As those words escaped his lips, a tremor ran through my hands. I barely knew this guy. I turned my gaze towards his father who had a smile on his face.
"Proud of you, son," his father exclaimed, patting Benjamin's shoulder with a hint of excitement. "Fiancée? When did you two get engaged?" The voice I now despised chimed in. Luke's face twisted in shock and I couldn't help but revel in the satisfaction of seeing him so surprised. But deep down, I knew Benjamin had only uttered those words to shield me from whatever mess we'd found ourselves in once again.
"We got engaged last night Mr. Luke and I suggest you address my soon-to-be wife with respect. Clear?" Benjamin's commanding tone filled the air causing Luke to bow and nod slowly. Our eyes met and Benjamin smiled at me, his warmth melting my heart. "Go get changed. I'm sorry for being a bit rough last night. I'll send someone to bring you some beautiful dresses later," he said, winking playfully. I wanted to shout with joy, the butterflies in my stomach fluttering at his smile and his words. Within, I knew this charade was only temporary and reality would eventually catch up with us.
I was so shy that my cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink and I'm sure it was quite noticeable. Benjamin's father smiled at me, a smile that conveyed a sense of pride and satisfaction, as if he were a proud father pleased with his daughter. It warmed my heart and a sense of acceptance washed over me. But wait, Emila, what are you thinking? I scolded myself inwardly realizing I was already getting lost in this charade. "Uhmm..." I cleared my throat before mustering the courage to say, "I'll be upstairs." Without waiting for a response, I swiftly turned and made my way towards the stairs, my footsteps echoing in my ears. "Okay honey," I heard Benjamin's voice trailed after me. I couldn't bring myself to turn around as I ascended the stairs, feeling like I was escaping from something.
The moment I entered the room, I let out a long exhale as if I had been holding my breath all along. And Benjamin, what was he playing at? How could he pretend so convincingly with a straight face?
I couldn't waste any more time so I hurried into the bathroom for a quick shower. When I finished, I noticed my clothes were already dry-cleaned and ready for me. I quickly got dressed but I couldn't help feeling overdressed for such a sunny day. With a sigh, I gathered my courage and headed towards the door, hoping I wouldn't run into anyone downstairs. Luckily, I managed to avoid them and my ride home was so smooth and fast.
"Finally home," I exclaimed, placing my hand on my chest in relief. There's nothing quite like being in my own cozy little place. I couldn't wait to change out of that fancy dress so I hurried to my room. Slipping into a pair of comfy sweatpants and an oversized tee, I felt instantly at ease. But then my stomach growled loudly, reminding me that it was time to eat. I made my way to the kitchen, ready to whip up a simple breakfast. Pancakes and eggs were my go-to when I needed something quick and satisfying. They never failed to hit the spot, especially on days when I didn't have the energy to cook a full meal.I totally stuffed myself and felt super tired afterward. I was really hungry 'cause I didn't eat anything last night.
After breakfast, I grabbed my laptop and started scouring the internet for job opportunities. I was in desperate need of some cash to make it through the week, even a waitress job would be a lifesaver right now. I spent hours scrolling through job listings but to my dismay, I couldn't find anything that caught my eye. Just as I was about to give up, I stumbled upon a job opening for a personal assistant at the same company where I had my first job. The job I had foolishly given to Luke out of love, only to be betrayed later on.This new opportunity feels like a fresh start, a second chance for me. But I have to admit, I couldn't help but hesitate a bit. The thought of having to see Luke every single day at work made me question if I could handle it. Can you imagine?
However, I reminded myself that while I was here grieving over someone who didn't appreciate my worth, Luke was out there living his life. So, I mustered up the courage, filled in my credentials and hesitated for a moment before finally tapping that send button.
As I consoled myself about the job situation, I made my way over to the cozy comfort of the couch. Usually, I'm not much of a movie person—I tend to lean towards reading or catching some z's. But today, I had this sudden urge to watch a film. I grabbed the trusty remote control and tuned in to a movie station. The first scene that popped up was a passionate kiss between a boy and a girl, it instantly reminded me of everything I've been through yesterday and I didn't want those thoughts lingering in my mind. I quickly changed the channel, hoping for something different. But, guess what? The next station was playing Titanic. Talk about bad luck, right?. My mood quickly went from good to bad in just a few seconds and I immediately turned off the TV. I decided to take a little break and rest on the couch for a while. As soon as I settled in, an unusual wave of sleepiness washed over me. It was unlike anything I had experienced before. Maybe it was the alcohol still having its little effects on me. With a sigh, I closed my eyes and let go of the world around me, drifting into a peaceful slumber.