm at Grandmother's place, Elena. She wanted us to have lunch together.”I bit my bottom lip, feeling a flash of guilt because it had been a while since I visited Grandmother Willow. I had been wallowing in my own sorrows too damn much lately.“Want to come over?” Talia asked in a singsong, that knowing stretch on the last word. I chuckled. “Is Richard there too?” He was the main reason why I had been avoiding Grandmother Willow's place. He went there a lot to seek her counsel, and due to the fact that I wanted to ensure we spent as little time as possible with each other as the wedding date drew closer, I had no choice but to stop visiting Grandmother altogether.Talia tsked. “If I told you the truth, you wouldn't want to come anymore.”That confirmed things for me. I exhaled as I glanced around my office, feeling so lonely. I needed someone to talk to. To share my pain with. “Alright