Chapter 2

LENNOX

I hate attending reunions because they make me feel left out. Like I am the only one whose life is a total mess. But this time, it is inevitable.

Nara, my friend, added me to our old college group, and now they announced a reunion, one I am forced to attend.

‘I’ll be there soon.” I type back a reply as I walk to the garage. My eyes fall on the red Aston Martin again and that is when everything falls in place. Liana had brought Joshua’s car to the house today.

I drive out, and on my way back home for a change of clothes and makeup, my phone rings.

I roll my eyes at the caller’s ID, and pick up nonetheless. “You shove my ass into this mess, Nara.”

“I’m sorry, Lennox, but they keep asking about you.” Nara apologizes, though, she doesn’t sound like she is in the least remorseful.

“I hate reunions.” My face morphs into a frown and my tongue coats with distaste. “All of them are coming to show off not because they want to keep in touch with me.”

“Just be yourself and don’t let their crude words get to you.” Nara advises and sighs. “I’ll take care of your cafe, don’t worry.”

I exhale sharply, my eyes fix on the road. “Fine, I’ll attend.”

“Great. Have a wonderful time there.” Nara hangs up as soon as I pull into the street leading to my apartment.

 It takes thirty minutes to find what to wear, and when I do, I don’t know what to do with my face. 

Should I apply foundation first? Or mascara? I am so lost, I give up in the end. 

With just lip gloss on my lips, and my hair packed in a bun, I make my way out of the house and head for the restaurant where the reunion is being held.

Upon arrival, I am met with ladies in luxury wear, their perfume overpowering the room. They are all busy talking to each other when I walk fully in, and all eyes fall on me.

“Aha, you must be Lennox Damien. The nerd!” One of the ladies’ eyes sparks with interest as she claps her hands.

It was so unnecessary to call me a nerd, but she did. Classic bully move. So mean of them.

I force a smile as my fingers dig a crescent moon in my hands. “Yes. I’m Lennox Damien. It’s been a while.”

Another lady, who I can’t recognize looks at me like I am the weird one. “You haven’t changed, Lennox. You’re still very nerdy.”

She says that to make me feel inferior like they always do in our college days. They might not be bullies who hit people, but they sure are bullies with their words.

I try so hard not to let her words get to me, but like always, it does. “Yeah. I’m fine like this.”

The leader of them all, Alison, glances up from her phone and smiles at me, making my stomach twist painfully. Her smile is traumatizing. “Hi, Lennox. Welcome to our reunion.”

She waves her hand at me, showing off the huge three-carat diamond ring around her finger.

Why is there so much show-off today?

First it was my older sister, then Alison, my college bully.

I need a break from all this.

I walk to an empty seat at the far end of the room. My whole body is still and uncomfortable. I want out, but with Alison’s eyes on me, it won’t be easy.

“I’m getting married, Lennox.” She directs her words at me, like she is mocking me to my face.

I glance up at her and smile. “Wow, that’s great. Congratulations.”

Another lady raises her ring finger, showing off a two-carat gold ring. “Me too. My fiancé wants us to get married as soon as possible. He loves me that much.”

I can’t help but snort inwardly. I knew this was no reunion. It is in fact a show-off gathering.

Grabbing a bottle of wine, I pour myself a glass and gulp it down in one go. Just as I am about to pour myself another glass, I catch Alison staring at me from my peripheral vision, a mischievous look in her eyes.

She means no good, I can tell that much.

“What about you, Lennox?” She is trying to taunt me. To bully me just like she always does back in college.

“What about me?” I pretend I don’t know what she is talking about, whereas, I fully understand where she is driving.

“Are you engaged?” Alison knows I am not engaged since there isn’t an engagement ring on my finger. She just wants to hear the words right out of my mouth.

An idea instantly pops into my head. One crazy idea that can either make or break me. “I’m engaged.”

Gasps and murmurs rent the air and Alison’s expression shifts from mischievous to surprise. I guess she is expecting a ‘no’ from me, so she can embarrass me more.

“You are?” Her voice shifts an octave higher.

“Yes.” I look her straight in the eyes. “Not just to anyone but to a billionaire.”

Alison goes pale instantly and her jaw drops to the ground. “A billionaire.” She echoes the words like she can’t believe it.

“Who is he?” Another lady shifts in her seat, glaring at me. 

Okay, now, I didn’t think they would ask for his name.

I have none in my head.

My brain scrambles for a billionaire’s name I can fake as my fiancé.

Ashford Winslow. My best friend. 

His name pops into my head and before I can stop myself, I let it slip. “Ashford Winslow. I’m sure you must have heard of him.”

“Ashford Winslow? The billionaire of the Winslow group of companies?”

A proud smile stretched across my lips. “Yes.” It’s a good thing I have a billionaire as my best friend.

But almost immediately, my excitement dies when I remember I lied. “Excuse me. I need to use the restroom.”

Once I’m in the restroom, I dig out my phone and dial Ashford’s line. I know for sure he will yell at me for using him as my fake fiancé.

I bite down on my nail as the line connects. “Hello, Ashford.” A nervous smile stretches across my lips.

“Hi, Nox. How are you?”

“Okay, I did something wrong. Very wrong and you will have to forgive me for it.” I take in my lower lips.

“What did you do?” Ashford asks in a low voice. “Did you kill someone?”

“No, worst.” I groan. “Promise you won’t yell at me.”

“I won’t, I promise, Nox, so tell me.” He sounds calm and collected over the phone.

“Okay, so I attended my college reunion and when they were all showing off their diamond rings and wealthy fiancé, I lied that I was engaged…” I pause and take in my lower lips.

“Okay, I’m all ears.” 

“And when I was asked who my fiancé was, your name slipped past my lips.” 

Silence settles in and I hold my breath for what comes next.

“Are you drunk?” He asks, catching me by surprise.

I expect him to yell or at least scold me, but he does neither.

“Maybe. I drank a few glasses of wine.” I reply and shake my head. “Are you not mad at me?”

“Why should I? Your classmates were being mean.” Ashford replies and my chest squeezes warmly. His words serve as a comfort.

“Stay right there, I’ll be there in an hour to pick you up.”

“You don’t have to.” I stagger backwards like a drunken fool.

“I have to.” He hangs up afterwards.

When I return to the room, all eyes are on me, but I don’t look their way as I continue drinking, while waiting for Ashford to come pick me up.

An hour later, Alison finally finds her voice. “Where’s your engagement ring? Like you said, you’re engaged but I can’t find a ring on your finger.”

Shit! 

I look down at my empty finger and rub it without thinking. “I…..” My brain blanks. It has no lies to tell.

“Lennox? Where is your ring?” Alison’s voice tightens like she is interrogating me.

Just as I am about to open my mouth to speak, the door pushes open and Ashford walks in like a demigod, all sharp jaw and expensive suit.

His eyes find mine and he walks up to me, kneels before me and says, “Baby, you forgot your engagement ring, so I thought I’d bring it to you.” He slides the huge diamond ring onto my finger, and everyone in the room gasps. “And let everyone know who you belong to.”