Chapter 2: ~2~
Seven o'clock after mid-day. It seemed way too early to be seven. Time was moving, yet she was still in one fixed position. Unfortunately, Xan was the cause of it.
Katherine applied the last layer of Avon Matte Lipstick and released a deep sigh. "Xan, it should not be this hard," Kathy rehearsed in front of the mirror on the wall. No, that sounds so inappropriate and cheesy. Loving Maxanen is not even that hard. He is considerate, handsome, and a good listener… Katherine stopped herself, realising that she should have been listing reasons to break up with him, not be with him.
Kathy ran her hand through her brunette curls and glanced at her diamond-encrusted silver wrist watch. It was not going to be easy!
She slipped into maroon suede block heels and slowly strapped the leather straps around her ankles. She clipped her gold anklet, an anniversary gift from Maxanen, around her ankle and adjusted the black Prada belt which accentuated her waistline and tightened her once-loose maroon plush off-shoulder evening frock. After grabbing her miniature Armani gold-chain clutch bag, she was all set for the requested dinner-date.
"Miss Katherine Chaney O'Neil, you look exquisite." Avelina Rose O'Neil made her presence felt in the roseate room. "Max is going to die from breathlessness when he sees you." The seventeen-year-old added.
If it had not been for Avie, Kathy would not have even made the effort of dressing up.
Avie approached Katherine and stood in front of her sister, surprised that Kathy had not even flinched since her arrival into the room. Avie noticed that, despite the sophisticated well-balanced make-up, her older sister's face was very pale. Avie picked up some mascara and dolled Kathy up. Still, something was missing. A smile.
"For a bride meeting her man, you don't look too happy about going out." Avie enquired. Kathy fixed her gaze on the mirror.
"I am fine, Avie. I am just contemplating whether I should carry a shawl or not. It might get chilly." Katherine effortlessly lied.
"Carry it; you have absolutely nothing to lose."
Except that there was: her heart.
Katherine grabbed her white worsted shawl and wore it lightly. As Avelina had anticipated, it accentuated Katherine's curves and brought out her teasing feminine side. Avelina helped Kathy tie her hair into a perfect chignon. "There you go, all set," Avelina announced. "Anyway, I have come to tell you the Uber taxi is here." Avie added. Kathy simply nodded and assured her little sister that she would she down in a second.
Maxanen was panicking. Dressed to impress his fair lady in a black tuxedo, a rich white shirt, a suiting maroon tie and flat black designer shoes; Max was anxious. As he pranced up and down the tiled floor of the five-star restaurant, he could not help but feel foreboding about the near future.
Where is she? He asked himself.
They had agreed to meet about an hour and a half ago. He glanced at his silver pocket watch. Half past seven after midday. Make that two hours! She was always so punctual. Something was definitely wrong!
Maybe I should call Adrian, a thought crossed his mind.
After reminiscing about the incident that had almost cost him his fiancée, losing her to his best friend Adrian Rowell, Max decided against it. He tried her number once more. His patience was growing thin. She had declined his call.
"Damn it!" Max plonked on the leather settee.
"Mr Arnold, would you care for a glass of water?" a waiter enquired. "Does it look like I need water to you? To hell with your water!" Alex shoved the glass to his side, knocking it over. The sound of the glass shattering momentarily brought him back to his senses.
He looked up. The shaken waiter looked ready to retreat to the kitchen.
"My apologies, it has been a rough night. I would not mind a glass of sherry. Wait, make that a rosé." The waiter scurried away.
I know that she has never been this late, but I know that she will be here. She has to! Maxanen stared at the white roses he had purchased for his bride.
The Uber came to a sudden halt in front of The Red Halls. Katherine had managed to distract herself by looking out the window. She barely heard the driver asking for his fee. "Miss, that would be ten dollars, please!" he reiterated in an irritated tone.
"My apologies, I was distracted." She checked her wallet and produced two crisp five-dollar bills. She thanked the driver and stepped out of the taxi.
Kathy thought for a moment. She could not possibly face Xan after that moment of betrayal.
"On second thought, please wait for me. I won't be long." She announced. The Uber driver simply nodded, pocketing the money.
Katherine slowly ascended the stairs and approached the door. It was as if she was losing a fragment of herself with each step.
No, I should not delay this process any longer.
Katherine walked up to the doorman, who welcomed her profoundly and informed her of how her fiancé had been waiting two good hours for her. He then requested to take her shawl for safe-keeping. "That will not be necessary. I am not staying." Kathy replied.
Looking through the glass doors of The Red Halls restaurant, Kathy caught a glimpse of Maxanen. Max had just gulped down a shot of what she assumed was vodka with one go. The restaurant was so empty. Xan looked so irritated, yet anxious about her; that further surged the pain.
As she had anticipated, she could not face Maxanen, not after the embarrassment she had endured.
Katherine produced a sealed white envelope from her bag. She looked at the engagement ring on her finger, a symbol of her commitment to Xan. Tears welled up in her hazel eyes. She squinted, trying to prevent them from coursing down her cheeks.
"Miss O'Neil, are you well?" The doorman frowned. "I can call Mr Arnold for you if you wish…" "No, please; that won't be necessary. I just have something in my eyes." She interjected. She hastily removed the engagement ring, placed it carefully in the envelope and resealed the envelope.
"Please pass this down to Mr Arnold on my behalf." She pecked the envelope, leaving a slight trace of her lipstick, and handed over the envelope to the doorman. Kathy took one last glimpse at her beloved and turned to walk away.
Maxanen could not take the frustration and anxiety any longer. Why did he have to agree to everything that she asked of him? If he had picked her up like they had initially planned, they would have been through with dinner and gracing the ballroom floor by then. When it came to his K.C, he was weak. He loved her dangerously, that was the problem. Too deeply to let her go.
What was she doing to him? He knew exactly what! He was driving him crazy, helplessly turning him into an animal.
"Mr Arnold," the doorman interrupted his thoughts. Max looked up with eyes full of hope fused with misery. "Miss O'Neil has arrived." The doorman announced. Max leapt for joy as he enquired about her whereabouts but not by name.
"She is about to leave. She instructed me to hand this over to you."
Max accepted the envelope and stared at it for a few moments, curious as to the contents of the envelope. "Let me return to my post." The doorman announced and took his leave.
Max hesitantly opened the white envelope and the first item he saw was the ring; Katherine's engagement ring, lying still in the envelope.
Why is her ring in here and not on her finger? Could it possibly mean…? No, she would not! She can never do that!
Alex hastily unfolded the letter in the envelope.
My dearest Xan
I never thought this was how it would turn out. Betrayal is the last word I would use to describe the hurt that inhabits my torn heart. Now that I think of it, I was insane to even dream of a happy ending to our story. I can't take it anymore, Maxanen. I have put up with too much of your shenanigans and I am DONE! I am tired. I can't fight anymore. I am sorry but our chapter is closed and done. This is goodbye to Maxanen and Katherine Chaney, to us.
PS: Don't come looking for me. I don't think I ever want to see you again!
Yours in spirit
K.C
Max dropped the letter in confusion.
Anger clouded his judgement and he darted straight to the door in hopes of catching up with K.C. He quickened his step and upon reaching the door, he saw her.
She was digging for something in her clutch bag, looking as ready as ever to leave him in the lurch.
She looked vibrant, he noted, in an outfit that coincidentally matched his.
He stood for a moment, admiring his bride.
He acknowledged her built as well as her curves and edges; her perfect imperfections. He stood by the door, contemplating on how to approach her. He possibly could not let her slip through his fingers. She was beautiful, the apple of his eye. She was his bride, well, ex-bride.
"K.C" she heard him call her by the name only he used. She instantly froze, her hand glued to the silver door-handle. The sound of his voice was enough to make her throat dry. Kathy inhaled deeply, trying to calm her nerves. Immediately after she exhaled, she hesitantly turned around to face the one who had effortlessly crept into her heart, stole it and shattered her pride and dignity.
Their eyes met.
She found herself drowning in his ocean-blue eyes. Nothing but sheer taciturnity filled the space between them.
Kathy watched him approach her in short quick steps. His chest was heaving. His breaths were heavy but quick. Kathy tried to stand stationary. Her hands trembled with fear. Not of him or what he would do, but of his words and thoughts. Xan was unpredictable. The very moment he opened his mouth to speak, she knew she was in hot soup.
He enquired about her whereabouts but not by name. It was pretty obvious though, that he was talking about the two hours that he had 'patiently' waited for her.
She saw the fire in his eyes. The flame within, his drive, still burnt so low.
"I was at home with Avie. Now if you will excuse me, I have more important places to be and better things to do." She replied in a curt manner and turned her back to him. He gripped her hand lightly and held it as if his entire existence depended on it. Kathy was startled.
"You're not going anywhere until you tell me exactly what is going on." She was afraid that he was going to say that!
"Like I wrote, Maxanen, it's over. We are done." Kathy announced. "Since when do you call me by my full name, K.C?" He enquired. "Since today, the day that we have become strangers. I advise you to follow suit." Katherine confidently replied. "All the traditional formalities have been observed. It is only three months before our wedding, K.C." Max highlighted. Katherine sighed. "Please don't make this harder than it already is, Maxanen. I would appreciate it if we started being civil with each other. As work associates, that is only proper and professional. I will repeat what I said earlier; I cannot be with you Maxanen. All the formalities can be reversed. I can arrange that. I am already planning on informing my family tonight." Kathy reached for the door handle.
"Katherine, why are you doing this to me? What happened to us?"
Was he seriously asking her that?
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Tahris
Tahris Hey reader!
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