2

EMILY, THOMPSON

I exited the elevator and grabbed my luggage. Clutching the gift I had purchased for that despicable person, I decided to give it to a random passerby. Although initially hesitant, I managed to hand it over.

"It was originally intended for my boyfriend, but I just caught him cheating on me with my best friend," I explained, a strange smile on my face.

"Um... I'm sorry and thank you," he responded, accepting the gift and walking away.

Contrary to what I had previously claimed, I was actually deeply bothered by the situation. The thought of them kissing, having intimate relations, and calling out each other's names filled me with boiling anger.

I had placed my trust in both of them, only to be betrayed. I would never forgive them for this!

Determined to leave the place, I hailed a taxi to take me back to the airport. I urgently needed to book an early flight back to New York. As I settled into the backseat, my phone began to ring.

It was Brandon.

"Emily, you can-"

"I'm returning to New York today," we both said simultaneously, my voice calm and composed.

"What? Why?" he exclaimed, sounding shocked.

"I just caught Xavier cheating on me with Sonia," I revealed.

"That jerk!"

"They're expecting a baby," I announced once again.

"After everything you've done for him!" he exclaimed angrily. "Do you see now why I've been telling you to stay away from him?" he added.

"Can you not hold me responsible in this moment? Instead, find a way to make him face the consequences. I want him to lose all his money, to make his life and Sonia's life miserable. Do whatever you can to make them pay for what they've done to me. I don't care what you do to them, just make sure they suffer for hurting me," I expressed.

"Of course, I'll take care of that right after this call. No one hurts my sister without facing the consequences," he assured, unaware that I was nodding my head in agreement.

"I hope you didn't cry. Are you alright? Do you want me to come over?" He bombarded me with questions, causing me to roll my eyes.

"I'm returning to New York, Brandon. You don't have to come, I'm going back home!" I emphasized the word 'home'. "Besides, I don't think he's worth my tears. Strangely, I don't feel as hurt as I expected. I think I wasn't truly invested in him."

"Perfect! Come back, let's help you completely forget about him," he suggested.

"Whatever! Goodbye," I rolled my eyes and ended the call.

Minutes later, Jessica started calling. I could bet that Brandon had already informed her.

I decided not to answer her call and silenced my phone. I sighed and looked out the window. I simply didn't want to discuss Xavier right now. It still hurt, even though I tried to deny it.

And that's because I always believed he was the right man for me. In fact, I always envisioned our future together, where we would get married and have children.

Arrrghhh!!!! How could he do this to me?

Xavier Salvador, I will never forgive you for what you've done to me!

The following day, both before and after I left Manhattan, Xavier incessantly called and sent me numerous text messages. He was telling lies about how he had always loved me but was enchanted by Sonia. What a jerk! As if I would believe him. He thought I had no clue that he was only saying those things so I wouldn't get him fired from his job.

"Baby girl, you still look down. The same expression as yesterday," Jessica said as she entered my room and walked closer to where I was sitting. I had just finished getting dressed and was now applying my makeup. Today is Fred's wedding, but I'm not even in the mood.

Brandon forced me into attending this wedding, and I have no other choice. I told him I wouldn't go to the church ceremony, but he agreed that I could just attend the party. I'm grateful for that, at least.

All I'm planning for tonight, after the wedding party, is to get drunk and forget about my sorrows.

"Is this still about that jerk, Xavier, and that bitch Sonia? Or are you worried about Bryan showing up at the wedding? I heard he'll be attending with the guys too," she said, picking up a comb from the table to help fix my hair.

I shot her a glare through the mirror in front of us. Out of all people, why would she randomly mention Bryan?

Bryan Samuel is Brandon's closest companion. They have been friends since childhood. Along with Sky Alberto, Anthon Gabriel, and Steven Sebastian, they form a group called the '5 Gold Pillars'.

I have heard that this is the name they gave themselves as they grew up. They have been through a lot together and are more like brothers than friends. They would do anything for each other, especially Bryan. He plays a paternal role in their group. Despite all of them being billionaires and the most eligible bachelors in the world, Bryan is the richest and most influential among them. He is a TRILLIONAIRE!

Not only that, but he is also a Mafia boss. However, surprisingly, his mafia doesn't engage in killing like other criminal organizations. Instead, he protects people, which has earned him many enemies, or so I've heard.

To be honest, I don't know much about him, and I have never really bothered to find out. This is because of what happened between us five years ago, on my birthday. Jessica and I made a pact to get extremely drunk on our 20th birthday. It was on that day that I met Bryan for the first time. Despite being my brother's best friend, I had never crossed paths with him before, unlike Jessica, who had spent a lot of time with him while growing up. This was before I was adopted into the family. After my adoption, Jessica and I were sent abroad to study and live with our grandparents on our father's side.

I got extremely intoxicated when I first tried alcohol and ended up having sexual intercourse with him.

I had no recollection of how it happened until the following day when I woke up next to a familiar guy named Bryan Samuel. It was hard to believe that I had given my virginity to my brother's best friend. Still in shock, I panicked and quickly left the room before he woke up and noticed me.

Since then, I have been avoiding him like the plague, and it seems he has done the same. I don't think he has any idea that I was the girl he had a one-night stand with years ago. We were both heavily intoxicated, and I can't even remember how my first time felt.

"Please stop bringing up anything related to him," I pleaded.

When I mentioned "him," I was referring to Bryan.

"Why? Despite your denial, there is still a connection between the two of you," she argued.

"Can you please stop, Jessy? We don't have anything between us! He will never find out, okay? He hasn't mentioned it in the past five years, which means he doesn't remember the girl he had a fling with. So please, stop talking about him. I really don't want to discuss him, please," I begged.

"Okay, fine! I won't," she conceded, raising her hands in surrender. "But are you sure you're ready for this outing? You don't seem okay to me."

"I'm fine, Jessy. I can handle it. After all, it's just Bryan Samuel."

"This isn't about Bryan, it's about you," she pointed out.

I shot her another glare before she said, "Okay, fine! Let's get you dressed."

"I'm already dressed," I responded, rolling my eyes.

"Be quiet!" She lightly smacked my right arm as we both laughed.

I may not be very happy, but I will try my best not to show it.

I can't wait to get drunk and forget about everything.

Jessica and I arrived at the party on time, and guess what? The first person I saw as I entered the hall was Bryan.

For some strange reason, my heart started to flutter.

I had no idea who he was talking to on the phone, but he seemed serious. Just like the true businessman he is...

Indeed, he is handsome and charming. It has been a long time since I saw him in person, but I see his pictures all over magazines. He is the kind of man any woman would fall for at first sight.

When his eyes met mine, he paused for a few seconds and focused more on my body.

He looked at me from head to toe and smirked. My heart skipped a beat at his gesture.

What an asshole!

I grabbed Jessy's hand and quickly walked past him while she waved at him.

"Hey! Did you see the expression on his face?" She whispered in my ear.

"What expression?" I pretended not to know what she was talking about.

"Like he was about to rip your dress off your body. And why didn't you greet him? You could have said hello, considering he is still our brother's best friend regardless of what happened between you two."

"Jessy, we didn't come here to be lectured by you, right?" I inquired, turning my head to face her with a questioning expression.

"Exactly," she confirmed, nodding her head. "But it wouldn't hurt to put a smile on your face, you look terrible."

"Jessy, you-"

"Let's go find our brother and the lovely couples," she interrupted, pulling me along with her this time.

We scanned the hall for a few moments before spotting the 5 Gold pillar boys and the stunning couples engaged in conversation and laughter. "There they are," Jessica exclaimed with excitement.

"Hello Fred, congratulations on your wedding," I greeted, handing him the gift that Jessy and I had gotten for him.

"Thank you, Emily. I'm glad you two could make it," he replied with a smile. "This is my wife. Babe, they're Brandon's little sisters," he introduced us to his wife.

"Natasha," she smiled.

"Emily."

"Jessica," Jessy and I introduced ourselves simultaneously, returning the smile.

She seems pleasant. I think I like her.

"Oh my! Is this the little Emily we used to know?" I rolled my eyes as Anthon remarked.

"Of course, you can't expect me not to grow up, old man."

"You're still a child to us, though," Sky teased, laughing, and everyone joined in.

"Your dream! You all better get married and abandon your Casanova lifestyle," I said, pointing my finger at each of them, including my brother, as I rolled my eyes.

"No, choosing to remain single is the best decision! I refuse to be tied down to one person for the rest of my life," Steven declared, and I could see the pained expression on Jessica's face.

Is there something I'm missing here?

"Whatever!" I scoffed at them, rolling my eyes, and they all burst into laughter, including Brandon.

They're a bunch of jerks.

I turned my head, surveying the surroundings and appreciating the beautiful decorations. Surprisingly, a smile slowly formed at the corner of my mouth.

As I admired the scenery, my gaze suddenly landed on Nancy, Fred's younger sister, who was standing in a corner. My frown deepened as I watched her pour some kind of powder, possibly a drug or poison, into a glass of drink.

What on earth is she doing? I wondered, curiosity consuming me.

Then, I saw her approach Fred and his wife, offering the glass with the suspicious substance to his wife.

Oh no!

"Congratulations to you, dear brother," she toasted with them.

He briefly embraced her, kissed her cheek, and they were about to take a sip from the drink.

Oh no!

"STOP!!!" I shouted.