Chapter 1

Selina’s pov

The phone rang for the umpteenth time but there was still no response. 

Damn it!

“It’s me, Brian... Call me back, okay?” I gnashed my teeth, my voice barely hiding the strain in it. I clicked on the voicemail button, biting down my lips.

Today wasn’t just any day… It was our anniversary. 

I said yes to Brian three years ago and since then, we have always celebrated this day every year. But it's 6:43 PM already. No text. No call. Not even a stupid Happy Anniversary emoji!

This was unlike Brian! Even during crazy board meetings, when he was flying out of the country for deals, he usually found a way to call. 

Something didn’t feel right. I could feel it. I flopped on the couch, groaning in despair.

If something was wrong, there was only one way to find out. 

I rose and straightened my oversized jean shorts and redressed my camisole before flipping on a red tank top. 

I brushed my hair back brusquely, and pulled on my sneakers. My backpack slung leisurely on my back and I grabbed the small white box on my kitchen counter… the one with the golden ribbon that I had spent two hours knotting.

I bounced to the garage with my face cap perfectly sitting on my head.

When I pulled over at Brian's condor, the first thing that caught my attention was the blasting music. It was loud and it reverberated down the whole place.

My curiosity heightened. Brian hated noise. He was all about sophistication and class.

Maybe he had decided to throw a party for us… 

Aww… A blast it is.

I clutched the gift box tighter and sauntered in, grinning from ear to ear. 

You are overreacting. What if it's a work thing? I said to myself as I pushed the gates open.

A full smile plastered my face as I beheld the scene. It was indeed a party, one that blew my wildest imagination!

There were people everywhere, laughing and drinking. I recognised a few of them. They were mainly Brian’s friends and workers. 

My smile gradually faded as I beheld half-naked girls splashing around the swimming pool. They were twirling to the music like it was some cheap nightclub.

My eyes darted around the crowd in search of Brian. But when I saw him, my smile completely faded. He was wearing nothing but swim shorts and a cocky grin…

What the heck? Is he drunk or something? I thought and hastened towards him. But my legs froze and I came to a halt.Samantha, my best friend was dancing out of the crowd. 

How did she get to know about the party when I didn't? More upsetting was her outlook. She was clad in a bikini with half of her burst visible and giggling as she danced. In her hands were two glasses of red wine.

My eyes widened as she danced towards Brian. She pecked him lightly and Brian smiled wide. He slid his arm around her waist and they tossed the drink.

Are they drunk? I thought. But Brian held her tighter. They danced in sync and Brian grinded his groins against hers…his hands roaming her body.

With my mouth wide open, the white box clutched in my hands tumbled and crashed to the ground. But no one noticed, I seemed insignificant and invisible to everyone.

Brian's hand glided down Samantha's face. They stopped on her chin and with the other hand, he pulled her closer and kissed her. 

At first, it was a sloppy kiss. But their lips  clashed. They licked and bit each other like they were meant to be. Samantha’s fingers coiled through Brian’s head and they held each other tighter, deepening the kiss.

A noise of appraisal roared from the crowd and my mouth dropped sagging. Brian wasn't only going out with Samantha, my best friend, he threw a public party for her on the day we were supposed to celebrate our love. What a slap on my face!?

Cold shivers ran down my spine. Anger like molten lava erupted from my core. With a wild glare, my gaze settled on the sound system and there was a DJ.

Like a lunatic, I brushed past the DJ and drew one of the wires. The music stopped and the noise ceased.

Now I had everyone's attention.

“Who the heck…” Brian started and turned towards the DJ. He gave a double look as he beheld me. The humour in his eyes faded and melted into anger.

There was no guilt. All I saw was annoyance, like I was an intruder, ruining his show.

Gently, he tilted Samantha out of his way and walked leisurely towards me. The crowd parted for him like he was some goddamn king strolling into his Kingdom.

“Selin,” he said my name like it was a burden on his tongue.

“Brian... what is this?” I croaked, my throat grating like sandpaper.

He chuckled. A mocking humour tumbled down his face and he walked closer.

“You are an uninvited guest. What the heck are you doing here?”

“What!? Is that all you've got to say?” I asked with my jaw dropping.

“...You shouldn't have visited unannounced. Things would have gone down without a hitch. Like a loyal dog, I would have run to you at your call… I would have apologized for missing our anniversary… I would have made it up to you and…”

“Shut up!” I yelled.

Brian broke into a gust of laughter. He stared at me mockingly like I was a pathetic fool. 

My insides shivered like I was drenched in the rain. I felt my tears pushing like a flood, but I held my head straight. I wasn't ready to waste my tears on such a damn bastard.