"Make sure to always wear that ring."

It was the following day after my fiancee stood me up. I was at my mother's office when she had suddenly given me a box with a ring inside. She told me to always wear it because there are cameras everywhere and that there would always be people trying to find a flaw in my marriage.

My family does not want to tarnish our name by letting the people know that I was forced into the marriage. They had to make it look like Dr. Sony and I was really in love with each other.

"Dr. Sony already have the matching ring, I made sure to tell him to wear it as well," my mom smiled and I simply sighed.

I didn't stay long in the office with her, I had to visit Palm Beach since I was planning on accepting the deal. The project was only a beach house so despite the hospital I was managing in Italy and the corporate building in New York, I knew I would still be able to squeeze it in my schedule.

I invited Anne and Tony to comes with me but they were both busy so I tried Tine and Riley, sadly, they were both busy as well. I ended up going alone. The ride took me four hours just to get there. I regretted not asking our chauffeur to drive me.

The scene was breath-taking. It was 12 pm when I arrived so the sun was up high but the breeze made it tolerable for me to stand there for about 25 minutes as I assessed where the owner wants the house to be placed.

After doing my assessment I rested in my car for a good ten minutes, I was feeling dizzy due to the heat. I immediately hit the road when I started to feel better. Mid-way my phone suddenly rang, I answered it using the control system of the car since it was connected.

"We are going to party!!!" Tine screamed from the other side.

"What?"

"It's Abigail's 24th birthday, it's a formal event and she invited everyone she knew from Scion," Tine was brimming with excitement.

"Why would I go?" I smirked.

I had no grudges against Abigail, we had even become friends after graduating from Scion since their family hired me to become their engineer for one of their shops but I had no reason to attend her birthday.

"But everyone will be there," I could see her pout.

"So?"

"On top of that our whole group is in New York right now, we can have a mini-reunion!" She was shouting again so I had to lower down the volume. Her voice was ringing in my ears.

"Please come, Anne and Tony said they wouldn't come unless you do. Why can't ya'll be a little more like Riley, she had agreed quickly," she sighed.

"That's because Riley probably pitied you since she knew you were going to end up alone," I laughed and I heard her mutter a curse under her breath.

"Come on, pretty please," she insisted.

In the end, I had no choice but to agree. It was hard to say no to Tine since she was the type to keep bugging you until you agree. It was also a great idea to take advantage of the situation, it has been quite a while since I was able to hang out with my girls which includes Tony.

I made sure to drop by Valentino to get a formal dress since all my favorite dresses were in Italy. After looking around for almost thirty minutes, I went with a royal blue halter dress that clung tightly on my skin. It had a slit from the stomach below but it had a string holding it together. It runs until my thigh and It was made out of thick silk so it felt comfortable.

I had also bought matching pieces of jewelry that would go together with the outfit. I had the perfect bag and shoes at home that would go with it so I didn't bother buying.

It was already 5 pm when I got home. I went for a quick shower before changing into my attire. I was buckling my dark blue gladiator high heels when Chase entered my room in formal attire.

"Are you bringing your own car or are you coming with me?" he asked.

"I'm coming you just, just a second," I stood up and sprayed on my Victoria Secret perfume before following behind Chase.

I didn't bother with the location since I knew that Chase was going to be there with me but to my surprise the Pavilion was actually a place I helped made before. I was still not the Head Engineer for this project but I still helped in making this place. I found myself smiling as I entered the pavilion, the workers have probably tended to it daily since all the flowers and trees were blooming magnificently.

This pavilion was huge, there were already a lot of people inside. Tine said almost all the guests used to go to Scion University but I was not even familiar with most of them. I can barely recognize any familiar faces despite the fact that I used to know most of the students at Scion.

Maybe it was because most of us had already matured in terms of appearance.

I headed inside first since Chase had to park the car. I was messaging our group chat when someone called out to me.

"Cana? Cana is that you?" Nathan was smiling widely at me.

It did not take me long to recognize him. His hair was longer than it used to be, it almost touches his shoulders but it fits him nicely. He looked classy in his green dress shirt and cream coat. His hair was gelled back and he had a glass of wine on his right hand. He wore a designer belt and leather shoes.

A fitting man for a CEO.

Why was he not my fiancee instead?

"It's been a while," I smiled. Before I could give him a cheek to cheek someone pulled him back.

A lady with a long crimson red hair held his arm. She wore a dark violet turtle neck with a leather skirt and battle boots. She had a designer bag slung on her right shoulder and her hair was loose at her back.

She gave me a glare before pulling Nathan away. Nathan had looked surprised by her sudden appearance, he gave me an apologetic look before following her.

I wondered hard who she was, she had looked familiar to me but I really couldn't recognize her.

I shrugged it away and phoned Anne, she said she was already here. I asked her where she was and was surprised to find out that she was in the parking lot. She had come here earlier than me yet she still had not found a parking space, how odd.

This time I called Tony but his number was busy. I tried Riley's as well, no use. My last choice was Tine, if she did not answer as well, I was going to head back home.

I was hoping for the call to end without her answering but it didn't. She asked me where I was and then told me to stay put, she said she was going to fetch me.

It was barely a minute later when Tine arrived, she had a glass of whiskey on her right hand and her purse in the other. She already reeked of alcohol.

"What time did you even get here?" I smirked at my friend who seemed like she would get wasted with only a few more drinks.

"I got here just a little earlier than you," she smiled and ushered me towards a round table with a chair for six. The party was calm and organized, there were also a lot of waiters tending to the guests' needs. A few minutes later, Anne, Tony, Chase and Riley finally arrived. They sat together with us through Chase left after a while.

Riley and I were in the middle of a talk when the emcee announced Abigail's entrance.

She still looked as beautiful as ever. Her short hair was now running until her waist, she wore a black nightgown that clung tightly in her chest and abdominal area. She wore black laced gloves and golden accessories. Everyone was clapping so I had joined in.

"I heard their group of friends is still as solid as ever," Anne commented.

"Yeah, which is why Ceasar is here," Tine rolled her eyes.

That was only when it hit me; Ace should be here as well.

I should have known he was going to be here. Tine did say everyone who used to study at Scion was going to be invited, on top of that, Gail and Ace were cousins.

I started to become restless at the thought that Ace was in the same place as me. I didn't look around because I knew the possibility of seeing him was going to be higher that way, instead I looked down.

When it was time to eat I had tried my best to stay away from the crowds as much as possible. The party ended up quite quickly but to my surprise, there was still an after-party and we were invited as well.

"I really need to go home," I lied to Tine who was begging me to stay.

"Come on, just until midnight, please," she pouted and clung onto my arm. Anne and Tony who wanted to go home as well were forced to stay during the after-party. I was on my way to get a drink when someone tried to hit me up.

"Cana? Right?" he spoke familiarly with me but I had no idea who he was so I simply nodded.

"Do I know you?"

"Yeah, we used to have Mechanical Math together," he moved closer towards me which made me back off a little.

"Is that so," I smiled forcefully.

"Why don't you join us over there," he offered but I shook my head.

"My friends are actually waiting for me so if you don't mind I would be goin-"

"Come on babe, just for a while," he begged and held my arm, I shoved it away.

"You better stop while I'm still being polite."

"Such a kind girl," he was about to place his arm around my waist when someone slapped them away.

"She's with me," a low voice came from behind me.

I immediately spun around and found myself staring at Jack Aceson Juarez.

He was wearing a grey dress shirt and black slacks. He had a designer belt and black leather shoes. There were creases on his dress shirt which suggested that he was wearing a coat before coming here. His black hair was gelled up and he had a grey Cassio watch on his wrist. I was not even that close to him but I could smell his scent.

It made me gulp, I had missed this smell.

The guy who was hitting on me just now gave Ace a frightened look before scampering away. Ace gave me a glance before he turned around. He was about to leave when I caught a shiny piece of jewelry on his right hand.

It was a ring.

It had been six years since we had last seen each, a lot of things have happened to the two of us. I was in no position to think that he was not engaged yet or worse, married.

To my surprise, I called out to him.

"Asshole- I mean, Ace."

His name felt weird when I said it out loud. It has been a long while since I said that word. Normally, I refer to him as that asshole when I talk with my friends.

Ace spun around to face me, giving me a questioning look. His appearance had matured and his built had also become bigger. He was looking more muscular than ever. His eyes remained the same, those pair of eyes that I have always found enchanting.

"Um... Thank you," I said my gratitude despite the fact that it was not my initial intention to.

"Welcome."

"I guess you're married already," I called out again just before he turned around. I mentally punched myself for starting a conversation with him.

"Not yet, I'm just engaged," he closed the gap between us.

"Oh, is that so," I smiled and rubbed my nose with my right hand where my ring was placed so that he would take notice of it as well but even if he did, he ignored it. I knew I was acting slyly but my body was not following my orders.

"I heard you're a well-known Surgeon now," I smiled and he nodded.

"You're still working for the Vandia corporation, right?" I asked and he nodded again.

Doesn't he have a mouth?

"Are you mute?" I smirked and he smirked back in return.

"Funny how things turn out, doesn't it?" he laughed at our situation.

I was suddenly reminded of all those times where I would only answer him using my gestures. Suddenly, the tables seemed to have turned, he was now the one replying by simply nodding.

I wanted to ask him more questions and prolong our conversation when I suddenly remembered how I had ignored him before he graduated from Scion University. All the memories of the two of us laughing, kissing, fighting came flooding back. I found myself looking on the floor as it did so.

"I hope you are doing well in the company," I was about to leave but something else came out of my mouth.

"Is it true that my engagement is well known at the hospitals?"

Stupid Cana.

What the hell?

You sounded so pathetic.

"It is actually," he gave me a look of amusement before inching closer towards me.

"How embarrassing," I bit on my lower lip.

"Why is that so?" he asked.

"I guess I just didn't know that my engagement would be such a big deal but at the same time, I guess, I was lucky to be paired with such a guy," I lied.

In reality, I hadn't even met my fiancée. I just wanted to make him jealous, see if maybe, somewhere deep down, he still had feelings for me but I knew that was not the case.

"Oh really? What kind of a guy is he? I thought it was an arranged marriage," he folded his arms and a cocky grin appeared on his face.

"It is an arranged marriage but still the guy is handsome. He is a surgeon working at our hospital as well, maybe you know him? I heard he is only 26, that's your age, right? To be able to become a surgeon at that age is really an achievement, don't you think so?"

"It is."

"On top of that..." I trailed off, I was out of lies but he just gestured for me to continue. There was not a tinge of jealousy in his face, I guess he has fallen in love with someone else already.

Actually, why am I even doing this?

"Go on," he pushed.

"He is a great kisser," I said what was at the top of my head. I immediately flushed when I said it out loud.

"Is that so?" he smiled.

"Yes."

"Like a really good kisser?" he pressed and I nodded.

He craned his head up a little before biting his lower lips. He had a grin plastered on his face as he continued to stare at me with his blue eyes.

"I didn't know I was a good kisser, Vandia."

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