Conversation

HER SOFT HAND came down to hold me tight. I bowed my head fearfully, unable to meet her stares.

“Margaux, I’m your best friend! Why do you have to keep a secret from me?” she muttered, traces of suppressed tears on her face is visible.

I shook my head defiantly. “Of course, you’re my best friend!” I chuckled. I chose to avoid her critical look.

“But you never consider me as one,” she said, mixed with a frown.

I lowered my head even more. I know where this conversation is going. I don’t have to deny it anymore because it looks like she already knows everything.

I shook my head, trying to stop the tears from flowing, but it was like a faucet flowing down my cheek.

“Bestie . . .”

He hugged me tightly and gently stroked my back as I cried on his shoulder.

“Damn that bastard!” she cursed while rubbing my back gently. “We have to do something! He must be responsible for that child!”

I violently shook my head.

“No! He doesn’t have to know my condition!”

She grabbed both of my shoulders tight. “Are you out of your mind? That bastard screwed you. We have to do something! He just can’t escape what he did to you!”

“I said, no! She’s getting married soon, and I don’t want my pregnancy to be a reason for him not to continue,” I said, firm and straight.

“What?!” She furrowed her brows, obviously not paying attention to what I was saying.

“I can raise this child alone.” I do not know if it comes out of my mouth correctly.

“But you both love each other. Additional to that, you will have a child,” she insists.

I closed my eyes firmly after shaking my head. If I did what she said, I might not have made any difference from Lester and Sarah.

“No, I can raise the child alone!” I still stubbornly refuse.

“What if he will hold you accountable? What if he calls off the wedding once he finds out about your pregnancy?”

How can I be sure that he will accept the child? It is even more believable that Peter and I are now in a relationship.

I shook my head down. “I don’t know what to do . . .” I sobbed.

She sighed frustratedly. “No matter what your decision is, I’m always here for you.” I nodded, wiping away the dripping tears. In the end, she did not force me to do what she wanted, but I still did not put aside everything she told me.

“Better yet, fix yourself, and let’s go back inside. I’m sure they are looking for us.”

***

WHILE EVERYONE IS busy with their drink, Cindy and I sat quietly in the chair provided for us and watched the band start singing.

“You’re late. Are you okay?” Peter whispered in my ears.

Instead of answering, I turned my eyes to Lawrence. His dark eyes remained cold and mysterious. I did not know what was running through his mind as he stared at me.

I slowly averted my eyes and looked up at Peter. “There are just a lot of people in the restroom,” I explained, and he just nodded.

I breathed a sigh of relief without looking at Lawrence. I just focused on the playing band.

I shifted on my seat uncomfortably and took a swig on my strawberry float cooly. I wanted to stop, but I was betrayed by myself when I glanced at him again.

The beautiful sound that emanates from the singing band and the cool breeze simultaneously refreshes my skin. I stared up at him, completely infatuated with his mouth, his brown eyes, and the way his jaw protrudes slightly.

How can he be so flawless and dreadfully hot? The way his lips curled around the rim of the glass and the way his one dimple crinkles. My heart jumped when he stared back.

I emit a tiny gasp when I saw the familiar glaze in his eyes. I wanted to bow, but I did not, and I thought of smiling at him.

Fuck! I wanted to find a crack in the ground and dive in. I also quickly covered my lips because of the tightness of his jaw at what I did.

“Love, shall we dance?” Cindy caressed her husband, Carrick. He immediately agreed and pulled her to the hall.

I feel like I was sealed from sitting when there were only six of us left on the table. Jocko and Samantha are enjoying their chat over the food as if they were the only people around when it comes to talking.

Until Peter said next to me, “I’m just taking a short restroom. I’ll be back in a minute.”

I swallowed before I nodded at him. I even followed him with my look, but he quickly disappeared from my sight due to the crowd.

“Elliesse?!”

We raised our heads on the woman who spoke and approached our table.

“Oh, Bettina!” Elliesse stood up to kiss the one who came. She also immediately introduced Lawrence as her fiancé.

“After years of breakup, you really are the ones who will last forever!” the girl told them.

I bit my lower lip and fixed my gaze on the food.

“Yes, and I believe that first love never dies!” Elliesse exclaimed.

I turned my gaze at Lawrence. It seemed that he’s not interested in what she’s talking about.

“That’s great! Oh, by the way, Nicholas was looking for you because he wants to talk to you.”

Elliesse immediately turned to Lawrence and whispered something. He gently stroked the latter’s shoulder before facing us.

“Excuse me, guys! I have to talk to someone. I’ll be back in a minute,” she said goodbye to Jocko and Samantha. She also looked at me and gave me a warning look.

“Go ahead, take your time.” Samantha pushed her away while smiling.

I secretly smiled because Elliesse frowned at what Samantha said. Without saying a word, she stood up and pulled the female companion to leave.

I just quietly followed them with the thought that they would definitely leave the Pavilion.

“It’s better if we just dance,” Jocko said to Samantha.

She didn’t even hesitate when Jocko led her to the dance floor.

It was too late when I realized it was just the two of us at the table. Lawrence continued to look unwaveringly at my face that made my heart throbs.

***

I SHIFTED AGAIN to my seat and ignored my heart that was beating uncomfortably. Not wanting to be affected by his dark stare so I just drank my strawberry float.

He leaned his back against the couch manly before he spoke.

“How are you?” he asked after a beat of silence.

“Good! I’m good.”

I bit my inner lip. I can’t help but scold myself for the quick response.

“Good to hear that,” he nod, continuing his drink, but his eyes remained dark and intense.

“Uh, how was your preparation for the wedding?” I said, I almost whispered in the air.

“Yeah, there’s no reason for me not to continue getting married, right?” he said under his breath.

His face is becoming strange and unreadable. He drank the wine again in his glass.

I sighed silently in my heart and mutter, “Well, congrats!”