A Dinner to Forget

Chapter Three: A Dinner to Forget

Maya's Pov 

The dinner table was set with elegant china, sparkling glassware, and a centerpiece of fresh flowers. The soft hum of conversation and the clinking of utensils against plates created a warm and inviting atmosphere. But beneath the polished surface, tension simmered.

As they ate, I couldn't help but notice the way Brandy's eyes darted toward Larry, her gaze lingering on him with a familiarity that made my skin prickle. Larry, oblivious to the undercurrents, smiled warmly at her.

The initial pleasantries were exchanged, but the atmosphere at the table soon became somewhat strained. Brandy kept her eyes lowered, looking fragile, and the old classmates seemed to pick up on it, lowering their voices, careful not to say anything inappropriate.

Slowly, the conversation shifted toward me and Larry. When the others asked a few curious questions, Larry responded briefly, his tone light and friendly. 

"I'll say she's the one who hit the jackpot." Brandy spoke softly. "Larry was the dream boy back in high school and college, he was on every girl's wish list." 

Everyone laughed cheerfully, except Larry who wasn't very comfortable but he still managed to force a smile. 

"Isabella had a crush on him freshman year until we graduated." The blonde said, laughing. "It was crazy." 

"Common!" Isabella pouted, blushing slightly. "Don't be like that." 

"I wonder if it's still like that." One of the men said, looking at me. 

"Yeah." I responded. "Women still hit on him, even the married ones." My eyes shot at Brandy sarcastically and she looked away. 

The group laughed and the conversation went on. This time without Brandy. But after a while, as if forcing herself to join in, asked me with a seemingly casual tone, "I overheard Larry mention something about three years on the phone. Is it your anniversary? I had no idea... I'm so sorry, did I ruin your plans?" She glanced at Larry, her eyes looking so naive and innocent.

I felt a pang of unease, my mind racing with the implications but I remained calm. "It's fine," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "Good things are worth waiting for."

Brandy smiled softly, but with a trace of sadness, she added, "Still, congratulations to you both. If my husband were still here..." Her voice trailed off, her eyes welling with tears. 

Her friends at the table quickly handed her tissues.

I remained composed, saying sincerely, "I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sure he wouldn't want to see you sad." I glanced at Larry, but he was focused on Brandy, his expression sympathetic.

Brandy sniffled and nodded, "Thank you. You know, if my husband were still here, we would've been married three years too. Which means... you two got married right after us." She paused, her eyes locked on mine. "What a coincidence."

My heart skipped a beat. I felt a surge of emotions: anger, hurt, and betrayal. I forced a bitter smile, trying to keep my cool. "Yes, what a coincidence."

"I totally forgot," Larry looked at Brandy. "I'm sorry. If I remembered I wouldn't have mentioned it. Forgive me." 

"It's not your fault, Larry." Brandy said. "There's nothing either of us can do about it." 

As the conversation continued, I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. Brandy kept making small requests, asking Larry to pour her water, cut her steak, and even mentioned how her shoulder was sore. I noticed the other two classmates exchanging glances, clearly uneasy.

Classmate A tried to break the tension with a laugh, "Come on, Brandy, don't trouble the big CEO with these small things. Let him take care of his wife."

Brandy blinked, her eyes wide with innocence. "Oh, I'm so sorry! It's just a habit." She turned to the others and said, "You have no idea how hard it's been. Even though I'm out of the hospital, I still feel so weak. If it weren't for Larry coming over day and night to help, I don't know what I would've done."

Then, with a glance at me that was almost, but not quite, apologetic, she added, "You don't mind, do you?"

I stopped cutting my food, my eyes locked on Brandy's hand, which had casually rested on Larry's thigh. I felt a surge of anger, but I kept my tone even. "Yes, I mind. I mind a lot."

I pushed my chair back, the scraping sound echoing through the restaurant. "Enjoy your meal. I'll be leaving."

The sudden silence at the table was deafening. As I walked out, I could still hear Brandy's soft voice behind me, "Is she upset because of me? I really didn't mean it…"

I didn't look back. I just kept walking, the sound of my heels clicking on the floor echoing through the restaurant.

Brandy's voice behind me was cracking with emotion. "Did I sat anything wrong, I really didn't mean to…" Her words trailed off into sobs, and I could imagine her fragile frame shaking with each ragged breath.

I didn't look back, but I could sense the commotion behind me. The sound of chairs scraping against the floor, the murmur of concerned voices, and the rustle of tissues being handed out filled the air.

Larry's voice was calm and soothing as he tried to comfort Brandy. "Hey, it's okay. Don't cry. I know you didn't mean any harm." The other classmates gathered around her, cooing words of consolation.

But amidst the sympathetic murmurs, I caught the sound of two girls exchanging a skeptical glance. Their eyes, cold and unyielding, seemed to bore into Brandy's back as she sobbed. One of them raised an eyebrow, her voice barely above a whisper. "Wow, drama queen much?"

The other girl snickered, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I know, right? She's always been a bit of a manipulator."

Their words were like a whispered secret, meant only for each other's ears. But I caught the gist of their conversation, and it made my blood boil.

Larry, oblivious to the undercurrents, continued to console Brandy. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as she sobbed. "Shh, it's okay. I've got you." He glanced at the rest of them, his eyes apologetic. "I'm so sorry, everyone. I think we're going to step outside for a bit."

With Brandy still clinging to him, Larry walked her out of the restaurant. The door swung shut behind them, leaving the rest of them in an awkward silence.

The two girls who had exchanged the skeptical glance earlier looked at each other, their faces expressionless. One of them shrugged, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, I guess that was fun."

"It wasn't." Isabella said, rolling her eyes. "Stop being a bully. It's not cute." 

"Whatever." The blonde held back laughter. 

The rest of them shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to respond. The atmosphere had grown tense, the air thick with unspoken words.

As they waited for Larry to return, the silence stretched out like an elastic band, threatening to snap at any moment.