1 year later...

The racing cars crossed the finishing line in a flash and darn it, it was already time for the pay-outs. A flow of people who had betted on this particular racer earlier had fallen in line as the booth handed them their wins.

Slipping out the red book that was always kept near my chest, I handed it over to the man manning the booth with a nod.

"I will be back to collect this red book." I stated clearly before spinning on my heels and walking off.

Fumbling into my back pocket, I took out a stick from my packet and slipped it in between my teeth. A distinctive lighting of the lighter sound was heard before my stick was lit up by a pair of smooth hands.

Looking up, I held onto the stick and released puffs of smoke. When it was only my ex, my features turned into a frown instantly.

He looked at me with a sorrow look across the face that I always found attractive as he choked at his own words. "I am sorry."

"What are you sorry about? Please tell me that all of these isn't true, Smith. Please tell me that this woman on the phone is lying and she is not your... fiancée." I croaked out, flailing my arms in an attempt to get my point across.

When he said nothing, it meant that it was a fact. But I had wished that it wasn't.

Clenching my fist by the side, I looked away in an attempt to hold back my tears. The damage which was done, has been done. Nothing could be done to erase the pain in my chest, which still hurt as much as it did for the past year.

A whole year without being with him was bitter. Yet, I was too blind not to realise that whenever I looked at him, it was as though he was keeping something from me.

I was a fool not to realise it sooner.

"What do you want?" I demanded, releasing another puff of smoke from my stick as I shifted my eyes back to him.

My eyes traced every distinctive feature of him, just like how I used to notice everytime we were together. But, the heart was what made it difficult for me to fathom.

He was always so mysterious when it comes to his personal life. A little slip up could expose more of what he had withheld for so long.

"Karen..." He trailed off, bringing his fingers to my face as he caressed my cheek slowly. His gentle touch was what I needed the most when I was feeling down.

However, he was not there for me when I needed him the most for the past year. To me, his presence didn't matter.

I just want him to stay the hell away from me.

Pushing his fingers away from my face, I ignored the lack of his warm touch which I had missed and narrowed my eyes into slits. "If you're here just to play with me, I suggest you better get the fuck away from me. I don't want to see you ever again."

With that said, I let go of the cigarette and stomped on it before slipping into my car. Starting the engine, I pulled out of the spot and drove out of the racing arena.

I had never once turned back.

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Gripping onto the wheel tightly, I didn't realise that my knuckles had turned white until I felt pain. Loosening slightly, I let out a sharp intake of breath and calmed myself down.

"Hi, it's me, Cecilia. I was hoping to invite you out for a simple lunch tomorrow afternoon. It's to talk about our wedding."

That fucking bastard was getting married. And yet, his fiancée still had the audacity to call upon me to talk about their wedding.

What a twisted couple indeed.

Before long, I pulled up by a spot and killed the engine. Getting out of the car, I slipped off my aviators and glanced through the glass, spotting the blonde haired woman instantly.

Locking my car, I slipped my aviators into the pocket of my jacket and slowly sauntered into the cafeteria with a smile staying on my lips.

Just as I had pushed past the glass door, she was already waving me over upon recognising me. Full of confidence, I strode in her direction and took a seat opposite her.

"I am so glad you came, Karen." She chirped in delight which made me take my hat off her. Either she was good in acting, or she was really taken for a ride by that fucking bastard.

I nodded, "Glad to see you again, Mrs. to-be Francis."

She seemed to have sensed the joke and dismissed me with a hand. "After the wedding, I will permit you to call me that."

I laughed, obviously forcing myself even though I didn't find it amusing. Rather, I felt completely disgusted that I had to play along with her.

What was I doing for? Was helping Smith to keep our past relationship under wraps even worth the while? He was the asshole who did not tell me about his fiancée when we were dating for god's sake.

Pissed off slightly, I grabbed the cup of water in my hands as I listened to her speak.

"Okay, I think I'll get straight to the point, Karen." I nodded for her to continue, my lips skimming across the edge of the cup as I let the cooling liquid slid down my thirsty throat.

"Please be my bridesmaid." Immediately, I choked as a gush of water went straight down my throat without warning.

"Are you alright, Karen?" She asked, patting my back tenderly with concern. I held out a hand to stop her, slowly regaining my composure.

Taking in a deep breath, I nodded stiffly. "I'm good." I smiled, swallowing a gulp. This was not going as well as I first thought when I had agreed to meet her.

Attending their wedding was already a turmoil to me. Being her bridesmaid was even worse. It would be the unthinkable.

What was this dumb woman even thinking? If she ever knew about us, she would be hopping mad right now. And she would probably give me one tight slap, even though I was like her, kept in the dark of the other party involved.

I can't really imagine right now. But I also can't imagine myself standing by the altar to witness the marriage of my ex-boyfriend and his fiancée as they walked down the aisle and say their vows.

The woman dressed in the gown standing beside him should be me, and not this woman.

"I can't do this, Cecilia." I shook my head, knowing that I wouldn't be able to take it. I just can't stand there and watch them tie the knot in front of my eyes, not when I had a choice to pull myself out of this.

I could easily lie my way out.

"Why can't you, Karen?" She asked with disappointment in her tone. In a swift move, she clasped her hands tightly over mine, shimmering eyes staring back at me.

"I...I..." I trailed off, not knowing what to say when she had thrown me her puppy eyes and even worse, her dimples – which was my weakness – was starting to surface.

"Fine, I will do it." I muttered in defeat, knowing that lying would get me nowhere since I was a sucker when it comes to puppy eyes and dimples.

"Awesome." She cheered in delight, pulling away her hands as she pulled out a pearl white invitation with beautiful fonts on the cover.

"I will be expecting you, Karen." I nodded, staring at the invitation in my hands. Opening the page, my eyes flickered back and forth from her name to his name.

Imprinted on this invitation should have been my name instead of hers. If only this engagement between them hadn't happen, where would we be now?

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19 Sep'16