I’m to broken. I wanted to tell him everything, all the pain I’ve kept inside of me, but my anger took the better of me. Tears spilled down my face continuously and my lips quivered so bad that I couldn’t speak more.
He stood there in front of me, unable to utter a word.
“Now you’re asking why I’m here? Why I’m still hoping that someday you’ll wake up and realize that you still love me! Because I’m tired of waiting Zeki. I’m tired!”
My shoulders slumped down and I can’t look at him anymore. My heart was burned and tired. I guess I can’t talk more.
“Emory…” his soft tone didn’t ease my pain. What I really felt right now is hatred. My heart was rebelling at the pain he inflicted to me.
I felt him heave a sigh and his feet nearing. I closed my eyes when he caressed my cheeks.
The dark of his eyes slowly turned into a lucid one. I tried to drop my eyes a few times but he didn’t let me.
“I know you’re hurting. I didn’t know what you went through without me. It hurts me more seeing you crying and suffering for the past years when you’re not with me.”
He paused and sighed.
“Alessandra…” His face hardened, I saw how his jaw clenched in anger.
“She had–”
A few knocks stopped him from saying what he’s about to say. He shut his eyes firmly while clenching his jaw.
“What is it, Hunts?!” he ask with a tight jaw.
“The celebration is about to start. Ma’am Alessandra’s looking for you!”
Loud claps were headd as I entered the hall.
Hezekiah was already there at the stage. He was beside Alessandra, sitting on a fancy chair. They look good together wearing a genuine smile on their faces.
The emcee was speaking but my attention was just on Hezekiah and Alessandra talking silently at their seats. Based on Sandra’s expression, it seemed like Hezekiah told her something that made her smile and blush.
My heart leaped a bit. The familiar pain also hit me big time. I don’t have a choice but to take all the pain and savor it.
My eyes dropped on the lemon juice, glaring at it as if it did something wrong to me.
“Meredith! Is that you?!”
My head instantly raised at the woman walking towards me. My brows drew apart as I looked at her with my tight lips.
My heart immediately became agitated when I recognized her.
“T-Tyra!” I stuttered.
“Gosh! It’s really you?!” Her gaze flew to the stage and went back to me with widened eyes.
“Wait, is that Hezekiah?” She pointed the man on the stage.
I couldn’t utter a word. I almost choked into death. My nerves were already crashing down my feet. I can’t seem to find my voice.
“They almost look the same! Gosh!”
Her eyes almost rolled while talking, but how she tugged her lips didn’t escape my eyes.
“But that’s impossible, right? He’s already dead and look at him, he’s alive and celebrating his anniversary with her beautiful wife!” She hitched her brows and smirked after.
I didn’t answer, instead, I brought my attention to the food in front of me. It’s not that I don’t want to talk to her, I just don’t have any plans on telling her the truth.
We’re not friends, we didn’t become close when we were in high school, even in college. Actually, she’s one of the people I’m annoyed at because she liked Hezekiah back then.
I’m not even surprised that she’s invited. Her family has one of the biggest cotton and coffee bean plantations. They also owned one of the biggest estate here in Queensland and almost all of it were private properties.
“Well, see you around!” she said and turned her back.
My eyes followed her where she’s on the same table as her mother and father. Like her, they were also flabbergasted when they saw Hezekiah. They turned to me with creasing foreheads.
I only gave them a nod. If I didn’t do it, they might suspect Gabriel.
I roamed my eyes around. I know almost every guests here. Some of them were our business partners and my family friends. I can’t help but to shake my head. How did all of them happened to be here?
I was in cold sweat when I spotted Marcus and his mother not far from here. My eyes landed to her mom, she looks so fascinatingly gorgeous tonight, wearing her glittery gown dress. While Marcus looked handsome in his black suit.
I sighed before the newly arrived guests caught my attention. I immediately stood up when I recognized them.
“Mom, Dad?”
My knees weakened, not able to do anything but to watch them get astounded at the sight of the stage. Dad looked dumbfounded and stood there frozen while mom dropped her jaw.
I didn’t think twice and walked towards them, pulling them back to my table.
“Emory hija, what does this mean?!” Dad exclaimed.
“What are you two doing here?” I asked, almost a whisper.
“An invitation arrived at our house. It came from your Mom’s classmate,” Dad answered while his full attention was still on stage.
I glanced at Mom whose eyes were also stuck on the stage. Her lips pursed tightly. I know she’s suppressing her anger while looking at the two.
“You know that they’re here in Queensland? When?!” Mom looked at me with blazing eyes.
I didn’t answer and fought with her stares. I want to let her see the result of what she did.
“Let’s go, Adriano!” She pulled Dad’s wrist but I stopped them.
“Where are you going? You just arrived and you’ll leave already? Why don’t you greet them?” I said with an insulting smile.
They didn’t reply at my suggestion. So, I let go of them and bravely looked at them with my head held high.
“Look what you’ve done, mom! You should be happy! You did what you want, you separated us!” I said in a firm tone but in a low voice.
I saw her expression softened as she slowly shook her head. If ever she’d ask for my forgiveness, it’s too late. I don’t have any plans of forgiving her.
She was about to say something but it was cut off when Marcus and his mother came to our direction.
“Minerva!” The voice of Alessandra’s Mom interrupted us.
“C-Cassandra!” Mom stammered. She looked appalled when she saw the lady of sophistication.
Marcus’ mother glanced at me briefly before turning to my mother.
“How are you? It’s been long since we last saw each other!” she sophisticatedly said.
“Fine! We’re fine! Oh, here’s my husband, Adriano, and my only child, Emory!” she introduced us with agitation.
Cassandra nodded at Dad and then looked at me. “Oh? Did we met before? You looked familiar.”
I glanced at Marcus, his dark eyes darted on me. Sharp and filled with warnings.
“Yes! We’ve met before…” I said.
She furrowed her brows and averted her gaze to Marcus who was surprised at what I said.
“I’m Gabriel’s secretary!” I said without hesitation.