Chapter 22: The engagement party
Zayden crossed his legs and carefully observed the man. He was reluctant but the girl dragged him towards them. And as they stepped closer, his cold eyes fell on Ziana and flickered slightly.
Did he still love her? Well, that would be awful.
"Oh my god, this dress looks so gorgeous on you." Karina praised and leaned forward to hug Ziana. "I am so glad to see you here." She pulled away and smiled at her.
Her voice clearly displayed mockery but Ziana ignored it. She had snatched everything that once belonged to her and there was nothing left to hurt. Her fragile heart was now barred with thorns, tightly sealing its broken pieces.
But this unexpected encounter was shaking its barriers. Her eyes stung and struggled to not look at the man who once claimed to be her soulmate. And now she wanted to laugh at such promises.
"We tried contacting you yesterday. But your phone was unreachable." Karina added making Ivan scoff out loud while the reaper tried to see through her intentions.
"It's broken." Ziana whispered, a lump settling in her throat. No, they didn't deserve her tears. However, they broke out and humiliated her.
Ziana looked away and tried to gulp the lump in her throat. Her vision blurred with tears and she couldn't hold it anymore.
"I I need to change." Lifting her dress, she dashed towards the changing room. Lia worriedly looked at Ivan who was furious and kept glaring at the couple.
"I think she needs help." She babbled and rushed towards the changing room. She was flawed at making quick decisions and handling sensitive situations.
Ziana locked the door behind her and closed her eyes. Leaning back, she took a deep breath and tried to fight back those tears. But, they soon rushed out hoping to calm her heart.
It had been a year already and she was still lingering in that pathetic relationship. That man cheated on her and ripped her heart that only ached for him. He even broke up and tried to tarnish her reputation just to save his face. But still, she couldn't hate him. And that was disgusting.
Her legs grew weak and she slowly sat down clutching her chest tightly. Painful memories of the past started piercing her heart again. Her head began to swing and she pressed her forehead. Clutching her hair, she sniffled slowly letting her tears free.
"Ziana, do you need help?" Lia who was in a tough spot knocked on the door and finally spoke.
Wiping away her tears, Ziana replied, "No, I am fine. I will be done in a minute."
Her shaky voice worried Lia but she just hummed in response. It was totally new for her to handle humans and their emotional breakdowns.
"Should I get you some water?" She asked again wanting to help the poor girl. She was distressed and Lia felt sorry for her.
"Yes. Thank you." Ziana mumbled as she got up. Wiping away her tears, she quickly changed into her clothes. Crying about the past was pointless, and she still had to face them again.
Meanwhile, things were getting out of hand in the sitting area.
"Oh, Ivan is here too." Karina smiled at Ivan as Ziana walked away. He didn't respond but glared at Jackson, warning him to drag away his trashy girlfriend.
"And who are these people?" She asked as awkward silence filled the room. Her eyes briefly scanned the two men in front of her and focused on Zayden for a while. While Xavier cared not to interfere in human affairs, Zayden on the other hand smiled at her.
"Hi, I am Zayden." He got up from his seat and greeted her. "We are Ziana's childhood friends."
"Oh. Nice to meet you guys." Karina replied with a sweet smile. She extended her hand and Zayden shook it happily.
Ivan frowned, unhappy with Zayden's actions. He needed to be on his sister's side and insult this trashy couple.
"We are Zia's college friends." Karina smiled making Ivan scoff in disgust.
With a glare, he corrected her, "You were but not anymore." It was shameless to call themselves friends after cheating behind her back.
"Why? Did they fight with her?" Zayden asked innocently. Ivan stared at him in shock and Xavier sighed whilst shaking his head in disapproval.
His intentions were pretty obvious, and he was strongly against his idea. It would be cruel to play with that poor girl's feelings.
"It's a complicated story." Karina replied with a short laugh. "But we have sorted it out and are on a fresh page now." She smiled and Ivan wanted to punch her. This woman was toxic!
"Oh, that's great." Zayden smiled back at her. "It's a pleasure meeting you guys."
And just as he finished, Ziana and Lia walked back to them. While Ziana looked confused, Lia sighed out loud. She could see through Zayden's mischievous smile and wanted to stop him. But would he? No, that was impossible.
"Maybe we should dine together. I am eager to hear about Ziana's college life." Zayden suggested, his smile widening at Ziana.
"Oh, that sounds great. We would love to join you guys." Karina exclaimed with a sweet smile and tightened her grip around Jackson's arm. "Right, darling?"
Ziana breathed sharply in response. The way Karina smiled and acted coy around Jackson made her nauseated. Even her stomach was agitated from all the stress.
Lia stepped forward and declared, "Sorry, but we have a client meeting tonight." Glaring at her annoying prince, she forced out a smile, "Your mom would be displeased if we changed the schedule."
"Ahh, that's unfortunate." Karina exclaimed but her next words shocked everyone. "But we can meet again at our engagement party."
"We are having a small celebration this weekend." She smiled at Jackson and turned to Zayden. "We would be very happy if you guys join us."
"With Ziana of course." She added smiling at Ziana.
"We would love to. Thank you for inviting us." Zayden replied, his sweet smile making the reapers sigh.
"We should leave." Ivan declared sensing her sister's heartbreak. He grabbed her hand and dashed out of the store.
"Pay the bills and bring all the bags." Lia ordered Xavier and followed the siblings out.
Xavier sighed and walked to the billing counter. Zayden smiled at the couple one last time before walking toward his brother. He finally found Ziana's weakest point and will use it well.
With a smirk, he took out his card and passed it on to the manager. This shopping spree bought him a great asset. And it was enough to torture Ziana for a few more days.
"Thank you, sir." The manager happily returned the black card. He informed them not to worry about the bags and quickly asked his assistants to move them.
Zayden smiled at him and waved at Karina before walking out of the store. Xavier sighed at his brother's childish behavior and followed him.
"He seems rich." Karina who was sneakily watching them mumbled to herself.
"You should try your luck." Jackson commented as he looked through the suits. "Maybe he will let you grab his thigh." His sarcasm made her frown.
"Sadly, I am someone's mate." Karina grumbled with a scowl.
---
[In the car.]
"Oh no, I forgot to get their numbers."
"Wait, she didn't even share the event location. And Ziana's phone is broken."
"We can backup contacts and everything. Right?"
Everyone stayed silent as Zayden continued his bullshit chat. Xavier took a turn and sighed as his brother hummed a song happily.
"What? I need to make some new friends and Karina seems like a good human." Zayden justified when he saw Lia glaring through the front mirror. She sighed and shook her head. This man would regret it soon.
"I will block their numbers. Don't worry." Ivan tried to cheer up his sister. Ziana nodded at him and continued to stare out of the window.
She was not in the mood to fight and entertain this annoying brute.
"Can you please ask him to stop?" Ivan asked turning to Lia who was sitting beside him.
"He won't listen." Lia replied with a sigh. This dude was really acting like a jerk and his mellow voice was frustrating everyone.
It took a few more minutes to reach their house. And once the car stopped, Ziana stepped down and strode toward her room. She wanted to be alone for some time.
"Oh, you are back." Lady Winter smiled and got up from her seat. But Ziana ignored the ladies and headed straight to her room.
"What's wrong?"
"We met her ex and they invited us to their engagement party." Zayden blurted out and Lia sighed.
"What?"
"Oh, aunty. Where's Ziana's broken phone?" Zayden asked and his voice was loud enough to reach Ziana's room.
"They forgot to share the venue." He added as Norah frowned. "We need to get contact them and get the details."
But before anyone could stop his nonsense, Ziana opened her door and walked out. She stormed towards Zayden, her eyes red with frustration.
Slap.
A tight slap landed on Zayden's cheek and everyone gasped in surprise.
"Stop being a dick." She glowered before striding back to her room.
Zayden touched his burning cheek and stared at her disappearing back. The door slammed and his eyes bulged in fury.
How dare this woman slap him? Again?
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
YuZee
YuZee Well, who else thinks he deserved that slap? Sigh, Zayden. Try to be a human for once <.<
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