Prologue (Part 2)

We might find the most elegant engagement ring here, but man, this store is extremely full of customers. It's even impossible for me to take more than two steps forward without stopping.

“Bryce?”

My attention quickly focuses on the owner of the voice that called my name. My forehead wrinkles, “Schyler? What are you doing here?” His forehead also earned creases on its surface. “No, what are you doing here? You're the last person I know that I least expect to be here.” What is he talking about? What does he mean by telling me that I'm the last person he expects to be here? “I'm with Isequel. We're looking for an engagement ring.” Shock invades his system and it's obvious all over his face. I bet he doesn't expect Isequel to find an engagement ring for his girlfriend.

We all know Isequel. He once told us that he'll only propose to Dahna after 5 years together. But it had only been 2 years since she became his girlfriend.

Too early? I agree.

“He's going to buy Dahna an engagement ring?” Disbelief is audible in Schyler's voice. I'm sure Schyler is concerned too. Schyler is probably having tons of what ifs right now for our dear friend Isequel. It is crucial for our group of friends whenever Isequel gets his own heart broken. It might be once in a blue moon, but the damage stays for half an eternity.

“Yes, and I am going to help him. He asked me to.”

Schyler just gives me a look that hides something behind it. What is it with him and Isequel today? Why are they giving me that look?

“You might want to find an engagement ring somewhere else, Bryce. Not here. You wouldn't like it here.”

Oh, he thinks that I won't like the collections here? The designs are probably not my type, but why would it bother me? The ring is not for me. It's for Dahna, and we're going to pick the one I think will pass her taste. And of course, the one that will look good on her finger.

Finger... Hell, does Isequel even know what's the size of her ring finger?

“No worries, Schyler. The ring is not for me. We'll find one that Dahna will love.”

Schyler just gives me a sigh that says if you say so. He then bids good bye and continues to walk himself out of the jewelry store. After he disappeared, I start to look for Isequel in every corner of this place. He probably didn't notice Schyler earlier because he's too focused to find his engagement ring. I can only hope that we'll be done with this in a jiffy.

“There you are.” I interrupt the staring contest that Isequel is having with the rings neatly displayed in a box made of glass. I see he's interested with the one in the middle. “Diamond. Round brilliant diamond styled in solitaire.” Isequel looks up at me, “It's gorgeous, right? Not too much to look at. Simple, but elegant.” Sure, it's simple but elegant. I agree. But will Dahna love it? “It's called the snowdrift ring. It caught my attention because of the tiny bits of diamonds on each side.” I am impressed. This ring is meticulously made. Hand made even.

I won't lie. I like it.

“Will Dahna love it?”

Isequel smiles. The kind of smile that in love people makes when their significant other is mentioned. “She love and appreciate everything that I give her. I don't need to worry about that. I just want to find one that will suit her and her personality. I don't want anything perfect.” There he is. The Isequel that I know. “It seems to me, you don't need my help at all.” I jokingly replied.

“I still do. I am going to borrow money from you.”

I immediately react to what he say. “You bastard, you can't be seriously buying an engagement ring for your girl and don't have the money for it.”

“I'm just kidding!”

“Not a good joke, Isequel.” How come he thinks that he's hilarious?

We both share a good laugh before he decides to go look for assistance. I can't believe we already found the engagement ring that he wants to buy.

“Champagne? I never thought you'd be here. Nevertheless, you are welcome.”

My body stiffened. My heart starts to race as my lips part.

I know that voice. I know that voice all too well.

The surroundings suddenly goes quiet and all I can hear are the echoes of that voice in my head. 

“Welcome? You were never so welcoming.” I inwardly congratulate myself for not sounding like I've been haunted by the ghost of her since she disappeared. But I can't push myself to move and look at her. I don't want to look back and see her face. Her face will only blind me.

She's a beauty. Like a rare flower that only blooms in a forest, but a flower filled with vitriol and venom.

“What brings you here anyway? The last time we saw each other, you said you don't want to see my face again.” Confidence is audible in her voice. She's always been confident. But sometimes it's too much and she ends up sounding like a cutthroat. “Oh, I'm not here for you. Don't be too proud of yourself, woman. You were never worth my time.” She scoffs in return. And with that, I know that she's at the verge of being pissed off. There's only so little that I could do to make her blood boil. And I always find it amusing that she has so much hate in her heart for me.

She might even holding a grudge for me. 

“Then leave. I believe that I have the authority to ask you to leave since I own this place.”

She owns this place? She's the owner of this jewelry store? Pieces of Bling is hers? How come I didn't hear about its grand opening? How come my peers didn't tell me about it?

“You don't have to ask me and you don't have to use your authority. The moment that I heard your voice, I already thought of ways to leave.”

Yeah, right. I can't even make myself move a muscle earlier. What a lie.

“Make sure you will never comeback. I don't want to see you here again, Bryce. You're right, I was never welcoming. Especially if it's you.”

This time around, I finally have enough courage to look at her. Her apricot eyes instantly look into my cognac ones. She's giving me an intense look. The type of look that she gives me every time our paths cross. The type of look that convinces me to believe that she loathes me with every fiber of her being. But in return, and as an easygoing man, I just give her a smile. The kind of smile that makes her lose in every argument that we committed ourselves into.

“Don't you worry. I will never comeback here. I never knew you're the owner. If only I know, I wouldn't be here in the first place.” I take a threatening step forward, and it is enough for her to hold her breath. “Oh well, Pieces of Bling didn't make too much noise before its grand opening. Not surprising, your comeback in the business world wasn't long-awaited.”

She gulps as her eyes fiercely try to intimidate me. I pity her; it never worked. And it will never work. I will never be intimidated by her.

“But still, I'm glad that you're finally back. I've never had much of a competition since you left. I'd fancy your presence. Welcome back, Aurella. This time, try your very best to drag me down and make sure it'll work.” I arrogantly smirk before turning my back on her.

“Is that Mr. Bryce Tryst?!” Someone from the crowd shouted. And in a blink of an eye, everyone's attention drifts to focus on me. Cameras start to flash at me, questions rain down on me, and people constantly taking the space I'm supposed to walk to. It forced me to answer some of their questions before finally making it out alive of that jewelry store.

“That was hell.” I am gasping for air as I stop beside Isequel's car. And when I settle myself inside, I wasn't surprised to see him ready to drive in his seat. “That was the big news. She's back in business.” I rest my back on my leathered seat and raise my hand to flip him off. “Fuck off, Isequel. What a bastard you are.” Isequel just laughs at my misery and he starts the car. He starts to drive as I try to process everything.

I can't believe it. So Conrad wasn't lying to me the other day? He wasn't kidding when he told me she's back. But why did I have a hard time believing it?

So, we're in this prison again. Inside this prison again with her. 

Let the games begin then.