Tamina

My smile falls when the memory of what she asked comes back. "What did you mean—"

"Where is she?" a high voice screeches somewhere in the distance, and it startles me. Soon after I set the cup down, the sound of heels clicking against the floor comes, and then a woman appears.

Her skin is like porcelain, and her eyes are a harsh blue, and they're quick to land on me.

"You!" she yells, "You're the little slut trying to steal my man from me?"

Eyeing the two women wearily, my feet take a step back and my hands raise in defence. "I'm sorry, but I think you have the wrong—"

A searing pain radiates across the span of my cheek, and it's enough to whip my head to the side. Slowly meeting the frosty stare, her shoulders rise and fall with each ragged breath, and my eyes blink down the tears threatening to appear.

"What is it you think I've done?" I strain, trying to keep down the humiliation and anger. "And who are you?"

"Florentina, I wasn't expecting you so early," Mrs Wolfe steps in, not batting me another glance.

"I was in the area," she retorts. "As soon as I received your message, I had to come." Her eyes land on me, and her lip pulls back. "And this bitch needs to learn her lesson."

"Actually, dear, she didn't know," Mrs Wolfe informs, and my eyes are too busy fleeting between the two.

"What's going on?" I demand, and Florentina's eyes hold amusement.

"Oh, you didn't know? Well, I'm not surprised, seeing how Brandon is." She laughs. "I guess fooling one woman isn't enough."

"Florentina," Mrs Wolfe warns.

"I'm his fiancé, not her," she shouts, and his mum simply nods her head. "And there's no way I'm going to let a little home-wrecker steal him from me!"

My eyes turn down, and there's a silent pause before she chuckles. "Oh my God, he really didn't tell you, did he?"

I shake my head in response.

"Look," Florentina states, pulling her phone from the depths of the handbag slung over her shoulder. The simple motion brings my attention to the sleek black dress hugging her model like frame, and it pulls me back to her features; diamond like with dark eye shadow, and straight hip length coffee-brown hair. "He's been with me this whole time."

One by one, she scrolls through photos of them testing various rings, cakes, flowers, styles, and party plans. In each one, she's smiling away like the happiest woman in the world, and Brandon is void of anything; until one. It's a picture of Brandon embracing her from the side and she's tucked into his arm, and they're both wearing smiles.

It's true. . .

"Florentina, what are you doing here?" Brandon's voice appears deeply, and when my eyes snap to meet him, he's leering at her.

"Oh, darling to be! Don't worry, I've told her for you. I think she understands where she's meant to be now," she beams, and my lips remain pressed in a thin line.

"Tamina?"

I shake my head. "No, Brandon. You're going to tell me why you never told me."

He takes a step forward. "There was nothing to tell because I've told her I wanted to call it off. I never wanted to marry her; I told you my family are stubborn."

My gaze hardens at all of them, hating how this is making me feel twisted inside, and that the man I love is responsible. Shaking my head, I suck up some courage and say, "Look, I'm not going to lie to any of you; I didn't know Brandon was engaged, nor it was to you." My eyes pin on him. "You will be honest to the both of us about who you want, am I clear?"

Brandon nods his head sternly.

Taking a step back, I grit out, "I'm going to stand in the other room and let you all discuss this between yourselves."

Without another word, I'm turning on the balls of my feet and exit the room.

Once I'm out, it feels as if I can finally breathe again, and my cheek is throbbing. My heart is heavy, and like a fool, I'm still in love with him. Does it even count if he never wanted to be a part of it? Should I let him explain?

Throwing my head back so it thumps against the wall before hanging down in shame, frustration starts to build. I'm not sure why I'm getting annoyed, I knew something was going to happen, it was too good to be true.

I'm just an idiot.

The sound of heels against the floor snaps me from the pits of my mind, and when my eyes trail up to meet Florentina, it's not a pretty sight. Her mascara runs down her cheeks, and her brows are tightly pulled to the centre as her lip lifts into a nasty sneer.

"You little snake," she hisses, storming closer. "You may have twisted their arms, but you can't fool me. Mark my words, if you don't give him back to me, you're going to pay."

Straightening my posture, I take a step toward her. "What can you do?"

She grins, and it sends a shiver down my spine. "Trust me, you don't want to know."

We must've been stood there for some time, because Brandon comes in to separate us. "I told you, you're not welcome here. Now get out."

She smirks and saunters out with an extra sway of her hips. When the door slams, I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding before turning my gaze down toward the floor.

"Tamina, look at me, my love."

With a huff, they listen to him. "Yes?"

He paces in front of me for a moment, and when he's finally done, he grumbles under his breath. "I never meant for this to happen, sweetheart. Me and Florentina were never together, I mean, not while I've been seeing you. The past doesn't matter, but I do owe you an explanation as to what's happening now, of course."

My eyes narrow on him. "That you do, and you better make this make sense, or I'm going straight home," I inform, and a small smile takes over his features.

"I wouldn't expect any less, sweetheart." He takes my hand, and mine stay as they are, but don't circle his like he wants. "My family's company is one of the top publishing companies in this city, mind you, since you reside in the town, and being as you are my love, you don't know of the hardships."

My cheeks tingle, knowing he's right. Brandon's lips part to continue, but his parents stroll in at the same time the door opens. "My boy, feel free to use the kitchen," his dad offers. "There's some business to attend to."

Brandon ushers me toward the kitchen, and I'm unable to catch a peep at the person who came in through the front door. The chatter isn't bubbly like one would do with a friend, but it's not hostile either. By the sounds of it, it's a man.

Brandon taking my hands once again distracts me, and I'm paying close attention to him in hopes not to miss anything that may or may not help his case.

"My company has a rival, and the two companies have been trying to out-win the other, and we've had to come to an arrangement to settle it."

"And that was an arranged marriage?" I question, seeing instantly where this is going.

"Yes, sweetheart. Her brother is the boss of the opposing company, and the arrangement was made by my parents. If we marry, it's basically a symbol of peace—a union. I've wanted to call it off for a while now, Tamina, and since I met you, it made my decision clear. So, I did, and I warned her before I kissed you that night."

"And that's what the pressing matter was," I piece together, and he sighs in relief.

"Exactly. Tamina, I've never lied to you, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you. If I must be honest, I thought I could dissolve the matter without any problems, I guess not."

Taking his hands firmly, I step closer and let a smile show. "Brandon, one of the things about being in a couple is sharing things with one another, and letting your partner help you. . . even though it was nothing—well, it wasn't nothing, but I'm glad it's out there. But from now on, no more secrets, no matter how big or small, alright?"

"Of course, my love. I swear to you that you're all I want, and nothing is going to take you away from me," he vows, resting his head against mine.

"I love you, Brandon, I do. . . but I don't want anything like this to happen again. I've promised myself that I'd never let another man hurt me, and I'm going to stick with it."

"And it won't, I promise."

With a sigh, I lean up and press a gentle kiss to his lips before he smiles down at me. "Did you want to head home, and after work I'll pick you up and treat you to dinner?"

Not knowing what else to say, knowing he will insist, my head bobs. "Thank you, that sounds lovely."

Setting his hand on the small of my back, we make our way into the entry room where a man stands, shaking Mr Wolfe's hand. When his parents turn down an opposing hall, the man turns, allowing me a proper view of him. Tussled blonde hair that falls to the base of his neck, icy blue eyes, fair skin, and a cleanly shaved jaw.

As if sensing us, he turns round and smiles, but it's not a welcoming one.

"And who do we have here, Brandon?"