Between Us

Chapter 6

Max

I'm apprehensive as I park in front of the Arceta mansion. I should be looking forward to celebrating Crystal's birthday tonight, but things just haven't been the same between us in a while, and it's becoming harder for me to ignore it.

With a mere few weeks until our wedding, every issue we've ever had seems amplified. Perhaps I've just got cold feet, but it feels like more than that. Part of me wonders if the only reason she and I even started dating was the knowledge that we'd end up together eventually, through our arranged marriage.

Except... would we have? The woman my parents wanted me to marry was Alianna. If I hadn't...if that night hadn't happened, would I be getting married to Alianna?

I run a hand through my hair and draw a shaky breath. It doesn't matter now. There's no going back in time, and cold feet or not, I'll have to marry Crystal if I want to keep my job and my inheritance.

I steel myself as I get out of the car, feeling oddly out of it. I haven't felt like myself lately, and I'm not sure why. It isn't just about the wedding. It's more than that.

"Max!"

I look up to find Crystal's father standing by the door, a wide grin on his face. It's been a while since I last saw him, and I have no doubt he's got a nice bottle of scotch to share with me. When it comes to my future father-in-law, I've hit the jackpot. He's a genuinely nice guy, and he quickly became a second father to me. He makes my own father's absence a little easier to bear. The pain of suddenly losing your parents never really goes away, but it dulls over time.

"Ricky Arceta,"I shake his hand before he ushers me in, the sound of laughter greeting us as we head toward the patio in the Back.

"How's work been, child? I've barely seen you around. You staying over tonight?"

I nod,"Work has been busy, but I've freed up the weekend."

Crystal looks up when I walk toward her, my birthday gift in hand.

Thankfully, it's just a few of her closest friends and her family tonight. Larger events are too stressful for both of us, and lately it's put a lot of additional strain on our relationship. Tonight is exactly what we needed.

I wrap my arm around her and lean in, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek, "Hey, Crys," I murmur, before pulling away and holding up her birthday present.

"Max," she says smirking, "I can't wait to see what it is!"

Her friends surround her as she opens the box, all of them equally excited. All of Crystal's friends are actresses too, so I can never tell whether any of their reactions are genuine or not.

"It's beautiful," she says, "Can you help me put it on?"

I nod and take the necklace from her, closing the clasp at the back,

"Looks stunning on you," I murmur, even as my mind flashes back to Alianna holding it up against her.

She looks into my eyes and smiles, "I was wondering why there were paparazzi photos of Alianna and you floating around. The two of you being spotted at a jewelry store sparked some really weird rumors. Turns out it was because of this."

I nod. Ever since Alianna became famous, she stopped going out as much, and I can see why. The media goes wild when they do catch her outside. These days I only really see her at the Lim Estate or when she's with Crystal. Fame hasn't changed her the way it did Crystal - instead, it made her even more of a recluse.

Crystal's friends all surround her as she shows off her necklace, and I sigh as I take a step back. It's so rare for her to have a night off with her closest ones that I'm more than happy to give her space. I've got all night with her, after all.