Snowed in with the Barista

The Night Before The Wedding

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Brandon asked harshly.

"I think it's pretty self-explanatory." Lilith sharply replied.

"I wasn't asking you." He replied with a harsh tone, looking up at Lilith.

"Don't speak to her that way. She's right, Brandon. Why are you all of a sudden playing defense?" I questioned, hinting at the last real conversation we had multiple nights befere the wedding.

He looked behind him as if searching for someone.

"Ahem?" I cleared my throat.

"Let's go somewhere more quiet." He suggested.

I eyed him suspiciously before turning to Lilith to confirm. She nodded her head, and we followed him outside the building. 

"Iris, I thought you liked me." He started.

"I always said I wasn't interested, you knew that." I answered back.

"Oh really? And that's why you were playful with me, always holding my hand, giving me kisses on the cheek?" He asked defensively.

"You mean when we were in front of our parents?" I questioned.

"So... that was a whole stupid act." He concluded.

He scoffed before saying; "You were just leading me on. Making me think you were actually starting to like me. Just to find out while I was standing at the alter that my FIANCEE got up and sneaked out." 

"I told you clearly that one way or another, I was getting out of the arranged marriage. I didn't like anyone then, I never dated, and I surely didn't want the first person I married to be someone I was never interested in from the start. Look, I appreciate your support with my job. I appreciate the times you came and picked me up when I needed to get out of the house. But most of all, I appreciate the fact that you were willing to just agree with the arranged marriage. But-" He stopped me right there and spoke up.

"You're such a bitch." He spit out.

I looked down, smiling before looking back up.

"Just remember you liked this 'bitch'." I stated, ending the conversation.

Lilith followed me back into the club, and we sat down at the seats the four of us gathered at. I wasn't going to stand there and be insulted when we could've had a civil conversation.

"You did good. You didn't get mad and start yelling. Instead, you stayed calm. How are you feeling?" She questioned.

Her praise made me smile.

"I'm good." I answered simply.

"Do you want to talk about the situation with him?" She asked thoughtfully.

"Maybe when we're in a quiet space." I chuckled.

"Oh, yeah. Definitely." She responded, laughing with me.

"Hey, you guys!!" Vivian came running to us all giddy with Ivy alongside her.

They look like they took one too many drinks. I believe Lilith thought the same thing when we both gave each other a look.

"Hey Vivian!" I replied with enthusiasm.

"How much have you had to drink?" I asked with a smile.

"9!" She responded with such happiness.

"Oh wow." I replied.

"Do you guys want to stay longer? Or head home?" Lilith questioned.

She had one shot and a lot of water, unlike me, and the other two.