His Caramel

Chapter 31: I ruined your night

Scarlet POV

"Hello, babe!" Cassandra's energetic voice greeted me.

"Hey, I thought I have been forgotten," I pretended to be forlorn.

"I bet you miss me much." She retorted knowing that I was playing around.

"I'm a busy woman and I doubt I have time for that."

"Are you sure that is the reason or are you busy with Raymond?" I rolled my eyes at her words that sounded like a statement rather than a question.

"Not that topic again, Cassandra." She filled my ears with her giggle over the other side enjoyed the topic that she had brought.

"Okay, before I forget, the company will hold a charity event for the next two weeks. I want you to join and Carlos agreed that it will be a great idea."

Thinking about going back to the city made me nervous and couldn't sit still. The conversation with Miguel's grandpa surfaced on my mind again. Till now, I haven't decided what I need to do.

"Scarlet, are you listening?" Her voice awakens me from my deep thought.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm listening but I don't think I will join. I'm quite busy with the café."

"Oh, come on; just take a few days off. I haven't seen you for a few months." She whined.

"I can't. Sorry, but I promise I will clear my schedule for you next time."

"Okay," she said with a lazy tone. "But in case you change your mind, you can still come." She chided with hope.

"Alright, I will let you know."

Afterward, we ended the call since it was time to sleep. I placed the phone aside, plopped on the bed, and stared at the ceiling blankly. It had been months that I talked to Miguel's grandpa and I knew that he wish there's more between me and Miguel. I couldn't lie that it was what I wanted as well but still I let his stepmom's words haunted me. And as the result, we were still in the same situation; no text, no call, and nothing at all.

The Charity Ball

The hotel in front of my eyes immediately brought back the old memories. I stepped out of the cab and stopped at the stairs with the invitation card sent by Cassandra. Almost every day she pleaded me to join, and she even sends me the invitation card in advance with the hope that I might change my mind. And well, looks like she was right.

I finally changed my mind which I thanked Raymond for this as last week he managed to knock some sense in my messy head after he learned everything about Miguel. I secretly booked my flight ticket and hotel, I was thinking about giving a surprise to Scarlet. At the same time, I had to admit that I was anticipated Miguel's reaction. I'm ready to confess the truth to him.

I inhaled a deep breath and walked closer to the hall which stated on the invitation card. There were two guys in black suits standing at the entrance door of the ballroom. One of the guys checking my invitation card and gave me a genuine smile with a welcome bow.

The hall was spacious and mammoth. It was no doubt that the hotel was one of the properties of a well-known company in the business world. The presentable decoration with some golden and black glitter ribbon and the balloons that were in the same colors filled the hall. The resplendent chandeliers that sprawled from the ceiling just added the fancy effect of the hall. Not to forget the variety of foods and drinks were arranged at every side of the hall.

I glanced at the black dress that hugging my figure perfectly. I was wearing a long dress that almost reached the floor which I need to match it with a pair of a high heel. It was a dress with thin strings on the shoulders and a deep V at the back which revealed my bare skin. I braided my hair to the side and competed it with makeup on my face which I seldom did unless for any special event.

I haven't seen anyone that I knew in the hall. I stroll around the hall hoping that I might find Cassandra. At the right moment, I saw a familiar figure in a black tuxedo. Even though his back was facing me but my ears still could recognize his familiar voice. It was the voice that I missed for the past few months but I don't have the courage to admit it. I smiled at it while slowly approaching him but I halted when my eyes caught on someone that walked closer to him and finally wrapped her arms around him.

I was just a few steps behind the couple. I felt like someone gripping my heart out from my body and made it stopped thumping instantly. I saw Miguel landed a kiss on the back of the lady's palm. I tried to control my breath and retreating from that place. They look perfect together. I never thought that my surprise will end up with his unexpected surprise. I was a fool thinking that he will not have someone new for these few months. I was totally wrong, indeed.

I spun around as the tears started to brim in my eyes. I won't let myself look pathetic in a public place. For sure, I don't want to be in any headline for tomorrow. I increased my speed till I reached the exit door and abruptly bumped into someone. I tripped on the floor due to my unbalance.

"Hey Scarlet, you're here. I didn't know that you will come. I thought-" I looked at the person in front of me. And, at the moment, I couldn't control myself anymore as the tears flowing on my cheeks.

"Cassandra," I hugged her, ignoring the tears on my cheeks. She hugged me back, soothing me as she noticed my condition.

"Let's go to the ladies room first." She spoke while loosening the arms around me.

"Don't tell anyone about this, please." I managed to tell Carlos before walking away. I knew I can trust him. He nodded his head and walked into the hall.

"What happened? Are you okay?" Cassandra asked after I tidy my messy face in the ladies' room.

"I'm so ugly tonight," I let out humorless laughter looking at my own reflection in the mirror.

"No, you're not. You're so pretty tonight." She hugged me on the shoulder while staring at me through the mirror. I just chuckled at her words.

"I ruined your night with Carlos. Sorry about that, babe."

"It's okay, he is an understandable boyfriend," she grinned with her own statement. "You want to talk about what happened earlier?"

"Trust me, so many things that I want to talk about right now but I think I need to return you to your boyfriend." I felt bad for ruining their night together. I shouldn't think about coming to this city at all. It was a big mistake.

"Wait," she stopped me when her phone suddenly rings. "I need to take this first, wait for me." She walked out of the ladies' room to answer the phone.

"Good news," Cassandra walked in with a smile on her face. "Carlos said we can have our ladies talk while he is in the charity."

"No, you don't have to. We can talk about this other time." I refused.

"Don't get me wrong, you just help me to escape from the boring event. You see all the rich people around, it made me feel uncomfortable."

"Are you sure about this?"

"More than a hundred percent," she stated. I immediately pulled her into my embrace as appreciation. I'm glad she was here.

"You're really my best friend," I exclaimed.

"I'm so proud I can be one." We laughed before leaving the place. We called a cab and finally decided to go to the hotel that I stayed in. 

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