Passion's Crossfire

Chapter 85

Mallory

The visit to Adam's parents' mansion is still fresh in my mind, and honestly, I need some time to recover. Adam's mother is... intense, to put it mildly. Even though a few days have passed, I can't shake off the feeling of unease that lingers. I find myself dreading the upcoming banquet next Saturday, an event that now feels like an impending storm on the horizon. It's not the banquet itself that bothers me; it's the thought of facing Adam's mother again.

Shopping is inevitable, and I groan at the prospect of hunting for the perfect outfit. What does one even wear to a banquet hosted by a wealthy business magnate? The last thing I want is to feel out of place. I glance at my closet, suddenly feeling like I own nothing suitable for such an occasion. Champagne problems, right? I chuckle at the irony, realizing how trivial my concerns are in the grand scheme of things. Still, the anxiety gnaws at me.

How can Adam's mother be so cruel? That's the question that echoes in my mind. Your mother is supposed to be the person who is there for you, supporting you no matter what. The fact that she can be so cold and judgmental boggles my mind. It makes me anxious that we haven't heard from her since the visit. Is she planning something? What could it be? My mind races with possibilities, and I start pacing in the living room.

The semester can't start soon enough. This limbo of free time is proving to be a mental minefield. Overthinking seems to be my new hobby. Maybe calling Kylie would be a good distraction, a chance to get my mind off everything. Plus, I could use her fashion advice again. Or maybe not yet. Perhaps I should hold off on shopping for today; I need to ask Adam about the dress code anyway. Ugh, I hate overthinking.

My phone buzzes, rescuing me from my mental whirlpool. I glance at my phone and see Melanie's name flashing on the screen.

"Hey, little sis. What's up?" Melanie's voice, familiar and comforting, flows through the line.

"Not much, you know. How's work?"

"Ugh, the usual. Hey, Mallory, do you want to hang out after I finish work? I missed you. Plus, I wanted to talk to you about something," Melanie suggests, her tone carrying a hint of excitement.

My interest is piqued. "What about?"

"Better in person," Melanie teases, and I can practically hear the mischievous grin in her voice. "I'll pick you up in an hour."

I can't help but laugh. "I hate you when you do that, you know? I'm so curious!"

Melanie giggles on the other end. "Consider it a surprise. Get ready, sis. See you in an hour!"

The prospect of spending time with Melanie is a welcome one. The distraction is exactly what I need right now. I head to the bedroom to get dressed, opting for a floral coordinated set in white and blue. The sleeveless crop top features delicate white flowers scattered on a pale blue background, paired with a high-waisted, knee-length skirt that mirrors the floral pattern. I decide to style my hair in a half updo, securing it with a blue ribbon.

As I examine myself in the mirror, I realize I'm so curious about what Melanie wants to talk about. Maybe something good happened in her job? It strikes me that I haven't delved into my sister's personal life in a while. I pinch the bridge of my nose, a sudden pang of guilt hitting me. Here I am, preoccupied with what I should wear to a banquet, and I have no idea what's going on in my sister's life. Nice going, Mallory.

I take a deep breath and head to the living room. Sinking into the couch, I quickly send a text to Adam, letting him know that I'm going out with Melanie. Melanie should be here any moment now, and I can't wait to see her.

After a few minutes, Melanie texts me that she's waiting outside. I grab my purse and head downstairs, finding Melanie waiting for me in her car with the engine running. I get in, and we share a warm hug.

"Hey, Mel. I missed you"

"I missed you too," she replies. Breaking the hug, Melanie starts driving. "So? What happened?" I ask, unable to contain my curiosity.

"So impatient!" Melanie pretends to scold me, and I can't help but roll my eyes. She's going to enjoy keeping me in suspense. Ugh, she will drive me crazy.

She drives a few more minutes and pulls over outside Blue Willow Café. I love that place; it holds so many good memories, including my first date with Adam. We get out of the car, and Melanie links her arm in mine, her hazel eyes glowing.

"You are so annoying, you know that? The minute we sit at a table, you are spilling the beans!" I say, teasingly.

Melanie giggles, and I roll my eyes again as we enter the cafe, opting for a table by the window. "So?" I ask, unable to contain my curiosity. Melanie holds a hand up, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "We should wait until our order is taken. I don't want interruptions!" she declares, clearly enjoying the suspense. Thankfully, the waitress promptly takes our order.

As soon as the waitress leaves, Melanie leans in, her eyes sparkling. "Guess who called me?"

"Marcus?" I suggest. Melanie's eyes briefly reflect a touch of sadness, but it vanishes swiftly. "Nope," she says.

"Who called you?" I ask, intrigued.

"Daniel," she replies with a wide grin. Daniel? Seriously? That guy is back? I can't fathom why she's so excited. "What did he want?" I inquire cautiously.

"He wanted to see me," she says, her excitement palpable. Great. Just great. "I don't think it's a good idea, Melanie," I say, shaking my head.

"Actually, I already did go out with him", she admits.

What the hell? "Melanie, that guy is a douchebag. Why would you go out with him?" I ask, genuinely concerned.

"He's not a douchebag, Mallory," she defends, her expression defensive.