Chapter 4

After that chitchat, I went home and found my mother in the living room.

"I'm home," I announced.

"Etincelle," Mama called. I kissed her cheeks and sat next to her.

"Why, Mommy?" I asked.

"Within this week, Thrante will send a summon to Sebastian for a statement proving that there's no collusion between two parties."

"And?" I folded my legs, leaning my side against the sofa. I studied my mother's face.

Some people said I looked like my mother, some said I was the girl version of my father. While studying Mom's bare face, I can see myself in her. I got the shape and color of her eyes. While for Dad, I got his nose and lips.

"Do you know how the annulment goes?" She asked me but it didn't sound like a question. "Your petition will be granted only if it will proven to the court that there's no collusion between two parties. That means if the case is proven that both parties have no illegal connection, there's a big chance that the petition will be granted. But if proven of collusion, the case will be dismissed."

My lips fell apart. I sipped my lower lip and mulled over something.

"How to prove that there is collision?" I asked Mama.

"Collusion, Etincelle," she corrected. "You can say you and your husband both wanted the annulment or just state that you want to get rid of your husband. I don't know how but I think it can be."

A ghost smile etched across my lips. Hope bloomed in my chest. I got an idea!

Few weeks after, I went to meet Sebastian and have an agreement with him. I really wanted to help him. I wanted to make a way for their marriage to work. So, I thought of an idea.

"I know you still love my cousin, Baste. I can help you win her back," I challenged Baste. I went to his office to personally talk to him.

"It's no use, Etincelle. She's filing an annulment against me," he said hopelessly.

"Hmm. You can stop her," I proudly said.

"How?"

I smiled victoriously at him. Even if there's no assurance of winning, at least we tried. Baste filed a statement that there was a collusion between two parties. When the court dismissed the case, I was so happy for Baste.

"I'm giving you one last chance, Baste. Ask my cousin to be with you for 30 days then set her free," I challenged him.

"How will I do that? We barely even meet."

"Well, I'm inviting you to a wedding. She's also invited. You make you way to offer her a "30-day of living with you challenge". The rest, I'm excluded." 

He fell silent, eyes were flat and cold. I didn't care what he will think of me. But as for me, I want them to get back together.

"Deal," he declared with finality.

For one week, Thrante looked herself inside her room after the court dismissed the case. I visited her and talked to her. There was still a parr of me that pitied her because she spent six months to process this case and it only took one statement to disperse all her efforts.

But then, I was not guilty. I did this for them. This is not for my own interest 

I invited Thrante to Azy's wedding. Good thing she accepted it this time. Since we have the same body size, the gown that was made for her suits her.

"Congrats, girl!" I greeted Azy and then turned to her husband. "Hey! You already know what's next. Baby!"

Orli laughed while Azy felt embarrassed. Her cheeks turned red.

"That is the least of our priority, Etincelle. My wife still wants to enjoy life without responsibility."

I cocked my left eye at Azy. She only tucked her tongue out childishly.

"Is that even possible?" I shot.

"It's part of our family planning," Orli politely replied.

I run out of excuses. I was thinking it's possible to get married without planning to have a baby. Just like Baste and Thrante before.

There was an evening party. Baste's friends danced their wives sweetly. They all looked good; perfect match.

"Is that okay with you? Jonas danced your wife?" I taunted Baste, who was standing next to me. He was holding a glass of whiskey. "Maybe it doesn't sting your eyes?"

"My heart already bleeds, Etincelle. Watching them is like cutting onions."

"What shall you do then?" I challenged him. "Will you just let them be happy while you are here, bleeding and so dramatic?"

He drank his wine, eyes glaring at the two. "I don't know anymore," he hopelessly replied.

"Champagne please," I asked the waiter who walked past in front of us. He gave me a glass of champagne. "Thanks." 

As the waiter disappeared out of my sight, I turned to Baste again.

"Tonight is your last straw, Baste. All or nothing at all," I reminded him. I took a sip of my wine. "Excuse me."

I went to Thrante and checked her out. She said she wanted to roam around. I let her so she would not get bored and she will see how beautiful this place was. I searched for Baste but he wasn't around anymore. I just thought he's looking after his wife. Or probably he was following her already.

I wandered around too. I was looking for someone to talk to. I didn't know where were my friends already. They just disappeared out of my sight and I couldn't find them.

I stoodby in the terrace. The cold wind blustered against my skin. I shivered at the tingling sensation.

"E?" Someone called. I whipped around to see Jonas in his formal attire. I blinked once and scanned his whole body.

"Oh, hi," I smiled at him. "Are you lost?"

"Are you alone?"

"I preferred to," I answered, brushing my left palm against my right shoulder.

I got confused when he removed his coat and went near me. I stepped back suspiciously.

"You might catch some colds," he said. "Have my tux."

"Oh..." I fell silent. "Thank you."

I wore his tux. It smelled like a flower (as always). He isn't fond of perfume but only fabcon that lasted for couple of days.

"Why are you here?" He suddenly asked.

"Nothing. My friends are busy."

He leaned against the stone barricade. I peered at his direction and he did the same towards me. He looked down while I looked away.

"You have so many friends yet you looked like a lost kitten now," he drawled with distinct barb. He just slapped it into my face.

I didn't respond. I was just watching the happenings inside the venue. I saw Morthena and Philip chitchatting.

"You know what..." I spoke up and slid my eyes towards him. "You're a lonely person."

His head jabbed aback, furrowing his brows with a questioning look.

"How do you say so?" He asked.

"Because it gives you pleasure when you look down on others," I remarked and puffed up my chest.