Chapter Two

Brenda’s POV.

The dining room was momentarily silent, my mother-in-law's face still contorted in anger at Desmond's words. Then she broke the silence, her voice nonchalant and cold. "Fine, you want her to go? Then she can."

Desmond and I exchanged surprised looks. I knew that even though he stood up for me, he was not expecting his mother to give in that easily. I didn't need to be told twice. I murmured my thanks, cast Desmond a look of gratitude and quickly hurried out of the room, lest my mother in-law changed her mind.

I got to my room, showered and slipped into a yellow dress that accentuated my curves but was decent. I let my hair down and applied mild makeup. Feeling confident, I wore my black pump heels, grabbed my clutch and hurried out.

I arrived at the five star restaurant where the reunion was being held. As I walked in, my heart skipped a beat. Seated on a table at a corner of the room with most of our classmates were Aliyah and Alisha, the two girls who made my school life a living hell. For a moment, I contemplated turning back, but then I spotted Hailey, my best friend, who always defended me from them back then at school.  She was smiling and waving at me, and the eyes of all my classmates were on me now, including Alisha and Aliyah's.

Summoning courage, I walked to the table, my heels making clicking sounds. Hailey stood up and engulfed me in a warm embrace. "Brenda, you look gorgeous!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement to see me.

"Thanks, Hailey. You look great too," I replied.

Hailey pulled back,her eyes scanning me from head to toe. "I'm so glad you're here. I was worried your mother in-law won't let you which was why I kept pleading with Desmond," Hailey said, and this time she whispered, to prevent the others from listening.

I rolled my eyes. "She tried, but Desmond stopped up for me. He was hell bent on honoring his promise to you."

Hailey's eyes widened in surprise. "No way! That's surprising."

I smiled. "I know, right? I'm still in shock."

Then Hailey led me to the table. "Everyone, Brenda's is here!" She announced the oblivion.

"Hey, guys," I said, waving. I was trying so hard not to give off how nervous I was. You can't blame me,  I haven't seen all of them, except Hailey in years.

"Hey, Brenda,"they called back.

I nodded, and whispered to Hailey, "Thanks for saving me a seat."

"Anytime, Brenda," she replied, squeezing my hand. It's as if she could feel how much nervousness was oozing out of me.

As I settled into my seat, I couldn't help but notice the look of curiosity and surprise on everyone's faces, especially The duo terror –Aliyah and Alisha. They seemed to be studying me, their eyes scanning me from head to toe.

Aliyah, a beautiful blonde with a shrewd smile, spoke up, her voice filled with malice. "Wow, Brenda, you look... stunning, I must say. Marriage to a rich man clearly did you good. Who would have thought that the ugly duckling of our high school days who had difficulty getting the attention of any guy would turn into a swan?"

I stilled on my chair, but didn't respond.

"No offence intended, but I'm curious on how you managed to bag a handsome man like your husband, Brenda?" She continued, her eyes shining with mockery. "Did you seduce him into accepting you? We all know you've always begged for men's attention and love. You tried it with Kenneth, remember?"

A quick backstory. Kenneth was my high school crush who I mustered the courage to confess my feelings to, and he not only turned me down, but embarrassed me in front of our entire classmates.

"But he saw through you. You don't deserve any man, poor Brenda. Not with your looks and background," Aliyah insulted.

I could feel my face heating up with embarrassment, but I still didn't say a word.

"Why are you so quiet? Aren't you–?" Aliyah continued, but Hailey intervened. "That's enough, Aliyah. Leave her alone!"

But it seemed like the duo terror were just starting out, because Alisha spoke up, her voice holding the same malice and venom as Aliyah's.

"Haven't you guys heard? Brenda got pregnant with Desmond's child when she worked at his company. That's why they are married. It's a marriage of convenience, and I heard her mother in-law hates her so much."

The table fell silent, all eyes on me now, as everyone on the table began to whisper among themselves. I felt open, my private life being analyzed and spoken rudely about. I wished the floor beneath me could go open and let me disappear into it. But it didn't, and I sat frozen in my seat, short of words.

"Oh, look at her, poor little thing. She can't defend herself –"

Hailey suddenly stood up, her eyes blazing hot like hot coal. "I said that's  enough, you two!" If you invited Brenda to this reunion just to have ridiculed, then we might as well leave.  We do not need your negative energy," She barked. And then she turned to me, "Come on, Brenda let's leave."

But just then, a voice spoke up from behind us. "I apologize on their behalf.  Please, don't leave."

Hailey and I swirled around to see the owner of the voice, and I paused, unable to believe my eyes. It was Kenneth, my highschool crush, walking towards us. Seeing him again brought back memories of the past –how he turned me down publicly and made everyone make jest of me.

Kenneth got to the table, and stopped at my side. "I also want to apologize to you Brenda for what happened back then. I was young and stupid, and I'm sorry I hurt you."

I just gaped at him, taken back by his apology.  I didn't know how to respond. Hailey pinched me, urging me with her eyes to say something.

"It's fine, Kenneth. That's all in the past, I forgive you," I managed to say, averting my gaze.

"Thank you," he said. I nodded and looked away, feeling awkward by the situation.

"Hey, Kenneth, come sit with us," Alisha called out. I heaved a sigh of relief, grateful for the distraction. But Kenneth's response surprised me. "No, I'd rather sit with Brenda. It's been ages."

I shifted uncomfortably on my seat, but I didn't know how to object to Kenneth sitting beside me. And so he took my silence for a yes, and took the seat beside me.

The reunion continued afterward, until Bran, one of my classmates, spoke up. "How about you pay for our drinks, Brenda, since you're the richest amongst us?"

I was thrown off balance by the request, and just as I was gathering my thoughts together to give a response, Alisha chipped in.  "Why would you ask her to pay? It's not her money, it's her husband's. We don't want someone who can't spend her own money."

Now, this was the final straw. I shot to my feet,  unable to rein in my anger anymore. "What the hell do you want from me, Alisha? Can't you leave me be?"

Aliyah tried to join her to bully me further, but  I had had just about enough. "Security?" I beckoned to the uniformed men closest to us.    "They're harassing me, please throw them out," I said to the security guards when they arrived, pointing to the duo terror.

They scowled at me. "And why do you think the security will do your bidding?"

I smiled sweetly. "Because this restaurant is one of my properties, and I don't condone bullying here. See them out," I said to the guards again.

They obeyed and escorted the two women out. Whispers once again erupted on the table, and this time, when everyone looked at me, it was with respect. And so the reunion continued peacefully, with the two bullies gone.

But just a few minutes later, Hailey's phone rang and she answered the phone. Whatever the person on the other end said to her seemed to upset her, as she quickly grabbed her bag and rose to her feet.

She cast me an apologetic look. "I have to go, Brenda. An emergency at home needs my attention."

I looked at her with concern. "I'm sorry about that. I can come with you," I said, making to stand up.

"No, no, no, you stay back and enjoy the evening. It's not a serious case," Hailey said. And to Kenneth, she inclined her head. "Make sure she's safe."

And with that, she hurried off, leaving me alone and uncomfortable with Kenneth seated next to me.

After Hailey left, Kenneth turned to me, a smile on his face. "So tell me, Brenda, how've you been?"

I gave a perfunctory response, still not comfortable around him. "I've been fine, thanks."

"I heard you're married now," he persisted, trying to start a conversation. But I kept my answers brief and polite, ensuring I didn't give too much information away.

After a few minutes of failed attempts at starting a conversation, Kenneth made a request. "May I have a word with you in private, Brenda?"

"I mean ho harm," he added quickly, when he saw the suspicion in my eyes.

I hesitated, but he looked sincere. Besides, he can't harm me in a public place like this, so I obliged and followed him. He led me to another part of the restaurant that was a little elusive.

"Let me get us some drinks," he said and walked over to the bar. He returned with two glasses of wine and handed me one. "I wanted to apologize again for what I did to you. I was a jerk, and I'm sincerely sorry."

I took a sip of the wine, beginning to loosen up. "I've forgiven you, Kenneth. Let's just forget about the past."

He nodded.  "You're right. Thank you."

I took another sip, and another. Suddenly, I didn't feel good anymore. The room began to spin, and my head felt dizzy.

"K... Kenneth, I...I don't feel good," I stammered.

But before I could say anything else, my legs gave way beneath me, I crumbled to the floor, and everywhere went blank….