Chapter 23 Old Enemies

Her old classmate from school Seline stood with hands-on-hips as she watched Anna turn and took at the dress.
“What did you just say?” Anna asked with a growl as she turned to confront her.
Seline swished her long black hair behind one shoulder and gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach her brown eyes. Seline’s family had earned their money through lumber and they had been wealthy for generations, a fact she never failed to rub into everyone’s face. She had been vicious in high school and had made Anna’s life hell.
“Oh, darling do you not hear well as well as not read well? I guess you can’t expect any less considering how you grew up.”
Anna turned to face her and glared right back at her. “I can assure you that I can hear and read just fine. In fact, I happen to have a college degree thank you.”
“Do you?”
“From an online school right? Nothing like my degree.” Seline said with a smile.
“From where Mommy and Daddy bought it for me university?” Anna asked seriously.
Seline sputtered and stomped closer her red-tipped hands shaking in rage. “I have a degree in fashion.”
“So fashion design, fashion management?”
“Fashion studies,” Seline said through gritted teeth.
“What is that exactly, how to use your parents American Express to purchase clothes? Sounds super useful. You should be so proud.”
“What’s yours in?” Seline asked viciously “how to design the trailer of tomorrow?” “I’m sure clapboard siding is really big in your business right?”
“Actually I have a master’s degree in advertising and business management,” Anna said with a grin as Seline paled under her tan.
Seline sniffed and looked her over as if taking her measure. She smiled cruelly as she ran her hand over the hem of the garment Anna wore. “How did you manage that? Growing up in the trailer park doesn’t exactly scream opportunity. I thought you’d be married to some broken-down hillbilly with six kids by now, mooching off welfare.”
“Sometimes you make your own way through hard work and determination.” She wanted to flip her off so bad it hurt, but she was determined not to let Seline get under her skin. The old Anna would have run scared, but this Anna was not going to run for anyone.
“No hillbilly, no kids, just a life I earned.” Anna turned to the salesgirl and smiled “I’ll take it.”
“Great once you are done trying it on I will wrap it up, take your time.”
“Thank you so much,” Anna said with a smile as she checked the back of the dress and loving it.
Seline huffed again but was quiet as the sound of feet sounded in the small space. “Well, Anthony I’m so glad you finally showed up.”
Anna turned and saw Seline hanging on a tall well-built blonde man. He looked uncomfortable, even rolling his eyes as he tried to detach Seline from his arm. “It took me forever to find you. I thought you were at the store down the street. When I agreed to come shopping with you I didn’t expect to have to hunt you down.”
“Darling,” Seline purred as she tucked his hand more firmly into hers “You like to hunt me though.”
“Um yeah,” Anthony chuckled uncomfortably as he shifted on his well-shod feet.
“Oh Anna, surely you remember Anthony. We went to school with him remember, his family lived right beside mine.”
“Of course hey Anthony, it’s been a long time.”
Anthony pulled himself away from Seline and walked to Anna. He ran his eyes over her and Anna could see the interest in his blue eyes. He hugged Anna and Seline growled as his arms wrapped around her.“It has, you look like you are doing well, you look amazing.”
“What!” Seline squeaked as she pulled Anthony back. “She looks amazing? Remember who you belong with darling.”
“Yes I know I’m here with you.”
“What are you doing now Anthony, I haven’t seen you in a while?”
“I work in finance here in Asheville, totally boring but it is the family business, my father expects it.”
Anna remembered Anthony and all the pressure his family put on him even back in high school. He’d been a sweet boy and he’d chased Anna mercilessly for years after high school ended. She’d never been interested in him as anything but a friend, he on the other hand had been determined to not take no for an answer even when John had warned him off in no uncertain terms.
“So are you happy then?”
Anthony sighed, “I guess it is what it is.”
“Of course he’s happy!” Seline interrupted as she plastered herself against his side. “He is the youngest manager in the history of the firm and once he marries me our two families will have the highest net worth in Asheville.”
“Oh, you two are engaged?” Anna asked with a sad smile, feeling very sorry for Anthony.
“Of course! We are going to make it all final at Christmas, my ring is being specially made.”
“I hope you two are very happy,” Anna said as convincingly as possible. Anthony had been a pain but still, a friend, and no one deserved that fate.
“We are,” Seline said with a jerk on Anthony’s hand as she noticed the step he took toward Anna. Anna knew Seline suspected that Anthony still had feelings for her but there was nothing she could do about it. Anna smiled at Anthony and stepped toward the dressing room as Seline fumed.
She could hear them arguing and hoped she hadn’t made it worse.
***
John watched Seline yelling at Anna and wanted to jump in and stop it. Seline had always been jealous of Anna because Anthony had always chased her. Seline would deny it but he had always seen her watching Anthony and glaring at Anna. He went to get out of the car but jerked back as he heard the yelling escalate. Seline and Anthony yelled so loud he could hear every word outside. They were fighting about Anna. John ran his fingers over his eyes and sighed as Anthony stormed out of the shop and strode off down the street.
Seline turned to Anna and began to scream louder. “Oh Sh&^,” He thought to himself “This is about to get messy.”