"Yup, I like Tiffany. I like her a lot."
I almost choked on my drink while listening to their conversation. It was a wonderful night for us, group of friends, as it is the day before our colleague's wedding. Since it is as well her last day of being single, everyone decided to throw a party dedicated for the soon to be married couple.
"You heard that Tiff?" Maria, the bride to be said looking at me straight in the eyes.
It made me scoffed a bit as I placed the half filled glass down on the table. I can clearly see the one who confessed on my peripheral vision. Swearing that if not only it's a special day for Maria I would've argue of how cunning his words can be.
"Oh please, let's stop playing this game." I uttered, shoving the shot glasses on the side and put the plateful of nachos right in front of me.
The rest of the group shows their disapproval by throwing roasted peanuts on my direction which I gladly shrugged off my shoulders as I feed myself some nachos. Nevertheless, the game of truth or dare continues.
"Hey," someone nudges my shoulder and by the sound of the voice I already know who it is. Of course, who else could it be but Mark Lopez, one of the most eligible bachelor on our country.
"Isn't this short of a meeting of all the richest kids in our neighborhood?" Mark giggled beside me, he too starts shoving nachos inside his mouth.
His statement made me chuckled a little before unconsciously looking towards the side of that particular someone whom I rather not see, ever. The name is Lincoln Sandoval, the heir of the richest family in almost the whole globe. In fact, their richness can make someone's eyes rolled back on their heads and faint.
"Do you believe that Lincoln likes you? For real?" Mark whispered through my ear loud enough for me to hear despite of the loud cheers caused of the game. I glanced at him before shaking my head as an answer.
Who would believe Lincoln's words anyway? He's known to be a not good but one night guy. He literally change girls every other day. I know him since college and even now that he took over the vice president position to his father's company, he didn't changed an ounce. He is the same old playboy, wild and free.
"Don't mind his words," I whispered back at Mark then picked up the glass to chug down my remaining drink. "He's no good but trouble," I added before throwing a glance at Lincoln whom I catch staring at me and Mark.
My eyebrow instantly quirk at Lincoln as if telling him what was wrong. All he did was to give me a smirk, a mocking one to be exact. It caused my nose to crinkle up. My amber eyes meeting his jade one.
Not long after our battle of who would look away first, I noticed one of the groomsmen leans close to Lincoln's ear. I assumed that he said something interesting as Lincoln's lips carved into a sly smile, but still I don't want to jump into assumptions and just let things happen the way it should.
"I'm willing to bet my baby that you wouldn't do the dare, bud." I heard one of our friends said with his can of bacardi raising towards Lincoln.
I can barely get a hold of what they are talking about when all of a sudden Lincoln flashed a mischievous smile towards me. There's a voice on the back of my head saying this man is about to do things she already know. And of all people he is dared to do it with, I'm afraid that it is I who became the target.
With wondering eyes I watched as Lincoln got up from his seat and slowly walk to where I'm sitting at. His well built figure is towering over my small one, and the fact that I'm sitting down makes the size difference even bigger. I wanted to ask him of what does he wants from me but I was interrupted by his lips, pressed against mine.
It was almost like a kiss with how long I feel like our lips were connected. Hence, they're not moving. They remained frozen, unable to move and just touching each other making it seems like a peck but longer.
The background became noisy and filled with cheers while I'm out here debating whether to punch or kick him away. When I decided on which one to do, I felt Mark move on my side to pull Lincoln away from me.
"That's enough," Mark said to his friend and hurriedly bid farewells to all of us as if preventing a disaster from happening.
But it's too late for that.
Within the next second, the empty cups are already flying towards Lincoln's direction. If I could then I would have thrown my block heels on him if not only they're brand new and I only used once. Shock and irritation was eating me up that I can feel my face getting red while watching the two walked out of the room.
Days passed after the truth or dare incident and I have to do anything in order to keep my distance from Lincoln. The fact that our company are sisters company ain't helping my situation at all. I have to attend meetings which he tends to attend as well. And I can tell all of his knowing smiles are his way of reminding me on what had happened that night.
"I want to punch him so bad!" I bursted out while standing beside Maria who is getting ready for the big day.
It's finally the day of her wedding. I'm happy that she is about to settle down for good but on the side note I'm sad as she is my bestest friend of all. The rhinestones that are covering her wedding dress and almost looking like they are water droplets dripping down the garment makes it stunning. Let alone the silhouette of her when she stands up and the trail of the gown falls elegantly on the floor.
"You look gorgeous," I can't help but muttered while staring at Maria's reflection on the mirror.
Her hair were tied into french braids with pearls attached on where it is bun. There's even a few hair strands hanging on her temples that reaches her jawline that creates a dramatic look. Her family's jewels perfectly match her over all look.
I've never seen an angel until now. Maria looks like someone who just stepped down from heavens. My hands can't help but to veil, feeling the roughness of it against the pads of my fingers.
"You can marry Lincoln," Maria mumbled out of nowhere. Her eyes meeting mine through the mirror as she talks, "marry him just like how your parents wanted to."
"I'd rather go poor," I replied and fixed her veil back on it's place.
"What happened to the both of you anyway?" She interrogated, carefully holding the bouquet that one of the wedding organizers hands her. I can clearly see how she checks herself, her reflection.
The question made me shrugged my shoulders. I honestly don't know what had happened to us. Lincoln and I, some saw a little glimpse of possiblity of us being the couple that can make everyone drool and envy. Though, what they expected didn't happen.
Lincoln is just a little boy in a body of a grown up man.
I can't stand him.
Maria opened her mouth in attempts to speak again when we heard a knock on the door. A woman in black suit appeared and gave us regards on how much time is left before the ceremony starts.
With a smile I held Maria's hand, giving her the warmest congratulatory greetings that I can mutter, "I'm happy for you."
Her head nodded once and mouthed thank you to me. I gave her a tight squeeze before getting out of the room. On the hallway, I saw Mark standing. Obviously waiting for me to come out as he is my escort throughout the whole event.
"This looks grand, don't you think so?" Mark said, I'm pretty sure he is smiling with the way his word sounds like. Even I think they spent a lot for the wedding. From the flowers on the ceiling to the customized pond where an arc were installed, ready to be walked on by the groom and bride.
"Indeed," I simply replied as we sat on our designated seat.
A few minutes have passed until the wedding martch plays and the ring bearer slowly walks down the aisle, followed by the groom who went straight ahead to the altar.
I'm not the one who's getting married but why does I feel like my chest will burst in nervousness? My hands can't keep still as it kept on shaking softly against my lap. It even got worse when accidentally I locked gaze with Lincoln who's seating on the bench across to mine.
Suddenly, my world went in slow motion. Lincoln is all I can see.