Forget You [Editing]

Chapter 1

Present day

Cadence

After eight long years, I was back in Rosemary Beach. 

I didn't know how I felt about coming back, but I wanted answers from Leo. 

I received an invitation from him a month ago, but I didn't know what celebration this was. 

Mark, his assistant, wasn't very specific when he came to see me.

Last month was the first time since my mom and I left that Leo tried to contact me. 

Had he even received my letters or my emails? 

I tried to get ahold of him when mom got sick and again when she passed away, but I never got an answer.

I was so mad at him to the point where I couldn't even call him my dad anymore. Saying and hearing his name left me only with disgust.

 I had to face him after what he did to me and my mom.

A small part of me also hoped to see Aaron even though he probably hated me to death.

I started to walk towards the main hall where the party is held. The room was already crowded,  I could hear them from here.

Mark said it was going to be a very formal celebration, so I had to dress up nicely. 

Not surprise. I didn't know any parties that my dad... I mean Leo hosted that didn't require formal attire. 

I was wearing a short black décolleté Nasty Gal skirt dress that my best friend Meredith got me for my twenty-third birthday last year. It formed a v just between my breasts and its short sleeves were below my shoulders. I wore the dress with my black stilettos. To complete the look, my hair was wrapped in a ponytail. It was very simple compare to the other guests.

"Welcome back Miss Davis," Mark was the first to greet me. I only smiled at him as he led me to the centre of the room where my father was. 

When I spot Leo, his arm was wrapped around a woman's waist... and not just any woman, but my mom's sister Victoria. They all had smiles on their faces which made me curious. What was this party for?

I looked around to look for my cousin William, my aunt's only son, to ask him what was going on, but instead, my eyes landed on him. 

Aaron Evans. 

He looked different now, he seemed more mature, more tanned and tall. He now had brown hair which suited him even though I admired his natural sandy blond. 

I didn't expect him to be here. He hated this sort of events. 

It took me a second to realize he was still staring back at me. His eyes were still a crystal clear of blue and for a moment I lost myself in them. 

He stiffened as his jaw hardened, his face unreadable. 

For a second, I thought he was going to walk towards me, but it only lasted a few seconds before he looked away.

Who am I kidding? Of course he woudn't approach me after what I've done to him.

 I closed my eyes to keep my tears from falling. Of course, he hated me. I shouldn't be surprised. I expected this.

"Thank you, everyone for coming on this special night for me and Victoria," Leo announces getting my attention once again. 

I breathed in slowly and focus my attention on the two people in the centre of the room.

I studied my aunt as she smiled and gazesd at Leo like he was her whole world. 

That made me frown. Oh god, please don't tell me they're a...

"I asked Victoria to marry me. Obviously, she said yes or we wouldn't be holding this party. We're planning to get married in a month and of course you're all invited." He said with a big smile on his face as my jaw dropped. Are you fucking kidding me?

Everyone cheered and clapped as if this news wasn't at all surprising. Leo's business partners approach them and I just stood still while everyone congratulated the soon to be husband and wife. 

I was going to be sick.

My body started to boil, I had to get the hell out of here before I started making a scene. 

When did they start dating? 

I swear, if they were together when my mom was in a hospital bed. I'd never forgive them. 

I couldn't believe it this was even happening.

Out of all the women in the world he could marry, why does she had to be my mom's sister?

My aunt Vicky, whom my mom trusted and loved. She was like a second mom to me, how could she do this?

"Cade? Is that you?" A deep voice startled me.

I turned around to see William approach. 

"It's so great to see you. " he said and gave me a hug. 

"I missed you guys," I replied.

"We all missed you too. Celine will go nuts when she finds out you're here. How are you?"

"Pissed off. I can't believe they're engaged." My voice cracked.  I wouldn't cry. No. Not here. Not now.

"I know, this is a shock to me as well." He said and ran a hand through his dark brown hair. 

"Leo invited me. I didn't know this was going to be an engagement party. Do you know how long they've been dating?" I asked him, but I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer.

"I'm not sure. I always see them around, but I've always thought they were just together for business." He told me as his phone vibrated interrupting us. "Hold on a sec," 

I tried to calm down before I exploded. I wanted to scream at Leo for this. 

"Hey, where are you?" he said over the phone. "... Alright, I'll see you there."

"Everything all right?" I asked him once he hang the phone.

"Yeah, Roy just said that he and Aaron left the party and are now heading to Midnight Stop." 

He looked at me carefully when he mentioned Aaron's name, but I looked away.

"So, you're joining them?"

"Yeah, want to come?"

"I don't think that's a good idea." I was not ready to really face Aaron. He'd probably just ignore me. 

"Just come with me to the bar. I'm sure he won't do anything."

I still was not sure I wanted to go there, but I changed my mind at the last second and found myself nodding. 

It was now or never. I'd have to talk to him eventually.