Chapter 4 Engagement party

The early morning sun seeped through the room, and I refused to open my eyes. It felt as if I had just closed my eyes only to open them again.

"It's your engagement day today, so wake up already!" Mom shouted as she opened the door, but I pretended not to hear her. With my back turned towards her, I knew she would be hissing, and it took all my effort to hold back my laughter, or else she would find out I wasn't asleep.

"Just go already, Mom!" I screamed in my head, still pretending to be asleep. Unbeknownst to me, my mom and best friend were planning something against me. Just as I turned around, thinking she had left, I found four hands ready to splash something at me, and I screamed, rolling backward on my bed as I glared at them.

"Oh, stop it, please. I'm awake now, no need for all the drama," I squeaked before scrambling to my feet and getting off the bed. Emma laughed out loud, lunged with the spray at me, and I dodged it.

With a stern glare, I shouted, "Don't you dare, Emma, or you'll lose your job." The moment the words left my mouth, I immediately regretted it. What was I thinking to have even said that?

Emma narrowed her eyes, not the least bit offended, but I still felt guilty. "Sorry about that," I muttered, my eyes pleading. I retorted immediately when I saw the glint in her eyes, "After all, you made me say it."

"You're weird," Emma shook her head, and my eyes went wide. Wait, I did call someone that. Yes, Liam, the weirdo.

"Do not call me that."

"I can't believe you two are calling each other names when you should be getting ready for the ceremony," Mom suddenly spoke out, sighing. I knew she was right, and I stuck my tongue out before running into my bathroom to shower.

****

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to my son's engagement party," my soon-to-be father-in-law spoke into the mic. He was all smiles as his eyes searched the crowd, probably looking for his son. When his eyes landed on us, his smile widened, and I felt Liam stiffen next to me. What got him so upset? He wasn't the only one forced into this marriage. This whole thing was his father's idea, and if he wanted out so much, he could just disagree with his father's decision and save us both the trouble.

I looked around the hall, my eyes searching for anyone I knew. I don't keep many friends, and the only friend I have is Emma, whom I've known since childhood. Just as I was about to fix my gaze back at Mr. Hugh, my eyes caught on something, or rather, someone. I squinted my eyes to make sure they weren't deceiving me, and lo and behold, I was right. Sitting in the far distance was my ex-boyfriend. He still looked handsome, but not as gorgeous as Liam. What was he doing here? Who invited him, and what would they gain from it? It couldn't possibly be my mom or dad. Just who?

He jerked his head to one side, a smile reaching his lips as he stared at me with lustful eyes. A shudder ran through my body, and I trembled with nervousness. He was bad news, and I hated that he was here. The bastard had cheated on me with a common prostitute, shattering my pride, and now he had the audacity to show his shameless face at my engagement party.

I froze when he got up and started walking towards me. "Shit."

"Hey, what's wrong?" I heard Liam say, but I ignored him. I was too numb, and like lightning, I hissed at him when he jabbed me in my side. "It's none of your business."

"Excuse me, if you've forgotten the purpose of why we're here, let me remind you. We're having our engagement party, and all I ask of you is not to do something that will tarnish my reputation."

I didn't pay attention to him and followed Michael, whom I still had my eyes on. I had a feeling he knew I would follow him, and my instincts screamed at me not to go, but I refused to listen.

I pushed through the crowd trying to catch my attention, but I ignored them and made my way out through the door. Outside, I immediately found Michael, and when he looked up and smiled at me, I tilted my head into a frown. He must be crazy to think I was out here to make up with him.

Crossing my arms, I sized him up and down. He had grown a little broader around the shoulders, and he seemed a bit taller.

"Are you done ogling me, little princess?" Michael laughed mischievously, taking a few steps towards me. I was repulsed enough to retreat, but I knew it would show defeat on my part. I stood my ground and squared my shoulders.

"Do not come near me!" I fired angrily, but he refused to back off. "What the hell are you doing at my engagement party, Michael?"

He shrugged. "Oh, come on, Angel. You and I both know that you don't love him. You still have feelings for me, don't you?"

I spat on the floor in disgust and hissed loudly. "Feelings? The last feelings I had for you were thrown into a river, and I'm afraid they're not coming back. And as for love, I'm in love with my fiance, and the least you could do is fuck off and never show your ugly face near me again."

He reached out to me and rubbed my left cheek with his calloused hands. "I'm not going anywhere, Angel, and I want you back. Do you know how long I've missed you? Do you know how much I've craved going through your lines with you? You probably have no idea, but they're true, baby. I want you back. Tell you what, Liam doesn't deserve you. He's not right for you, and I'm going to get you back."

I pushed him away, wiping the spot he touched with my handkerchief, and gave him a resounding slap. "How dare you lay your filthy hands on me! Leave now, or I will have the guards throw you out like the dog you are."

Color rose to his face, not from embarrassment, but from anger. What I didn't expect was for him to grab my hands, swing me around, and a loud gasp escaped my mouth. I heard the cries of the crowd, and I cursed him for creating a scene. Liam had warned me about that, and his hatred for me would only increase.

I turned around to see Michael on the ground. Surprised, I stared at him, and my eyes widened when I saw Liam's fuming face. He was glaring at Michael, and when he caught me looking, our eyes met.

"Come inside," he ordered.

Weirdo. What sort of man was he? He couldn't even apologize to his lady. Wait, erase that. To a lady.