Female Novel
Chapter 78
Chapter 78:
Happy Rotting In Hell The rest of the time is a blur. I vaguely heard that Katherine made a short speechabout herself but I couldn’t understand a single word that she said. My mind seemed to be shut downall of a sudden.novelbin
Katherine, my best friend in Boston, the girl I’ve known for almost 4 years, is Eason’s mysteriousfiancé?!!!
But how is the even possible? So when did this thing settle? Ms. Griswold talked about finding Eason amarriage partner three years ago, so did Katherine already know that she was going to marry Easonback then? Why didn’t she say anything to me? Even if it just became serious recently, she still hadplenty of chances to tell me today!
Why the fuck did she keep her mouth shut?!!
I look up numbly, trying to find Eason in the crowd and see his reaction toward this. But he is notstanding by the piano anymore. He’s nowhere to be found now.
The buzzing conversation around me becomes louder again as I finally realize that Mr. Ramirez’sopening speech is over. A few people approach where we sit and try to congratulate Katherine on herengagement.
I suddenly jump up, heading towards the front door.
“Natalia!”
Someone shouls behind my back. I don’t know if it’s Katherine or Alex. But 1 didn’t look back.
I push open the heavy wooden door with all my might and rush outside. The winter wind in Boston isfreezing and I’m only wearing a tube-top dress. But weirdly I can’t feel the cold, probably because allmy senses were shut down all together with my mind.
Someone catches up me from behind and grabs my shoulder, “Nat where are you going!”
It’s Alex.
I shiver looking at him. He sighs deeply before asking me bluntly, “you and Eason were together for awhile three years ago right?” I close my eyes helplessly. I’m not surprised that he knows. He wasalready suspecting a long time ago.
“Natalia, what are you thinking? Eason is not a nice person. You know as well as I do. I assume youguys had already ended it, which is great. So just ignore him, let him marry anyone he wants and kickthat asshole out of your life one thing for all. Isn’t it what you want right now?”
I grab his arm, almost clinging on him to stand straight because I’m shaking like hell. “No, no you don’tunderstand…yes we ended it. But why does he need to marry Katherine? Of all people, whyKatherine!” If his fiancé is a total stranger, I can probably act calm about it and send them my blessing.But knowing that person is Katherine opens a gate to all my dark feelings.
There’s a hint of pity in Alex’s eyes. “I’m shocked, just as you are. Katherine managed to keep us all inthe dark. But I heard that her family is really well-off, especially her dad’s side. So it also makes sense.”
Yes it makes sense. Because all those girls, Katherine, Valerie, and all Eason’s exes, they are arepretty, rich, privileged and smart. They are all perfect matches for Eason. I have nothing to compare tothem. Those girls make me feel little.
“Just like it go Nat,” Alex tightens his grip on my shoulder. “The business with those upper-classpeople…it’s messed up. Why make your hands dirty meddling it? You deserve something much better.”
“Alex…”
Before I get to say anything else, a slim figure appears behind Alex’s back. Katherine elegantlyapproaches us smiling, “There you are. Alex, can I have a moment with Nat?”
Alex hesitates but eventually lets go of me. He gives me a worried look before leaving
Me and Katherine stand face-to-face to each other in the cold wind. The smile on her face is warm andsincere as usual, but it suddenly makes me wonder if she ever treated me like a true friend.
“You rushed out before congratulating me first,” she slowly begins. “What’s wrong? Are you not happyfor us?”
“How long have you known?” I ask staring at her. I’m tired of circling around and just went straight forthe point.
She blinks, innocently. “That I’ll probably marry Eason one day? A long time, actually. That’s why Iasked to be transferred into his school, because I want to get to know him before everything finalizes.”
“What?!” 1 gasp, stunned and furious.
She knew the first time she met Eason?
“Of course I knew,” she giggles lightly. “Why else do you think we became close so quickly? Don’t getme wrong Nat, i like you a lot. But I never make friends for no reason.”
And then suddenly, everything clears up for me, like a fog being lifted over the hidden secret
She knew she was going to be Eason’s fiancé. That’s why she chose my side, determinedly, when I gotsingled out by Valerie’s little group. That wasn’t because she really liked me, but because she alsohated Eason’s girlfriend.
I also remembered our little trip to the beach house, the time when she invited Eason without askingme first. She said that it was an honest mistake. But now I’ve realized that she probably just wanted tospend more time together with Eason.
I stare at her pretty face and feel goosebumps appearing on my skin. For all these times, she staysclose to me and Valerie without saying anything about her relationship with Eason, because she knewshe’s going to the final victor.
She terrifies me
“What’s that face?” she is still smiling briskly. “Are you mad?”
“…A little, yes.” I say sternly.
“Well, I’m sorry for keeping it from you. But that’s why you are mad at me, right? And not for someother reasons?”
I clench my jaw and stare at her warily. Does she know what happened between me and Eason?Surely if Alex can find it out, so can she.
As if knowing what I’m thinking, she chuckles and grabs my hands with hers. Her fingers are icily cold,like a snake licking my skin. “Gossips fly quickly in this town,” she says fondly to me. “But I never letthose gossips bother me, because I know that some of them aren’t true and some of them are alreadyancient histories. We can still be close friends, Nat. And you are still Eason’s sister, which basicallymakes us family. So are you willing to give me
your blessing? As my family?” I gaze at her, silently. She is a calculated and manipulative hypocrite. Ihave no doubt that if I say no to her now, she’ll tell Mr. Ramirez and everyone else on me right away.
This is a battle I don’t stand a chance winning. “Fine, I forgive you. And you have my blessing.” Yetbefore her face lights up completely with a smile, I continue, “Because you are a mean and viciousperson just like Eason, which makes you guys a perfect couple. Happy rotting in hell.”
With that said, I shake her off firmly and walk to the house without looking back.
***
It takes me a few days to fully accept the fact that Katherine and Eason are going to be engaged.
And the worst part is that Katherine starts to show up frequently at our house after the announcement.Oftentimes, when I come downstairs, there she is, sitting in the living room with Ms. Griswold and Mr.Ramirez, talking enthusiastically about the engagement ceremony that’s about to come up.
Eason, on the other hand, showed very little interest in this whole engagement thing. He acts as ifKatherine is still his old classmate from liigh school and not his fiancé. I don’t know what he has beenthinking, and quite frankly I don’t think I should let myself care anymore.
If he’s fine with marrying an evil hypocrite, why should I care?
I plan on leaving Boston sooner to stay away from this whole mess. A day before my departure, whileI’m sit in the kitchen having breakfast with the whole family, Katherine shows up unannounced again.
She says she wants to go shopping for engagement ring.
Mom cheers enthusiastically, “Oh great! I can come with you and give you some advice if you like.People have said that I have very good taste in jewelry.” I sigh internally staring at my coffee. Poormom, she’s probably the only person in this room who has absolutely no clue about anything,
“Actually…” Katherine looks over to Eason, who is checking his email and showed no interest what shehas been saying. “…I was thinking maybe Eason could come with me?”
Mr. Ramirez agrees with a nod, “Of course. He should be the one buying the ring.
Eason, please go with Katherine today.” Eason keeps his eyes on his phone and says flatly, “I can’t. Ihave things to do.” “Eason, this is the engagement ring. It’s kind of a big deal,” mom saysdisapprovingly. “Surely you can take some time off and go with Katherine?”
Eason slightly raises his brow, giving no comments on what mom said. The room lapses into anawkward silence. And right at this moment, Katherine speaks up smiling, “It’s OK. If Eason can’t come,maybe Natalia can accompany me?” What? I snap my head up from the plate and glare at her. Why isshe dragging me into this? “I just need a shopping partner,” Katherine continues lightly. “Nat, you don’thave anything else to do today right?” That little bitch deserves a round of applause. She knows how toput on an act. I don’t know how she can still smile at me, especially after what we said in the yard acouple days ago I want to scold at her, tell her to fuck off. Yet before I do that, I suddenly notice Mr.Ramirez staring at me, his eyes deep and dark like an X-ray.
He wants to see my reaction on this.
Shit.
I quickly swallow back those cursing words and puts on a casual smile, “Sure. Why not.”
If that little bitch can act, so can I.
“You know what?”
Eason suddenly puts away his phone and turns around to me smiling, “I’m actually free today. I’ll comewith you two.” “Oh great!” mom claps excitedly. “Go buy something nice and pretty dear.” I sigh again,this time out loud.
This is not great. This is the opposite of great,
This is like hell.
After breakfast, we go to the largest shopping mall in town together. This is the weirdest shopping teamever. Katherine has been trying to talk to Eason the whole time, but he just keeps ignoring her, likewhat he did in the restaurant to his ex.
It makes me laugh seeing how hard Katherine tries, but it also makes me wonder. Apparently Easonhas no feeling for Katherine. Can he really stay married to someone he hates for 50 years and more?
Or maybe rich people’s marriages just work very differently than ours.
Upon arriving at the mall, Katherine drags us to the largest jewelry store, probably the most expensiveone too. She shows a great enthusiasm in everything she sets eyes on in that store. And pretty soon itoccurs to me, she’s not only shopping for engagement ring, but also necklace, earrings and brooch.
I take a quick peek at those price tags and almost faint. God, if we are buying off everything she askedto see today, she might max out Eason’s credit card…or not. Eason has more money than I canpossibly imagine. He is the last person I should be worried about right now.
I glance sideway at the future groom, who is sitting in the corner checking his phone, not giving a damnabout the fact that his fiancé is looting the store.
OK that’s it. I need air.
L
I stand up quietly from my seat and exit the VIP lounge. There’s a private restroom for customer in thestore so I don’t need to go outside.
Just when I close the door to my little stall, the restroom’s door opens up again. Two people comeinside talking. Judging by their conversation, they are salespeople in this store.
“So I heard Ms. Booth come in today?”
Ms. Booth? My ear perks up. That’s Katherine’s last name. Are they talking about Katherine?
“Yes. And who would have thought?” the other says in a voice of contempt. “I can still remember theugliness when she got forcefully removed from our store last time. She’s got big nerve coming backhere.”
I cover my mouth in shock. Oh iy god.