Nineteen........ Party At Natalie's

I was in front of the mirror looking at myself. I was in a white dress and I matched it with black stilettos, it was a simple dress and my hair was curled and I let it fall.

Ansel came up and hugged me from behind.

"You look beautiful.", he said and pecked my neck.

"Thank you. I hope Natalie will be impressed.", I said.

Natalie had invited us for an elaborate dinner she was holding for Max and Anika's engagement ceremony. It was going to be at her house.

"Impressed.", Ansel said incredulously. "Riley she loves you, no matter what you do.", he said. I turned around to face him and he pulled me closer.

"Do you wanna stay here and have some fun.", he said and pecked my neck up to the side of my lips and then stopped as his lips brushed mine. "Or you wanna go to some probably boring party.", he said and his teeth tugged at my lower lip as his hands went very low behind me.

It took all I had to resist him. I kissed him softly and pulled away as he was yearning for more.

"Maybe I'll take the boring party.", I said and wriggled out of his hold as he groaned.

"You're such a killjoy.", he said groaning as we headed to the car. I didn't see Mekhi around so I guessed Ansel, was going to drive.

"Oh don't be such a whiney baby. You'll get it sometime.", I said smirking at him as we got in the car.

"Hmm. What does that mean.", he said.

"Ionno. What do you think it means.", I said and chuckled.

"You look beautiful in that dress.", he said again.

"You've said that before.", I said.

"I know.", he said and reached for my hand before he pecked it. "I just can't help it.", he said.

We arrived at the house and the party was already in full swing. There were so many people of so many ages. The old, the young, there were even teens.

We went through the crowd making a lot of stops. Ansel seemed to know almost everyone at this party. Something about the way he introduced me as his wife, the way his hands rested comfortably on the small of my back made my heart swell.

Finally, I spotted Natalie's blonde hair. She turned around as if knowing we were approaching and a huge smile lit up her face.

"Riley.", she called out as she opened her arms and pulled me into a hug despite the wine glass in her hand. "It's so nice to see you.", she said after we pulled apart.

"Same here.", I said and we made some small chat.

The party went on and we kept going around until we found some way to get outside.

"Come I wanna show you something.", Ansel said and we went somewhere through the garden.

"You always have something to show.....". My words were halted when he abruptly turned and crashed his lips into mine. I was caught off guard but I soon returned the kiss. His hands went lower as mine traced patterns on his chest.

He slowly pulled away but he rested his forehead on mine.

"I didn't have anything to show you, I just wanted to do that.", he said and even though it was dark, I knew he was smiling.

"You could have...."

"And I got tired of all those people in there.", he said.

I looked up to him. "You seemed pretty comfortable talking to them.", I said and stroked his cheek.

"Yeah, but I wasn't.", he said and leaned in to kiss me.

I responded pretty quickly and he pulled me closer till my body was pressed towards his.

"Riley if we don't go home now, there are some things I would do right here, right now.", he said roughly and I felt the bulge in his pants.

A wicked idea crept into my mind but I thought against it. "Fine, but let's greet your sisters first then we'll head out.", I said and we went back into the house.

We talked to some people and we also got to dance along with Anika and Max and some other couples that were present. I hadn't seen Angel anywhere in the party and I didn't want to see her. I was in a good mood.

But as they say, speak of the devil and the devil appears. But in my case it's, think of Angel and Angel appears. I and Ansel were talking to Anika and Max when I turned and we caught each other's eyes.

Angel glared at me then smirked as she got a wine from a tray a waiter was passing by with. She didn't seem to head this way so I turned and rejoined the conversation that was going on between the four of us.

Soon enough, Angel came and she was greeting me, but before I knew what was happening, I felt a cold liquid course down the front of my dress and I gasped in horror as I looked down to see my wine dress stained with red. It looked bloody.

"Angel!! What is wrong with you.", Ansel boomed as I stood there looking dumbfounded. She had just poured her wine all over me.

"I am so sorry.", Angel said the sarcasm so evident in her eyes.

"No you are not, I don't even know what is wrong with you. You always do this, trying to ruin every little nice thing that I have. What is your issue with her.", Ansel yelled and now everyone was looking at us.

I focused my attention on the dress.

"My issue is that she is not right for you and you know it.", she said cooly venom lacing her tongue.

"Oh then is it Shanelle then.", he said.

"Yes. It is. At least she loves you. Riley on the other hand doesn't and no matter how much you guys smile and try to look perfect she never will be right for you. She is just a whore looking for mo...."

"Angel!!", Natalie said and slapped Angel.

Now there were tears in my eyes. I turned around and ran outside as people parted for me. I was running when I stumbled into someone. I looked up as I saw a man and a tear fell freely onto my cheek.

"Are you okay.", he asked and I stepped away and tripped but steadied myself. I looked down at my shoe. Great! A heel had broken.

"Do you need help?", the stranger asked.

I wanted to speak but I knew my voice would betray me so I shook my head and walked barefoot to the car. Ansel wasn't there and the car was locked. I called an Uber and headed home.

I've gone home. I texted Ansel and switched my phone off once I entered the Uber.

Soon enough I reached home. I paid the driver and entered without saying a word to Oscar who was looking at me expectantly.

I got up and took off the dress, had my bath and headed straight to bed not wanting to think of anything

ANSEL'S POV

"Angel!!", my mum said and slapped Angel. I looked at Angel with hate. I hated the way she always treated Riley. Just because the reason she married me is bad doesn't mean she is bad.

"You are just sad and you don't know what you are saying.", Anika said.

"Then why did she leave? She knows I'm saying the truth.", Angel said and I turned to see Riley running towards the exit.

I wanted to run and console Riley when someone held my hand and I turned to see it was Angel.

"You and I both know that if you run after her now she would make a scene.", she said and I pulled my hand away from her grip.

"Make a scene!", my mum started. "Angel, look around, you made a scene. You ruined your twin sister's engagement, all for what, some silly vendetta you have against your brother's wife.", my mum yelled.

I sighed and turned around to face the crowd. "Okay everyone, thank you for your presence. We really appreciate it but now the party is over and we would like you all to leave now.", I said politely and people started taking their leaves.

In some minutes, there were no guests but only workers and cleaners.

My mum went upstairs after talking privately with Angel and Max had left with Anika. Leaving me alone in the parlour.

Oh God! I had to call Riley, she would have found a way to go home. I switched on my phone to see a text from her, it read,

I've gone home.

I called her but she didn't answer. I just hoped she would be fine. I quickly went to the car and drove off.

I arrived home very late because there was very bad traffic. I got upstairs after Cecilia had told me that Riley had come home hours ago.

I entered the room and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw her. She looked so peaceful while sleeping, her hair sprayed around her head.

I stepped closer and sat beside her on the bed and she stirred but didn't wake up. I was really in love with her. I had been since I first got to know her.

I just hoped she won't find out what I did because I know she would never forgive me. I just now have to make sure she never finds out what I did. So I stood up and went to make a call, a call to tie all possible loose ends.

RILEY'S POV

I woke up feeling tired. The events of yesterday flooded my memory as I got off the bed. I turned to see Ansel sleeping beside me. I didn't even know when he came back.

I went to the bathroom and did my business. When I was done I decided to wear a black palazzo with a white chiffon shirt. My ankle had been paining me since yesterday but I didn't want to pay mind to it. So I wore a simple white sandals.

"Riley.", Ansel called out as I wanted to head out of the room.

"Yes.", I said as I turned back to face him.

"You're going without a goodbye kiss.", he said and I sighed. I went over to kiss his cheek but he turned and caught my lips in his.

Shortly after, he pulled away. "What's wrong?", he asked still cupping my cheeks and searching my eyes.

"Nothing.", I said and he sat up to face me and slowly I adjusted to sit on the bed.

"I'm sorry about yesterday.", he said.

"Oh don't worry, it's not your fault, plus Angel has always found new ways to make sure she shows her point of not liking me. So yesterday was nothing new.", I said quietly.

"How can I make it up to you?", he asked.

"Don't worry about that Ansel, now I have to go.", I said and headed out.

After a quick breakfast, I decided to drive myself to work. It had been such a long time since I did that.

I arrived at work and went straight to my desk. I had a new project that I was the only one working on. Paloma and Parker had been given new projects with new partners.

Apparently, Paloma had complained to Martina.

"Hey there.", I heard and turned to see Parker.

"Oh Parker, how are you and how's your new project?", I asked.

"It's fine.", he shrugged. "Though I wish you guys were still my partners.", he said.

"You guys? I thought you now disliked Paloma?", I asked.

"Dislike? I could never. She means so much to me but I guess she thinks the opposite.", he said and I saw the sadness in his eyes.

"Wanna talk about it?", I asked

"Nah. I'm cool. Thanks though.", he said and took a seat at his desk beside me. "Anyways how are you? You look quite dull and I'm sure you would wanna talk about it.", he said and I smiled weakly.

"It's just my sister-in-law. The one I told you about.", I said. I had once discussed Angel's behaviour towards me with Parker and Paloma. So they knew how my relationship with her was.

"Oh you mean, Angel. What did she do now?", he asked sounding concerned.

"Last night was her sister's engagement ceremony and I went. I didn't see her until later and when she greeted me she poured her wine all over my white dress.", I said and he made a sour face, but he looked so funny that I laughed.

"Then she said mean stuff about me. Me being me, naturally, I won't have bothered, but the fact that she said it in front of so many people was what embarrassed me. And to top it off my heel broke while I was running away. It was as if the universe was just against me.", I said.

"Yesterday must have been pretty bad for you. Sorry though, but you already know that's how she is, she will just keep upgrading. Honestly, if I were you, I would stand up to her one day and tell her you love her brother and she should deal with it.", he said.

I would say that, but the reason why I married him still stands and it's still a terrible one and she could always use that to her advantage. I wanted to say.

But Parker didn't know anything about the way my marriage started. He had even once advised me to not let my marriage be like his parents. Sadly, it was kinda like his parents

"Plus, if there's anyone the universe is against it's me.", he said.

"Why?", I asked.

"Because it's as if everything I do to get closer to her pushes her further away from me.", he said and as if on cue, their eyes met, she glared and turned away. "I still wonder how we reached this stage when we were so happy before.", he said and I gave him a sympathetic smile.

They were once a cute couple. I wanted to tell him she didn't expect much from it, but it wasn't my place to tell him. Plus, I don't want to cause more problems for them.

"Maybe you should give her some space.", I said.

"Space? Like..."

"Like, distance yourself from her a bit. Don't go too far though, but maybe that'll make her realize just how important you are to her.", I said and he looked at her.

He had that look in his eyes, an adoring look that held pain also.

"And what if she doesn't.", he said and I felt like my tongue had been cut off cause I didn't know how to reply to that.

I guess he knew I had no answer to that so he sighed and left to somewhere.

Vote, Comment, Share

The Sparkling Authoress

Mis-A

❤️