Chapter 5 Trey Morgan:a nightmare

After what felt like an endless stream of photos, Olivia left my side. I scanned the crowded room for Anna, but she was missing. She wouldn't have left without saying goodbye, would she?

Down the hallway, I spotted her, cornered between the wall and a familiar-looking blonde.

Trey Morgan.

"Please, no more harm," she whispered, her voice barely audible, and my heart sank.

"Morgan, step back now," I demanded. He turned his contemptible face toward me and reluctantly backed away from her.

"Stephen," he greeted, offering his hand, but I could not bring myself to accept it. There was no way I'd shake hands with him.

"Anna, are you alright?" I inquired, turning my attention back to her, but Sophia was gone.

"Just keep your distance from her," I warned him under my breath before setting off to search for her.

"There he is!" My father's voice boomed as he caught me and steered me towards the staircase.

"I really need to-" I started to protest but was cut off.

"Ladies and gentlemen," my father announced, " I want to express my gratitude for your presence this evening. This was meant to be a simple gathering on a typical Friday night.

"However, tonight isn't just any ordinary night; it is a remarkably special occasion, marking a unique celebration," he declared. Ignoring his words, my focus drifted across the crowd, searching for Anna amidst the sea of faces below. Finally, I spotted her, standing alongside Rose, notably distant from Chris.

"It gives me immense joy to announce the engagement of my son, Stephen, to the charming Ms. Olivia Fallon," my father proclaimed, prompting applause as he handed me the microphone. With a sinking feeling, I prepared to speak, knowing what I was about to say would be difficult for my stomach.

" Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for being here. I have waited years to propose to Olivia; she captured my heart long ago. But lately, I have come to realize the brevity of life, so I decided to ask her a few weeks ago, " I forced a smile, glancing at Anna, who smiled back. Maybe she did not harbor feelings for me, or perhaps she was just pretending. It was all so confusing.

My father shot me a pointed look, the one you get when you have overlooked something. I had not forgotten; I was deliberately avoiding it. But he was not going to let it slide.

"So, will my future wife join me on stage?" I quipped, mustering what my dad would call my 'signature smirk.' Olivia ascended the stairs, her fingers entwining with mine.

"Thank you all for being here," she said, smiling. I glanced at the people who truly mattered to me; they all looked displeased, except for Anna, who appeared to be trying to maintain her composure.

After concluding our speech, as usual, my dad proceeded to introduce me to the attendees.

Every word he utters captivates my attention. His smile appears genuine, prompting me to wonder if, all these years, I have been in love with him, believing he felt a similar way. Yet, perhaps he did not. He mentioned waiting years to propose to Olivia, and he genuinely seems happy.

ANNA'S POINT OF VIEW

"Anna, what is the disgrace of a man doing here?" Rose's voice seethes with anger as she gestures towards Trey.

"I am not sure, but he is up to his usual antics, and I want nothing to do with him," I sigh, feeling Rose's comforting hand on my back.

"I know, he is a disgrace to the blonde community," she mutters, eliciting a chuckle from me.

" What is a party without dancing? Join us on the floor for a dance, " Tanya's sweet voice echoes through the microphone.

Ed Sheeran's ft Beyoncé "Perfect Duet" fills the room as couples make their way to the dance floor.

"Rose, may I have this dance?" Liam Kavinsky, the confident doctor and model, asks my best friend. I believe he works alongside Rose.

"Of course," she smiles, returning my glance before walking away.

Turning my gaze to the dance floor, I see Olivia dancing with Stephen, his hand on her waist, her hands on his shoulders.

Here we are. From now on, I have to witness the person I love loving someone else.

"I do not like them either," Chris mutters beside me. I chuckle.

"Dance with me?" I nod, and we head to the dance floor.

"Do you think he is actually happy?" I whisper.

"Bullshit. He is not, and you know it, " he replies, causing another chuckle to escape me.

"I think he is."

"Anna..."

"Drop it, Chris."

"Fine, but you have to tell me why the hell that asshole is here," he insists, glancing in Trey's direction as he dances with a girl who seems too pretty for him.

"I did not invite him. I am pretty sure he got invited by the Fallons."

"So much for a perfect guest list," I chuckle as Chris twirls me, and suddenly, I am dancing with Stephen.

"Hi, pretty boy," I mutter as his hands slide around my waist, feeling Olivia's glare on me.

"What did you mean when you said Trey has hurt you enough?" he asks, and my heart starts racing.

"He was terrible throughout our relationship, causing me mental anguish. You are aware of this, Stephen.

"I sighed, but his skeptical gaze remained fixed.

"Only mentally, right? Not physically? " He emphasized the "not."

"No, not just mentally."

"But you said the breakup was mutual–"

"Just drop it!" I spun away, joining Chris on the dance floor.

"What's with you?" I shot him a glare, and he finally got the hint, falling silent.

Hours later, the hall was nearly deserted. The party was tolerable, I suppose. I wish Trey had not shown up, and I certainly hope to never see him again.

"Anna, need a ride home? " Rose approached me.

"I will take her home, Rose.

Thanks for coming. " Stephen hugged her, and she gave me a questioning look.

I simply nodded. "Let us go." I followed him to the garage, and we swiftly got into his car.

"Where's your wife?" I blurted out unexpectedly. He chuckled. Oh, what a knee-slapper I was

He laughs. "She is my fiancée, and she left with her parents."

"Fiancée, wife, same thing," I mumble.

"Thanks for planning the party and thanks for coming," he remark, noticing Stephen's unusual politeness.

"Did the great Stephen King just used 'thanks' in a sentence twice. Directed to me. Must be my lucky night," I joke as the city blurs past us on our way to my apartment.

He chuckles. "Wow and a chuckle too. I have got luck on my side" I laugh.

"Well, we are here." I look up at the towering, lit-up building, feeling utterly exhausted and let out a sigh

"Alright, come on." He gets out of the car and walks over to my side.

"What are you–" Before I can finish, he lifts me up bridal style.

"Stephen!"

He strides towards the lobby, but I plead with him to put me down because I need to speak to the lady at the front desk. After sorting out my incoming packages with her, I head towards the stairs, with Stephen holding my hand to prevent any potential falls.

"My feet hurt," I mutter, and once again, I am lifted up bridal style. Then, I feel his fingers unstrapping the heels on my feet.

"Oh my God, that is so much better!"

He hums in response as we reach my door.

"I can manage from here, it is fine. Thank you, " I smile at him.

"No problem. Lunch tomorrow?" he asks.

"Don't be late, King."

"I won't. Goodnight."

Stephen paused for a moment, his hand still resting on the doorknob. "Anna," he began, his voice softer now, "I know we have had our differences, but I am here if you need to talk. About Trey, or anything."

I leaned against the door, the weight of the night suddenly pressing down on me.

"I know, Stephen. Thank you," I whispered, more to myself than to him.

He gave a small nod, a shadow of concern flickering in his eyes before he turned and walked away. The sound of his footsteps echoed down the hallway, growing fainter until they were swallowed by the silence of the night.

"Night," I smile, closing the door.

Inside my apartment, the stillness was suffocating. I kicked off the heels that Stephen had unstrapped and padded barefoot to the window. The city lights twinkled like distant stars, a stark contrast to the darkness that seemed to loom just beyond the glass.

I wrapped my arms around myself, a shiver running through me despite the warmth of the room. Trey's face flashed in my mind, his smile that never quite reached his eyes, the way his laughter always seemed to hold an edge of something darker.

I shook my head, trying to dispel the memories. I needed to move forward, not get trapped in the past. But as I crawled into bed, the echoes of what had been whispered through the silence, and I knew that moving on was not going to be as easy as I had hoped.

The next morning, I woke to the sound of my phone buzzing on the nightstand. I reached for it, squinting at the bright screen.

A message from Stephen: "Don't forget lunch. 1 PM. I will be there."

A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. Maybe, just maybe, Stephen could be a part of the fresh start I so desperately needed.

As I got ready, I made a mental note to myself. It was time to close the chapter on Trey and open a new one. And perhaps, this time, it would be a chapter filled with laughter that was genuine and smiles that reached the eyes.