As I walked into the grand ballroom, Emily's birthday party was in full swing.The music pulsed,and the lights dazzled.I spotted Emily across the big hall,radiant in a stunning red gown.
"Leila,you look amazing!"Emily exclaimed, embracing me.
I hugged her back"happy birthday,girl!You shine tonight"
Just then Kelvin and Olivia approached, Olivia's piercing green eyes sparkled as she extended her hand to me"hi Leila,good to see you again"she was pretending to be nice.
I shook her hand warmly"likewise Olivia,you're breathtaking"if she knew how to pretend,I could do even better.
Olivia smiled graciously"thanks, Kelvin's told me a lot about you and your work"
Kelvin chuckled"Leila's modest but my Olivia is the real star"
I froze,feeling a pang of awkwardness.Did I just hear him say Olivia is the real star?and he even added a kiss to it as she said"thanks love, you are also the best"
Rachael sighed as she cut in"so are we here to celebrate love or our dear Emily?"
Rachael brought everyone back to our right heads as we cheered but deep down,I was still hurting and arching but I shrugged it off.
I shot Olivia a sideways glance as she stared at me too.Emily cut in and said"so guys, let's focus on celebrating me...."
She continued"...no negative vibes ok?drinks anyone?"with all smiles
As we raised our glasses for a toast when we sat at the round table,Antonio texted:"Hey beautiful.Missing you,how is the party so far?"
I smiled as my boiling heart calmed,his text came at the right time as my heart wrenched.
I quickly typed a response to Antonio's text:"missing you too love,party's lively,but not the same without you.Emily's radiant,will fill you in later,I love you"
As I put my phone away,my gaze fixed on the stage since Kelvin was saying a heart warming speech about Emily he just recently knew.
Suddenly Olivia's snide comment cut through the chatter."Leila,seems like you're quite taken with my Kelvin"Olivia said,her voice dripping with malice.
I met her raging gaze calmly"just admiring Emily, isn't she beautiful?"I sneered,but Olivia wouldn't let up.
"Save it Leila, you have been staring at my Kelvin all night"
I denied immediately"I don't know what you're talking about"My eyes narrowed,I was already fuming in anger and rage.
"What do you mean by that? don't you dare play dumb with me Leila"she pointed her long index fingers at me.
Rachael intervened,her voice firm"please guys, let's just focus on Emily please"she must have noticed our hidden but heated argument.
Rachael took her glass from the table, oblivious to the tension,raised her glass"to wonderful friends and an unforgettable night"
As we toasted again,Kelvin came down from the stage after awhile and he was drawing close to me,I caught his gaze,our eyes locking for a fleeting moment.
Suddenly,he just shifted to Olivia and kissed her again,they walked past me after a while and Olivia whispered,her voice barely audible,"you are playing with fire,Leila"
I shook my head and rolled my eyes,she just never gets tired of clashing words with me.
I went outside to get some fresh air,I was so pissed ti keep seeing the both of them lovey-dovey stuff.
But just then again,my pest -Olivia arrived for the third or fourth time to obviously spite me and get on my last nerve.
"Leila,so tell me about Antonio,and why didn't you invite him?"She spat
"He's busy,not all couples follow each other like obsession"I sneered, trying to send a message to Olivia,telling her she was too obsessed with Kelvin.
Then I left her standing as I walked out on her.I was already inside when I heard the Mc's voice boomed through the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for an exciting fun game, it's a couple game so if you are interested,get your partner and let's see how you love your partner".
He continued"so we have a twist here-our brave men will choose their partners blindfolded but their ladies won't"
The room erupted into cheers and applause.Emily grinned mischievously"ahhhhh,this is going to be fun!"
Ten ladies,including me and Olivia, lined up on stage,the men including Kelvin,were blindfolded and let to the stage.
The MC explained the rules carefully"Each gentlemen will approach the ladies but immediately the men are blindfolded,...."
He continued "the ladies will be reshuffled so that there won't be foul play and when they pick a partner,they will stop and remove their blindfolds"
The music began,and the first blindfolded man approached the line,he walked past a few ladies,I was so nervous.
I was not planning to do this in the first place,my friends forced me,my heart skipped a beat when I heard Kelvin's voice echoed"I pick her"
WHAT!My heart sank,unsure of what to do and I heard instant cheers.Kelvin removed his blindfold,his eyes met mine.
The room fell silent for a while,he was also shocked to see it was me he picked,he popped out his eyes in surprise,I felt like the ground should just swallow me up.
Olivia's face fell ,her eyes flashing with disappointment.
The MC however smiled graciously as he cheered and so the audience after a while"our first couple is...."
He asked for our names and we reluctantly told him as we stood there in shock"...Kelvin and Leila, let's see who's next"
As the game continued,I couldn't shake off the feeling that this unexpected pairing was a remarkable commotion.
Just as we were about to hug as it was part of the rule,a sudden commotion at the entrance caught everyone's attention.
The doors swung open and Antonio walked in,his eyes scanning the room.
"Leila!"he exclaimed,shocked and disappointed as I could see it in his eyes.
Our eyes met,and Antonio's gaze narrowed as he took the scene:Kelvin and I,about to hug.