Chapter 10

Sarah stood in front of the mirror, carefully dusting the finishing touches onto her makeup. The soft glow from the vanity light illuminated her face, but instead of admiring the result, she found herself staring at her reflection.

Her soft curls framed her face perfectly, her makeup was subtle yet elegant, and the emerald-green dress she had chosen fit her like it had been made specifically for her.

Yet despite all that, she couldn’t shake the uncertainty lingering in her chest.

Maybe attending this engagement party wasn’t such a good idea after all.

The thought had crossed her mind several times since Jenny’s invitation, and now that the day had finally arrived, it seemed even more convincing.

She knew Calvin would be there.

The possibility of running into him again after everything that had happened made her stomach twist unpleasantly.

Before she could dwell on it any longer, her bedroom door swung open without warning.

Ann poked her head inside and immediately let out a dramatic gasp.

“Ouuu, girl!”

Sarah laughed despite herself.

“What now?”

Ann stepped fully into the room and placed a hand over her heart.

“You look stunning.”

A reluctant smile tugged at Sarah’s lips.

“Thank you.”

Ann folded her arms.

“Honestly, if you don’t go to this engagement party looking like that, it should be considered a crime.”

Sarah laughed despite herself.

Just then, Ann remembered something.

“Oh, Jenny called.”

Sarah looked up.

“What did she say?”

“She apologized. Apparently, she got caught up helping with preparations and won’t be able to pick us up herself.”

“That’s okay.”

“She’s sending her driver instead.”

Sarah nodded.

“Fine by me.”

Ann studied her face for a moment.

Then frowned.

“Sarah.”

“Hmm?”

“You do know nobody is forcing you to attend this party, right?”

Sarah blinked.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean…”

Ann sighed.

“If you’re going to spend the entire evening looking miserable because Calvin might be there, then maybe you should stay home.”

Sarah opened her mouth to protest.

“I don’t look miserable.”

Ann raised an eyebrow.

“Really?”

Sarah hesitated.

“Okay, maybe a little.”

“A little?”

“Fine.”

Ann shook her head.

“Look, if you’re coming, then come because you want to enjoy yourself. Not because Jenny practically dragged you.”

Sarah smiled.

“I’ll be fine.”

“You better be.”

Ann pointed a warning finger at her.

“Because if your bad mood ruins my chances of meeting my future husband, we’re fighting.”

Sarah burst into laughter.

“You are unbelievable.”

“I know.”

Satisfied with herself, Ann walked out and closed the door behind her.

About thirty minutes later, Jenny’s driver arrived.

The journey to the venue was relatively short, but Sarah found herself growing more nervous the closer they got.

The venue itself was breathtaking.

Elegant chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting warm golden light across the beautifully decorated hall. Fresh flowers adorned nearly every corner, while soft music drifted through the air.

The atmosphere was sophisticated without feeling stiff.

The moment Sarah and Ann entered, Jenny spotted them.

Her face lit up instantly.

“There you are!”

She hurried toward them and pulled both women into a hug.

“I’m so glad you came.”

“You act like we had a choice,” Ann teased.

Jenny laughed.

“True.”

She linked arms with both of them.

“You girls look amazing.”

“You don’t look bad yourself,” Sarah replied.

“Don’t gas me up. I’m stressed.”

The three women laughed.

For a while, they chatted comfortably as guests continued arriving.

Then the engagement ceremony officially began.

From where they sat, Sarah had a clear view of the soon to be couple.

Laura looked absolutely stunning.

She carried herself with elegance and confidence, and the happiness on her face was impossible to miss.

Ann leaned closer.

“Calvin’s sister is beautiful.”

Sarah nodded.

“She really is.”

Then a mischievous smile appeared on her lips.

“I just hope she’s not as cruel as her brother.”

Ann immediately burst into laughter.

“Sarah!”

“What?”

“Behave yourself.”

The two women dissolved into giggles.

Their laughter caught Jenny’s attention.

She turned toward them suspiciously.

“What are you two plotting over there?”

“Nothing.”

Jenny narrowed her eyes.

“I don’t believe either of you.”

“Good thing you don’t have to.”

Jenny rolled her eyes dramatically.

“You’re impossible.”

Ann stood up.

“I need a drink.”

“Bring me one,” Jenny called after her.

“Get it yourself.”

A few moments later, drink in hand, Ann turned around and nearly collided with someone.

The impact wasn’t enough to knock her over, but it sent champagne splashing onto the floor.

“Oh my goodness.”

Ann looked up immediately.

“I’m so sorry.”

The apology died halfway through her sentence.

The man standing before her was undeniably handsome.

Tall, well dressed and had this gentle smile across his face.

Unfortunately, Ann forgot how to speak for several seconds.

The stranger’s smile widened.

“It’s alright.”

His gaze lingered on her amused expression.

“Miss…?”

“Oh.”

Ann blinked.

Then blinked again.

“Annabel.”

She immediately winced.

Why had she sounded so awkward?

“Everyone calls me Ann.”

The man extended his hand.

“I’m Elvis.”

Ann accepted it.

For some reason, her heart decided that now was the perfect time to misbehave.

“I’m also responsible for your missing drink,” Elvis continued. “The least I can do is replace it.”

Ann laughed.

“I suppose that’s fair.”

Together they walked toward the bar, falling into easy conversation.

To Ann’s surprise, talking to him felt effortless.

A few minutes later, Elvis asked casually, “So what brings you here tonight?”

“My friend and I were invited.”

“By who?”

“Jenny.”

Elvis laughed immediately.

“My sister.”

Ann’s eyes widened.

“No way.”

“Way.”

The realization made both of them laugh.

At that exact moment, Jenny and Sarah approached.

Jenny stopped short when she spotted them together.

Then a knowing smile appeared on her face.

“Well, well.”

Ann groaned.

“Don’t.”

Jenny ignored her completely.

“Looks like you’ve already met my brother.”

Elvis shook his head.

“She’s dramatic.”

“I heard that.”

The group erupted into laughter.

Introductions followed naturally, and before long the four of them were chatting comfortably.

The conversation flowed easily from old school stories to university experiences and embarrassing childhood memories.

For the first time all evening, Sarah found herself relaxing.

Maybe tonight wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Then her phone vibrated.

At first she ignored it.

But when it buzzed again, she finally glanced down.

The moment she opened the notification, her eyes widened.

Her heart stopped.

Then immediately started racing.

“Oh my God.”

Everyone looked at her.

Sarah stared at the screen in disbelief.

For a second she wondered if she was imagining it.

She wasn’t.

“I got the job.”

The words escaped before she could stop them.

“What?”

Ann grabbed her arm instantly.

“What do you mean you got the job?”

Jenny moved closer.

“Let me see.”

Sarah handed over the phone with trembling hands.

The three of them crowded around the screen.

A second later, excited squeals filled the air.

“You got it!”

“I knew it!”

“This is amazing!”

Sarah laughed.

A genuine, joyful laugh that seemed to chase away every worry she’d carried for weeks.

Relief flooded through her so suddenly that her eyes stung.

After everything she’d been through, she finally had good news.

A new job.

A fresh start.

A chance to move forward.

Without thinking, Elvis stepped forward and pulled her into a brief congratulatory hug.

“Congratulations, Sarah.”

She smiled brightly.

“Thank you.”

For the first time in a very long while, the future didn’t seem so frightening.

And as laughter and celebration surrounded her, Sarah allowed herself to believe that perhaps things were finally beginning to fall into place.

Calvin arrived at the venue much later than he had intended.

By the time he stepped out of his car, the engagement party was already in full swing. Music drifted through the evening air, laughter echoed across the beautifully decorated garden, and guests mingled beneath the soft glow of hanging lights.

He adjusted his suit jacket as he entered the venue, mentally preparing himself for the inevitable lecture from his mother about being late.

Again.

The room was alive with laughter, music, and conversation. Guests moved freely between tables while waiters navigated the crowd carrying trays of food and drinks.

Calvin paused near the entrance, his eyes scanning the room in search of his parents.

Instead, his gaze landed on something else.

Or rather…

Someone else.

Sarah.

She stood near one of the tables, smiling brightly.

A genuine smile.

The kind he had never seen directed at him.

Before he could look away, Elvis stepped forward and pulled her into a brief hug.

Sarah laughed at something he said.

The sight shouldn’t have affected him.

It really shouldn’t have.

Yet something unpleasant twisted in his chest.

His jaw tightened.

For a moment, he simply stood there watching.

Then he immediately looked away.

Whatever that feeling was, he had no interest in examining it.

Sarah was no longer his concern.

She had resigned.

She had moved on.

And judging by the way she looked at Elvis, she seemed perfectly happy.

The thought irritated him more than it should have.

Shoving the feeling aside, Calvin continued through the crowd until he finally located his parents.

As expected, his mother noticed him immediately.

“Look who finally decided to show up.”

Calvin sighed.

“Good evening to you too, Mum.”

Mrs. Hart rolled her eyes.

“You’re late.”

Before Calvin could defend himself, his father came to his rescue.

“Darling, give the young man a break. At least he made it.”

A smile appeared on Calvin’s face.

“Thanks for helping out, Dad.”

His father raised his glass.

“I do what I can.”

The three of them laughed softly before their attention shifted toward the dance floor.

Laura was dancing with her fiancé, her face glowing with happiness.

Mrs. Hart’s expression immediately softened.

“Look at her.”

There was unmistakable pride in her voice.

“My baby looks beautiful.”

“She does,” Mr. Hart agreed.

Calvin nodded absently.

“Yeah. She does.”

His words were automatic.

His attention wasn’t entirely there, Whatever that feeling was, he had no interest in examining it.

Sarah was no longer his concern.

She had resigned.

She had moved on.

And judging by the way she looked at Elvis, she seemed perfectly happy.

The thought irritated him more than it should have.

Several hours later, the engagement party finally began winding down.

Guests started leaving one after another, the music softened and Conversations became fewer.

Near the entrance, Sarah and Ann were making their way toward the waiting cab that would take them home.

Both women were exhausted but satisfied.

The evening had turned out far better than either of them expected.

Especially Sarah.

She still couldn’t stop smiling whenever she remembered the job offer email.

As they approached the vehicle, hurried footsteps sounded behind them.

“Wait!”

The girls turned simultaneously.

To their surprise, Elvis was jogging toward them.

Slightly out of breath.

Ann blinked.

“Elvis?”

He finally stopped in front of them.

“You girls are leaving already?”

Sarah laughed.

“The party is practically over.”

“Fair point.”

For a moment, he looked oddly nervous.

His gaze shifted toward Ann.

Then away.

Then back to Ann again.

Sarah immediately noticed.

And judging by the grin spreading across her face, so did Ann.

Elvis rubbed the back of his neck.

“Actually…”

He cleared his throat.

“Ann, can I talk to you for a minute?”

Ann tried very hard to look calm.

Failed miserably.

“Sure.”

Sarah bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing.

The two walked a short distance away.

Far enough for privacy.

Close enough for Sarah to see Elvis awkwardly scratching his head.

Ann folded her arms.

A smile already tugging at her lips.

“What is it?”

Elvis laughed nervously.

“I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.”

“Doing what?”

He took a breath.

Then he decided to be direct.

“I’d like your number.”

Ann blinked.

“Oh.”

“I mean…” Elvis continued quickly. “Only if you’re comfortable with it.”

The smile on Ann’s face widened.

“And if I am?”

Relief instantly flashed across his features.

“Then I’d like to take you out sometime.”

Ann couldn’t stop smiling now even if she wanted to.

“A date?”

Elvis smiled.

“A date.”

“Well…”

She pretended to think about it.

Elvis visibly tensed.

Then she laughed.

“Okay.”

His entire face lit up.

“Okay?”

“Okay.”

The grin that followed was impossible to miss.

A few moments later, after exchanging numbers, they made their way back.

Sarah took one look at Ann’s face and immediately knew something had happened. The problem was that Ann was deliberately avoiding eye contact but looked completely fluttered which only made Sarah more suspicious.

“Ann.”

No response.

“Ann.”

Still nothing.

“Annabel.”

“Leave me alone.”

Sarah burst into laughter.

Elvis looked equally amused.

After a few quick goodbyes, the girls climbed into the waiting cab.