2 The drama

"Parker I", I hesitated. But before I could finish my apology I was interrupted by Parker again.

"I can't believe I'm getting married to the most beautiful woman on earth", said Parker with a smile.

I heard an audible sigh from Lisa. My father too let out a breath that he held on for too long. Parker watched us all curiously. He hadn't heard anything.

"I have something to tell you", I said to Parker.

"Meredith", called my father. I heard the warning clear in his voice. I shouldn't tell anything Parker at least not in my father's presence.

"Yes father", I asked meekly.

"I will be in my room. Take care of what you say before people. You will be dragging down our reputation in public if you are careless. I'm going since I have a meeting in five minutes ", said my father and left us.

I knew he wasn't talking about the press meeting. He was warning me to not say anything to Parker.

"Shall we go then?", asked Parker kissing my lips softly.

"I can't go Parker. I have a headache", I said cursing myself for lying to him.

"But we can't avoid it. They are expecting it Mer", said him.

"For heaven's sake let her take some rest man. When has she ever said no to you?", asked Lisa.

"Fine then take a rest. I will see what I can do", said Parker unhappily.

"Thanks, Parker", I said guiltily.

"Anything for you doll", said him attempting a smile.

I gave Lisa a grateful smile for helping me with Parker. She is the best friend one could ask for.

"But you have to go with me to the Sundance. We will make the announcement there. Please don't bail on me again", said Parker.

"Ok", I agreed with him. I had no choice. I will have to go with Parker. I hope to God that Matt sends me the papers today itself and we will be done by tomorrow.

"I have to leave then. I need to give them some kind of an announcement or they would get their revenge on us. You know how vicious they are", said Parker.

They have written that and Parker and I have split multiple times just because we didn't acknowledge our relationship anywhere to date. Parker went giving us a quick goodbye. I was still standing routed to my spot unsure what was happening in my life. Just yesterday everything was going well. Now suddenly my life had fallen apart.

"Are you OK?", asked my best friend wrapping her hands around me. She usually towered over the petite me. I used to be a fat adorable kid years ago. I had several body image issues back then but meeting Matt kind of freed me. He had called me beautiful while I was a chubby girl simply out of his kindness. He even helped me gain my self-confidence and taught me not to devalue myself before Parker. But things changed after I saw him years later. I opened my eyes to chase away the memories that were flooding my brain.

"I think I will be fine Lisa", I said reassuringly.

"You have handled yourself perfectly. I was amazed at your composure Mer", she said.

"I hardly had a choice ", I said to Lisa.

The night of the Sundance gala came and I was wishing it to get cancelled till the very last moment. I was escorted into the event by Parker. He was looking handsome as ever with his blue eyes charming it used to give me sleepless nights when I was a teen. But still, it never gave me the thrill I felt when Matt's midnight eyes roamed over my naked body. I blinked rapidly to remove the dangerous thoughts leading me down a dark path.

I saw Matt talking to a small group of wealthy investors who are hanging to his every word.

"There is Matt. He just got featured in Forbes.

Let us go and get introduced to him", said Parker.

"You go Parker I'm not feeling good", said I.

"Come on Meredith it will only take a few minutes", said him.

Before I could give a reply I saw that Matt was coming towards us. I stood there regretting my decision to ever come here. He will be enjoying this I was sure. He won't even hesitate to tell Parker the truth just to avenge me.

"Hello Meredith I hope you are enjoying the party", said Matt playfully.

"Yes thank you", I said my voice clipped.

"You know him?", asked Parker completely surprised.

"Yes, we know each other., We are old friends", said Matt playfully.

"That was a long time ago Matt", I said annoyed.

"Really Miss Whitlock? I don't feel that way", said Matt much to my irritation.

"Well, soon she will be a Reynold. We are going to get married. By the way, I'm Parker ", said him.

"Really? Congratulations I hope you have a successful marriage ", said Matt. I glared at him for some time.

"I'm a lucky man to have her don't you think so Mr Farrell?", asked Parker. I so wished this meeting to be over.

"Extremely lucky and I hope your luck stays unlike mine", said Matt.

"Sorry?", asked Parker confused.

"I had a wife who left me for being too poor five years ago", he said with a twisted smile. I watched him mouth agape. How dare he accuse me of being a gold digger.

"Well I'm sure she must be regretting right now", said Parker.

"I don't know about that the last time I saw her she was hanging on to another wealthy fool. Though I hardly judge him since I was one too, a long time ago ", said Matt completely shocking me.

"That is only your side of the story I wonder what will she say?", I asked irritated.

"She hardly says or does anything unless it is approved by her father", Matt said

"Excuse me we have to go and speak to my father", I said wincing when I watched him smile. I knew he was baiting me and I being an idiot was falling for it. Why did I use father as an excuse I could have mentioned somebody else. I was able to successfully drag Parker away from Matt.

"I'm surprised you are friends with him yet you didn't say anything", said Parker stunned.

"We aren't friends let us leave it at that", I said grinding my teeth. I was thankful when Parker dropped the subject.

"I'm going to the washroom", said Parker. This was the first time I've spent this irritated and annoyed at an event thanks to Matt. Though I didn't see him anywhere in plain sight right now. Coming here tonight was a big mistake I realise that now. He knows how to push my buttons. A few moments had passed I was waiting for Parker to announce so that we could leave. I was dead on my feet. At least I'm not seeing Matt's smug face. I had watched him slip away quietly someplace with a brunette. I rolled my eyes when he mouthed the word jealous to me.

Parker was still awol I was getting bored now since Matt too had left the scene. There is nothing for me to obsess over. I suddenly noticed that Matt was coming to me now that Parker had gone. I stood in my spot not moving I was done running away from him. I saw traces of lipstick on his neck.

"Meredith can we talk?", he asked me. The omnipresent arrogance wasn't in his voice for the first time.

"I can't this is not a good idea Matt. People are watching", I warned him.

"It is important", said him.

"I have nothing to talk to you", I hissed at him.

"You must hear me out or you will regret it for the rest of your life", he said to me impatiently.

"It is about Parker", said him.

"What about him?", I asked him.

"You should break your engagement", said him.

"What?", I asked him shocked.

"He is not right for you princess consider this as a last favour from me", he said.

"Why would I listen to you a person who had done nothing else but destroy me", I said in a low voice.

"You don't believe me Meredith", he asked me.

"No", I said. I saw Parker watching us curiously. Does he have any idea what Matt was saying about him?

"Leave me alone Meredith. You can't see me happy. That is why you are doing this I know you very well", I said.

"I'm warning you because even though you believe the worst of me I'm not that low to see you suffer and rejoice", he said.

"Don't lie Matt. You love to see me in my pain", I said calling his bluff.

"You are wrong Meredith. I have no ill wishes for you. That is why I'm trying to help you", said Matt.

"I don't need your help", I hissed at him.

I watched that people are now watching our exchange. We are standing a little far away with soft music playing around us. But I knew it was a matter of time before they got the gist of what we were saying.

"I'm done talking to you Matt. We are attracting attention", I said starting to move away from him. But he caught my hand in a tight grip.

"Don't do this Meredith. Parker is not what you believe.

You will regret this your whole life", he said.

"I'm only regretting the time I spent with you. I would never regret getting married to Parker", I told him.

"You left me no choice Meredith", he said loosening his hold on my hands only to catch my waist and bring me close to him. I watched him stunned. What was he doing?

"Ladies and gentlemen I want all of you to meet my wife Mrs Meredith Farrell", he said attracting everybody to us. I watch Parker watching us with a pale face.

"What are you doing Matt?", I asked him. I wanted to shout it to him but because of our audience, I had no choice but to remain silent. I watched Parker helplessly. He was watching everything happening around us horrified. I couldn't blame him. I still couldn't believe the fact that he was announcing our marriage to the world.

There was a deafening pause followed by a loud clap. He had done his revenge now. He wanted to sabotage my life and he was successful just now. What can I do to undo the damages he had done to me and Parker and the answer would be none?

I saw my father running to Parker maybe to offer him some comfort. He had no thoughts for his daughter going through something as traumatic as this. I somehow managed to get out of his arms like steel. Then I paced to where my father and Parker were standing.

I was stopped by a couple of people to congratulate me. I muttered thanks because it was easier to do it than tell them the truth.

"You ruined everything Meredith", said my father as soon as he saw me.

"What I did father?", I asked hurtfully.

"You might have done something otherwise he wouldn't have done something crazy like this", said my father.

"I haven't done anything Father", I pleaded to him and Parker.

"Then why did he announce that you guys are married?", asked my father.

"I don't know he said I should call off my engagement to Parker. When I denied he went ahead and announced that we were married", I said helplessly.

"It is your fault I warned you to stay away from him but you couldn't help but flirt with him", said my father disgusted. He thought we were flirting I wanted to cry. If Parker hadn't made his mind about us I'm sure he has right now.

"Parker I'm sorry you found out like this. I was about to tell you the truth but I was scared", I said.

"I'm shocked to learn about your marriage. Why didn't you tell me? Did you think I was a fool? ", asked him.

"Never Matt. I know you are a good guy and I want you in my life that is why I didn't tell the truth", I admitted.

"Whatever the reason we are done, Meredith. I hope you find your happiness with Matt", said Parker and left abruptly. I was standing there miserably realising that I lost him forever and it was all on me.

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