It was just like yesterday. Five years ago, the ultimate fairytale wedding took place in the most beautiful church in Oxford. Pauline Liang, one of my best friends and the wife of Chris Liang, and I, Mavis Devin Jacques Granzreich, the wife of Arthur Devin Jacques, reunited our two best friends, Sarah Tenzing Zhou, and Olivia Madhavan Anand, to their true loves, Zhoufong Filbert Tenzing Zhou (aka Aiden Zhou and the famous millionaire model Air-Man who was also the chairman of his deceased father's company back in Beijing), and Samar Anand (a university professor teaching theoretical physics). And even the antagonist of our lives, Vincent Sanchez, had his share of happy ending with Lombriz and started a family with her. He also became close with Aiden and Samar, and occasionally went out for drinks with them for men's night out. All of us moved to Las Vegas to start the new chapter of our lives. Sarah's office headquarters were here, Aiden's main home was here, Olivia got transferred to be the head surgeon in the Kindred hospital, Samar had a tough time finding another job as a university professor. Still, eventually, he made it there. I got transferred to another architectural firm, and Pauline was promoted as an assistant manager of a different branch of the same company. Vincent was also a part of the showbiz industry like Aiden, but he specializes in music. To be more specific, he's grown to become a successful rockstar, but at the same time, handles his business of a coffee chain named Trung Nguyen in Vietnam. And Arthur and Chris live in Phoenix because of their jobs.
So what happens after all that? It seems like everything is patched up, isn't it? Then why is this happening again? Why is this scene happening in front of me?
Arthur is like a nomad. He comes to Vegas once a month for two days and then takes off again to Phoenix because of his business affairs. And I have my architectural firm here, and my best friends, there's no possible way that I can't abandon these things to be with my husband. As much as I love him and want to be with him, I love my job more. It's not like Arthur, and I aren't happy; we are. In fact, he was incredibly delighted when I recently got promoted to being the assistant manager that he made a trip to Las Vegas in the middle of his meeting just for me. I guess we still do have that unique spark between us that couples typically lose when they're apart. However, being promoted makes me want to climb my career ladder even higher. If there's one thing that Olivia taught me, it's to aspire and dream for more so you can surpass your potential and increase your limits.
Now, I am at the bar where Vincent comes occasionally and gives a few performances for the crowd. He had a deal with the owner of the establishment, to come here every once a week and give the people what they want. I am at the bar with Arthur, who was on his visit from Phoenix for a couple of days. We were happily chatting about our work lives until my eyes wandered to see Olivia entering the pub. Arthur was going to invite her to sit with us, but she brisked towards an empty table and sat by herself before he could call out to her.
"Mavis, is everything okay with Olivia?" Arthur asked with his eyebrows raised in question.
"I don't know. But I'm about to find out." I said and almost got up from my table until Arthur grabbed my hand.
"Granzreich! Don't do that. Wouldn't you always sit and watch first?" Arthur reminded me as he pulled me to sit down at our table.
"You still haven't forgotten that, huh? Okay, I'll sit and watch." I smiled and replied.
It was Friday, so that means Vincent was going to perform today. The host of the pub came on stage and announced with the unwavering excitement and joy present in his voice, "Ladies and Gentlemen! Let's give it up for our beloved rockstar, Vincent Sanchez! He's gonna sing a cover of 'Shape Of You' originally by Ed Sheeran! Give him a hand to welcome onstage!"
"Aww, come on, man! When on earth, are you going to sing a song that touches people's hearts!" Arthur slammed his hands on the table and said in an unusually loud voice. Yet, not so loud enough for everyone to hear. He continued, "I mean, why do all rockstars sing about sex? Don't they have anything better to talk about?!"
"Well, Arthur. We can't help it. That's how the industry works here." I pointed out and stroked his shoulder to calm him down.
Suddenly, the announcer got a piece from paper from the curtains behind him. His eyes widened as he said, "Oh umm... it looks like we have a change of plan. Instead of 'Shape Of You' by Ed Sheeran, the song is gonna be 'In My Blood' by Shawn Mendes."
"Wait, what? He's gonna sing an emotional song, now? Boy, I would like to see this!" Arthur's frown turned upside down into a wide grin. Actually, even I was quite surprised by the sudden change. There must be a reason for this. Well, whatever. I think we're about to find out soon enough.
A few minutes later, the silky red curtains drew apart to reveal an entire rock band with Vincent on the mike. The crows went wild with howls and whistles filling the bar. However, Olivia was unusually quiet for some reason. She sat there, emotionless, reading a book with her big fat glasses with black frames and a drink on her table, which I'm assuming contains alcohol.
As the music started, Vincent began with a low note, just like in the original song. This didn't seem like one of his typical performances. This was different. His facial expression was usually confident and happy, but this time it was filled with pain. I mean, I wouldn't know what he was going through, so I can't say much about it. But yes, it did make me curious.
As the instrumental progressed onto the chorus, he began singing with his pitch rising and his voice becoming as powerful as ever.
"Someone help me
I'm crawling in my skin
Sometimes I feel like giving up
But I just can't
It isn't in my blood
It isn't in my blood."
What even surprised me more was that he actually started crying when he sang this part of the song.
"I NEED SOMEBODY NOW
I NEED SOMEBODY NOW
SOMEONE TO HELP ME OUT
I NEED SOMEBODY NOW!"
Olivia finally looked up and was appeared shocked for some reason. Her eyes were widened, tears were falling out, and her fists are clenched together, so that's what I assume she was feeling. She ordered a couple of shots and drank them all one after the other without a break! I had absolutely no idea what was going on here! Olivia has the tendency to get drunk to do something that required courage. The last time she did that was to start dating again when she broke off with Samar for ten years. But now, Samar is back in her life, what more does she need?
She walked over to the counter attendant at the bar, and he gave her a pen and number. I got up from my table and went behind her to peek what she was writing. I could only see a few numbers. I could perceive the numbers 702. THAT WAS THE AREA CODE! Olivia was giving Vincent her phone number! I ran away, sat on the table, and told Arthur what I saw before she could feel even the slightest notion that I was observing her the entire time. He was just as surprised as I was.
She then made her way onto the stage where Vincent was singing and staring at her the entire time. Olivia then put the sheet of paper with her number on it into the hat that was at the center of the stage. Vincent and Olivia had a long moment of eye contact. And just before she could leave before bursting into tears, Vincent ended the song and ran behind Olivia and grabbed her hand! Olivia burst into tears, and so did Vincent. Her grip of his hand only became tighter.
Arthur asked in bewilderment, "What on earth is going on here?? Don't tell me that they are cheating because they're in love or something!"
How did it all lead to this? Well, it all started a few months ago when Vincent moved in with Sarah, Aiden, Olivia, and Samar, who were all living together in Aiden's mansion.
I took a deep breath and said, "Well... it is true that Vincent has fallen in love all over again. But this is different."
Arthur threw his hands up in the air and yelled, "He's cheating on his wife, Mavis! You gotta explain this to me; I have no idea of what's going on!"
I sighed and explained, "Very well... It all started when Alice suddenly appeared out of nowhere in front of Aiden's mansion..."