C8 Eight

As I walked down the aisle with Ace, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awkwardness and discomfort. He had to constantly snap his fingers in my face to keep me from zoning out, which only added to the tension between us. “Where is your head?” he whispered in an annoyed tone when it was our turn to walk down the aisle, making me feel even more self-conscious.

As if that wasn’t enough, Alex, who was standing next to the groom, gave me a mischievous smile that sent shivers down my spine. I had a gut feeling that something was off with him, and I wished I had paid more attention to it. Now, I regretted not trusting my instincts.

After the wedding ceremony was over, I couldn’t help but feel disgusted with myself. Sleeping with one brother was already a mistake, and now I had kissed the other one. “Way to get yourself into trouble, Lily,” I whispered under my breath, feeling a wave of shame washing over me.

Despite wanting to leave and escape the awkwardness, I had to stay for the reception and witness Cher’s first dance with her husband. It was hard to block out the drama and tension, but I decided to try and enjoy the evening regardless.

Throughout the evening, Ace’s constant snapping and Alex’s unsettling glances only added to the awkward atmosphere. I tried to engage in small talk with other guests, hoping to divert my attention from the uncomfortable situation I found myself in.

As the night went on, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that everyone was aware of the tension between us. Whispers and glances were exchanged, and I felt like I was the subject of gossip among the guests.

I knew it wasn’t. Because how would they know? Right?

When Cher’s first dance with her husband finally arrived, I thought it would be a moment of joy and celebration. Instead, it only amplified my feelings of guilt and shame, as I couldn’t help but think about my mistakes and the consequences they might have on the family dynamics.

However, as I was trying to leave, Alex made his way toward me, and I felt my stomach drop. His presence was suffocating, and I could feel the weight of his gaze on me. I didn’t know how to face him after what happened, and the thought of having to interact with him made me even more anxious.

As Alex stood in front of me, I couldn’t help but glare at him, feeling a mix of anger and frustration. “Motherfucker. Why did you do that?” I whispered, trying to contain my emotions, but it was challenging.

“Correction, not motherfucker, but Lily fucker. And do what?” he asked innocently, pretending to be clueless about his actions. “You know what you did,” I hissed, growing more annoyed with his feigned ignorance. And the fact that he said Lily fucker. Who the hell does he think he is. “No, I don’t,” he chuckled, adding fuel to my irritation.

“Tell me, my flower, what did I do,” he said, using an absurd nickname that only made me more infuriated. “You kissed me,” I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady. “Why?”

“I cannot kiss my future wife?” he retorted, and I couldn’t believe my ears. Was he serious? This had to be some sort of sick joke. “You’re so delusional, Alex. I’m not your wife,” I whispered angrily, not understanding why he was behaving this way.

“Not yet,” he corrected me with a smirk, making my blood boil even more. “And besides, did you cheat on me with my brother?” His words were like a punch to the gut, leaving me speechless for a moment.

“What? No! I did not cheat on you with your brother because we are not together!” I snapped, my patience running thin. I couldn’t understand how he could twist everything and make it seem like I owed him something. We were never in a relationship, and his sudden possessiveness was beyond infuriating.

“It’s fine, my flower, I forgive you,” he said with a patronizing tone, and I had to resist the urge to slap him. His arrogance and presumption were insufferable. “But let me make this clear, my flower, I don’t like it.”

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my emotions in check. “First of all, stop calling me ‘my flower.’ It’s ridiculous and demeaning,” I retorted, not willing to accept such an absurd nickname from him.

“And secondly, you have no right to act like we have some sort of romantic connection. You used to bully me, remember? You treated me like garbage, and now you think you can suddenly claim me as yours? It doesn’t work like that,” I stated firmly, wanting to make it clear that his behavior was unacceptable.

Alex’s expression flickered with a mix of surprise and something I couldn’t quite decipher. “Look, things have changed,” he said, trying to sound sincere. “I know I was a jerk before, but I’ve changed, Lily. I see things differently now.”

I scoffed at his words, finding it hard to believe he could change so drastically. “Actions speak louder than words, Alex. And so far, your actions have only shown possessiveness and entitlement. That’s not someone I want to be with,” I asserted, standing my ground.

“I know I’ve messed up in the past, but give me a chance to prove myself,” he pleaded, his demeanor softening slightly.

“I’m not interested in being your experiment or your ‘future wife.’ I deserve respect and honesty, and right now, you’re not showing me either,” I said firmly, refusing to back down.

Alex looked taken aback, as if he hadn’t expected such a strong response from me. “I genuinely care about you, Lily. I don’t want to see you with my brother or anyone else,” he admitted, vulnerability creeping into his voice.

“It’s not up to you to decide who I’m with or what I do with my life,” I replied, feeling a sense of empowerment in standing up for myself.

He sighed, seemingly frustrated with my resistance. “Fine, I’ll give you space. But just know that I won’t give up on us,” he said before walking away, leaving me to process the whirlwind of emotions that had just transpired.