Page 13 of His Infatuated Wife
"Work emergency, according to Mr. Carpentier."
Dean Garrison claps his hands at that moment, and I'm saved from replying.
"Dinner's ready, kind folks."
Seats are always randomly arranged in a bid to foster camaraderie, but my steps crash to a halt when I realize I've been placed next to Jacques.
No.
Oh no.
I don't think I can.
All eyes are on me again when I turn away, but I don't care.
I'm still hurting, and I don't think I can fake being okay. Memories start replaying in my mind, and I find myself running in a foolish bid to escape my own thoughts.
I think she has a crush on you.
Tears sting my eyes as I'm reminded of the condescension and amusement that laced the other woman's voice when uttering those words.
I think she has a crush on you.
Eva had said it as if my feelings were no threat to her. And I have no trouble seeing why that is.
Eva is everything that I'm not. She's beautiful and sophisticated. She's already made a name for herself as VP in her parents' business firm. She has everything going for her, and whenever people talk about Eva and Jacques, everyone seems to think it's only a matter of time before wedding bells start ringing.
Is it truly over between us?
Was I wrong to think that he was mine, and that I was his?
I suddenly hear footsteps behind me, and I already know who it is even before someone suddenly spins me around.
"I'm sorry, Riri."
It's the bleakness in his silvery eyes more than this apology that has my nails digging painfully into my palms.
Don't break down, don't break down, don't break down.
And I somehow manage to smile.
"You have nothing to apologize for."
"Nothing like that will ever happen again," he says tautly. "I give you my word."
All I can do is nod, and his lips tighten as if he's frustrated by my silence.
"Talk to me, Riri."
"I don't know what to say."
"I don't want to hurt you."
"I know."
"Then tell me how to fix things."
The urgency in his tone is bittersweet.