A vicious smile greeted her face. She crossed her hands below her chest, observing the scene in front of her. People were dancing, enjoying the party with a smile on their face when her eyes felt on a lonely soul.
Her gaze came across a beautiful Shirley, standing alone by the corner. Looking like a lost puppy searching for her master.
Ivy lifted an eyebrow, it was strange to see her by herself. In the past she was always surrounded by people, she was the school belle. Every guys wanted to date her, every girls wanted to be her but not Ivy. Yes she was jealous of her but not of her beauty. What was the need of beauty, it all fade with time better be the queen.
Ivy went to her, searching with her eyes if she could found Liam but she failed to spot him.
"What are you doing?" she whispered from behind. Shirley flinched and turned, frighten.
"You scared me," she had a hand on her rising chest.
"I didn't intent to. What are you doing here alone?" She notice something was odd since the beginning but didn't give it much thought. Now she was sure about it, people were avoiding her.
She never let Liam out of her field of vision and noticed how people who were talking to him gave her no attention except of greetings. True, it may be because they were talking about business and she had nothing to say but still, it was odd.
"Liam was called earlier by your father," she explained.
"And your friends?" Shirley face sadden, she tried to hide it but Ivy didn't miss it.
'So I was right, something did happen. Something big enough for everyone to maintain their distance from her' she smile internally. Her heart was bouncing of happiness. Shirley wasn't happy as she thought.
'The female didn't get her happy ever after?' she smiled.
She always portrait herself as the villain in their story. She was the one trying to separate them at any cost and even tried to kill her. All her attempt brought them closer, when she finally gave up and decided to leave, she thought just like the end of books, when the villain was defeated, the leads could finally be happy together, have their happy ever after. All these years, she always imagined them happy in each other arms. But they didn't have their happy ending.
"I don't know what is going on but whatever can it be it isn't right for them to leave you alone. What type of friends turn their back when you need them the most? You have always be by their side but look when it is your turn they aren't there," Shirley clenched her dress, her small actions encourage Ivy.
"You're too kind Shirley, in your shoes I did made them pay. How could they make fun of you like this? Cause it's sure they're mocking you in your back, what a shame," she shook her head.
'I may not be able to hurt you but I can make yourself lead to your on destruction'
"You know…"she was interrupted.
"Ivy!!" Andy called her. "Come with me," he dragged her by her wrist giving her no time to react or answers.
"I didn't finish talking to Shirley," she complained while being dragged away.
"You would finish later," he announced, not slowly his steps. Gaining interrogation look by everyone who saw them.
She sighed, but had a soft smile on her lips. Her fondness of Shirley back then made her forget an essential thing, no one is all white or black. She painted her like a saint forgetting no one was, everyone has a demon in him. She was sure Shirley like everyone has skeletons in their closet. Her discussion with Bella opened her eyes at many thing.
Andy dragged her out of the house and didn't stop at the veranda like she assumed. He walked down the stairs and stopped by the fountain which were at a safe distance, no one could hear them.
He released her wrist and took steps back. Ivy rubbed her wrist with a frown on her face, confusion gaining her face.
"What was that for ? What were you trying to do?" he asked furious, he didn't like what he heard.
"What are you accusing me of? I did nothing. I was only talking with her," she said confused, massaging her wrist as if in pain even though he hold her with great care not to hurt her. She looked innocent. Anyone would have the urge to hug her bur her act didn't work on Andy. He knew her too well.
"Just talking? I heard you clearly," after all these years she didn't change. He didn't know if it was a bad or a good thing.
"What do you expect to achieve Ivy?" he asked.
"I know you're in love with Liam but you have to stop that. Your hate for Shirley has no reason to be. They love each other, it wasn't her fault. You have to accept it, the sooner the better,"
He knows she love him since in Childhood. He saw her how hurt she was seeing them together. When she decided to leave, he didn't try to stop her unlike Liam because he knew about her feelings and thought maybe the distance would end her love for him but it seem not to be the case. He had to put an end to it. It was already a miracle she didn't try to hurt Shirley. Ivy was dangerous and could do anything as long as she get what she wants.
Little did he know, she already tried.
"Not her fault? Are you serious? She snatched him away from me! He was mine but she stole him!" she shouted.
All was planned. After university, his mother would have come with a marriage proposal for her which she would have accepted and they would have be happy, but she ruined it all.
"He was never yours Ivy. He didn't belong to you. Why can't you understand that? You hate your friend for nothing. Just let them be together and move on because let me tell you, even if something happens to her, Liam won't be with you!" He stated. Wanting to make it clear.
He saw it all. The amount of love Liam had for Shirley was beyond what met to the eyes. To the point he fear, loosing her would destroy him.
Ivy crossed her hand below her chest, a frown on her face,
"I know," she said taking a seat on bench a distant away from the fountain. She opened her hands by her side, seeking support from them as she looked up at the sky. The stars were shining of an unusual brightness.
She knew the unfortunate truth. She was just a friend to Liam not a woman, but maybe one day it will change? That hope never left her heart.
"Ivy," he called taking a seat next to her.
"I'm not against you, I hope you know that." He placed his hand above hers, "It just, I want to see both of my friend happy. I don't want to see one sad because of the happiness of the other," Ivy nodded.
She understood that, even though he just scolded her, she didn't took it at heart. He wished for the best for the both of them and the best were for her to let go. At least, it was what her brain told her to do, to let go but her heart stubbornly hold on to hope. Hope things might change.
"And please stop hating Shirley, its unjust,"
"No, she deserves every ounce of it," she argued shifting her focus from the sky to him. Her eyes piercing in his.
Did he knows? Did he know how it feels to see the person you love loving someone else? No, he didn't else he would have never said such a thing.
How could she not hate her? Even if she did never be with Liam, her hate would still be there. She was the reason it never happened.
Andy sighed "And what about Bella? Why are you hating her?" he engaged the next topic that hurt.
He understood one couldn't stop his emotion because he was being told too. If it was possible, it was easier for her to stop herself from loving Liam.
He was troubled, he could see how she hate both of their partners. Shirley and Bella was in dangers. Ivy wasn't an enemy to have, himself won't want her as an enemy.
"Bella? I don't hate her, she isn't worthy of such an emotion," she said. How could she hate an insect? Bella was an insect to her, a nuisance.
Andy didn't know if he should be angry or happy. Happy because she didn't hate her or angry because she insulted his fiancée of being worthless.
"The question here is how can you be in couple with her. She was obsessed with Liam and it was what brought the enmity between us," she didn't understand how their brain works.
One was with someone whom contrast him in every way while the other with someone who was obsessed with their brother.
"I love her Ivy, please don't force me to choose between the two of you because…" he understood her points but to him it had no reason to be.
She may have loved Liam in the past but that didn't mean she couldn't love him as well and move on Liam. Love wasn't static. It was what he wanted her to understand. He found it weird he had to explain such a simple thing to her when she had always been the rational one in the group.
Ivy heart stop. 'Is he going to choose her over me right? What a shame after I bragged in front of Bella' she thought.
"…you know I will choose you. You know no one is more important than family to me and you are just like my sister." He added. To him family was the most important thing.
'I knew it, you love me the most' Ivy heart rejoice.
'In your face Bella'
"But I will be really hurt and sad. Don't make me to decide such a thing that will bring me so much sadness and sorrow." his eyes yelled it all to her, he love Bella and it was clear. His eyes was already expressing pain just at the thought if they really break up.
She knew the pain of not being with the person you love and wants no one to feel it, not her friend. She breathed out.
"You won't have to choose, I have nothing against her. As long as she doesn't provoke me, we will be good." she may not love her but would do her best for her friend. Her brother.
Her love for him was more than anything and that was also a reason for why she left. Her love for Liam was more powerful than her hate for Shirley.
"Thank you." they hugged. He was happy to hear it. Having Ivy support was very important to him.
"Let's go back." Ivy shook her head.
"I'm tired," she said. He didn't insisted and stood up to leave but before he could do so, he saw Liam coming their way.
"I finally found you," he said when he reached them. A happy smile on his face.
"We were supposed to reunite tonight but we couldn't be left alone," he added.
"What else were you expecting? You are now important figures. My friends are CEO of multinational companies," Ivy said. Liam already took function as one but Andy was yet to. Now was taking function as the vice president.
"Say the self-made CEO," Andy said taking back his previous seat. His serious expression was replaced by an ease one.
Liam nodded "We both inherited our company but yours is self-made, impressive," Liam said as he open a packet of cigarette.
Andy and Ivy took one. She wasn't really a smoker but sometimes she smoke to accompany them. Liam lighted his and gave the lighter to Andy who lighted both his and Ivy's. They smoked in silence, enjoying each other company.
In the house, at the balcony, a beautiful blonde girl was staring at the group of three in the garden, she had a frown on her face. She couldn't hear what they were saying.
"Your rival is back," she turned hearing the voice.
"What are you doing here?" Shirley asked.
"Nothing. I was passing by when I saw you. Aren't they beautiful together?" Bella asked looking at the three friends.
Shirley frown, "what are you talking about?"
"Don't faint ignorance. I know you are perfectly aware of her feelings for your fiancé and in my opinion, they are a better paired than you guys,"
For her, Liam was better off with Ivy, they have the same vibe unlike Shirley who contrast too much with him.
"Are you going to let her take you man? You know, I can help you," she continued.
"I don't know what you are talking about," she brushed it off and turned to leave.
She needed no one help. She was confident and trusted Liam feelings for her and Ivy didn't make a move for her to be weary of. Bella was just trying to cause enmity between them, she wasn't going to listen.
One thing remained. Her unsettled feelings. She couldn't understand the discomfort she felt seeing them together. Both at the airport and now.
Bella smile seeing her leaving and gave her attention back to the group of friends having an animated discussion.