Chapter 3

"Girl! Is your news true?" Amirah exclaimed as she entered Casa de Cafe, where I was waiting.

"Tss. You're late! I've been here so early!" I grumbled to my friend, annoyed.

"Is it the end of the world because you waited so long?" she sarcastically asked.

"You scumbag!"

"So, what is it? Is it true? You're going to marry your crush?" she inquired, her eyes twinkling.

"Yes," I replied, sighing.

"Oh my gosh! You're flirty! You said you're just going to flirt with him, girl! You're serious?! You already flirted with him, and now you're going to marry him? Can I know your prayer?"

His face was beaming, as if everything had gone back to normal. Maybe I'm thrilled too, but a life has been ruined. Our relationship, as well as his relationship with her girlfriend.

My friend's happy expression faded as she realized I was in trouble.

"B... Is there... Is there a problem?"

I told the entire story, as well as how angry Mommy and Daddy were with me. I could see the worry in her eyes.

"I'm sorry... I hope I was just waiting for you," she said sadly, holding my hand on the table.

"Hey, it's not your fault... It was my mistake, it was my choice, so don't be sorry."

"Didn't you say Steve had a girlfriend?" She asked, I nodding, "How's that? How are they?"

"That's it; it's humiliating for Steve's girl, and I'm sure she'll think I enticed her boyfriend to marry me."

"Girl! There's also a problem with Steve. He's the man, he should be in charge! But since you're both drunk, there's nothing left... You guys undressed each other even if you didn't see each other. Architect Steve is also different!"

"Hmmm... I'm not sure, Daddy can't be disobeyed either. Steve will definitely be sued. It's a bigger problem," I said, leaning back in my seat.

"You know what, girl, don't stress yourself out too much; nothing has happened yet, and you're not sure, so relax first."

"How can I calm down, A? I'm a complete mess! I graduated as an Architect for our company, and now I'm just the wife of a man who doesn't even love me?"

"Hey... You know, the issue between them, maybe they can work it out; and about you and your future husband, you know, if you get married for a long time, he'll learn to love you? It's not a stretch, B," she said.

Learn to love? Me? That seems as hazy as my Daddy's eyes, as he appears to adore his girlfriend. Tss.

"I don't know what to do, and I can't stop Daddy either."

I wasn't sure what to do or if I should do anything else. I didn't want to ruin the relationship, but it happened. I'd already ruined someone's relationship by the time Daddy decided to marry the two of us. I even violated my parents' trust. One night mistake, too many replacements

After Amirah and I talked, we went home one by one.

As I was driving back to our subdivision, I noticed two people laughing. Their joy was visible on their faces as they walked hand in hand.

I only felt more guilty; the woman had no idea. Who would dare to say that to her that her boyfriend will marry someone else?

I'm also a woman, so I understand how she feels. As a woman, I don't want to go through that. However, one night's mistake can cause me to inadvertently harm others.

I apologize...

As I watched them move away from my habit, tears welled up in my eyes. It was only then that I realized I had come to a halt on the side of the road.

I slammed into my steering wheel and sobbed quietly.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry if your happy relationship has been ruined... I'm sorry if pain has replaced your eyes full of love for each other... I'm truly sorry... "

I sobbed inside my car. I can hurt others while being hurt myself.

Why? Why should we have to suffer because of one bad night? I wish I could relive that night...

After I let go of the weight on my chest, I was able to relax. Crying makes you feel better. I went home after I calmed down. I didn't meet any parents because I was only with our helper.

I grew up with housemaids.

I just locked myself in my room and drowned myself in thought. It was as if there was no life lying on my bed, staring at my ceiling. It immediately occurred to me to stalk Steve's account in order to learn more about him and how long they had been his girlfriend.

I quickly grabbed my laptop before jumping into bed and leaning against the headboard. I immediately went to Steve's I* profile.

The more I stalked, the more vulnerable I became. I felt even more guilty, feeling regret for the two. The more I felt sorry for the woman, the more unsure I was about continuing to marry Steve.

The post on September 2nd, when the incident occurred, should not have occurred. The day when women have the most dreams. Before Steve went to Rose's birthday party, this was their happiest day.

@steve a She said yes! Baby, happy fifth anniversary! ❤

2 September 2021

The night of Steve's offense was the day they got engaged, their anniversary. One night of blunders can ruin a five-year relationship.

The heaviness in my chest, the difficulty, and the pain. How can I marry the man of my dreams if someone is in pain? How can I be accepted to marry someone who has already promised marriage to another? To the person he truly cares about.

Everything was ruined because I ruined their happily ever after.

Three knocks brought me back to reality. I quickly shut down my laptop and wiped my tear-stained face.

"Ma'am Czes, it's dinner time..." called the maid from outside the door after she had been knocked.

"I'm coming!" I respond loudly.

I went to the bathroom to wash my face so they wouldn't notice I was crying. However, it did not reduce the puffiness under my eyes. I examined myself in the mirror.

"I'm exhausted... But I have to pretend again to face my father."

After I arranged myself I went out of the bedroom down to the dinning room.

I felt nervous again, a weight in my chest. I was going to deal with my parents, but there was fear inside me. Fear that they might not like the Brianna in front of them. That maybe it's missing again...

I sat down carefully in my seat, after I sat down they just started eating.

The whole dinner for the three of us was quiet. They still don’t pay attention to me or look at me. I feel like someone else is with me, I feel like I need to get along with new acquaintances. It just hurts that we have become like this to each other.

"Prepare yourself tomorrow," Daddy told me authoritatively after dinner. We were still sitting in the dinning area.

"F-For what?" I was nervous to question.

"I invite your fiancé and his family for lunch tomorrow. We will talk about the wedding, the date and all."

"D-Dad..."

"What? You're thinking about his girlfriend?" Suddenly it smirked, "I don't care about their relationships, just marry him. You don't have to worry about someone's problem. Is that clear?"

"But... Dad... They're-"

"Stop Czes, I don't want to urge about them. Just do what I said."

What now Brianna? How can you stop this wedding?

I went back to my room floating, not on my own. I reopened Steve’s last post. This was probably the happiest day of their five years. Then only someone like me who has crush on him will be ruined.

If he don't have a girlfriend who can get hurt, it's okay to arrange marriage with him because I've wanted him for a long time. But, if this is the case, they will definitely curse me both.

Just now, I could have imagined the pain that marriage would cause to a woman. That the man who promised her marriage, would be with someone presented at the altar.