Chapter 1 Heartbroken
Angelica's POV
"Geez, Li. Can you stop freaking out over such a small matter? You are acting like it's your wedding day," Victoria groaned harshly, and I looked at her with a sheepish smile.
She won't understand what I feel even if I try to make her understand. If she had ever fallen in love or been in a relationship even once, she wouldn’t have made fun of my excitement, nervousness, and whatnot.
"Just tell me which one I should choose, will you? I have been literally racking my brains for over an hour," I mustered up my best pleading look, and she sighed.
"Choose the red one. It will bring out your curves and highlight your features even more. I am sure Tyler will love it," Victoria smiled before she held my beige-colored dress in her hand.
"If you are not wearing this one, can I take it?" She asked, and I shrugged.
"Wear whatever you want. Once you are done, can you help me with my makeup? I can use some help since it’s a special day today," I beamed at her, and she rolled her eyes.
After changing into our dresses, I sat in front of the mirror as Victoria highlighted my facial features.
"Who told you Tyler was going to propose to you today? Did one of his friends contact you or something?" Victoria asked as she applied eyeliner to my eyes, and I waited for her to finish before answering.
"Are you asking because you still suspect him or in general?" I looked at her sternly, and she rolled her eyes again.
"I am genuinely asking you this. Even after Tyler proposes to you today, I will keep saying what I said last time. I don't trust the guy at all. Something about him screams fake and pretense -" She stopped when she saw me glaring at her and sighed.
"You can answer me now," her sheepish smile made me sigh.
"His friends didn't tell me anything. Apart from Noah, no one even dares to look at me now. They always look away whenever I walk to them. It's weird," I paused before shaking my head.
"This is how I know he will propose to me. We were supposed to meet at the library after getting our results, but he changed his plans later. I was walking back to the apartment when I got this craving for -
"Get to the point," Victoria mumbled, and I thinned my lips before sighing.
"I saw him buying a ring in the jewelry store near my favorite cafe where I was going to grab a coffee," I ended, and she hummed.
Just hmm? What kind of reaction is that supposed to be? Is she happy or not?
I turned around and narrowed my eyes at her.
"What?" She raised her brows.
"You don't act like that,"
"And what am I supposed to behave like?"
"I don't know, but at least not so mundane as this," I huffed and turned to the mirror again, smiling at my reflection.
Her hands can really do wonders.
"You look stunning," she smiled at me, and I nodded.
"This reminds me, you have an interview the day after tomorrow, right?" She asked, and I grinned.
"Yes. Finally, after clearing three tests, I reached the interview round. Isn't it good? Even though we are not in the same department, we will be in the same company at least, no?" I beamed at her.
I still can’t believe I reached the final stage on my first attempt. Many people prepare for years for this.
From the moment I heard the speech of their marketing director at our College's annual seminar in the first year, I have been dreaming of getting a job in this company, and now, I am only one step away from that dream.
The Martino Empire Corporation
For three years, I have constantly read their trends, researched their strategies, and studied every case involving their business. They are spread across 79 countries and are trying to expand into more domains and locations.
I looked at Victoria for more compliments, and she flicked my hair, making me scowl.
"I have been waiting for the good news, too. It was a blessing for me when I met you three years ago, and you saved me—" Victoria's smile froze, and I grabbed her hands.
"Let's not talk and think about the bad memories, yeah? I saved you from those so-called wolves, but you saved me from those hooligans, too. Besides, I got a free cook in return. So it was a win-win situation. More benefiting to me," I grinned.
"You are such a mean girl, Li. I swear you would have thrown me out if I couldn't cook such delicious food," she rolled her eyes.
"Without a doubt," I tsked, and she smiled, knowing all too well I was just joking with her.
"Are you ready for your graduation party? You are finally a graduate and will enter struggling corporate life after today," Victoria's words made me sigh.
Mom would've been over the moon for me if Mom had been here. Unfortunately, my stepfather fell ill suddenly, and she had to return to the States to tend to him.
"Are you going on a date with your boyfriend? You are glowing," I winked at her meaningfully, and she looked away. She hadn't told me anything, but from how she dresses these days, I was suspicious that she was seeing someone or in the process of seeing someone.
The red tint on her cheeks gave her away, and I smiled before shaking my head.
"Can you drop me at the venue? Tyler will meet me there," I grabbed my clutch as soon as she completed her makeup and everything.
"Sure, come along. In fact, I am going to the same region. Remember the Midnight Club? I will be there. If you and your boyfriend want to tag along, we would be happy,"
"So it's a 'we' huh?" I wriggled my brows at her, and she became shy again, making me chuckle.
We walked to her car to go to our destinations.
I was honestly very excited today. Though I know it was nothing too serious since we had talked about this ‘marriage’ topic earlier, I couldn't help feeling nervous.
I even doubted what I presumed would happen, but I am sure that part was just affected by Victoria's nagging about how she didn't trust Tyler.
With a deep breath, I stepped out of the car when she stopped at the entrance.
"Should I stay for some time?" Victoria looked at the party, and I shook my head.
"You go and enjoy your night. I have everything handled," I smiled at her and turned around as soon as she sped away.
"Well, isn't this our hot babe?" I heard a familiar voice.
"And isn't this our favorite doll?" I grinned at Madeline, who smiled back.
"What took you so long? I almost thought you wouldn't be arriving. And where is Tyler?" She looked behind me, and I scrunched my brows.
"What do you mean? Is he not here yet? He said he would meet me here." I looked around to find him.
"Come on, Li. You can spend some time with us, away from your boyfriend, right?" Madeline grabbed my hand, and I chuckled at her before shaking my head.
"Sure, girly. Let's dance the night away and celebrate our graduation with good results," I grinned when Matt walked to us as we turned to the food aisle since I was already hungry and needed the energy to enjoy, too.
"A drink for the pretty lady," he offered me the cup, and I looked at it suspiciously.
"And I hope you didn’t spike it with some strange drug that will make me go haywire and show my true colors, right?"
"What true colors?" David asked.
"The true colors where I turn into a sadist and kill everyone in this party with this knife," I took the random thing from behind me and raised it in front of me.
I laughed at how David flinched back slightly before rolling his eyes when he saw the muffin in my hand.
"Come on, David. Do you believe she would bring a knife here to stab her cheating boyfriend?" Matt asked, and I scrunched my brows.
"Hey, that was mean," I scowled.
I also noticed them sharing a look that intrigued me.
"What is it?" I asked David.
"It's nothing. I was just scared because you also dissected a frog without blinking your eyes when you weren't even in that course," David said, laughing awkwardly, and I shook my head.
"That's not it. What is this strange look about?"
"What look?" David asked, looking everywhere but at me.
I knew that among the three of my friends if there were anyone who would give in the fastest, it would be David.
"The look where you are trying to hide something from me," I looked at him sternly, and my resolution strengthened even more when I saw him looking to others for help.
"If you don't tell me, I am leaving this party and will not include you in my future trips," I said, crossing my arms around my chest.
"Hey, you can't do that. Fine. I am just worried about your boyfriend. Have you guys talked recently, or maybe yesterday?" He asked, and I shook my head before looking at Matt.
Where the hell was this going? Why were they being so suspicious?
"Well, it's just that I saw him in my apartment building in front of -" he hesitated.
"Of?"
"Cindy's apartment. They looked close,"
"How close?" I clenched my jaws. His tone doesn’t sound right.
"Like hugging intimately and peppering kisses?" He looked at me before rubbing his hand on his pants, something he only does when he is nervous or awkward.
"Can you demonstrate with Madeline?"
"Hey! Why are you bringing -"
"You are his girlfriend. It should be okay," I interrupted Madeline, and David nodded before hugging Madeline and kissing her face, neck, and then the corner of her lips.
I looked at Matt, who had a pitiful look on his face.
"Are you sure it was HIM?" I felt my heart drumming in my chest at the possibilities.
I didn't want to believe anything. I swear.
However, Cindy and Tyler have been awfully close these days. Not only were they the project partners, but they also used to have a lot of study sessions, even at night.
She was a good friend to him, but people are bound to have a slip of heart.
Maybe I was thinking about it because of what Victoria said. I didn't want to react like that, but I -
"Angelica!" Matt held my hand, saving me from stumbling back and falling.
"Get a grip over yourself," He scolded me, and I looked at Madeline and David, who gave me the same pitiful look.
Why were they looking at me as if it was true?
"Matt, you are a CS graduate. I have never asked you to do such petty things. But I want you to track him right now," I looked at him sternly even when my insides were terribly scared of the possibility.
"There is no need for that. He is here," Matt looked behind me, and I turned to look at a smiling Tyler with Cindy's hand hooked with his.
He said he would meet me here because he was busy. However, he had the time to go to the opposite side of the town and bring Cindy here. Did I need anything else to show me how important I was to him?