The Colors Of His Persona

His Persona- 10

I searched behind me, conflicted by what I had heard. It sounded familiar yet far from reality, like a fleeting echo carried away by the wind. A sudden chill crawled down my spine, a feeling of uncertainty gripping me. I turned, glancing back at the entrance where soft music emanated from inside.

"Well, there goes my night," I muttered to myself, a sense of resignation settling in. Deep down, I knew this would happen. Yet, despite my doubts, I had followed through. Perhaps it was the doubt the book confirmed, reinforcing my suspicions.

Glancing at the closed door once more, I felt a sense of reluctance to enter. It's not like I wasn't invited, but the thought of humiliating myself was daunting. Steeling myself, I took stiff steps toward the door, hands tightly clasped around the handle.

As I pulled the door open, I was suddenly engulfed by the soft strains of classical music and the buzz of lively chatter. In my moment of distraction, I noticed brown eyes locking onto me with impatience, etched on the face of the woman before me.

"How may I help you?" she asked, her tone uninterested as she glanced down at the clipboard in her hand.

Hesitant, I stood straighter, brushing my hand down my dress as I attempted to sneak a peek at the clipboard. However, she swiftly pulled it closer to her chest, her tight-lipped smile never faltering.

"I'm on the list," I spoke softly, choosing to ignore her previous dismissive actions.

"And your name?" she sighed, tightly gripping the clipboard.

"Sis, is that you? What a surprise," I heard Ashlyn's voice from behind the lady, causing my stomach to drop. I felt awkward seeing her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, curiosity evident as she carefully navigated her way closer, her pregnant stomach more pronounced since the last time I saw her.

"Mrs. Eves," the woman addressed my sister with a genuine smile, bowing slightly. But what shocked me was the 'Mrs. Eves'—Ashlyn was now married? Since when?

A wave of nausea washed over me as Ashlyn brushed off my surprised gaze, turning to dismiss the woman named Chloe.

Standing before me, Ashlyn wore a golden gown that hugged her curves, accentuating her baby bump.

"So, are you going to answer or what?" she asked, giving me a once-over, clearly uninterested in anything I had to say.

"Um... I was invited," I replied softly, feeling my earlier resolve waning under her judging gaze.

"Invited? I guess that could be the case," she mumbled under her breath, her eyes momentarily dropping. However, they snapped back up to meet mine. "Glad you could make it, dear sis. Aunt and uncle are also here."

I could hear the soft threat in her voice when she mentioned our aunt and uncle. I was almost shocked at her tone, but I masked it with a blank stare. It was just like three years ago when I was invited to a small celebration of my aunt reopening the company my parents once owned.

I had been treated like the plague; no one acknowledged me, and if they did, it felt forced. My sister's transformation had been evident then, and it seemed history was repeating itself.

With a slight huff, Ashlyn turned to leave, her heels clicking onward. I stood in place, scanning the crowd for that one person, but to my surprise, he was nowhere in sight.

"Ellina?" My aunt's voice rang out, sending threatening chills down my spine. Feeling a wave of nausea, I resisted the urge to turn and face her.

"Oh, dear, you have gotten much bigger," she continued, coming forward as I refused to turn, feeling her glare already burning into me.