My Fiance

Nineteen

"Jas, please stop looking at me like that." I say as I took a sip of my drink. "What look are you talking about dear Nadine?' He replied teasingly. His eyebrows rose as he ate a chuck of his roasted chicken. "Where were you?" He asked, tapping his hands on the table. I roll my eyes, "No one." I say. His smile grew, "NO ONE?! Which one was is Nadine?" He joked making a kissy face. Geeeeeez! Okay fine. James..." I confessed finally caving into his constant teasing. "Ohhhh..." He said disappointed. "Why??" I ask confused. "I just thought it was you and Eli you know? Like the old times. And... isn't James with that Sarah chick?" He said shrugging.

Jason's right. I can't believe I did those things with James... I said lecturing myself. I made out with someone with a girlfriend. "Dammit you're right. I'm embarrassed and ashamed." I said pushing my food around on my plate. "Don't be mad at yourself..." He said smiling patting my hand with his. "Thanks." I said with a smile and we continued our little dinner without Eli or James falling into our conversation.

We hugged goodbye and parted ways. Before entering my car, I check my phone and see 5 missed calls. I call the number back, "Yes hello, this is Nadine Lustre." I say with my business tone. "Someone requested a meeting with you. She's been very persistent." Clara, my father's and my secretary said to me. A chill ran down my spine, "Who is it?" I hear the clicking of keyboards before she replied, "Mrs. Reid." Unexpectedly, I lose my composure and hold the side of my car for support. I take a deep breath and gather myself, "Schedule it for tomorrow." Clara clicks her keyboard. "It is schedule for 10 am, shall I confirm it with her?" She asks. "Yes." I said firmly.

Lying in bed, flashes of what happened before kept clouding my mind. The woman, who acted as though she accepted me, closed the door on my face. She didn't listen to me; she didn't even want to acknowledge me. I slowly began to feel angry. "You'll all see." I murmured before succumbing to sleep.

Next Morning

I was skipping school for something that wasn't even business related, and it felt amazing. Putting on my sunglasses, I zip of to Lustre Industries. Now all the workers knew who I was and their attitudes changed. Clara greeted me with the sweetest smile, "Good morning Ms. Lustre. Your office is done being renovated. It's right this way." She said getting up from her desk to lead the way. "Woah..." I said looking at the office that I had designed come to life. "It's beautiful isn't it?" Clara asked looking at my face. "It is... Thank you so much for arranging all of this." I say.

The clock ticked slowly as I become anxious waiting for Mrs. Reid to arrive. A loud ring causes me to jump, "Um yes hello?" I say picking up the phone. "Your 10 am appointment has arrived and she has a guest." Clara replies. "Send them in."

Taking a deep breath, I wipe my hands on my pencil skirt. My eyes grow in surprise as I see Mrs. Reid and her guest walk toward my office through my glass walls. "What the fuck..." I hiss under my breath as I open the door. "Have a seat." I say steadying my voice and heart rate. "What can I do for you ladies?" I ask looking at Mrs. Reid and Sarah sitting across from me. "You know why we're here." Sarah barked sharply. Before I could lash out, I calm myself. "If I did, this meeting wouldn't have been scheduled." I reply with a smile on my face. Mrs. Reid looked at both of us, feeling the tension beginning to build in the room. "This is about James and James only. There is no business involved." She said. I've never heard her sound so... professional.

"I'm listening..." I say clearing my throat. "Has something happened with you and James again?" She asked looking at me intensely. "You snaky bitch..." Sarah added in a low whisper. Before I could say something, I see Mrs. Reid place her hand over Sarah's hand to calm her. "Excuse me...?" I say getting up from my seat, bringing down the blinds to cover my glass walls. "Have you... done anything to approach my son?" Mrs. Reid said clarifying her question. "I did not approach your son. He approached me." I say looking at them both from the door of my office.

"I'm sick of your damn lies!" Sarah yelled pounding her fist on the table as she got up from her seat. Mrs. Reid had grabbed Sarah's arm to prevent her from charging at me. "DO NOT DISREPSECT ME IN MY OWN OFFICE IN MY COMPANY." I raise my voice to warn them both. "Mrs. Reid, it was you, your husband and, my father who had decided to settle an engagement for us. Do not-..." I attempt to say before I was cut off. "WHAT?!" Sarah yelled realizing how deep my relationship with James was. "You both charge me at my office... and Sarah didn't even know that I was engaged to James?" I asked flabbergasted.

Mrs. Reid let Sarah's arm go instantly. "Sarah, leave the room." She said looking at me directly. I finally see the James's mother as she truly was. She isn't always as sweet as she showed herself to be. "What?!" Sarah gasped in disbelief. "TITA?!" She begged. "Leave. I'll be outside soon." Mrs. Reid said reassured her. Sarah let out a loud exhale and exited the room, bumping into my shoulder as she did so.

As soon as she was gone, my attention was all on Mrs. Reid. "I didn't approach James." I said again honestly. "He's in a good place now. Don't bother him. The engagement is off. It was our mistake for assuming that an engagement would do you two any good." She says to me.