chapter 3

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MILES  POV

My friends were coming over. I was meeting them after such a long time and was kind of excited. They were the people who I loved very much. Anne was also in my friend circle but obviously I hadn’t invited her, otherwise it would have been too painful and I would have probably done something stupid that a married man shouldn’t. My friends knew our history. So they were a bit surprised I got married. Most of them could not come to the wedding. Only Daniel and Victoria managed to come. None of them raised any doubts though or asked me anything, because my wedding had been sudden. They no doubt had their doubts, but didn't say anything which was kind of weird and made me suspicious. So my main reason to see them all was to clear any qualms.

I came down the stairs and my excitement died down. I saw Laine coming down. I hated her so much. That hatred was like a living thing. Even to be civil to her I had to take so much effort. I sometimes worried that my hatred would turn to violence. It already had once. I composed myself and entered the dining hall. She was doing something at the dining table. Setting up the plates or something I guess. She was doing it alone.

“ Where is Theresa?”

Laine looked up. I was a bit surprised because she had put on makeup. She never put makeup unless it was some very fancy party. So I guessed she was more nervous about meeting my friends than she let on. And she was wearing a high collared dress and stockings. Prude alert. What was this? 18th century?

“ I gave her a day off. She was feeling a bit unwell.”

“ What the damn hell?” I raised my voice a little bit. Because I was angry. “ Who the hell is going to help with the serving and what about cooking? I hope my friends are not going to be sent home hungry. I thought I told you not to mess it up.” I hoped she would be a bit pissed when I raised my voice. Yea right. Fat chance of that. She was unaffected as usual.

“Well I did keep a server. And I cooked the meal. So don’t worry. Your friends are going home full and on a lot of calories.”

“ Ok that worries me even more. You know to cook? I mean I never knew that so sue me for worrying.”

In the same casual annoying voice of hers she replied

“ You can taste the food if you want. Far be it from me to deny you that.”

“ No that’s ok if you are that confident of cooking for people who love their food and get pretty pissed if the food is crappy.”

 That’s when the doorbell rang. Laine dropped something but I was already on my way to open the door. Once I let my friends in it was just like in college. You know the unique way the college friends meet. Not the usual hugs but fist bumps and chest bumps. Okay the girls hugged. They had obviously “ grown up”. Before I could close the door I saw her and froze. Jennifer Perez was standing there smiling at me and like an idiot I looked around her to see if anyone else was there.

“ Anne didn’t come you know, if you are looking for her.” Jennifer said to me.

I smiled “ Yea ok. Come on in idiot.” This was a huge mistake. I should not have invited Jennifer. She was Anne’s best friend. They knew everything about each other and told each other everything and were always together. Hence I looked around to see if Anne had come.

I went in and my friends had already made themselves very comfortable. You know like feet on the sofa comfortable.

“ Stop staring at him Vanessa. I am feeling inferior already.”

“ Honey I am not staring. I am just looking. And it’s your mistake that you have a paunch. He has maintained himself.”

“ Oh! You always had a crush on him.”

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