Wounds heal fast, but scars take time to fade. I guess making mistakes is what makes us human. We either learn from them or do them again. But making mistakes is what makes us understand the people around us. Mistakes let us know that we’re not the only ones going through hardships.
“You.”
His gray eyes fell upon my face and his lips instantly quirked up a smile. “Hello, Rachel. It’s been a long time.”
I gritted my teeth together to refrain from saying something stupid. But these thoughts didn’t seem to apply to Harvey, especially when angered. Seeing Nathan here, out of all places, just made the day depressing.
“What are you doing here, you bastard?” Harvey demanded. “You dare show your face to us? You really are thick skinned.”
Growing weary, I took a hold of Harvey’s shoulder, pushing him behind me. Let me deal with him, Harvey.
Nathan cocked an eyebrow at Harvey and let out a short laugh. “I see you haven’t changed, little hermit.”
Hearing that, Harvey snarled at him but backed out. I put on my most nonchalant face and eyed the person whom I used to call fiancé. Even just thinking about it soured my mood.
“Why don’t you leave my brother out of this?” I gestured towards the exit. “If you still respect yourself, I suggest you leave this instant.”
“My, my… Very eager to get rid of me.” Nathan sighed. I kept my hand from slapping him across the face for everything he did to me—for making a fool out of me and cheating on me. He was definitely not the ideal fiancé that anyone would want. “I was just passing by, until I heard from someone that The Maxwells were in town.”
“Just leave, Nathan. Nobody wants you here.”
“You stood me up, Rachel. You left me waiting at the altar. Surely, I have the right to remain here.”
This thick-faced man!
Chad suddenly stepped in front of me, much to my surprise. He was wearing the usual smirk on his face.
“So, you’re Nathan Wright.” Chad’s steely eyes examined the man from top to bottom. “I was expecting something different, but I’m disappointed.” Turning slightly, Chad faced me. He smiled. “Miss Maxwell, you have bad taste.”
I raised an eyebrow at his words. Chad didn’t bother knowing my response and diverted his attention back to the unwanted guest. Nathan slightly tilted his head to the side and squinted at Chad.
“Hey, you’re Chad Montgomery. Your parents are the owners of this hotel, right?”
A smirk graced Chad’s lips. “Obviously. I guess what you lack, other than looks, is a brain.” My jaw hung on air at the offending comment.
Nathan’s eyes went wide and Harvey snickered behind me. “Do you want ice for that burn?” I hid Harvey once again and whispered for him to be silent.
Nathan merely scoffed, before throwing him a small grin. “You know, you’d make a good model. Interested?” He took out a business card and handed one over to Chad. The blond man took it reluctantly and stared at the printed words.
“I know I’m good looking and all, but I don’t need to be a model for people to know that I am.” Chad chuckled and threw the pathetic card aside, letting it fall to the floor. “Plus, I don’t listen to orders coming from scum like you.”
“Are you…in love with Rachel Maxwell?”
My eyes went wide in surprise at Nathan’s sudden question. Has he lost his mind? Chad smiled and crossed his arms over his chest. Even Harvey, who hid behind me, came out to peek.
“My, my… Can’t a man help a woman without being asked whether he likes her or not?” Scratching his head, Chad closed his eyes and sighed softly. “Are you seriously going to ask me that?”
“Then, tell me, Mr. Montgomery. Why are you defending her? Do you like her?” Nathan questioned. This time, he landed his gray eyes on me. “Or, is she obsessed with you so much that she clings to you like a monkey?”
Obsessed?!
Everything came flashing back. My mind felt like a blank canvas being splashed with different colors by a painter. A mad painter. I narrowed my eyes at Nathan, who dared to call me obsessed. Cheater was at the tip of my tongue.
“Just get out of here, Nathan!” I yelled crossly. It didn’t matter whether people were starting to stare or catch on to what was transpiring. All that filled my mind was how to make this infuriating ghost from the past disappear like he always would.
Harvey snarled behind me.
My sudden reaction only made him smirk, fueling my anger towards him. Why can’t he just leave and make my life easier? Is that too much to ask?
“Oh, did I hit a nerve?” Nathan laughed.
Chad stepped in once again, and this time, by the looks of it, he wasn’t going to hold back on whatever he was planning to do.
“Why don’t you listen to the good advice that’s being thrown at you? Do you really lack a brain?”
Chad smiled in amusement when Nathan clicked his tongue in annoyance, his face scowling at the blond man. I gasped when I felt an arm circle around my waist, bringing me closer to Chad Montgomery. The scent of his perfume invaded my nostrils once again and brought back a few memories of when I first met him.
I glanced up at the man, who continued to shoot daggers into Nathan’s face. “If you don’t leave her alone, you’ll regret it. You cheated on her the day before your wedding. You have a lot of guts in facing her with a straight face!” The sound of Chad threatening Nathan brought chills up my spine and that wasn’t all. He clenched his knuckles before hitting his fist against his palm. “Well, if your pretty face will remain that way before this ends.”
The crowd that gathered to watch oohed in awe. This, however, caught my parents’ attention. Probably curious about the people slowly crowding us, Dad came along with Mom to the scene. Once his eyes landed on Nathan, his face contorted in anger.
“What are you doing here, Wright?” Dad demanded hotly. Nathan turned and smiled, bowing slightly.
“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell. Long time no see.”
“You’re not welcome here,” Dad stated firmly. “I suggest you leave before things get ugly and you lose a job. Damaging your reputation once again.”
Hearing this, Nathan gritted his teeth in irritation but it was gone in a flash. Instead of looking annoyed, his lips broke out in a smile.
“Oh, yes, how could I ever forget? You indeed ruined my image, but I guess my fans are just persistent.” He chuckled. Dad frowned at him but said nothing. “Mr. Maxwell, how could I forget that you wanted to get rid of me for good when I broke your little girl’s heart?”
He did? I turned to face Dad but not in surprise. I had a hunch that he would go after Nathan once the wedding was called off and when he found out Nathan had cheated on me. I just didn’t know that he’d go with it.
“Seeing my daughter sad like that…” Dad trailed off. He looked up and gave Nathan a deathly glower. “I would never forgive you.” Pointing to the exit, he added one last time, “Now, leave.”
Nathan shrugged. “I was going to leave anyway.” With a smirk, he waved at us. “See you around, Rach.”
I went rigid, and watched him with narrow eyes as he walked out. Then, it occurred to me.
Looking around us, the guests were staring at us. The music had even stopped. All attention was on us and it felt uncomfortable. Whispers. Whispers came from left to right. They scared me. Then again, we people are always afraid of the unknown.
Rebecca came rushing and she was smiling sheepishly. “Come on! We’re supposed to be celebrating, ladies and gentlemen. Play the music!” And just with a clap of Rebecca’s hand, the music played once again. Everything went back to normal, and the guests didn’t seem to have witnessed what played out a while ago.
But they had.
The atmosphere was still tense, but it slightly dimmed down once people started dancing on the dancefloor. The night continued on.
“Are you all right?”
I glanced up to see Chad looking over me in worry. My mouth couldn’t form words and this made my parents worried. Even Harvey tugged on my dress for my attention. I shifted my gaze onto Chad, my parents, and the Montgomerys. All their eyes were on me, as if waiting for a reply.
The world started to spin and I felt tears forming in my eyes. The whole world was suffocating.
“I’m s-sorry… It’s my fault…” I trailed off. Picking up my gown, I hurriedly went out of the rising heat and started walking down the hall. Ignoring the stares I received, I walked out to the lobby and sat down on the couch. I let out a breath as the AC blew cold air, cooling my head.
If that jerk didn’t show up tonight, everything would’ve gone smoothly. But no! He had to waltz in like the hardhead he is and ruin the night!
Groaning, I buried my face in my hands in despair. “He shouldn’t have come. He shouldn’t have come!”
“Well, what’s done is done, anyway.”
Looking up, I stared right into Chad’s eyes, who handed out a can of beer. Where he got it from, I don’t know.
“Want a drink? To make you forget?” I gazed at the can before taking it eagerly. Whatever makes me forget about that scum, I’ll take it.
“Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Come with me, I got to light this up.” He pulled out a cigarette from the pocket of his slacks. I rolled my eyes but stood up to accompany him. I guess everything comes with something. After walking for a few seconds, we ended up at the smoking center, where only old people were occupying. Other than that, it was quiet.
Chad let out a long sigh and leaned against the railing. The cars were busy whizzing down the road while those unlucky ones were stuck by the change of light.
“If you don’t like the smell, just cover your nose. Or leave,” Chad mumbled. He placed the stick on his lips and took out his lighter. I glanced up to see the moon smiling down at us. I had to laugh.
“I feel jealous of the moon. He gets to smile.”
Chad stopped short. “Is he really that amazing for you not to get over him?”
I chuckled at his words and shook my head. “You make it sound so easy, like eating cake.” Now, that made him smile.
“Well, I thought it would boost your mood. It seems I failed to.”
I sighed and popped the can open and took a swig of the beer. I grimaced, and stuck my tongue out. It tasted horrible. Chad opened his can and took a sip for himself. However, he didn’t look disgusted. He just looked like a man drinking ordinary water. Men and their liquor.
“Didn’t know back then that Harvey hated your ex. Now that I know, it all makes sense now.”
I turned to him in confusion. “What makes sense?”
He inhaled sharply. “Oh, you're trying to kill me after I took Harvey from school. How you wanted me to stay away.” I gave him a confused face but he pointed his finger accusingly at me. “Don’t try making that face. I knew from the start that you didn’t want me around for obvious reasons.”
I scratched my arm sheepishly. “Y-you knew?” Damn, and I thought I kept it secret.
“You might pull that ‘I’m all right’ thing to people, but I guess you can’t pull it on me,” Chad stated, and paused to drink. “You respect your brother’s opinion, which is why you tried to mold that perfect image. And you love your brother so much that you almost killed me and may have thought of not forgiving me. Which was uncalled for, in my opinion.”
I mentally rolled my eyes. “It was called for. You basically took my brother out without any permission and it made my whole family worried.”
“All right, all right. But I have one question: Did something happen, for you and your family to get so jittery?”
I became speechless and my mind went blank. Should I even tell him? If I do, what can I tell him? How can I explain it? Lacking words, I slapped his arm and Chad yowled in pain.
“Hey! What was that for?”
“That’s for being undeniably foolish. Why would we be worried-? I mean, who wouldn’t be jittery when one of your siblings disappears off the face of the earth and you don’t know where they are? Think about it!”
Rubbing his arm and muttering words under his breath, Chad frowned. “Okay! I get that you love your family so much, but you didn’t have to hit me again!”
I gave him a glare and continued drinking. It stayed silent for a minute. Chad’s purpose of coming here to the smoking area was long forgotten as we silently drank. Mine was almost empty.
“You know, I’m good at baking,” Chad suddenly bragged with a huge smile. I stared at him in incredulity. He stared back at me, before frowning. “What? You don’t believe me?” The image of Chad baking a small cake with an apron that probably belonged to his mother was a very laughable sight.
“No, no. I do believe you.” I took another sip and cringed. “It’s just…unlikely of you.”
Chad, surprisingly, hummed in agreement. “Well, it may be because of my manly looks...”
I burst out in laughter, shoulders shaking. He raised an eyebrow at me.
“What? Don’t believe me again?”
I shook my head and calmed my laughter down. “You, Chad Montgomery, are a very funny man. You should’ve been a comedian rather than a businessman.”
He smirked proudly. “I know, I am the perfect man. I’m funny and smart. I’m the type of man you could take home to meet your parents.”
I sipped my beer once again and grimaced. “Nah, you probably won’t bat an eyelash at them, and my parents don’t like playboys.”
“Ha, ha, ha. Really funny. And you’re the type of girl who wouldn’t like my dad’s jokes. You’ll probably just stare at him in confusion.”
I gave him a silly smile. The alcohol heated my body up and I started to feel tipsy. It wasn’t long before my can was empty and my cheeks were hot. Chad pointed his finger at me and laughed.
“You really can’t hold your liquor. You’re such a girl.”
I frowned at his sexist comment. “You’re so mean. And I’m a girl, if you can’t see clearly.”
“Oh yeah? You don’t even have that womanly appeal.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Are you challenging me, Montgomery?”
He laughed aloud and shook his head. “Last time, it didn’t go so well.” He patted his head as preference. “Remember?”
It was my turn to laugh and point at his head. “Vividly. It looked like a tomato grew on your head!” I grinned like a lunatic.
Chad rolled his eyes and drank. He kept muttering as I pointed at his head. When I went on my tippy toes to pat it, he swatted me away.
“No! Don’t touch it!”
I pouted. “Unfair. It was I who gave that to you. I have the right to touch it.”
“Which makes it worse. You’ll probably just hit it once again and this time, it’ll take up more time to heal.”
I frowned at his crybaby attitude, unbefitting of a man with status. “Sheesh, you’re such a kid,” I mumbled. “And I did apologize when it started to swell.”
He pointed to his head. “At least give it a kiss so I’ll know that your apology is sincere.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and gave him a nonchalant face. As if.
Chad pouted. Honestly, it was an adorable sight, but still it was so unlikely of him. I guess that’s what happens once alcohol gets into your system. With a sigh, I pulled him close with a surprising strength. Glancing around the area, the old people weren’t looking and were busy with their own little world.
I guess they won’t see, and besides, it’s just a kiss on the head. Nothing more.
I pulled down his head to be level with mine. I stared into his deep blue eyes that were twinkling innocently (don’t be fooled) and pulled his head down to kiss where the bump swelled. Puckering my lips, I lowered my head.
That was when he suddenly pulled up and met my lips with his. My eyes were wide as Chad gave me another kiss, different from the last one. This time, it was playful, and yet full of passion. I couldn’t describe the feeling.
Sure, I have been kissed before. But, this time, it was different. It felt…surreal.
Before I knew it, I pulled his face closer. I didn’t understand what came over me, but I welcomed it. I let the desire fill my soul. A simple desire that was only just a thought back then, but it was dismissed. This time, that desire was fulfilled and it was so hard to stop it.
Sudden thoughts entered my head. I didn’t know his face would feel as smooth as it looked. I didn’t know how long his lashes were until they brushed against my face.
We had to stop to breathe. Chad was the first to pull back and we both stared at each other. Brown against blue. His tight grip on my waist that brought us closer brought a nice feeling to me. It made me feel wanted and safe.
The sound of clapping broke us from our stupor and we faced the old people who were now clapping their hands at us. It brought color to my cheeks. Chad merely laughed and pulled away.
“Thank you! She finally agreed to be my girlfriend!”
My jaw dropped and I pinched him this time. He, once again, howled in pain.
“I did not!”