Chapter 1:

"I love it! I really, really love it! I definitely made the right choice in picking you. The design you created for me turned out absolutely beautiful!" the gorgeous woman happily praised Aviannah while holding the sketchbook that contained the wedding dress she had drawn for her.

After finishing her studies, Aviannah pursued a career as a fashion designer. And even though she had only been in the industry for a year, she already seemed like an expert, judging by the overwhelming positive feedback from her clients and the growing number of people trusting her designs.

Because of this, despite being in the field for just a year, she had already managed to establish her own boutique. She was incredibly proud that everything she had achieved came from her own hard work and perseverance—despite multiple attempts by her father and stepmother to convince her to help with their family business instead.

For Aviannah, there was nothing more fulfilling than building her own name in the business world and achieving her dreams as a fashion designer. That was why, even though her father had his own businesses, she chose not to get involved in them.

"I'm really happy that you liked it. I promise you won’t regret choosing me until the very end," Aviannah responded cheerfully to the woman.

"Thank you so much, Ms. Aviannah! I know you're the best!" the woman happily exclaimed.

The entire day passed by quickly, and for Aviannah, the most exciting part of her day was just about to begin.

After finishing work, she eagerly closed her boutique and headed to a five-star resto-bar, where a birthday party was being held for her friend, Sandra.

"Hey, Avie! Over here!"

Aviannah quickly turned toward the voice that called her as soon as she entered the resto-bar. A wide smile immediately spread across her lips when she saw her friend, Jamie, waving at her alongside their other friends. She quickly made her way toward them.

"I'm sorry I'm late—" she started to apologize, but Jamie quickly interrupted her.

"No, it’s okay, Avie. The party just started."

"That’s good then. Uhm… where’s Sandra, by the way?" she asked as she glanced around the venue, looking for their birthday celebrant.

"Uhm… Sandra? Well… the thing is…" Jamie hesitated, seemingly unsure of how to answer.

"Why? Is there a problem?"

"There’s no problem. She just stepped out for a bit to pick up—"

Jamie wasn’t able to finish her sentence because, at that moment, Sandra arrived—accompanied by a man.

Aviannah froze for a moment when she saw who the unexpected guest was.

"Uhm… You're here already, Avie," Sandra greeted her softly. "I invited him here, and I hope that’s okay."

"Oh, yeah. Of course, it’s fine," she replied with a smile.

"Thank you," Sandra mouthed.

"Hi, Aviannah! How are you? It’s been a while," said Sandra's companion.

"Hi, Alfred! I’m good. How about you?" she responded politely.

"I’m good as well," Alfred answered with a smile.

"That’s good to hear." And before any awkwardness could arise between them, she quickly spoke again. "Uhm… by the way, this is for you, Sandra. Happy birthday!" she said, handing her friend a gift.

"Thank you so much, Avie!" Sandra said excitedly as she accepted the present.

"Let’s start the party, guys! Come on!" one of their friends happily called out, and soon, they were all enjoying the celebration, drinking, and having a great time together.

"Avie, are you okay?" Jamie asked after a while, approaching Aviannah.

"Of course, I’m okay. Why do you ask?"

"Because, you know… Alfred is here."

Aviannah glanced at Alfred, who was happily chatting and laughing with their friends alongside Sandra.

"Well… we’re on good terms, so it’s totally fine. Besides, we don’t have any painful history between us, you know…"

"That’s true… unlike with Andrei—"

Jamie suddenly stopped talking the moment she mentioned that name. "Oops, I’m sorry."

"It’s fine, don’t worry about it. I hear that name all the time from Dad and Aunt Cristy anyway."

"Well, that makes sense. I’m sure you guys talk about him a lot at home."

"Hmm. Not really. Whenever he becomes the topic, I just avoid it."

"So, in five years… you really haven’t talked at all?" Jamie asked curiously.

"Yup. For five years, nothing," Aviannah replied softly. And though she tried to hide it, a hint of sadness passed through her eyes as they discussed the topic.

It had been five years since they graduated from senior high school. Five years since the man she loved left the country to study abroad. Five years since she last saw and spoke to him. And within those five years, so much had happened and changed in her life.

She made more friends, completed her studies, and even established her own boutique. Many things had changed, and she hoped that her feelings were one of them.

Because despite everything that had changed in her life, her feelings seemed to remain the same. Something she had long been trying to change. But what could she do if she couldn’t kill the love she had for the man she shouldn’t have fallen for?

"Well, you deserve so much better, Avie," Jamie suddenly commented beside her, making her turn to face her friend. "I mean, maybe it’s actually a good thing that you two never talked again. At least it helped you get over your feelings for him, right?"

She stared at her friend for a moment before finally answering. “O-Of course! Of course,” she said, forcing a smile. “For the past five years, I’ve managed to suppress my feelings for him. Which is exactly what I should have done, right?”

Ever since Andrei left the country, Aviannah had tried her best to pretend she no longer had any feelings for him. That was the image she showed and the words she spoke in front of her friends.

“So, in that case, maybe there’s a chance for you and Alfred now?” Jamie said excitedly, catching Aviannah slightly off guard.

“Huh?”

“Five years ago, you rejected him because of Andrei. And after that, you two rarely saw or spoke to each other. So, why don’t you try to work things out with him now?”

“You know… I haven’t really thought about those things yet. Besides, look at him and Sandra. Don’t you think they actually look good together?” she said, shifting her gaze toward the two people they were discussing.

Jamie crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly, as if deep in thought. “Hmm, well, you might have a point.”

“Right? Imagine, who would have thought they’d become good friends five years ago?” Aviannah added.

“They do seem to have something going on, don’t they?” Jamie commented as they both watched Alfred and Sandra exchange happy glances.

“See? I told you!”

“Hey, Avie! Jamie! Why are you two just standing there? Come join us!” Tin, one of their friends at Sandra’s birthday celebration, called out to them.

Their other friends all turned to look at Aviannah and Jamie at the same time.

“Yeah! Why are you two just standing there? Trying to escape the shots, huh?” Anie, another friend, teased.

“Hey, we’re not avoiding the shots! We’re coming over now!” Jamie responded before she and Aviannah joined their friends.

Aviannah had fun with her companions that night. That’s why she couldn’t refuse whenever they handed her a drink.

“No half measures, darling—make it a full one!”

“Go, Avie!”

Smiling, Aviannah finished the entire shot in one go and raised the empty glass in the air to show them.

“Woah! You’re the best, Avie!”

“Guys, I think Avie has had enough. That will be her last shot,” Sandra suddenly said in the middle of their celebration.

“Why? She can still handle it,” Tin argued.

“That’s right, Sandra. Besides, it’s your birthday! Let’s just enjoy the night,” Anie added before pouring another drink into the shot glass they were passing around. “Tin, it’s your turn!” she said cheerfully.

“I’m fine,” Aviannah whispered to Sandra with a smile. And so, the party continued.

Aviannah had no idea how many shots she had taken before she started to feel the world around her slowly spin.

“Avie, it’s your turn for a shot,” Jamie said, but Sandra immediately objected.

“That’s enough, Jamie. Aviannah can’t handle any more. And you too—look at yourself,” Sandra said as she took the shot glass from Jamie’s hand.

“Hey, I can still handle it,” Aviannah playfully chimed in, trying to take the shot glass back from Sandra.

“No, Avie. You should stop,” Sandra scolded her.

Some of their friends were already passed out, while others had called their drivers to pick them up and take them home.

“Are they okay?” Alfred asked as he approached.

“No, they’re not okay,” Sandra replied.

“So, how are we going to take them home?”

“I can take Jamie home since I’ll be passing by their house. But… for Avie—”

“I can take her,” Alfred quickly interrupted Sandra.

“Are you sure? Because I already texted her nanny to have their family driver pick her up—”

“It’s okay. I’ll take her home instead. I’ll call her dad,” Alfred interrupted Sandra again while they both glanced at Aviannah, who was now slumped over the table, completely intoxicated.

“O-Okay, sure,” Sandra finally relented.

With the help of Sandra’s family driver, they carefully assisted Jamie out of the resto-bar.

“We’re leaving now. Take care of Avie,” Sandra told Alfred.

“Sure. Take care, guys. And happy birthday again,” Alfred replied with a smile.

Sandra flashed a sweet smile at the man. “Thank you.”

She was about to step away when she suddenly froze at what she saw. The shock was also evident on Alfred’s face when he turned to look at a man who was now walking toward them with a serious expression.

“You? What are you doing here?” Alfred asked in a deep voice as the man stopped in front of him.

The man’s gaze dropped to Aviannah, who was still asleep at the table.

“I’m here to pick up my sister,” the man replied seriously.