Chapter 4 Engagement

Lucy squealed in delight, then snatched the lollipop from his hand after he was done. "How did you know my favorite lollipop?" She asked, her eyes shimmering.

"I know everything my love. Your favorite ice cream, candy, food, color... You just name it–"

"Come on Dude, all of us know her favorite things," one of the guys interrupted. Then brought more drinks to their table and sat beside Gina.

"I heard you're going international babe... Don't forget your first love when you become the world's top model." He danced his eyebrows and Gina scoffed.

"Get away from me." She pushed him away and turned back to her drink.

"What about you Lucy?" The same guy asked as the girl licked her lollipop. "What are you planning to do now that we've graduated?"

"Haven't you heard?" One of the girls sauntered toward them with a sweet smile. She sat beside Lucy and splayed an arm across her shoulder. "Our dear little Princess here is getting engaged to one of the richest CEOs in town."

"What!?"

The guy exclaimed and everyone's attention is drawn again.

"Tell me it's not true Princess, how could you do this to us?"

"I was prepared to chase you for the rest of my life, please tell us she's joking."

Lucy's eyes dimmed and she lowered her head under their interrogative gazes.

Gina glanced at her and threw a glare at the girl who had raised the topic. "Who told you that, Joey?"

The girl rolled her eyes and replied simply. "Well... Her groom's sister happens to be my friend... What? Are you girls trying to hide it from us?" She put on a surprised expression then continued. "Aren't you girls done flirting with guys yet? Do you think you could hide it forever?"

Lucy sighed and rose to her feet. Her mood had instantly took a ninety degree turn. At the remembrance of the impending tragedy awaiting her from few days from now, her mood had dampened completely.

Her eyes darted between everyone and they were all staring at her in shock, eagerly anticipating her answer.

She sat back down with a thud and dawned the glass of wine in front of her, ignoring their interrogative gazes.

"So it is true then..." One of the guys sighed in disappointment. "I already saw this coming... We never stood a chance... Hmmm"

"Come on, Princess, say something," another guy whined.

"Hehehe." Thea came to their side and chuckled. "At least every guy will break out of her curse once she ties the knot... Right, Princess?"

Lucy did not even spare her a glance as her whole being was consumed by grief. She dawned several glasses of whine as Gina's attempt to stop her was futile.

Everyone gave up interrogating the girls and continued with their party. The music played and even Gina stood up to dance with the others.

Slowly sipping another glass of wine, Lucy watched everything in her blurry vision. The fun she had sneaked out in the first place to get was right before her, but she could no more partake in it.

Was it her fault that she was very pretty and had to be chased around by almost every guy that lay his eyes on her? Why couldn't she do anything right? Even her best friend was a successful fashion model. But she... She couldn't even hold a ladle properly.

Her talents were on a zero level, and she wasn't allowed to work in her brother's company.

Her mother always said that she attracts a lot of attention, and would everyday complained of the scandals she had caused. Why was it her fault? And she couldn't believe that her Big Brother had also agreed this time, supporting her parents decision to find her a guy and marry her off.

When the party was over, everyone came to bid her goodbye before leaving. They had all noticed the change in her mood. And even in her hazy states, she could see the smirks on the girls face and their mocking tones.

"Good night, Princess... We hope your poor groom doesn't die in shock after he realises that he'd only married a flower vase, and there was nothing inside but a lot of stench mud."

Thea patted her shoulder sweetly before exiting the room with the others.

Shortly after, the room was empty, left with only the two friends. Jai who was the only guy left inside the room walked to her and patted her on the shoulder.

"Don't fret over it, Princess," he said with a wink then also left.

"Come on girl, he's right" Gina helped her up, trying to keep her voice cheerful. "I'm sure Aunty has a good reason... Why don't you try dissuade them more?"

Lucy glanced at her and shook her head helplessly. "Big Bro's the only one that can talk them out of it... They wouldn't listen to me, no matter how I tried."

Gina nodded with a sigh. "I'm sure Big Bro has a very good reason... Maybe you should just go for it. Hehe, I never doubted his decisions, he's just so perfect," she said dreamily.

Lucy glared at her with pursed lips. "You're... not... helping matters... you know."

After they left the bar, the empty street was now eery and the flickering street lights had seized glowing.

Darkness enveloped the whole district, the only illumination coming from the huge moon shining above.

"Shoot, I should have ask one of the guys to give us a ride," Gina groaned while struggling with the drunk girl.

"W... What are we gonna do now." Lucy's eyes also wandered the place. "What time is–"

She hadn't finish her words, when her stomach whirled inside and a liquid sensation came flooding up her chest. She flew a hand to her mouth, pushed the flabbergasted Gina away, then scurried to a corner and let her knees fell on the ground.

"Argh! Come on." Gina flailed both hands in the air with a groan.