Edward's Point of view
The party is packed. Faces I recognize, faces I don't. The music hums in the background, blending with laughter and clinking glasses. I checked my watch. Where the hell are Carl and Hannah? I'm getting bored.
Lisa left me alone to chat with her friends. Probably gossiping. This party feels like it's for the rich, not someone like me.
I sigh, grabbing a drink from a passing waiter. Just as I take a sip, a familiar voice calls from behind.
"Edward?"
I turn around, and my eyes widen. "Alice?" What are you doing here?
She grins. I was invited by the hosts. But you—at a party like this? "That's unexpected." She hands me a drink.
I smirk. "Well, the hosts are my in-laws, so I had to be here."
Her eyebrows shot up. "Wait. You're married?"
"Yeah, to Lisa," I say, watching her reaction.
She whistles. "Damn. You married a rich girl? Never thought I'd see you tangled up with the elite."
I chuckle. "You're not wrong."
She takes a sip from her glass. "So, how's life? How's your company going? Any updates I need to know?"
Business is good. "I'm opening a small branch soon," she says with a smirk. Still single, though. Guess there's only one Edward. No one else can match you.
We laugh, slipping into easy conversation, reminiscing about old times.
---
Lisa's Point of view
As I chat with my friends, a familiar laughter reaches my ears. My head snaps up. Edward. I turn, and my eyes narrow.
Rathirr.
My friends follow my gaze.
"Hey, isn't that Alice from R Cosmetics?" I ask.
Luna tilts her head. "Yeah. Why is she talking to Edward? They look... close."
"Strange," I murmur. "Edward keeps getting more mysterious by the day."
I crossed my arms. "I'd been trying to set up a meeting with her for months. She always ignores my requests."
"You should use this chance," my friends urge.
I take a deep breath and make my way toward them. But as I get closer, I don't like what I see. The way Edward is smiling at her.
Hmm…
I stopped just behind him and let out a small sigh. Edward turns, his smile fading the moment he sees me.
My heart clenches.
"Hello," I say, my tone polite but firm.
Edward clears his throat. "Lisa, this is Alice. She owns a cosmetics company."
I smiled. "Nice to meet you, Miss Alice. Or should I say Mrs. Edward?"
I forced a chuckle at her teasing tone. "Call me whatever you like."
She tilts her head. "How do you know Edward?"
"We met in… a complicated situation," she says, flashing him a knowing look and a wink.
I don't like that. Not one bit.
"I've been trying to reach you for some time now," I say, trying to shift the conversation. "I admire your strategies and would love to work with you."
Alice says nothing at first.
Then Edward speaks up. "Please, help her. It's my request."
Her expression shifts. "Well, since you asked…" She hands me a card. "That's my personal number. Call me."
I blink. She gave me her personal number?
"And Edward," she continues, her voice soft, "you don't need to request things from me. You know I'd do anything for you."
Then she hugs him.
As she pulls away, I hear her whisper:
"It was nice seeing you again, Sir."
My stomach tightens.
Did I hear that right? Sir?
No… maybe I'm imagining things.
---
Lisa's Point of view
My mother finds me, excitement shining in her eyes.
"Lisa, there's someone you need to meet," she says. She's the VIP at this event. She owns multiple companies and is expanding into cosmetics and skincare. She's looking for experienced people.
I nod. "Who is she?"
"Alexis."
My breath catches. Alexis?
The Ice Queen of the business world. No one dares cross her.
"You should take this chance," Mom insists. But be careful. She's… difficult.
Nervousness knots in my stomach, but I nod. "I'll try."
I glance around. Edward is nowhere to be seen. At least he's not alone anymore.
---
Edward's Point of view
I chatted with Carl, catching up.
"So how are you?" he asks.
"I'm good. What about you?"
"Better. College is ending soon, so I can finally relax." He grins, but we both know that's a lie.
The room suddenly quiets. Whispers ripple through the crowd. Someone important has just arrived.
I turned to Carl. "Who is it?"
He leans in, voice low. "Alexis."
My jaw tightens.
Lisa and her family are already with her, trying to keep her entertained.
I decided to stay far away.
---
Edward's Point of view
"Hey, Little Ed."
I freeze.
That voice.
I turn slowly.
Lilly and Chris.
A smile breaks out on my face as I hug them.
"How was your trip?" I ask.
"Amazing," Lilly says, showing me pictures.
Then she frowns. "Edward… what happened to you?"
I blinked. "What do you mean?"
She crossed her arms. You've lost weight. You have dark circles. "You're not sleeping, are you?"
I forced a smile. "Work's been busy."
"Don't lie to me," she warns.
I shook my head. "It's nothing."
She sighs. "You can't hide from me forever, Ed."
I chuckle, brushing it off.
After some more small talk, I stepped away, needing fresh air.
I grab a drink and head to the garden. But just as I take a step, someone pushes me—
And I crash into someone.
Liquid splashes everywhere.
A sharp gasp.
I look up.
Alexis.
Her pristine dress is stained, her expression murderous.
"You filthy—" She spits out a curse. Lisa rushes to clean the mess, her face pale.
"Who are you?" Alexis demands. "You look like you don't even belong here."
"I—"
"Security," she snaps, "throw him out."
Lisa chases after her, apologizing.
I stand there, silent.
Carl clenches his fists. He wants to step in. But Hannah stops him.
"Don't," she whispers. "Edward won't like it."
From the shadows, another figure watches.
A man in black, eyes locked onto me.
His fist clenches.
"So," he murmurs, "I finally found you, Edward."
He steps forward, moving toward the garden.
---
Edward's Point of view
I sit on a bench, staring at the sky.
I messed up. "Lisa will be furious," I mutter.
Then—
A voice from behind.
"Hey, Edward ******."
My entire body tenses.
The voice. The name.
I know who it is.
My legs shake. My heart pounds.
I didn't turn around.
"It's been a long time," the voice says.
"Why are you here?" I whispered.
Silence.
Then, a chilling chuckle.
"Did you really think you could hide from me?"