Till the End of Time

Chapter One: Not Jealous

I am not jealous. I am not jealous. No way, I am freaking jealous of Virginia Richardson.

This had been my inner monologue for a full three hours as I sipped on my fourth glass of champagne at another boring gala. A gala, I had to attend as the fiancée of Alexander Jameson Wright while said fiancée danced another slow-dance with Virginia Vivi Richardson. The first dance was perfectly acceptable, the second one was pushing it, but by the third I was boiling mad.

"It's just Vivi babe. She doesn't have a date. You know she doesn't have many close acquaintances in LA," Alex remarked earlier in the evening.

Why did it feel like just Vivi showed up dateless on purpose? After all, I was the one looking very dateless at the moment. She'd been living in LA for over two months and just couldn't find someone to escort her, but she made sure Alex was very aware of how thrilled she'd be to dance with him. And of course, Alex was happy to oblige.

I met Virginia for the first time a little under a year ago. Alex and I had been dating for a few months, and it was the first event we attended as a couple. Virginia was introduced to me as a very dear family friend but, since she was living in New York at the time, I hadn't had a reason to meet her until then. Let's just say dear family friend Vivi made it her mission to forget I was there. 

Alex, would you like to grab a drink at the bar?
Alex, this is my favorite song. We have to dance!
Alex, let's go for a walk in the gardens.

After that first evening in her presence, I knew she was trouble. I just didn't know how adamant she would be in her pursuit of Alex. And of course, Alex and his family were completely blind to her machinations. After all, she's a dear family friend and the Wrights have been friends with the Richardsons for generations.

As Alex finished up his third dance of the evening with Virginia, I couldn't help but narrow my eyes at the way she threw her head back laughing and hugged him as she caressed his back. Overkill much?

When they finally broke away, his eyes caught mine and flashed. Why hello Alex, remember me? Your fiancée. Yup, still here buddy.

"Doesn't Virginia look beautiful tonight?" asked Alex's mother, Carolyn.

"Mhmm, can't take my eyes off her," I remarked.

I watched as the happy duo approached our table. Virginia glided in her red gown like she'd be scored for her beauty queen walk by all attending. I studied her with my professional eye, as a make-up artist, I appreciated the sexy but sophisticated look she donned. Her bleached locks pulled tight into a severe bun gave her smoky eye look a more serious tone, but she was definitely dressed to kill. I was dressed more simply in a black silk gown, and its only eye-catching feature was the low cut plunge in the back. Maybe Alex preferred Virginia's bold look; he hadn't diverted his attention from her all night.

Alex took his seat next to mine while Virginia sat back down in between Alex and Carolyn.

"Having fun baby? I thought you didn't like champagne," he asked me.

"Not as much fun as you, and I don't."

He cleared his throat, and I wasn't surprised. I avoided all awkward situations like the plague and never confronted Alex, especially not in public. But I was at my wits' end and ready to call it a night.

"Well, I'm just having a blast with Alex. I can't remember ever having so much fun dancing. Alex and I have so much chemistry on the dance floor," gushed Virginia.

At that, I was the one clearing my throat. "Well, it's been a pleasure seeing you, but I'm afraid I'm all partied out and ready to go," I said to Carolyn. Alex's father, Richard, was deep into a conversation with some business acquaintances seated at our table.