“I'm not sure I'll take Sarah's advice to invite the Krashingdowns to the wedding ceremony,” Mom said. “Their daughter, Eloise, has been Sarah's nemesis right from when they were little. It gets even worse because Eloise works in the same hospital with Sarah, and I'm sure she tries her best to outshine your sister. Not that she's ever successful. Sarah is that surgeon everyone trusts and wants to handle their cases. She's a star.”
I gasped, looking up from the book I was reading. “Eloise now works at Elysium Healthcare?” I asked, surprised. How could that be? Eloise and I were pretty close. She was a sweet soul, and one of my best friends, and there was never a time I remember her disliking or even talking about Sarah. Yes, they weren't the best of friends, but Eloise kept to her lane. I wouldn't be surprised if Sarah had been feeding Mother lies about Eloise because she felt insecure. Eloise was also a hot-shot surgeon who knew her work quite well, and if she'd moved to Elysium Healthcare where Sarah worked for real, there was a chance that she was stealing the hearts of everyone there. Something Sarah most definitely couldn't stand.“Sarah told me they almost had a fight last week because Eloise upstaged her operation. The Krashingdowns really failed in bringing up their children if they're aware and support Eloise's conduct. It's disgraceful. Does she hate Sarah that much that she doesn't want to ever see her successful? There are plenty of hospitals she could have chosen to work with, but no.”Ah, I brought my book up to hide my smirk. I was right, then. Sarah felt threatened by Eloise, and instead of upping her game, she cried ugly to Mother. It was so disgusting.“Anyways, your sister has a heart of gold. She's told me to make sure an invite gets across to that local family. Despite all Eloise has done to her. What a beautiful soul.”I didn't reply, just sat back quietly as she pushed the invite meant for the Krashingdowns aside from the rest, then leaned back with an exhale. “I want everything to be picture-perfect, that day,” she muttered, almost worriedly. “Sarah has waited for ages for this day. It brings me to tears whenever I remember how she's longed to get married. And now that dream is close to being achieved.”I tried my best to keep from rolling my eyes. “Did I hear you say longing, Mother? Sarah has cancelled the wedding four times before this. I don't think she's truly longing for any of this.” If anything, I'd say she didn't even want this, but had no idea how to wave it off without hurting Richard's feelings.Mother sprang up sharply, rage flashing in her eyes. “Of course you'll be the last person to understand that your sister's job is very demanding. You would never understand what it means to be a surgeon. All you need to do is sit around and scribble sentimental nonsense all day. It's not the same for our lovely Sarah. She's away from home all weekend, barely having enough time for herself, working on patients even when she's tired. Do you think she enjoys cancelling the wedding over and over again? She did that because she has no choice. Her work is that hectic. Like I said, you would never understand, but the least you can do is keep your opinion to yourself. No one needs such negativity, especially not from you.”Wow.I opened my mouth to say something, to talk back at her, then closed it, thinking better of it. She knows how tiring writing can be, and how seriously I take it. She's aware of my mental health being shaky ever since I wrote my last book and my writer's block started. I know better than to compare myself to Sarah, but I wished she wouldn't dismiss my work as writing sentimental nonsense.The same sentimental nonsense made enough money to keep everyone afloat when the companies were almost going bankrupt and Sarah hadn't gotten a job.How could she forget all that?I supposed it never mattered what I did. She was still bitter that I hadn't followed in her paths in the medical line like Sarah did. Mother was a well-to-do gynaecologist while she was younger, and she despises that I never had an interest in anything that had to do with medicine. No matter how many best sellers I put out, how many awards I receive, it would never be good enough.Tears stung my eyes but I bite my lip, trying to force them back. Why did I keep hurting myself like this? Why did I keep coming back home where I wasn't welcomed, to help with a wedding I wanted no part of, to spend time with a mother that would always consider me second-best to her golden child? I didn't even want her to treat me with the same amount of affection she treated Sarah. All I ever wanted was an ounce of it. Was that too much to ask for?“I'm sorry,” she said suddenly after a few minutes had passed, her voice weary. “I don't know what came over me. The wedding has me drowning in so many responsibilities, and I took out my frustration on you. I'm sorry, Elena. You understand how much this means to us all, don't you? This merger has been years in the making, and once this wedding is behind us, we can finalize the remaining paperwork and leave the merged company in Sarah and Richard's hands. The Delmontes has refused to proceed any further until the wedding is completed, and your father and I are entirely dependent on their funding now, love. Sarah wouldn't have to work long hours at the hospital once she's married.”I nodded, my eyes down. “I understand everything, Mother.”She smiled at me then. “You've always been a nice person, Elena. I have no doubt that you'll end up with a great man as well. Sarah and I are both lucky to have you. Thank you for showing up every time you're needed. Thank you for being so patient with Sarah's frequent indecisions regarding the wedding.”I beamed back at her, happy to hear her finally acknowledging the endless hours and work I'd put into this. My hard work surprisingly hadn't gone unnoticed. Sarah had barely been involved with the preparations, and though it constantly hurt to be reminded of her upcoming wedding, I was thankful that work kept her at the office. I got to spend some quality time, bonding with Mother. It was incredibly rare for us to spend quality time together, given our strained history.“It feels so surreal, Elena. My little girl is going to be a bride soon. Oh, I'm so thankful,” Mother murmured as she rearranged the flowers in the replica of the arrangement she'd sent the church to be decorated with. We were in Dad's study now, where most of the planning was done. “You know, Elena, when you and Sarah were little, she was so sickly. I was worried she wouldn't live long enough to see the end of winter, or see the first day of spring. There were so many things I thought she'd never experience, yet here she is twenty-two years later, one of the most sought-after surgeon, about to marry one of the most eligible billionaires in the world. In the process, she's taking off the workload from me and your dad's shoulders, letting us retire at last, knowing our company is in safe hands, and will reach new heights soon.”A sharp stab of jealousy pierced my heart, causing me to look away. I was ridiculous of me to envy my twin sister, more so begrudge her the pride in Mother's ey
“Oh, come on now, Sarah,” I sighed, tightening my grip on the phone. “You promised that we'd attend the event together. How do you think your sister would feel? She was counting on you coming with me. This is the fourth time this month you're cancelling on me at the last minute. I would appreciate it if you give me an adequate notice before hand. Honestly, this sucks.”The phone rustled as she sighed. “I'm so sorry, Richy. I really wanted to be there tonight, you know that. I wanted to support Elena and be there with you, but we just got an emergency right now and I can't get away. I'm supposed to be in the theater by now, but I just wanted to let you know so you wouldn't be worried. I know you hate it when I leave you handing.”“I'm tired of the same excuses every time, Sarah. I'm trying to be caring and supportive as I can be, but you keep taking it for granted. I can't keep being the only one who's got to compromise. It's annoying.”“No one knows that better than me, love,” she sai
Once Elena finished her speech and announced the name of her book, the fundraising began. She got off the podium and went over to sign autographs, everyone cat calling, excited to have her so close. It was as though she was a goddess. Two women were crying as they told her about how her works had changed their lives. They were crying so hard that Elena began crying too. It was so beautiful to watch.“Mr. Delmonte! So glad you were able to make it.” I forced a smile onto my face as I reluctantly walked over to Jude Bellingham, the event's organizer, prepping myself mentally for the unnecessary small talk. As long as you were famous, gracing events like this had people treat you with so much pretentiousness. Too much ass-kissing from people who didn't give two fucks about who you were, but what your fame and wealth brought them. It was sickening to watch, let alone be an active participant.“Thank you once again for your generosity in letting us use this beautiful, spacious event center
My palms turned sweaty as I parked my car in front of the Williams mansion. It was Sarah and Elena's birthday today, and while I was happy to see Elena and celebrate with her, I couldn't say the same about Sarah. Things had not been the same between us for a while, and I was tired of ignoring it. I couldn't keep up with the pretense anymore.With barely three weeks to our wedding, every issue we'd ever had seemed amplified. Perhaps I'd lost interest, call it cold feet, but it felt bigger than that. There was a part of me that kept wondering if the only reason she and I even started dating was the knowledge that we'd end up eventually, through our arranged marriage.But the catch was... would we have? The woman my parents had chosen was Elena. If I hadn't...if that night hadn't happened, would I have been married to Elena now?I ran a hand through my hair and drew a shaky breath. It didn't matter now, did it? There was no going back in time to change anything, and loss of interest or n
“Guess what, Ponyo? I've got something for you too. You honestly didn't think I forgot that did you?”She pouted at me. “You know you didn't have to.”“I wanted to,” I said firmly, holding up a second paper bag I'd brought along with me. “What sort of best friend would I be if I don't get a birthday present for my best friend?”“Richy — ”“See what's inside first. Please.”She exhaled, taking the bag from me. “You're so sweet, it hurts,” she murmured. I watched her carefully as she unwrapped the box inside the bag, her eyes widening, my heart beating erratically. When was the last time I was nervous about something as simple as a gift?“Oh, Richard,” she gasped, and I breathed a sigh of relief. “Richard, this book isn't out yet! I got it on pre-order, but it won't be released till another six months gone by. How did you ever — ” she flipped it open, tears escaping her eyes when she saw the personally written note inside. It was from Nina Simone, her favorite romance author. “Is this...
“Are you home right now, babe?” The phone line rustled with Talia's yawn as she replied lazily. “I'm at Grandmother's place, Elena. She wanted us to have lunch together.”I bit my bottom lip, feeling a flash of guilt because it had been a while since I visited Grandmother Willow. I had been wallowing in my own sorrows too damn much lately.“Want to come over?” Talia asked in a singsong, that knowing stretch on the last word. I chuckled. “Is Richard there too?” He was the main reason why I had been avoiding Grandmother Willow's place. He went there a lot to seek her counsel, and due to the fact that I wanted to ensure we spent as little time as possible with each other as the wedding date drew closer, I had no choice but to stop visiting Grandmother altogether.Talia tsked. “If I told you the truth, you wouldn't want to come anymore.”That confirmed things for me. I exhaled as I glanced around my office, feeling so lonely. I needed someone to talk to. To share my pain with. “Alright
“You're a jerk, through and through!” Talia yelled at me from the backseat, before turning to Elena. “You think so too, right babe. He's a jerk, right?”Elena nodded. “A hundred percent,” she said before looking up, our gazes colliding in the rearview mirror, her eyes however unfocused. She belched, scrunching up her face at the putrid smell that left her mouth. “You're a fucking jerk. I hate you,” she whispered the last part, but I caught it anyway.Something about the way she said it hit me hard, and a dull ache I couldn't make sense out of rippled across my chest. I knew they were both drunk, and I shouldn't take what they were saying to heart, but I'd never seen Elena look at me with so much...so much disregard.“Ponyo? Is everything alright? Did I do something wrong?”She looked away, resting her head against Talia, the two if them snuggling close in the backseat. I sighed as I kept my attention forward, on the road, as I drove us home. I didn't understand a thing. Elena and Tali
I groaned softly at the feel of her ass on my thighs and wrapped my hands around her waist. "W-What do you think you're doing, Ponyo?"She laughed. "What does it look like I'm doing, Richard? I want to sit here. On your thighs.""You can't. It's... it's not — ""I don't care what it's not. I want to sit here, and I'll do it anyway.""Tell me the truth, Elena. How much did you drink today? You don't sound like yourself."She moved, pulling herself closer and I gritted my teeth, blood rushing to my cock and making it even harder. She was sitting right on top of it, wiggling that arse right on top of it, and though I was trying my hardest not to, the thing I wanted most was to rip her panties off, drag down my sweatpants and fuck her real good.Disappointing? I knew. But this was probably every man's weakness. Every straight man's weakness."I did think I took a lot earlier," she whispered, her beautiful emerald eyes darkening. "But now I realize I didn't take enough. I've never had the