It had been several days since Alex walked me back and proposed to me, a moment that filled my heart with confusion and excitement. However, since that night, he hadn't come to visit me, leaving me feeling lost and uncertain.
As I stood in the bar, absentmindedly wiping the counter for what felt like the hundredth time, Lizzy waved at me, breaking through my thoughts with her presence.
"Emma, you have wiped the counter many times, and honestly, it's as clean as a mirror," Lizzy remarked with a playful smile. Caught off guard, I blushed and quickly apologized, realizing that my mind had been preoccupied with thoughts of Alex.
Sensing my unease, Lizzy moved closer, concern evident in her eyes. "What's wrong, Emma? Did Alex steal your heart and then disappear? I couldn't help but notice that he hasn't been around for several days. Is everything okay?"
"I guess so," I replied, trying to mask my underlying worries. "He did call me this morning and gave me an update on the progress of the peace treaty. I suppose that's what has been keeping him occupied lately." But deep down, I couldn't shake off the lingering feeling of longing and unease in my heart.
Lizzy gently nudged me, her voice filled with empathy. "If you miss him, you should go to him, Emma. Sometimes, distance and busy schedules can create a sense of disconnection. It's important to bridge that gap and reaffirm your feelings." Her words struck a chord within me, stirring a newfound sense of courage.
"You really think so?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. However, the memory of his proposal, his desire for us to marry as partners, lingered in my mind. What if he hadn't shown up because he no longer wanted to see me? Or worse, what if he had changed his mind and decided not to wait for my answer?
Lizzy shook her head with determination, her voice filled with conviction. "No more 'what ifs,' Emma. You miss him. Admit it. If you're uncertain about anything, the best way to find out is to go to him and have an open conversation."
"Do you really believe that?" I asked.
"Of course I do," Lizzy replied with a reassuring smile, instantly easing my concerns.
Feeling a renewed sense of confidence, I headed back to my room, eager to get dressed and finally meet Alex. Just as I was about to pick up my phone, it suddenly vibrated, illuminating the room with the sight of Alex's name. My mood instantly brightened, but my joy was short-lived as my phone died due to a low battery. Frustration crept in, but I quickly plugged it in to charge, hoping it would regain power soon.
Just as I was anxiously waiting for my phone to revive, I heard a knock on my door. Intrigued, I hurriedly answered it, only to find Sophia standing there with a smirk, delicately covering her nose.
"So you've been living in the rabbit hole?" Sophia sneered, her tone filled with contempt.
Ignoring the disdain in her voice, I responded coldly, "What are you doing here?"
"To see you, of course," she replied, her high heels echoing in the hallway as she attempted to invite herself into my room. However, I firmly stood my ground, blocking her entry. "I have nothing to say to you. If you've come here just to taunt me, you can leave now."
As I made a move to close the door, Sophia pushed against it, preventing me from shutting her out.
"No hurry," she said with a sly smile. "I wanted to catch up with you. Why are you so nervous? In fact, Matt and I have been worried about you. He asked me more than once which bastard got you pregnant."
Her words pierced through the air, causing anger to surge within me. I took a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure, and replied firmly, "I don't owe you any explanations. My personal life is none of your business. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have important matters to attend to."
Sophia's piercing gaze studied my face, and her words hung heavy in the air. "I do have a theory. Alex got you pregnant, right? You've been cheating on Matt with Alex!"
My heart contradicted within me, and I instinctively squeezed the back of my hand, desperately trying to maintain composure. I couldn't allow them to discover the truth between Alex and me. I knew in my gut that they were up to no good. If they found out about my pregnancy, who knew what kind of devious schemes they might concoct to sabotage me? I couldn't let them use me as a bargaining chip. With the peace treaty at such a crucial stage, I couldn't afford any setbacks now.
Despite the nervousness that gripped me, I shook my head in disbelief. "That's absurd. Why on earth would you even assume something like that? Now, get lost before I call security, and believe me, I won't hesitate to do so."
Sophia's gaze lingered on my face, searching for any sign of deception. Fortunately, she seemed to buy my words and reluctantly said, "Fine, I came here to give you this."
She handed me an elegantly designed invitation. "After numerous rounds of negotiations, they finally decided to sign the peace treaty tonight, followed by a celebratory party. And you're invited."
I couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and confusion. "Me? Why?"
"Who knows? Matt didn't want you there, but Alex insisted. I guess you hold a special place in his heart," Sophia sneered, her tone tinged with contempt. "You're beautiful, I suppose, but honestly, what have you done to make Alex willing to stand up for you?"
As her cold gaze shifted to my belly, a protective instinct washed over me, and I found myself involuntarily covering it, shielding this precious secret from prying eyes.
"Be quick!" Sophia's voice dripped with a hint of mockery. "He said he was waiting for you in his hotel room B610. I don't know," she smirked, "maybe he was preparing to buy you some fancy clothes so you won't embarrass yourself tonight."
Sophia forcefully shoved the invitation into my hand and swiftly turned to leave. I stared at the invitation, feeling a mix of confusion and anticipation wash over me. Why had Alex asked Sophia to deliver this invitation? Was our phone call earlier solely about this event? The whole situation felt strange, and a tinge of unease crept up within me. I decided to call Alex since my phone had been charged for a while now. However, to my surprise, he didn't answer.
My confusion deepened, and I found myself once again scrutinizing the invitation in my hand. Lizzy's words echoed in my mind, reminding me that I missed Alex and that it was crucial for us to have an open conversation. It became clear that I needed to take the initiative and seek the answers I longed for.
With newfound determination, I rummaged through my wardrobe, carefully selecting a sleek black dress that had been tucked away for far too long. It hugged my curves gracefully, accentuating my silhouette. I had purchased it ages ago but had never found the right occasion to wear it. Tonight, however, I wanted to exude confidence and beauty as I stepped into the celebration.
With a final touch of makeup adorning my face, I took a deep breath and stepped out, ready to meet Alex first. Clutching the invitation in my hand, I made my way to the grand hotel.
As I approached the entrance, I caught a fleeting glimpse of someone who looked remarkably like Sophia, but before I could confirm it, she disappeared into the crowd. I couldn't shake off the peculiar sensation it left me with, but I brushed it aside, determined to focus on finding Alex.
Standing in front of room B610, I raised my hand to knock when, to my surprise, the door swung open on its own accord. Uncertainty seeped into my mind, and I hesitated before cautiously uttering, "Alex, are you inside?"
Silence greeted me. A wave of unease washed over me, and just as I was about to retreat, my bag was yanked from my grasp, and I was forcefully pushed into the room, stumbling and falling to the floor. The door slammed shut, locking me inside.
Panic set in, and I pounded on the door with frustration. "What is this? Let me go!" My pleas echoed in the confined space, but all I could hear was the sound of my own desperation.
Then, I heard Sophia's unmistakable voice, laced with a chilling edge. "No way. Just wait inside and let yourself rot."
"Sophia?! Is this your doing? Why?" I implored, my voice tinged with disbelief and fear.
"Why? You actually think I would allow you to attend the celebration party and steal my spotlight? Save it, Emma. Don't even bother trying to escape. No one will come to your aid."
"Alex will find me," I retorted, determination lacing my voice.
"Alex, huh? Well, I'll make sure to let him know you refused his invitation," Sophia sneered.
"He won't believe you! He will come for me," I insisted, my voice tinged with defiance.
Sophia chuckled, a mocking tone evident in her words. "Oh, poor Emma. You really believe you're special, don't you? Well, let me ask you this: Where is he now? He hasn't shown up for you in several days, has he? Emma," Sophia's voice dripped with a false sense of pity, "it seems he has already lost interest in you."