A Hate To Love

e i g h t e e n

Today was the day, the day of the annual.

Emily and I were currently getting ready. For some reason I felt nervous. I had this pit feeling in my stomach like something would go wrong.

"What if Tane will be there? He'll be smitten by you. You're always beautiful but with this make-over," Emily paused. "You're making me consider my sexuality." I let out a laugh but I felt my cheeks flush.

"I don't know about Tane. We still haven't had contact." No matter how much I wanted to deny the fact that I didn't miss him, I did. I was finally getting used to him.

Then the realization hit me, I like him. I like Tane Eaton, the man who destroyed me and made me cry for weeks. That's probably why I couldn't stop thinking about him. Fate has a funny way of working.

"We'll see," Emily said as she applied lipstick.

We'll indeed see, Emily.

***

The building where the annual was being held was beautiful. It almost looked like a castle but with a modern touch it.

"Good evening, ladies. May I see your invitation." A guard by the door asked us. I grabbed the invitation out of my bag and handed to him. He crossed something on the board in his hands, probably our names. "Very well. Enjoy your evening." He made a curstey bow and walked to the next guests.

"I already love it here," Emily beamed from beside me. "Someone better swoop me off my feet tonight."

I let out a chuckle. "I'll keep my eye open for you."

Just as the outside, the inside of this building was. It was so beautifully decorated in white with silver and black accents.

"Hello beautiful ladies, I'd thought I'd come and introduce myself since you looked like you needed company." I suddenly heard from behind me. I turned around to see a beautiful man. "Lewis Evan."

Oh this was the man who invited Emily and I but I've never seen him before.

"Emily," I heard her say in an almost whisper. I smiled in my head. No need to keep my eye open for her anymore.

"Blaire," I said as I held my hand out which he shook. It almost looked like he recognized me, weird.

"What a pleasure. Come on and let's enjoy ourselves." He held his elbows for the both of us, which Em and I took with a laugh.

We had a fun time together and I also learned more about Lewis. He apparently owned a law firm and this annual was held by his parents and him.

I finally gattered the courage to ask him how he knew us but I was interrupted by Lewis.

"Tane, my friend. Don't you look handsome."

I felt myself stiffen. Is it him? I slowly turned around and surely it was him with a beautiful woman beside him. She had auburn red hair which made her almost look like a godess. The sight of his arm wrapped around her made my heart sink.

No. I have no right to feel like this. He was never mine to claim.

"Lewis. Meet my fiancée, Victoria."

I felt my breath hitch. Did he just say fiancée? I tried to take subtle deep breaths. I heard his fiancée greet us in the background.

He's not mine. He's not mine. He's not mine.

But I would've liked him to be mine.

"Blaire, Emily. What a surprise to see you here." He gave Lewis a glance. There were some unspoken words between them.

"Mr Eaton, I hope you don't mind it too much. This gentleman Lewis here invited us." I heard Emily say but I felt numb.

How naive of me to think, he might've grown feelings for me too. I felt a pair of eyes pierce through me. I looked up to see Tane's eyes on me. I quickly averted my eyes to the food.

"Let's go dance, sweetheart." I heard his fiancée, Victoria say. He nodded and they bade us farewell.

"There are more fishes in the ocean." Emily whispered in my ear. What if I only wanted one of a kind, his kind? I didn't say anything and just nodded.

For the rest of the night I tried to forget about Tane and his beautiful fiancée, which was hard when they were the centre of the attention here. They were dancing the entire night but they had stopped a few minutes ago. I suddenly felt sick so I excused myself from my table and headed towards the balcony, I earlier found out.

As I was to turn the corner, I heard a familiar voice.

"Why did you invite her? You knew damn well that I didn't want her to be here tonight."

"Well what did you expect me to do? Just listen to you, just for you to be miserable. Face it, Tane. You like that woman out there. She could've been yours but no you had to be a coward. Go ahead and marry the woman your parents choose." I let out a gasp of surprise. His parents choose his fiancée, what odd.

"I can't. Not tonight. Please respect my choices." I heard Tane let out a deep breath.

"Soob you'll realize what you had in front of you but then it will be too late since she will be taken by someone else. Someone who wasn't a coward." I heard footsteps so I quickly hid myself behind a huge bush or a tree, whatever it was.

"Fuck." I let out a yelp as Tane's angry startled me. "Who's there?"

I took this as my sign to go away. Who was the woman Tane likes? Could it be me?

Don't be so foolish.

Well whoever she was, she was a lucky woman.

I found my way back to Emily and told her I was leaving. She tried to change my mind so she wouldn't be left alone.

"Don't worry, Lewis is there for you. Bye. I'll text you when I'm home." I gave her a quick cheek kiss.

I needed to be alone but as always fate wasn't in my favour.

"Blaire, I was looking for you."

I bit my lip to prevent my emotions from rising to my eyes. I could feel my tears prickling behind my eyes. Damn me. Why was I such an emotional mess?

I turned around. "Sorry I'm in a hurry."

"This will be quick. I promise." He was begging me with his eyes but I couldn't talk to him. Not when I felt like my emotions could explode any moment. I shook my head and turned around to leave but he grabbed my wrist.

"Please not today." My voice cracked at the end. I need to leave. I pulled my wrist free and ran away.

Why was this happening to me? Why was I falling for the man, I once hated?

•••

I apologize for any grammar mistakes. So how did you like this chapter?

I hate to ask you this but please leave comments, your opinions. I barely get any and I would like to know what you think.

Have a pleasant day!