Chapter hundred and nine

Ethan

I slowed my pace to match with hers. She didn't stop glancing back even though the parking lot was no longer in sight.

“She's going to be fine.” I said, hoping to ease some of her worries.

I wasn't expecting any response from her. She had barely spoken to me since I saw her for the first time after so many years. She'd changed a lot from the girl I used to know. The fierce girl who wasn't afraid of anyone. Who wouldn't let anyone talk down on her. Sometimes, I feel like I don't know this girl anymore.

To my surprise, she drew a sigh and said,
“I know, but I feel like I should have stayed. Maybe leaving her by herself was a bad idea.”

She glanced back again. This time, it really looked like she was going to follow through with her words.

“Don’t blame yourself. She wanted to be alone.”

She nodded. An uncomfortable silence descended between us. We were only a few meters away from the door. I wanted to say so much things to her, I have so many questions. But I didn't know where to start. Just like all those months ago when I saw her for the first time.

I had remain silent. We've fallen into a routine these past few months. We would act like the other didn't exist. Act like there was no history between us. We only broke out of character a few times. Those few times were enough for our friends to pick up that we knew each other, but not enough for them to know how deep our history ran.

This was the first time we were alone in a long while. I didn't want to let this opportunity pass. I wanted to talk to her. Needed to talk to her. To at clear the air between us.

“Millie, I…”

“Don't ever call me that again.” She snapped so quickly that I had stumbled back a step.

“It's Heather now. There's no Millie.” She added. Her eyes frantically darted around probably searching for anyone who might heard me.

“I'm sorry.” I breathed. It's probably best not to rile her up before I could ask any questions. She would just run and hide like she always does. I didn't want that.

“There are so many things I want to say to you now, but I have no idea where to start. Why do you change your name?”

I almost regretted asking for that question when I saw her face darkened. It was probably not a good question to start with. Not after how we left things.

“I don't think I owe you an explanation, Mr Hart. We don't have any relationship that demands you know things about me.” Her tone was sharper now, her face portraying complete indifference.

“You do owe me an explanation, Millie, or Heather. Whatever your name is now. You don't get to disappear on me and just show up with a completely different identity and expect me to not ask questions.” My eyes blazed with anger.

I had completely lost it now. I had managed to keep my cool all those months, but I've just had enough.

“Why didn't you tell me you were…”

“I'm not. Not anymore. I hope you have your answer now.”

She walked away before I could even say anything, adding to my already growing anger. Jesus Christ, she infuriates the fuck out of me.

I tried to calm myself down. This wasn't the right time or place to lose my shit. Not when mum and I aren't exactly seeing eye to eye regarding this wedding. I only attended to avoid any scandals. I didn't like having the media poke about my life.

Also I needed to attend to the problem my aunt created. But first, I need to find my cousin before he does something he would regret.

I went back to the banquet hall. It wasn't surprising not none of my family members were there. Even my mum had ditched her wedding. I tried not to imagine what must be going on right now.

I spotted Jenna talking to a small group of people, a smile on her face. They were probably congratulating her on the engagement.

I didn't have a problem with Jenna as a person. I just didn't like how she seem to be forcing her way into the family. It doesn't make sense to me how she would willingly get married to someone who is clearly in love with another woman.

Everyone around us is aware that Oliver is crazy about Dallas. He's just too chicken to accept it to himself. And Regina is taking advantage of that vulnerability.

What I don't get is why she's so hellbent on separating them. Honestly, I don't think anyone has the answer. She'd managed to shut down the topic anytime Mum or anyone brings it up.

I just wished she'd see how much impact Dallas has on Oliver now. He has changed so much ever since he met her. I can actually hug my cousin now. Something I wasn't able to do for two whole decades.

“Do you see Oliver anywhere?”

I managed not to flinch as I heard Xavier's voice close to my ear.

“When will you learn that it's rude to sneak up on someone?” I arched an eyebrow at him.

Xavier is annoyingly good at moving quietly without drawing attention to himself. I didn't even notice him approaching.

“I didn't sneak up on you. You were just so consumed in your thoughts.” He shrugged.

“And you haven't answered my question. Where is he?” he demanded.

“How am I supposed to know?”

“Because he's your cousin. Weren't you here the entire time?” He arched an eyebrow.

“I was taking care of his girlfriend. You should have followed him after announcement was made before he does something stupid like call the whole engagement off. Where were you?”

“Busy,” was the only thing he said as if I didn't deserve an explanation.

“You said you were with Dallas? Where is she?”

“Outside. She needed some air.”

An expression I'm quite familiar with crossed his face. He makes the face when he's seriously contemplating something.

“Xavier?” I called. He already knows to start spilling whatever theory is going on in his head.

“Let's just find Oliver first. I'll tell you.” He said and headed off immediately.

I shook my head and followed him. We went to his bedroom first but he wasn't there. We searched all of the rooms till we were only left with the study.

The door was slightly opened when we got there. I could already hear Mum and Regina screaming at each other.

“You hijacked my wedding, Hee-Joo. My wedding.” Mum screamed.

Yup, she's really mad. She called her sister by her traditional name.

“It's not a big deal, Mo-eum. It's just an announcement. Rumours were already flying around so it wasn't new to most people. Besides, can't you share your wedding spotlight with your nephew.” Regina's voice was low as if she really didn't see anything wrong with it.

“So should we go look some where else?” Xavier whispered beside me. We couldn't risk being seen by the two angry women.

“We've searched everywhere. Except he's left the mansion, he's definitely in here.” A curse word echoed in the room, confirming my sentence.

“Okay, but I'm definitely not going in there.”

“Me neither.” I sighed.

“It's not about that.” Mum's voice came again. “You didn't even tell me first. You just walked up to the stage, grabbed a mic and made such a big announcement without telling me first. It was my wedding. I deserved to know before you do something like that.”

“Let it go. You've had many weddings. I don't get how this is any different. Just let go of this one time.”

Even though, all of us being thinking the same thing, none of us had dared to say it out. I couldn't imagine the shock on Mum's face after her sister threw that in her face.

“How dare you!” Mum's scream came seconds later.

I was about walking in, afraid she would pounce on her sister, when Oliver's voice came,

“Okay, that's enough from you, Mum.” He snapped, clearly pissed. “You really took things far.”

“I don't get why all of you are angry that I said something everyone already knows. There's nothing wrong in it.”

Regina's tone had shifted now. She didn't sound as confident and unbothered as she was few minutes ago. Whether it was because her son snapped at her or what she said to her sister, I had no idea.

“Mum, you made my engagement public without talking to me first. My engagement. At your sister's wedding reception. How the hell are we not supposed to be pissed about it?”

“Because it's not a big deal. You were never going to take the engagement seriously, Oliver. I had to do something. You showed up at their house with that red heathen. Do you know how hard it was to convince Ron and his wife that there was nothing between the both of you? This was the only way I could assure them that the alliance was still strong.” Regina yelled.

“And you couldn't talk to me first? Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused?” Oliver yelled back.

Xavier and I exchanged looks. Oliver had never raised his voice at Regina, not even when she pissed him off. This anger was different. We could all feel it.

“You mean trouble with that girl? This is why I didn't tell you first. You wouldn't agree. That girl has sunk her gold digging claws deep into you.”

“Don't ever talk about Dallas like that, Mother. Never again.” Oliver thundered.

The whole room fell silent, the only sound was the loud exhale of their breaths. I shoved the door opened and they all turned to us. Xavier cursed under his breath, I ignored him. I tried to ignore the angry look on my cousin's face. I had never seen Oliver looked that mad.

“Oliver?” I called and gestured towards the door.

He strolled towards me without uttering another word to either of the women in the room.

“This better be good.” He muttered.

Xavier and I walked by his sides and we walked down the stairs.

“Xavier has some news for you.”

We halted and both turned to Xavier.

“I don't know about good, but I just saw Dallas ride off in Ron Jang's car.” Xavier said and all hell broke loose.