Esme sat in a coffee shop with her best friend, Layla, staring down at her cup.
“Well, yeah…
I’m getting married,” she said gloomily.
“Girl, I can’t believe it!
Why didn’t you decline?” Layla asked, her jaw practically dropping.
Esme took a slow sip of her coffee.
“Mhm, family stuff.
So I’m stuck.” “Wow.
What about Eli?
Have you told him?” “No.
I called him to come here.
He’ll be here in a while.” Suddenly, Layla started fluffing her hair and checking her reflection.
“How do I look?” Esme gave her a puzzled look.
“Um, fine.
Why do you ask?” “Nothing,” Layla replied quickly.
Just then, the front door chimed.
Esme glanced over.
“Oh, he’s here.” Eli walked in, scanning the room for Esme.
When he spotted her, he waved with a bright smile.
“I can’t believe I’m about to do this,” Esme thought, her heart sinking.
As he walked over, Layla scooted to the side, clearly expecting him to sit next to her, but Eli sat right beside Esme instead.
Esme shrugged and rolled her eyes at Layla’s obvious attempt.
“Hey babe, what’s up?” Eli greeted, leaning in to kiss her.
All Esme felt was a sharp pang of guilt.
She was about to break up with the love of her life.
Layla cleared her throat, smiling wide.
“Uhmm, I’m over here too.” Eli raised his eyebrows.
“Uhn, hey there, Layla.” Layla laughed awkwardly.
“That was awkward.” Esme bit her lip, her hands trembling.
“Um, I have to tell you something.” Eli’s smile faded into concern.
“Sure, babe.
What’s up?” Esme struggled to concentrate, deeply distracted by Layla’s presence.
Layla sat there watching them intensely, almost as if she were waiting for good news.
“Um, Layla, could you please give us some privacy?” Esme asked.
“Really?
It’s not like I don’t know.
So what’s there to hide?
Should I tell him myself?” Layla teased with a smirk.
Esme shot her a warning look.
“Stop it.” Sensing the thick tension, Eli asked, “Babe, what’s going on?” “Please leave us, Layla,” Esme pleaded.
Layla stood up, casually gathering her coffee and phone.
She winked at Eli.
“Bye, Eli,” she murmured in a low, seductive tone.
Esme noticed the gesture, a sudden tightness gripping her throat.
“What’s going on, babe?” Eli asked, looking genuinely worried now.
Tears welled up in Esme’s eyes and began rolling down her cheeks.
“I’m really sorry.
I really don’t want to do this.” Eli’s brows furrowed.
“Okay, babe, I’m very worried now.
What happened?
Tell me.” Esme gasped out a breath.
“I can’t do this; I just can’t.
Let’s run away, far away.” “What are you saying?
I don’t understand,” Eli responded, completely bewildered.
Esme swallowed hard, trying to force the words past the lump in her throat.
“My parents want me to marry someone else.
The guy came the day I returned home.” Eli’s eyes widened in shock.
“What?
Why?
What happened?
You came back a week ago, and now you’re about to get married?
Why can’t you decline?” “I tried, but it’s tied to family affairs.
I can’t leave you, which is why I suggest we run away.
Let’s leave this place, far away, and start a new life.
We can get married; they won’t find us,” Esme pleaded, tears streaming down her face as she grabbed Eli’s hand tightly.
Slowly, Eli pulled his hand out of her grip.
Esme froze, staring at her empty hands in utter disbelief.
“What…
what’s wrong?” “What are you talking about?” Eli said, shaking his head.
“I can’t run away with you.
I have a life here.
I can’t put it on hold.” “You’re not putting it on hold!
You’ll continue it!” Esme urged, her voice desperate.
“Don’t you love me?
Do you want me to marry someone else?
You said we’d get married!
Let’s run away, Eli, please.” Eli shook his head again.
“I love you, but not to that extent.” Esme felt something physically snap inside her chest.
“Babe, look,” Eli continued smoothly.
“I love you, but I can’t just run away.
If your parents want you to marry someone else, I’m sure it’s for a good reason.” “What are you saying?!” Esme gasped.
“You can’t say this!
Please, don’t you want us to get married?” Eli let out a short, dismissive laugh.
“Nah, babe.
I’m a singer.
I still have a whole life ahead of me.
I can’t just taste one cake and buy it.” Esme sat shattered and completely defeated.
“So, what you’re really saying is I should just go marry him?
I’m just a cake to you?” she asked, her voice crackling with heartbreak.
“You promised commitment, Eli.” He offered no real defense.
“You’re a monster,” she whispered harshly.
Eli retorted, “Now you don’t mean that.
If you were in my shoes…” Esme slammed her hands on the table and stood up, shouting, “I am literally trying to go against my parents for you, Eli!
If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t think twice!
But to you, I’m just a cake?
You tasted me, and now you just want to leave?!” Layla rushed back inside, looking shocked by the scene, though a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she took a sip of her coffee.
Eli stood up, looking around nervously as nearby customers turned to stare.
Esme stepped forward and shoved him hard.
“Fuck off, you bastard!” she screamed, pointing an accusing finger at his chest.
“I never want to see your despicable face again!
Go fuck yourself!” She pushed past him and stormed toward the exit, catching Layla quickly trying to hide her grin.
Esme saw right through her.
As Layla stepped into her path, Esme snapped, “You want him?
You got him, bitch.
You thought I didn’t know?
You two can screw each other.
Then he can taste you and buy you!” Layla’s smile widened as she leaned in and whispered, “But he’s already tasted me, honey.” A surge of rage wiped out Esme’s heartbreak.
She swung her hand back and slapped Layla hard across the face.
“You fucking whore!
You both can go to hell!” With tears burning her eyes, Esme pushed through the glass door and burst outside.
She sprinted to her car, threw herself into the driver’s seat, and let out a raw, painful scream into the quiet interior.
Just down the street, parked at the corner, a sleek black car sat silently watching her vehicle.
Esme turned the key, hit the gas, and sped away.
…
Two weeks passed in a dull, painful blur, leading right to her wedding day.
Esme stood in her dressing room, clad in an exquisitely detailed wedding gown.
The door opened and her mother walked in.
“Baby,” her mom softly said, approaching her.
“My darling, you look beautiful.” Esme couldn’t muster a smile.
She simply stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror, deep sadness etched into every line of her face.
Downstairs, the wedding hall radiated absolute wealth, packed with influential guests from the highest circles of society.
Rowan stood waiting at the altar, wearing a tailored suit that exuded an effortless, imposing elegance.
When the doors opened, Esme walked down the aisle on her father’s arm.
Guests turned to admire her, and her father squeezed her hand, wiping away a tear.
Esme felt numb.
Reaching the altar, her father released her arm and stepped aside.
Esme raised her eyes to Rowan.
He looked completely indifferent.
She looked back at him with a gaze filled with quiet anger and disgust.
The ceremony proceeded, but Esme went through the motions like a ghost.
After they were seated at the reception, she was introduced to Rowan’s parents, Mr.
and Mrs.
Carven.
His mother smiled warmly.
“Rowan, darling, she really is beautiful.” His father nodded in firm agreement.
Rowan remained entirely silent, and Esme said nothing.
Mrs.
Carven glanced around the room, a flash of annoyance crossing her face.
“Your brother isn’t here.
That shameless boy couldn’t even attend his own brother’s wedding.” Just then, the heavy double doors of the hall swung wide open.
A loud, booming voice carried across the room from behind a massive bouquet of flowers hiding the speaker’s face: “Happy wedding day, brother!” The man lowered the bouquet.
Esme’s eyes widened in sheer shock and disbelief as her breath caught in her throat.
“Eli…” she whispered.
well i did *whispers* don’t tell anyone but i’ve got spoilers.
Hehe!
Thank youuuu and enjoy reading!