Shattered

Chapter 27

How can they all stand there with bright smiles but condescending eyes?

It was probably the fifth group of people to approach Chandler and I, all of them walking with practiced poise, feigning the cheerful smiles. From one fake person to another, I could see right through them. It was as if they couldn't even hide their jealousy. I mean, if you're going to play this game, do it right at least.

I stood by Chandler, my left hand wrapped around his arm, pulling myself close to him. Every action between the two of us seemed genuine, an outsider would never be able to tell I truly hated him. People are stupid, they're easy to fool. But these people were lazy, they didn't care to disguise their distaste for Chandler and his success.

There was a woman leading the group, a rare one that I could say didn't appear as bitchy as most of these people. She wore a baby pink dress that went off her shoulders, cascading into a full skirt with a slit down the side. She was tall and tan, with long curly dark brown hair and complimenting eyes. As she approached, she glanced at me, her smile brightening.

"Well, well, well, I didn't believe you at first, but turns out you weren't lying." She gave a chuckle as she spoke to Chandler, turning to me again. "Who knew I'd live to see the day that Chandler Reid was in a serious relationship." I glanced at Chandler, deciding this woman and him must have been friends for her to talk to him so casually in this setting.

"Jess, this is Danielle Mercado, my assistant." He introduced her with a humorous smile, still thinking about her words. Danielle stuck her hand out towards me, which I met graciously. "I go by Dani, so don't worry about formalities with me." Ah, Dani as in the contact on his phone.

"He's already such a stubborn pain in the ass at home, I can't imagine how you're able to tolerate him," I said with a laugh, dripping with underlying sarcasm. They both laughed too, although I knew Chandler understood what I meant. "It's an acquired skill. However, I'm more interested in how you're able to tolerate him, I hardly get by with all the bickering between us."

"You know, I can't get mad at him for it when he tolerates me and all my moments." Beside me, I could hear Chandler mumble under his breath, "you have about twenty moments a day." I'd argue that I had proper reason, but my attention was still on Dani. She leaned close, whispering quietly. "Us females got a lot going on, men don't understand how to tame us." She raised her brows as she pulled back, and I couldn't help the snicker that left me. I think Chandler understands, he simply chooses not to care.

"Well, I'll leave you to it, but watch out Chandler, I got my eyes on her, perhaps I'll swoop in and steal her."

Oh.

"Yeah, good luck with that, Dani." As she turned to walk away, she winked in my direction with a wide smile. Turning to Chandler, I furrowed my eyebrows. "Is she...?"

"Yep," he answered, and I burst out laughing. "Oh god, that's the first time I've had a woman think of me like that."

There's a first for everything.

Now seemed to be the time of my life that I was experiencing a lot of firsts.

We stayed in the same area for a while longer, drinking champagne and greeting guests. There were so many names that I had given up on trying to remember them all. Nakoa and Lucas were nearby, although they had been in a conversation with a woman who had deep red hair, almost maroon, for a while.

I was beginning to slightly feel the effects of the alcohol as a couple approached us, feeling more energetic and enthusiastic. It was a tall blonde woman beside an even taller black-haired man. Chandler stepped forward to greet them, hugging the woman and doing the weird guy hug thing with the man.