Leap OF Fate

Serene waited for a minute before going back into the party. It would be awkward if she were to bump into Chester or Bryan. Although she did not want to eavesdrop, the two were not speaking in whispers. She clearly heard Chester tell Bryan that he wanted to divorce him.

Her back stiffened from his declaration as if it was directed to her. She felt for Bryan. She knew Chester mattered to him. Otherwise he would not gamble his relationship with her and his family. Bryan’s family was conservative, although she did not confirm it herself, she deduced they were strongly against his relationship with Chester. She recalled that none of his family attended his wedding.

A sigh left her mouth. She and Bryan were in the same predicament. Their past haunted his relationship, similar to how it haunted hers. He must feel suffocated as he tried to escape its clutches, but would always find it clawing its way to catch up to him. He must feel that no matter how much he worked on keeping his relationship with her neutral or distance himself from her, a mere suspicion from Chester’s side would render these efforts futile.

Serene knew how difficult that situation was because that’s how it felt for her. It always felt like a single memory, or a single action, no matter how innocent, could topple over hers and Justin’s relationship. Everything seemed too fragile, and she could do nothing about it.

No assuring words could convince him that Bryan is just a part of her past. The doubt and suspicion in his eyes always betrayed his words. No matter how much Justin told her he’s not affected by her past relationship with Bryan, she knew that it still eats away his sense of security.

She knew he would be mum about it, but these doubts leak out in other areas. This perhaps is the reason he’s always jealous of other men around her, no matter how platonic her relationship is with them. He felt insecure deep down.

She walked back to where the crowd was and sat at an empty table. Her eyes searched for the tall and long-haired debonaire who made her heart beat wildly among the people celebrating the Rain couple’s anniversary. She scanned for people who huddled together because most people, especially those in the business world, would want to socialize with Justin in order to broaden their network or possibly open an opportunity for cooperation.

of Justin anywhere. The night breeze blew and kissed her skin, making her shiver. She rubbed her arms and felt the rough goosebumps of her skin that formed from the

her. Justin stood behind her with his hands in his pocket. She smiled

for you,” she asked as she held the

inside, you’re shivering.” He wrapped his arm around his shoulder and guided her towards the mansion, completely

side profile. As soon as they entered the mansion, he asked for a cup of warm water from a

you?” he asked her the same questions she

smiled but answered, “I did not like crowds so much so I went to look for a quiet

was. I did not want to eavesdrop, so I went back to the venue and

eyes not leaving her face. He scanned every feature she was not exactly sure what he was

He needn’t ask who that couple was. It’s highly likely that it’s Chester and Bryan, given that Chester angrily stormed out from the same direction she came from just a minute before she went out to look for

if we head home now?” she looked up