Chapter 3: Will you marry me?

Sera’s POV

I was twenty when I met Adrian in college, and it wasn’t love at first sight. At twenty four, I got the video, and the news that ruined us.

~Flashback~

“I’m sorry,” I say into the phone, eyes watering. 

Adrian sighs. “I know baby, but you need to trust me.”

We had our usual fight the night before. Adrian is a the quarterback captain, and it’s safe to say the ladies love him. 

This time, I found red lip stains on his jersey, so I got upset. He didn’t like that.

“I’m trying,” I sniffle.

“I have never cheated on you, and I’d never. I love you, Sera. You know that.”

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I love you, too. I’m sorry for accusing you of cheating like I always do.”

“Are we good?”

“Yea,” I croak, wiping my eyes. “How was the party?”

I was too upset to meet him at the last party for the semester. We’re heading home today, and I’m regretting standing him up all because of red lip stains.

He yawns, loudly. “It was alright, I didn't really have a lot of fun, you know why. Can I see you at the cafeteria before you go home?”

“Definitely.” 

“Alright, darling. I’ll text you.”

We say our goodbyes, everything is settled between us and I smile, the line disconnecting.

My phone chimes with a message from an anonymous number. 

I frown, clicking on it to reveal a video clip.

That should’ve been the point to turn off my phone, or to delete the video immediately. But curiosity got the best of me, and like they say… it kills the cat.

I jam my fingers down on the play button, and watch the video of my boyfriend, Adrian.

He’s shirtless on the bed, and in only a tiny piece of briefs. An equally undressed girl clings to his chest, and he holds her.

My jaw drops, stomach dipping. 

No, this can’t be. 

I squeeze my eyes shut, wishing that when I open them, it won’t be my boyfriend wrapped half naked around some girl.

But the picture is still there… and I don’t need a genie to tell me that I had just been played.

Adrian’s text pops in at that moment, with the time to meet up at the cafeteria, and the screen blurs from the tears in my eyes.

I don’t respond. Instead, I grab my already packed suitcase and leave the hostel, shooting a text to Ivy that I’ve left for home.

Unknowing to me that an even terrible news was waiting for me at home.

~End Of Flashback~

“This way, Laurel,” I tell the sitter I hired, voice loud over the chatter, as I direct her toward the entrance flanked by reporters.

I tighten my grip on Ezra’s hand, making our way down the carpeted aisle. 

Ezra and I arrived in New York yesterday. Unfortunately for him, he’s not going to do a lot of sight-seeing because this is only meant to be a weekend dash in, dash out.

“Good evening, ma’am,” a tall lady in a uniform greets.“Your name and the code, please?”

She stands beside a bouncer, earpiece in and an iPad in her hands.

“Good evening, I’m Sera,” I say. “Sera Lane. The code is…”

“Wait,” she says, typing on the iPad with furrowed brows. “There’s no Sera Lane on the invite.”

My heart stops. “I have the c-code.”

She shakes her head. “I’m sorry but if you’re not on the invite, we can’t let you in.”

“You don’t understand—”

“Ma’am please leave the way.” She looks over my shoulder, motioning for the next person.

Ezra begins whining and Laurel immediately takes him from me. I dig around in my purse for my phone, dialing Ivy.

The call rings, and rings… but I get her voicemail.

“Excuse me…” I glance at the lady’s name tag. “Toria. Excuse me, Toria.”

Irritation crosses her face, her jaw tightens. “Yes, ma’am?”

“I’m sorry,” I apologize. “I don’t mean to be a bother, b-but can’t you just run the code? I have a son here who’s going to get cranky real soon.”

She spares Ezra and Laurel a look. “I suggest you go home, ma’am. We’re under strict instructions, and Mr Cross doesn’t take to being disrespected.”

“Why can’t you just use the code?”

“The code is only respective to invitees.”

Ivy didn’t tell me this. My cheeks burn with embarrassment. Fingers trembling, I try Ivy again.

This time it rings once, and goes straight to voicemail, almost like it's intentional. I try two more times, and the same thing happens.

Other guests go through freely, some staring at me as I hover in a corner, all dolled up for an event I wasn’t officially invited to.

I shouldn’t have come.

Typing out a text to Ivy that I’m stuck outside , it double ticks immediately. She’s seen it. The three dots appear and disappear, but no texts come in.

I try again, and this time… only a single tick.

And that’s the confirmation that she’s ignoring me on purpose. Why?

Anger brews in my chest, heart pounding.

“Toria…”

She glares at me, and I bite my tongue.

Clicks from reporters go by, and I pray to everything holy that they don’t capture this embarrassment, this humiliation.

“Come on, Laurel…” I mutter, voice shaky. I clamp down on my jaw, keeping my tears at bay. 

I shouldn’t cry. It’s fine.

We turn to leave when a voice stops me.

“Are you leaving, dear?” 

An African-American woman speaks, her lips pulled into a confused frown. She’s stunning with Afro hair adorned with gold jewelry.

“Yes, urm—” I clear my throat. “My best friend…she didn’t tell me about the code being on invite only, and I j-just…”

“Is that your son?” She points to Ezra.

I nod with a wobbly smile. “Yes, he is.”

“Hm.” She squints. “Come on, I’ll tell them you’re with me.”

My heart soars. “Are you sure? I don’t want to be an inconvenience.”

“Nonsense.” She waves me off, her jewelry clinking with every movement. “Something tells me you really want to be here.”

This feels like a Cinderella moment, except this fairy godmother is helping me have my final heartbreak, pushing me to the painful closure I desperately need.

“Thank you, so much,” I say, eyes watering at her kindness. I look down on my phone, but still no text or call from Ivy.

She shakes her head, giving Ezra a little handshake. “It’s nothing. Besides, you didn’t come all this way with such a beautiful boy only to be sent back home.”

I walk beside her and immediately remember my manners.

“I’m Sera Lane,” I introduce myself.

She smiles. “Antoinette.”

Antoinette informs Toria that we’re with her, and just like that… we’re allowed into the beautifully decorated room filled with only a handful of people.

I scan the room for Adrian, plucking a glass of champagne from one of the waiters and snagging a cupcake for Ezra.

“Thank you all for joining us tonight.” 

I can recognize that voice anywhere, even in my sleep. My eyes find him immediately.

Adrian stands tall in the front of the room, and for a moment he’s the only one I see. 

“As you all know, I’m proposing to my future wife tonight… so,” he pauses, eyes scanning the room, and he gives a nod to someone in the crowd.

The crowd parts as a woman steps out.

Adrian drops to one knee. “Ivy Shawn, will you marry me?”

Everyone gasps, squeals erupting but they slowly fade to the background.

“Yes,” Ivy smiles.

All the air leaves my lungs, and I watch with parted lips as my ex boyfriend proposes to my supposed best friend… and she says yes.

As if they can hear the sound of my heart breaking, their eyes find my shocked ones. 

And they stay locked.