Leilani.
The weekend went by incredibly quickly, and by the time I was finally able to brush up the prototype I'd created for my newest innovation, it was already midday on Sunday.
I sat up from my couch and stretched. I felt tired. Incredibly so and my entire body ached like hell. I also realized that ever since Friday evening, I had not heard a word from Jarek, not even a text. Which was strange.
Was he avoiding me?
Does he regret kissing me and doesn't know how to talk about it?
Am I about to lose the only friend I have?
These thoughts and more plagued my mind as I picked up my coach bag and headed straight for my door, hoping to do a bit of shopping. My house lacked some groceries, moreover I needed to pick a dress for the gala I would attend in a few days.
Deep in thought, and still wondering why Jarek hasn't called or texted me after that kiss yet— gosh he hasn't even responded to the last text I sent— I drove all the way to Bergdorf Goodman.
When I arrived, I stepped out of my car, ignoring the way a few people turned to stare between my shabby clothes and my car and just as I stepped into the high-end clothing store, I came face to face with…
Oh, no not again…
Chalice!
She was sandwiched between Caelum and Kael, and when she saw me, she flashed me a triumphant grin and squealed; "And look who we have here! Oh sister, you're certainly around all the high end places these days!"
The backhanded compliment made me bristle, but deciding that the last thing I wanted right now was bantering words with my dumb sister, I turned away from them and headed for the salesperson standing by a corner with a warm smile.
"Hi, I'm Emily." She greeted sweetly, "what would you like to get from us today?"
I smiled back at her, ignoring the heat rising at my back from being stared at by three pairs of eyes and said; "I have an event to attend in a few days. A gala to be precise and I have nothing to wear."
"Oh, I know just what you need! Come with me then." The pretty sales girl responded and I immediately did as told.
For the next few minutes, I was fully immersed in choosing the right dress, the right fabric, the right everything when suddenly someone appeared behind me.
I instantly knew it was Chalice due to her sugary vanilla scent. But I didn't turn around. I said to Emily instead. "I still don't know which one to pick."
"If she wouldn't take that, I will." Chalice butted in, squeezing herself between Emily and I to grab the black silk dress I was just looking at.
Her eyes shone with mischievous glee as she pulled it toward herself whilst turning around to face someone who was either Caelum or Kael and asked; "See this! How does this look on me?"
"Pretty." The person quickly answered— Kael.
And then Caelum, the forever dumber one replied; "You know you're always pretty in everything, baby… unlike some people."
Oh, that was low.
That was very very low.
From the way his voice dropped and the way my body instantly felt warm, I instinctively knew that he was referring to me. But I paid them no heed—because even blind men could attest to the fact that I am beautiful— and brushed away from them to another part of the boutique.
But Chalice followed after me, her pointy shoes click-clacking as she mimicked my movements. She then began to make a point of 'choosing' each dress I did as much as laid my eyes upon, as if spoiling for a fight.
But I'd rather have her waste her money than get into an altercation with her.
As if hating my silence, she suddenly patted my shoulder so hard I had aftershocks. I rolled my eyes. "What is it now?" I drawled.
"Oh, don't be so smug!" She spat venomously, but I didn't miss the way her eyes darted around us, as if fearing that anyone could walk in on us now that her 'mask had been taken off'. "You didn't tell me that the position I applied for wasn't open!"
I froze for a moment, unsure as to what she was talking about. A frown creased my forehead as I crossed my arms over my chest and genuinely asked; "What?"
"I know you're dumb, Leilani. But can you stop acting dumber?!" She growled. "I heard yesterday that the spot for a new software developer at Frostclaw was never open and I didn't know. Someone put it out by mistake and I submitted my CV!" She cried.
The way she glared at me almost made it seem like I was the one who had 'put it out' or the reason she was in such a dilemma in the first place.
A small smile graced my features when it suddenly dawned on me that she had been lied to. The spot was open. It is still open.
I scoffed. "Who told you that?"
"Does it matter?" She countered, and then brushing off some invisible spec of dust from her shirt with a smug look on her face, she continued; "All that matters is that I made a spectacle of myself and you, my sister, didn't tell me!"
I frowned. "We're not sisters."
Chalice didn't flinch at that. She didn't even act like she had heard me. She simply shrugged; "I also do not wish to be related in any way to someone like you. So calm your titties."
I slapped her hands off when she patted my left breast, but then she frowned, pointedly staring at my chest now. "I just realized that they've grown bigger. Did you have a boob job done?"
"Are you done with all you have to say to me? I have other things to do!" I snapped, ignoring her scrutinising stare and the jealousy now oozing from her in waves.
"Jarek probably knows you had it done. Doesn't he?" She asked suddenly, and I frowned, now not because I in fact did not have a boob job done but because she'd just referred to Jarek as 'Jarek' not Alpha Frostclaw. Not 'my new plaything' as she would seldom say.
Just Jarek. Which was strange.
Were they now on a first name basis?
As if noticing my sudden discomfort, Chalice beamed a smile at me. She sassed. "He's the one who told me about the position not being open. And he's promised to help me with another better one… but first, I need to go out once with him."
"That's good for you." I drawled, sidestepping her to glance at a chiffon blouse.
Not just that, but to also hide the shock on my face.
"You know… he had a taste of me once and suddenly cannot stop asking me for more." She continued, and so help me Poseidon, I froze.
My heart plummeted. Rage rushed through my veins and hurt… a weird overwhelming feeling of hurt enveloped me.
My jaw dropped as I spun around to look at her. And trust me when I say that there was no ounce— no iota— of shame on her face.
She was absolutely enjoying this.
Totally riding on the high of seeing me so shocked. So hurt. So angry.
And I was mad. At her. At Jarek.
When the hell did all of this start?
She grabbed both of her breasts with both of her hands and licked her teeth. "You should see him when he takes these two into his mouth… He's ravenous. So beastly and my type! You thought you had him to yourself all along?" She teased just as the corners of my eyes stung.
"Oh no, you didn't. Just like the triplets, I can have any and every man in your life, Leilani. Mark my words!"
As if to buttress her point, she intentionally knocked over a shelf and screamed so loud, almost everyone in the boutique ran over to our aisle. And then she pointed at me, crying; "It's her… she's the one!" She sobbed so loudly, everyone had pitiful expressions on their faces.
Caelum hugged her but that didn't stop her from talking. She continued; "She pushed me… she pushed me because she still thinks that I stole you guys from her and she's angry about it."
I froze.
Not this again.
"Leilani!" Kael barked, pushing me so hard I stumbled into a shelf behind me. "You've not changed one bit after all these while. You're still so hateful!"
"She probably didn't mean it…" Chalice continued to cry. "She's just mad, and I understand."
I watched her continue to act like a saint with my heart hammering against my chest. My blood boiled with anger. I seethed.
"I didn't push you!"
"Oh, like we all don't know you lie just as much as you're bitter." Caelum spat.
That should sting… it didn't.
I snapped; "I didn't push her!"
"Leilani!" Chalice cried, "…you did. Is it because there was no one here to witness you trying to hurt me? Is that why you're trying to lie your way out of it?"
"That's crazy!" A woman said from behind Kael, "…and she looks so beautiful, no one would imagine she's such a snake!"
"Chalice, I'm giving you one last chance to say the truth. Tell everyone I didn't touch you."
"But you did!" She argued and I nodded.
"Okay then. There's a camera just there!" I hissed, pointing to a CCTV just overhead us. "Let's all check and see what really happened."