CHAPTER 01

ELENA. 

"I had no idea I was being replaced already." My voice was low. 

"You're getting it all wrong baby, I already have an assigned plus one. And you're not even working yet, so you won't be accepted." Caleb, my fiance said. 

I was confused. Since when did they start assigning plus ones for people? He had an event he was invited to, but he didn't want me to be his plus one. 

"Why would another lady be your plus one when you have me?" 

"You're misunderstanding everything. If I had everything in my control, I'll take you there. But my boss already assigned someone to come with me, and I can't go against his orders."

I was silent. Angry but quiet. My chest felt uncomfortable, yet I asked. "Who's this person then?" 

"It's Rhea." He replied. 

I froze. "Which Rhea?" I asked after a minute of deafening silence. 

"Your best friend." He replied. His voice sounded lazy, and I could almost imagine him rolling his eyes. 

"Oh." That was all I could say. 

I didn't know if to feel relieved or uncomfortable. It was better to have Rhea as his plus one than a random woman... Right? 

"Are you good now?" His question disrupted my thoughts.

"Caleb, I'm sorry if I was being too intrusive."

"Yeah, yeah. It's fine. At least I know how to handle your insane jealousy and possessiveness. I have something to do right now, I have to pick what to wear and have it ready for the event in two days."

"Can I tell you something?" I asked, and went ahead to speak without waiting for his response. "I just haven't been myself--"

"Must be one of those times where you overthink. Maybe it's your phase again, I'll talk to you later baby. Bye." 

"But--" The line went dead. 

I stood on my spot with my phone still on my ear. Slowly, I dropped my hand to the side. 

***

"Okay, I'll see you later." Rhea announced walking out of the room completely dressed up for work. 

I walked to her. "You look good. Breakfast is ready." I smiled. 

"Oh, you feel like my mom right now." She kissed my cheeks before settling on the seat. 

I gave her a wide smile, my heart warmed up at her words. 

Rhea and I have been friends since college days, which was roughly five years ago, and she's been the best thing that has ever happened to me. The best friend anyone can ask for. 

Even after we graduated, we decided to stick together. We got an apartment, and we've been living together for almost a year. 

Caleb and I have been together for long too, four years with him has been the best years of my life. I felt lucky to have two caring people in my life. 

They filled up every void with their love and care. My relationship with Caleb made me believe in love and everything good about life, and we plan on getting married soon. Caleb says he just needs to get a ground on his working place and we can get legally married. 

I haven't gotten a job yet, job-hunting for the past few months has proven to be futile. I've been getting support from Rhea and Caleb ever since. 

And I hate that I have to depend on them for most things, I still don't plan to give up on hunting for jobs. 

They both work at the same company, and it made our relationship stronger. We felt like a family. 

***

I got bored in the middle of the day and tried texting Caleb but he dismissed me with just two words. 

~ I'M BUSY. 

I didn't want to stay at home anymore, I just got changed into something else and headed for Caleb's house. Maybe I could make dinner for the three of us. 

I got out of the car in front of Caleb's building and walked to the front door. I fished the spare keys from my pockets and unlocked the door. 

I dropped my purse on the couch and proceeded to his room to get something I can get changed into. 

I waltzed toward his room, almost dancing while humming an unrecorded tune but I froze when I saw his room door slightly ajar. That wasn't the main reason why I stopped, it was because of what I was hearing. 

It sounded like sounds, human sounds. Whispers. 

My senses stood in alert and I reached out for a vase that was close. If it was a burglar, it was over for them. 

I tiptoed to the door but stopped again when I saw Caleb on the bed. My brows creased, and I dropped my hand to the side in startlement. 

He was home? 

"She's really shameless. She wants me to take her to the party as a plus one when she's like that? Has she seen herself?" That sounded like Caleb. His voice was a little hushed, but his words piqued my interest. 

"I know right? Leeching off us and still wanting us to be at her beck and call. She's poor, she just doesn't understand that I'm sick of her already." 

My heart stopped, not just because Caleb was with a woman on his bed, but because the voice sounded painfully familiar. I didn't want to believe it, but reality just knows how to hit harder. 

"Just break up with her already."

Rhea. 

I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. My blood rushed to my head, my vision blurred and my throat went dry. My heartbeat was without a rhythmic line. 

"I'm just waiting for the right moment to end it all. Only then can I finally be with you. Get up, I'm strong now, let's go for another round, fat ass." 

My legs turned to jelly underneath me and the vase slipped out of my grip, crashing loudly to the marble floor.