BOUND BY DESTINY

CHAPTER TWENTY

Megan guided us, to a couple of socialites. She explained that networking was quite similar to running a marathon; move at a regular pace, conserve your energy, smile but not too wide because it's difficult to maintain a wide expression as the night progresses, engage at the right moment to not appear too eager or pretentious, and most importantly, stir the conversation to the purpose of your message.

At the moment, we were exchanging with a group of three guests comprising of a popular influencer, a scientologist and the son of the towns' Mayor.

"Are you married, Megan, because you're exactly my type babe."

The mayor's son said out of nowhere, while we were all engaged in a talk about charities and the climatic changes in the world.

I internally rolled my eyes and clenched my fist out of irritation.

The guy was just an arrogant jerk with money, who kept making sexualized comments about women, throughout our entire conversation and now he had his sights set on my best friend.

My blood boiled with unexpected anger, and I was about to express just how irritated I was, when I felt that familiar tingle course through my body.

I lifted my head to Megan's at my side, relishing in the soft caress of her fingers on my lower back. She was staring directly at the young man with a look I couldn't decipher.

"It's Miss Hunt for you, Daniel and I'll let your stupid comment slide, but this should be the last time you prolonged your dirty fantasies on me or any other woman. I'm sure you wouldn't want me digging into your affaires, right?"

She had this menacing smile on her angelic face, which I had never seen before. I almost burst out laughing when Daniel, visibly gulped, huffed and walked away.

I watched as the other two guests, snorted and the influencer placed a delicate manicured hand on Megan's shoulder.

"Thanks Meggie, he was making me incredibly uncomfortable, but you were there to save the day, as always-" she placed a soft kiss on Megan's cheek, dropping a business card in her hand.

"- call me." she winked, making a calling sign, as she walked away further into the crowd, followed by Greg, the scientologist. Poor guy, was the one carrying her bags.

I stared at their interaction, with a lump in my throat, which seemed to grow bigger, when I saw Megan's fond smile as she regarded the retreating redhead. I couldn't help but think there was something between them.

For the first time in a while, I stepped away from Megan, ignoring her confused look, and walking in the direction of the minibar, at the corner of the living space.

I'd already ordered a ginger ale, when Megan came to stand behind me. I didn't look her way, and waited for the bartender to hand me the drink.

"Before the army, I don't think I was a good person. I lived... umm, a really promiscuous life, walked with the bad crowds. I met Daniel and Melanie, at the start of high school, Greg joined the group later during the course of the year."

She stood by my side, gazing at the affluence of guests, a can of coke in her hand.

I still didn't say anything, pretending not to listen, but was actually all ears, because there were only rare moments during which Megan spoke of her past. She never liked talking about it.

I was just curious as to why she was telling me this, at that particular moment. I listened as she went on;

"Melanie and I are just friends; we've hung out a few times before but nothing happened between us. She's not into girls, like at all, purely straight."