Accidental Meeting

Chapter Four : Rachel's Accidental Meeting with Elvis at the Charity Ball

The air is filled with the chimes of laughter and music as I step into the grand ballroom. The hall is decorated with shiny lights and expensive pieces of art. In my simple dress, I am like a fish out of water among all these fancy whirling gowns. I look up at Noah, who seems deep in discussion with his business partners. Guilt reeks from his disposition as he looks very serious. He does not even notice me standing next to him. I know I was only here to play the part of his wife.

As Noah walks away, the loneliness sets in. I look around, wondering what will amuse me, but it seems everyone has something to do, and they are all important. I take a deep breath and decide to wander a bit, hopeful to stumble upon a friendly face or maybe even a snack.

I drift away from the main crowd, past beautiful decorations to a quiet corner of the room. Just when I think that maybe I'll escape this pressure, I hear that familiar laugh that sends chills down my spine. Slowly, I turn to my right, and my heart races—there he is: Elvis. He's there, talking with a group of well-dressed people. He's different; more polished than I remember, but that smile, the one that made my heart flutter, is still there.

My eyes catch Elvis', and for a moment, we just stare at each other, incredulity hanging in the air between us. He approaches me, and I feel all these emotions stir inside my stomach.

"Rachel, is that really you?" he stammers in surprise, his voice filled with incredulity. His eyes scan me, taking in the wedding ring on my finger. "You're here? At an event like this?"

Speechless, memories rush back: how we laughed, the dreams we shared, how he would hold my hand as if it were the most precious thing in the world. "Elvis, it's not... it's complicated," I finally manage to get out, my voice shaking.

"Complicated?" He raises an eyebrow, hurt evident on his face. "We were together, Rachel. Then you just disappear. Now you're here on his arm like you belong to him?"

Weighted, his words strike a chord deep within me. "I didn't have a choice, Elvis. My father was sick, and I owed a debt." My words trail off, shame creeping in. "I couldn't turn down Noah's offer."

I have nothing more to say when Noah's chilly voice slices in from behind. "Is there a problem here, Rachel?" He stands there, towering and possessive. He puts a firm hand on my arm, and the tension shifts once more. His glance flicks over Elvis, annoyance and warning mingling.

Elvis steps back, bitterness etching his features. "I understand. You chose your life," he says, the ache in his voice cutting deep. The pain in his eyes feels like a knife twisting in my chest. "I hope you are happy with this arrangement."

I feel the urge to call after him, trying to explain this trapped feeling inside, but my voice catches in my throat. Noah waits until Elvis disappears around a bend before turning to me. Irritation is etched on his features. "Be careful who you associate with, Rachel. Your actions reflect on me now." His tone is hard and unforgiving.

The moment Elvis is out of sight, I feel an emptiness inside me. Noah's words still ring in my head, but all that echoes is Elvis. I remember the moments we shared: the late-night talks, the dreams for a future with him, the warmth of his smile. Guiltily, I clear those thoughts from my mind.

But my mind is still in turmoil with memories. I bask in recollections of how Elvis would make me laugh, how he always knew what to do to make me feel better. I remember him holding me close, as if I was something cherished and safe, and it now feels like a dream lost in the weeds as the weight of this new reality burdens me.

I turn back to Noah, who is already deep in conversation with another circle of guests. He doesn't even glance my way. So insignificant. So unseen. Why does it feel like I traded one cage for another? I'm stuck in a marriage that was a business deal, and I know now that I miss the love and warmth I shared with Elvis.

I stand alone in the middle of the hall, struggling to understand why I have to be this alone. One part of me wants to run back to the past, where I am with Elvis, who values and cherishes me, and makes me feel happy. But here I am, pretending to be in love with Noah when I am not. I don't know how to do this; it seems very hard, and we didn't even consider how long this will last—it can't be forever, right?

I feel lost. I push my way backward through the crowd, still thinking about Elvis. What would it be like to talk with him again? To see that smile? Would he even want to speak with me after how things went between us? A wave of longing washes over me, but I quickly shake it off. This is my reality now, and I have to accept it, no matter how hard it is.

Yet the night wears on, and the feelings just don't seem to settle in my heart. It seems I am torn between these two.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself for why I did this, I did this for my father's health. I know I couldn't ask Elvis; he doesn't have that, and I don't want him to keep stressing his boss because of me, I really don't like him to keep asking his boss for a loan because of me.

His presence clings to my mind, making me remember how we would have been a perfect couple if I had married him.