Chapter 1 Surprise
Dhalia
I was jetlagged, fatigued, and starving, and more than anything, I craved the comfort of a warm bath, a hot meal, and some good sleep.
But I found myself taking the stairs, winding through the corridors of one of the most executive clubs in Goldville. I had no business there, at least, not until after another week, but I couldn't wait, not any longer.
I had been away for a week, I was supposed to be gone for two, actually, but I shortened my trip, I couldn't wait to see my fiancée, after all.
We had only been apart for a week and it felt like an eternity. I couldn't wait to finally snuggle into his arms, to kiss him. Jason Riggs, I could already picture the relief and surprise on his face when he sees me, he wasn't expecting me until a week late, after all.
The thought of him had waves of energy and anticipation coursing through me, fueling me with just enough energy to continue with the stairs, and before long, I was outside the private room.
Just to be sure, I unlocked my phone, confirming the room number, and the 334 message confirmed that I was in the right place.
It was supposed to be a surprise, I had asked for Jason's location from his mother, my soon-to-be, mother-in-law, she had even given me a spare card, but looking at the slightly open door, I wasn't going to need the room card.
"This is fcked up, Jason " Just before I could open the door, I heard a very familiar voice. It was Max, Jason's best friend, and his right-hand man. I didn't plan to eavesdrop, but I found myself listening. I mean, Jason, Max, and I grew up together. There were no secrets between us.
" I know, Max." Soft, detached, and familiar, Jason's voice cut through the air, and I paused in my movements, stilling for a while as I tried to control my emotions. That voice, seductive, warm, and soothing, still had the same effect on me even after so many years. How I had missed it, him!
" But what can I say? I can't force it." He went on. But this time, he sounded stressed and for unknown reasons, dread coiled in my gut.
" We grew up with Thahlia. She has been by our side ever since we were little. She is like my little sister. But more than that? She has been by your side all along, especially during your weakest. Don't you feel anything?" Once again, Max spoke, his voice filled with frustration and disappointment and a mixture of confusion and panic surged within me in violent waves. What were they talking about?
" I know. I know that Dahlia has given a lot to me, but what can I say? I never asked her to. Her love? Her care? Her support? " He paused, and through the cracked door, I caught a glimpse of his tightly clenched side jaw.
" I never asked for any of it. She offered it all, freely. " He concluded, his voice cold, and detached, so unfamiliar.
Hot tears trailed a path down my cheeks, involuntarily, as the meaning behind his words sank in. I felt like air had been sacked out of my chest, and I weakly leaned on the wall.
" You are a jerk!" What followed was a barrage of curses and punches. The two best friends, who were also supposed to be my best friends exchanged punches while I crouched in the corridor, tears blurring my vision, nails digging deeper into my skin, my body shaking uncontrollably.
" If you knew that you never loved her, why did you court her in the first place?" After the punches and curses, silence materialised in the room, while I sat in the same spot, frozen, my body numb and cold, my back pressed against the wall. Then Max's irritated voice cut through the air, and I involuntarily perked my ears, ready for the closure.
"I felt nothing for her. I had no feelings for her. I knew what she felt, though. The love, the tenderness that used to cloud her eyes whenever she looked at me. The secret glances that she used to send my way whenever she thought that I wasn't looking, I saw it all." Jason confessed, and my face went red with anger, and shame.
A secret, which I thought I had hidden too well, wasn't a secret at all. He had known, all along, and acted like it was nothing.
" I had no feelings for her, but I had no feelings for anyone else either. She fell for me, she was helplessly in love with me. So, I chose her. She was familiar, predictable, she came from a good family, unlike the others, at least, I was assured that she wasn't after my wealth." Jason went on, pouring his heart out, each word, like a hot dagger, piercing my heart, over and over.
" With Dahlia, it was easier to act like I was in love. She only needed the bare minimum, after all." As his next words seeped through the air, to my senses, a bitter and self-mocking smile found its way to my lips.
The bare minimum. I repeated the words in my lips, over and over, and each time, I ended up feeling more stupid than before.
I felt used, exploited, stupid, and yet, I couldn't help but blame myself for it all.
" I thought I was going to marry her, and give her the position of Mrs Riggs, but I can't. " He went on, and this time, I remained emotionless, looking lost, and unfocused. You would think that they were talking about someone else and not me.
" My heart, which has been empty and unmoved for years, has finally started beating for someone, and I can't be still. The feeling is magical, new, exhilarating, and I would give anything, my rights to inherit the family business included just to protect it." Yet, another confession, one that was supposed to tear me apart, and it did, especially on the inside because outwardly, I still sat there, unmoving..
"I feel sorry for Dahlia, but that's just that. It's fate. She should just count her loss and move on. She couldn't move my heart. She couldn't stir my heart." His words were edged by foreign ruthlessness as he revealed. He sounded foreign to my ears, not like the Jason that I grew up with, or maybe, I didn't really know him like I thought I did. In his opinion, I was the culprit. I couldn't make him fall in love. How laughable!
" Besides, she is just beautiful, ordinary, predictable, smart, too smart. She...she is ruthless, and boring. " Jason added, and I almost laughed, only that my mouth betrayed me, remaining tightly shut.
In his opinion, I was too smart. It was a softer way of calling me too muscline. In the past, he used to praise my acumen, stared at me with admiration as I cracked deals with seasoned businessmen. But now? I was too ruthless in his eyes. I honestly didn't know what was more insulting.
" As for Sofia? She is soft, delicate, and beautiful. "
" She needs to be protected, loved."
" And more importantly? We are equally in love with each other."
" I will apologise to Dahlia. But I must marry Sofia."