"Take back your engagement ring. We belong to the past now," Zoey said, enclosing the ring in his palm.
"Are you really doing this?" Adrian asked.
"Please, I don't want to talk to you. Someone might see us and assume wrongly."
"Honestly, I don't care what others think of us. When did this start to matter to you?"
"Since the very day I accepted Jasper's proposal, do you understand?"
"You are clearly still in love with me–"
"Accept the goddamn truth, Adrian! I love Jasper, and that's why I agreed to get married to him."
"Deep down, you want to choose me over and over again. Why letting envy stand between the love we share?"
"Is this what love is? Beautiful but sad? You are doing this to hurt me even more. I can stand you not loving me, but I can't stand you loving her–"
He covered her mouth. "Don't ever say that. If you need to hear why I love you, I can go on all night."
She pushed away his hand. "Then why is she still in your life?"
"Because I can't stand you being wrapped in the arms of another man. I couldn't make you mine, but he did. I was fucking jealous–"
"Jealousy, exactly what I felt. I was devastated, I didn't know what to do when you explained everything."
"Sometimes, the truth is bitter and we'd have to accept it. It's your second engagement tonight, amore. I wish you both true love and happiness."
"I wish you same. I guess we'll have to path ways–"
"Wait. You aren't engaged yet, right?"
"So what?" she asked.
"This." He pulled her into his arms, firmly gripping her waist.
His actions took aback her as she gasped in shock. "What the heck are you doing?"
"One last kiss."
"You're unbelievable!" she spat, forcing herself out, then turned to slap him. Fast enough, he caught her hand in the air.
"It's never too late to call it off…" he paused, loosening his grip, then walked around her in circles. "Because you and I know your heart still beats for me," he added.
"You have clearly lost your mind. The party is starting soon, and I wouldn't like if Jasper walks in on us having this conversation," she turned to go, but he stopped her.
"Wipe away your tears, and act normal," he threw his hankie to her face, then walked passed her. Until now, she realized she was crying, and it made her mascara smudgy. She
"Happy engagement," he said, and left the room without waiting for a response.
Just at the doorpost, he bumped into something soft– someone's boobs.
"Blondie?"
"Mr Arrogant." They said simultaneously.
"You are the worst at acting. Don't ever call me that publicly."
"Hey! You called me blondie, and I called you that. What's the big deal?"
"We're in public. Try calling me something romantic," he whispered to avoid third-parties in their discussion.
She let out a silly smile. "Mr Romantic."
He smacked his head. "Oh my–"
"Do you like it?" she asked.
"Hell no! You suck at romance."
"I was just being logical. You said something romantic, so I replaced something with Mr, and arrogant with romantic. Honestly, I don't know why you hate me so much."
"Okay. Call me by name for media's sake."
"Adrian."
"That's it, and I'll call you Aurora."
"Sounds much better," she concurred.
"For the first time, you look appetizing," his eyes scanned her appearance, from her hair styled in a messy bun, down to her mesmerizing makeup, a dark red color resting on her lips, her glittering red gown; that matched his suit, with a long slit that exposed her sexy thighs, her glass heels that made her almost his height.
"Did you say something?" she asked, breaking of his thoughts.
"Uh, no. I- I was soliloquizing," he lied.
She gasped as her eyes widened when they caught something on his shirt. His curious eyes traced down to where her gaze fell until they landed on the right spot.
"Blondie, couldn't you have been more careful?"
"It's Aurora," she rolled her eyes before defending herself. "The red lipstick is on your shirt because you bumped into me. You shouldn't blame me for everything, Adrian."
His left brow arched. "W-what?"
She crossed her arms. "That's exactly how I feel when you blame me for things we are both at fault."
"Well, that doesn't matter. Right now, I need to wash this stain off my shirt."
"It won't bite if you leave it."
"Yes, I know. The guests will think we made out before the party and this happened–"
"Sorry, but it's a permanent stain. It will not fade that easily…" she said. Then whispered in her heart, "Just as the love I have for you."
"You're annoying," he sighed.
"Everyone knows, Mr–"
"Don't complete that statement, else!"
"Else what?"
"I will pull your hair," he said.
"Cool. You can start right away," she smiled at her dirty thoughts.
"Why are you smiling?"
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
He shook his head. "Christ. You got a dirty mind, blondie."
"The party has began. I suppose both your presences are demanded," a guy in blue took a bow, and left.
"You heard him right. Ladies first, so lead the way."
"Okay. I'll do as you say," she said as they walked across the stairway.
She stepped on her dress, and almost stumbled on the stairs. Luckily, he was right behind her, so he was her saviour. He held her hand until they completed the stairs. They got seated in front of the guests. On the other side was Jasper and Zoey.