Chapter 12

SARA'S POV

Flipping her hair over her shoulder gracefully, Alyssa leaned in to whisper into Derek's ears.

Without a moment of hesitation, he took the bracelet from her while she extended her fair wrist towards him.

And then, with gentle movements, Derek clasped the bracelet around her wrist, raising her hand to plant a soft kiss on it.

The moment should have passed like any other, but I could not get over the thought that Danielle had so casually passed on a gift I had thoughtfully selected to Alyssa.

It wasn't like one of those expensive antiques that were only sold at auctions. No, it wasn't that priceless a gift but when I picked it out, I intended it to be a memory, a moment and a token of love between mother and a daughter but I guess Danielle thought otherwise.

My throat tightened painfully and I blinked rapidly, pushing back the tears that threatened to fall.

This wasn't the first time Danielle was expressing so much affection for Alyssa and I felt it was about time I got used to it.

"Sara?"

I turned around on my heels at the sound of the voice. It was ever so familiarly smug and grating on the ears.

Brian.

One of Derek's and Alyssa's closest friend.

At first, I had nothing against him, until I found out he was just a willingly submissive, loyal sidekick of Derek's who would do anything to beat me down while I was already downtrodden.

He never missed the opportunity to and I often wondered what he had against me.

"I have to say, your persistence deserves some commendation," He said,voice oozing with sarcasm.

His hands were draped in his pocket and there was an unmistakable sneer on his face, "Still clinging to Derek like a nail to a magnet?"

"Why? I can't be here?" I retorted to his derogatory remark with a sharp rebuttal, voice devoid of emotion. "Last I remember, this is a public place. I have every right to be here unless your little group rented the entire city."

"I can go wherever I want, my movements don't need to be restricted for your sake. I am not a fly to keep buzzing around Derek like a tasty meal. I'm not you, Brian," I spat out distastefully then walked away.

I didn't have to stay to listen to another of the condescending remarks I could very well imagine he had for me.

My heels clinked against the marble floor of the restaurant as one of the attendants led me to a table.

It wasn't empty, someone was seated there, obviously waiting for me.

The air shifted as I took in his presence and my eyes widened in surprise.

Alaric Lennox.

He was seated with a relaxing posture, his features as striking as ever, accentuated by his sharp, clean-cut suit.

His charisma was effortless and he didn't have to do too much to command attention to himself.

Alaric was the young, successful owner of a designer brand that was well known internationally and over the years, I had seen his works and brand gain the accolades it deserved.

It had been a long time since I last saw him and I never imagined our first meeting after that would be here of all places.

I looked back at the door, expecting Rina to walk in so I could interrogate her on why she had chosen to keep it secret that we were here to meet Alaric.

She didn't walk in and I shifted my gaze back to the man,my eyes still flickering in surprise.

"You..." I stumbled on my words.

"Me," He answered with a smile and stepped out of his seat, "I asked Rina to set this up, forgive my forwardness."

My lips twitched, the corners tugging into a faint smile, "I just wasn't expecting you. I thought Rina and I were heading out for a friendly meal."

"It still is," Alaric said easily, pulling out a chair for me to sit, "With a sprinkle of business."

I smiled in amusement then nodded gratefully at him before sitting down.

He accepted it with a smile of his own then returned to his seat.

"Rina showed me your sketches," He said without preamble and I blinked in surprise, "She did?"

Alaric nodded in confirmation, "You always downplay how talented you are, those sketches were brilliant Sara. I thought you were gifted before but now, you have improved by leaps and bounds, in ways I never thought possible for a designer."

Not once, not in this lifetime did it ever occur to me that the reason Rina had been so persistently asking for my sketches was so that she could show them to Alaric.

No wonder her smile had seemed so mysterious earlier.

"How's Derek? I haven't seen him since the wedding," His voice cut into my thoughts and my smile waned in an instant.

I bit my bottom lip, wondering how to break the troubles of my marriage to him but decided to just put it simply, "I'm getting a divorce."

There was no point going through the pain all over again.

Alaraic paused in surprise then nodded quietly, "I'm so sorry to hear that."

Thankfully, he didn't pry and silence settled between us which he broke again soon enough with a light hearted tone.

"You designed my first custom suit. That is a core memory of mine and when Rina came to me, showing me your sketches, I was more than glad. You have a gift, Sara."

My mind flashed back to the moment he mentioned, nostalgia washing over me like rain on a left.

I did remember.

Back then, I had suggested using an uncommon fabric which made Alaric skeptical but ultimately, he had accepted even though he barely had the money for it.

Our thoughts must have been aligned because he smiled breezily, "Asking you to make that for me was the best investment I ever made. I still have that suit in my closet."

"Really?" My heart rose.

Hearing him say that was the highest acknowledgement of my work that I had received in years.

"Yes," He nodded in confirmation, "Now...I want to invest in you."

I stared at him, not quite understanding what those words meant for a minute.

"I know you have been out of the scene for a while," He voiced gently, eyes running over my face. "Rina told me you wanted to attend the international design exhibition in Milan so I got two tickets, just in case."

My eyes widened at his generosity and I suddenly had no words.

"Don't get me wrong," He said in a firmer tone, "I'm not trying to treat you like charity, I just really admire your work. You possess a creativity the industry is missing and the eye you have for color, texture, structure and subtlety is rare."

"If you ever decide to make a comeback, I would appreciate it if you choose my label to be your first stop."

His words settled quietly in my chest, like sunlight breaking through thin ice and I sighed softly, "I'll think about it."

"That's all I ask."

Our conversation flowed seamlessly after that, we had common grounds to discuss after all.

A couple of minutes later, I reached for my phone to check on Rina at the same time that the restaurant door swung open and she walked in, striding over with quick steps towards us.

Her cheeks were flushed and her face was contorted in a tight frown.

"Rina, what's  wrong?" I asked immediately she reached me.

"It's always a pleasure to see you, Alaric. Forgive my terrible expression," Rina took Alaric's outstretched hand first before turning to me with a huff.

She leaned in to whisper to me, "I just saw Derek, Alyssa and your daughter out front but that's not even why I'm mad."

I wasn't even surprised, I knew she wouldn't miss them too.

"Why?" I whispered back.

"I was ambushed by the fucking bastard, Brian. I had no idea the idiot was as alive and annoying as ever."

No doubt, she had exchanged heated words with him.

The mix of her expression and the insults so easily hurled out of her mouth made me chuckle.

*******

THIRD PERSON'S POV

From a distance, Brian stood with arms crossed, fuming at the scene before him as he watched Sara laugh with the tall, handsome man across the room.

She hadn't even spared him a glance after insulting him earlier and fury burned through his gut.

"Why do you look like someone asked you to chew grass?" Cody swung a hand over his shoulder.

The latter was another of Derek's friends who had arrived late for the celebration, who now followed Brian's gaze without context.

Brian didn't say a word but through the celebration, he remained fuming.

A few minutes later, the cake was brought out and Danielle leaned in to Alyssa, "Make a wish."

All eyes turned to the birthday girl and she smiled, looking at Derek with eyes that practically spelt intention, "You all know what it is already," She smiled sweetly.

"Oh, I know," Danielle raised her hand excitedly and got up, "Let's wish that we'll always be together!"

Alyssa looked delighted but Derek was tight lipped through it all.

Later, as people began to disperse, Brian pulled Derek aside, "I saw Sara tonight, I think she's cheating on you."