0.5

" Will you finally talk to your husband?"

The audacity to say that.

I'm on my feet now.

" You are no one to me." I say, turning around to face him.

" Are you sure about that?" He steps closer, decreasing the gap between us.

" Fine, we share a past. " I give in. " No, there's nothing there, only broken promises and betrayal." I continue on before picking up my glass and walking past him.

" You were my friend and you still remain my friend." I feel a tug on my arm, forcing me to face him yet again.

" Liam stop----"

" Atleast you still call me the same." He comments.

There's silence, there's eye contact, alot of eye contact that it feels almost impossible to look away now.

His golden brown eyes are more golden, under the night sky, despite the lights around us. It's a little overwheming to define myself in this position yet again, where I'm at the receiving end of his stare.

His gaze can be quite intense, the longer it lingers on you.

" You should have never came back." I pull my arm out of his hold, taking a step back to maintain space between us.

" It was impossible not to." He responds.

" Why?"

" I have family here, remember?" I look away then, knowing that he's right.

" You could have at least ------"

" What? Warned you?" He finishes for me.

" Yes."

" You ignored my calls!" He accuses .

Damn it, he's right yet again.

" What did you expect, a warm greeting, knowing what you did to me?!" My risen tone comes off accusing too.

I have to glance around to check that no one was in sight or earshot, to catch onto our conversation.

" I don't regret it."

Unbelievable.

" Have some shame." I shake my head, not believing the audacity he carries to deliver those words. " You're selfish." I add on, before I turn my back to him.

" For helping out a friend? Yes, yes I am."

" I never asked for your help." I defend myself.

" Are you sure about that?"

I jerk around, frowning deeply at his words.

" What is that suppose to mean?"

" Did you expect me sit back and watch you throw your life away like it meant nothing?"

Not this again.

" No, No, you are not going to do that. You aren't going to change the subject like that. Now tell me what you meant about --------"

" Will?!" I'm cut short by the sound of a call.

It's a female voice.

I find myself rolling my eyes in annoyance for the disturbance. I wanted to know something but it won't be possible to know now.

Lola approaches us and she is not alone. Neil walks beside her.

Glancing at William, I see him raise his brow at me, making it no secret that he saw what I did a moment ago.

I quickly look away, not wanting to give attention to him any longer.

Neil and Lola finally reach us and up close, with a lingered look Neil's way, I'm struck by how handsome he looks tonight.

He's in a navy and black suit, hair slicked back though a few strands frame his face. The Myer guys have always been tall but it feels like Neil had grown a few inches in height.

" Milla." I don't think he intended to, but he literally breathes out my name.

' I mean, it has been so long.' I reason within myself.

" Neil, hi." I'm nervous, why am I feeling nervous?

' It's guilt.'

" I was wondering where you went. I guess old friends had some catching up to do." Lola says, glancing between William and I.

We are not friends.

"I guess alot had been left unsaid." I feel William's gaze as he responds but I stubbornly don't return it.

" It's been so long since we've all stood in each others' presence like this." Neil comments and I swear my face flushes, when I feel the spotlight now shine on me, with both guys staring down at me.

' What must Lola think?'

' I need to get out of here.'

" With time there's growth and change, it's all part of life."

I bet it feels like we are all speaking three different languages to Lola. We are not making any sense to her.

The feeling of exclusion is unfair on her and I wouldn't want her to feel like that.

" You should probably get back inside, you're the guest of honour." I direct the last sentence to William, reminding him of why we are all here in the first place.

" And I want my date back." Lola adds on, stepping closer to William and reaching for his arm.

Now I feel awkward standing here right now.

I can't deny that they look very nice, standing next to each other.

" The night is still young and conversations can resume later, right?" Lola says, now looking at me.

I can sense that she is directing this to me, which makes no sense because I wasn't looking to be involved in any conversation.

' But she doesn't know that, does she?'

I jump a little in surprise when someone's phone starts ringing.

" We should head inside." William says, looking at his phone.

" You guys go on ahead, I have a phone call to make." I lie, picking up my clutch bag and rummaging through it in search of my phone.

I let out a sigh when they all head back in, though I don't miss William stealing a glance my way.

' What does he think, that I'll runaway or something?'

'I mean, I could and save myself from this whole situation.'

' No, leaving in the middle of the party would be plain rude. Mom would find out and then she will ask me all questions I won't be able to answer. Let me not raise suspicion and keep my cool.'

Settling with these thoughts, I head back in, feeling much calmer and a little more prepared than before.

For most of the night I do my best to remain out of sight, especially from the Myers. I let myself settle into being an observer to my surroundings, mentally counting down the hours to go until I take my leave. William's parents took time to say a few words, his mother expressing the joy of the family, for having William back home after so long.

Guilt hits me at that moment. The thought of me being a voice of influence, towards William's decision to stay away.

It truly didn't sit well with me.

I couldn't look at the whole family as they stood together infront, the guilt is simply not letting me.

I noticed William look around until his gaze found mine, it lingered on me for a moment but I was first to break eye contact.

He's seriously been overdoing it the whole night, glancing my way once his eyes find me. The attention is the last thing I need and he has not made it any easier. His actions have further pushed my need to end this night.

When speeches were done, the party resumed and I relaxed a little.

I watch on as waitresses move around, catering to the guests and Mr Myers engaging in conversation, with whom I can assume to be a business friend. Mrs Myers on the other hand is the perfect host, engaging with guests and letting out her usual hostess smile.

The closed mouth smile , with eyebrows moving when showing you that she is giving you attention. She's perfected her hostess persona.

As I watch her, I notice Vanessa, her eldest daughter approach her. Vanessa is a very beautiful young woman, fairly tall with long curly brown hair tonight. Her navy sparkling evening gown hugs her model figure well and brown eyes are highlighted well, with the bold make up look she went for tonight.

She truly looks pretty, though her attitude towards me once up a time, was anything but that.

' I wonder whom perceived me wrong first, between mother and daughter ?'

Not wanting to dwell on the past, I look away from them.

I wouldn't want to be caught staring.

" You shouldn't be standing alone tonight." A voice says, coming from behind me.

I glance over my shoulder and my eyes meet Neil.

He's alone this time.

" I don't mind." I respond.

I follow him with my eyes as he comes around to stand infront of me.

I'm reminded once again of how tall he is.

" I'm not lonely if that's what you think."

Just bored.

'Why am I explaining myself?'

" I also think you do just fine even when you're alone." He says, leaning a little forward as if he's sharing the latest gossip.

I don't know why but my lips curve up into a small smile.

His own mirror mine.

" I did come on this earth alone." I shrug.

" Milla, did you just shade twins." He teases.

I playfully roll my eyes, not believing his words right now.

" Ha ha ha...." the sarcasm is dripping in my tone, making him chuckle.

" It's really nice to talk to you again Milla." He says, his voice sounding serious and genuine.

' I should have answered your calls, but I couldn't.' The words are there but I can't say them out loud.

" I'm really sorry about what happened." My head picks up then, after my eyes couldn't look at him any longer with thoughts circulating in mind.

I feel an incoming lump in my throat, which I don't need right now.

" I know." A lot happened but I do know that he is talking about losing my dad and all. It might have been a little over a year since we lost him, but it feels like it happened yesterday.

I know that I kept a distance from a lot of people, him included.

Those phone calls, had I answered at least one, he would have said something.

" During that time, I couldn't do conversations." I admit, deciding to be truthful.

He nods and I can tell by the look in his eyes that he understands what I am trying to say.

" I just ------" Words falter when my eyes catch sight of William coming our way.

Him coming over, in sight of a lot of people is honestly making me a little nervous. I find him quite unpredictable tonight.

I can't put it past him to not do something that will not have me holding my tongue.

" Uh, Neil, Will you excuse me for a moment? "

" Everything okay?" He asks, frowning in concern.

" Yeah, yes, just a quick visit to the ladies."

He nods.

I quickly walk past him, not giving him a chance to say anymore if he intended. I notice William falter in his steps with the corner of my eye as he watches me walk away.

I'm making it clear that our conversation ended outside.

No more.

The house still feels big to me. I get a sense of Deja Vu walking around this place. What started out as a bathroom excuse turns into reality and now, my bladder screams for relief.

Weak bladder.

Thankfully I am able to reach a guest bathroom in time, with one of the waitresses help. I finish my business before attempting to leave the bathroom but end up not doing it.

'How did everything turn up like this?' I mentally question as I stare back at my reflection through the mirror.

'How did I end up married?

'No, how did I end up getting married to William Myers of all people?'

'Why did Fate have to play such a dirty game with me?'

And still, as I ask these questions, the answers remain unknown. I have asked all this before on my way home from London and now I am doing it again.

His presence has reminded me of everything and I feel overwhelmed. For the first time, since being back, this secret feels heavier than ever . It is a burden that is able to give me sleepless nights and I suspect that tonight won't be any different.

Being here at the Myer residence feels like I am in a cage. Legally I am part of them and they don't even know.

'No, I am determined to change all that. All I need to do is to be patient and try not act suspicious to anyone. '

'I can't let slip anything and that goes for William too. Distance between us is a must, yes, we need to be away from each other as much possible.'

With these concluded thoughts, I do a last mirror check before heading for the door.

" Ah!" A surprise gasp leaves past my lips the moment I open the bathroom door, and almost walk into William.

He followed me?

Why is he like this?

" Really, Liam?"

He doesn't say anything but stare at me.

I take the silence to my advantage so I can say my piece.

" This can't continue Liam, this, whatever this is." I say, hinting about tonight.

" You're right."

Did he just agree?

" Okay, good. After tonight, there needs to be a clear distance between us, just like before."

" No." He says this almost immediately with eyes locked on mine.