Chapter 1: The Dinner

Kate woke up with a massive headache and her body aching like she’s been slammed to a wall. Last night was their engagement party. The last thing she remembered is her being carried by josh. She looked around to check her surrounding and she saw herself in one of the guestroom of her fiancé house. She felt cold and when she checked herself below the white satin sheet, her eyes widens—she’s naked underneath! She quickly covered herself again, when she tried to move she winced. She felt sore; there’s only one explanation for it. She had sex! It’s not like she’s a virgin, she had given her first time to her longtime boyfriend and now fiancé, Josh Miller.

“Maybe, he already went down.” She muttered under her breath, she assumed that she had sex with Josh since she isn’t that type of person who'll just do it with anybody, especially to a stranger.

She tried her best to stand up enduring the pain below her and the raging hangover. She never had this thrill feeling, even in their college days but she didn’t mind since few months from now she’s going to be Mrs. Miller. She used the sheet to cover herself; her plan is to go to her room then change before going down.

‘What time is it anyways?’

After change she went down the staircase and she saw the maids cleaning up after the party. She went to the kitchen and greeted the cook.  She was served classic eggs benedict for brunch.

“Thank you, Lea.” She said as her plate was placed in front of her.

The cook smiled back in return and went back to her chores. As she was eating, she was trying to recall what the hell happened last night—she sighs when she didn’t succeed. She was going to take another bite when she felt a hand cover her eyes. The familiar smell of perfume whiffed; she already knows who it is but she just let him play the game he intended to do.

“Guess who?” she shivers when she heard his baritone voice near her ear.

“Wait, let me think.” She paused a little as if she’s deeply thinking about it. “Oh, I know, Channing Tatum?” she said trying to tease him, which succeeded when she heard him groan.

“Wow, I’m deeply hurt. “She heard him teasingly complaining while he removed his hand on her eyes.

“In my defense, you should be thankful that I thought you’re Channing Tatum.” She said taking another bite; she pointed her fork to him and continued “because he is hot as hell.”

And with that statement he lunged to her and carried her by her waist before turning her around. She squeals and wrapped her hand around his neck—burying her face on the crook of his neck. She felt his kisses on her hair. Her fiancé, Josh is really the sweetest guy she knows.

“I love you, Kate.” She blushed when she heard him. She looked up and was about to say it back when she heard someone fake a cough. They look at the direction and they saw her sister, Raven with her resting bitch face and an eyebrow arching.

“Please if you’re going to be like this, take it to your room.” Raven said with a bitchy tone.

Kate just laughed it off, pulled herself off of Josh and approached Raven before giving her a big hug which Raven gladly accepted. Raven might be a bitch but she is Kate’s only sister, plus, raven is actually nice if people get to know her; at least, that’s what Kate thought.

“By the way, what are doing here?” Kate asks after the hug. “I’m just here to visit plus to invite you to-“Raven didn’t get to finish her sentence when they heard a ring coming from Kate’s phone. Kate checked the caller I.D and she saw that it’s from the office.

“I am so sorry, I got to take this. “She said apologetically to raven; she glanced at Josh and smiled before going to the backyard to answer the call. It took her awhile to get back inside the house since it is an important matter.

She was confused when she entered and saw no one inside the house. She tried to call or the both of them but no one answered; that is until she got a message from Josh telling her that he have important matters to attend. She understands it so she didn’t pry even more; josh is a CEO of a pharmaceutical company. For her sister, she also received a text. The text is about her suddenly being called back to their house. She didn’t put too much to it and went on with her day.

After a few months since the engagement party; Kate’s parents invited her to dinner with raven and with Josh too which she gladly accepted. It also been a few months when josh became suddenly cold towards her; he would go to work early and go home late, at first, she didn’t think too much to it since his job is really stressful and hard but it became like a routine; he rarely have time to her too. This sudden change is making her worry. So she thought this dinner would actually fix their communication.

She texted Josh about the upcoming plan and he answered with a single ‘K.’ Kate’s eyebrows furrowed when she read the text. No I love yous. No take care. No xoxos. What happened to the guy she was with since college, where did that sweet guy go? She let go off a deep disappointed breath before getting ready.

It took her a few hours to finish but it was all worth it. She wore a black sleeveless dress that hugs her curves with a slit on the side up to her thighs which compliments her pinkish complexion; she put her hazel brown hair into a messy bun and for her make-up she just went natural. She texted Josh once again for the nth times but still no response. She waited half an hour before she actually got a text back telling her that he is already outside waiting for her in the car.

She immediately went outside. She was about to enter the shotgun seat when she saw her sister, Raven inside already. She was speechless, no, more like shock. It was an awkward silence before Raven broke

“I’m sorry; I was used to be in the shotgun seat.” Raven paused when she realize what she said. “I mean back when we were kids. I’m always at the shotgun.” Raven laughed a little forced before getting down. “I’ll seat at the back.” Raven smiled a little. Kate sat down beside josh still confuse and frazzled.

The ride to the restaurant was suffocating, no one talked and the only source of sound is the radio playing some melodramatic melody. The moment they arrived they were guided by the server to their reserved V.I.P table. Kate approached her mother and immediately hugged her.

Katherine Millard didn’t look a day older than 40 despite her age being almost 60. Kate has always been a mother’s girl. Of course, she didn’t forget her father, Jaxon Millard, compared to her mother, Jaxon looks better with age. He is intimidating and has an aura of someone who demands respect.

“Good thing, you decided to come, princess.” Her dad said having giving her kisses. Her parents also greeted Josh and Raven. Josh sat down in the middle of the two sisters like always. The food arrived and they started conversing about the past and their college days; until the topic about achievements came.

“Remember when Kate came home with multiple awards. She complained on where she’ll put them all, she was so flustered.” Her mother said before laughing.

“Yeah, and you have to empty my cupboard and throw some of my stuff to make some space.” Raven interjected, the whole table went quiet. “Guys, don’t look at me like that; it’s been a long time.” She added with a fake laugh at the end of her sentence before returning to her T-bone steak. Kate sighs at the remark of Raven.

She was taken back when she heard Josh’s breath became ragged, she looked at him to see his face flushed and red. She placed her hand on his cheeks to feel his temperature which made him flinch. She rummaged on her purse to get a handkerchief and wiped his sweat.

“You’re sweating so hard, do you need to go to the bathroom?” she asked worry evident on her voice.

“Yeah, I’ll excuse myself.” Josh bent down to kiss Kate’s forehead before excusing himself. Not even a minute later, Raven excused herself too to go to the powder room. She was confused at first due to the circumstances but she didn’t want to jump into conclusion. Plus, it’s her sister that we’re talking about here. Not some bimbo by the street but her sister.

Kate couldn’t help herself but to follow them after a few minutes of them being away. She strides her way to the restroom. She knocked at the door and she heard small muffles.

“Raven? Is everything okay?” she asked after knocking once again. “Do you need help?”

“N-no need, I got this all in control. My stomach just didn’t digest the food well.” Raven almost immediately answered but she sounds like she’s struggling. Kate isn’t someone who likes to pry so she let it be. She returned back to the table after a few minutes her sister came back with Josh. They said that they met on the way back. Josh is in a disheveled state.

They went home after the dinner. She thought it’ll be the chance for them to bond once again when josh entered the bathroom. She removed her dress and wore a robe before joining him inside. She hugged him from behind his naked body as the water cascade. He pulled her off of him before shaking his head. No words are needed; she knows what he meant. She stepped out of the shower trying to hold her tears back. She didn’t want to cry in front of him.

She lay down on their bed silently weeping while he is still inside nonchalant and cold. She fell asleep that night broken and dead.