"You saw the note? I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Melissa apologized knowing how upset they would be with her.
"You made me look ridiculous. Suggesting to have the two of you hook up, yet you were tumbling under the covers all along." Nancy took a glass of wine, washing it all down in one go to calm herself down.
"Ha ha tumbling." Lisa mumbled as Nancy kept a straight face when they laughed at her choice of words.
"We were not at the time. He just proposed a few days ago." She told them about their first meeting, having a son and how he proposed.
"Oh wow, how romantic? Your relationship is like a fairytale." Nancy bit the corner of her lower lip, her eyes fixed on Melissa's ring.
"Now do you forgive me?"
"How can I stay mad at you?" Nancy raised her arms for a hug. "Oh, no hugs today. It will spoil my makeup." Changing her mind, she dropped her arms, stepping back.
"Don't tell me you use cheap make-up that wears off with the least bit of excitement." Jenifer spoke, staring at Nancy.
"I'm a great designer, don't insult me." Nancy drawled, touching her face.
"I didn't introduce you two. This is Lisa, my friend from the province. Lisa, these are my coworkers and great friends, Nancy and Jenifer." They exchanged greetings and shook hands.
"What is he doing with her?" Nancy asked looking at the entrance, making them turn to see who had walked in.
Sasha walked down the red carpet with her chin held high, her arm hooked onto Mark's like a lifeline.
Wearing a short purple sleeveless dress with white wedge sandals. She looked like fresh lilies blooming in the morning sun. Stopping for pictures, Sasha looped her arm in Mark's. As the reporters bombarded them with endless questions about their rumored wedding, Mark scanned the room.
Not responding, he settled his gaze on Melissa.
Smiling at her, he admired how beautiful and innocent she looked in the dress. Though Sasha was beside him, he wished he could walk to her. Show the whole world the woman he was going to marry.
Following Mark's line of vision, Sasha clenched her fists when she saw the admiration in his eyes as he stared at Melissa. In the company of four ladies, Melissa was wearing the designer dress she thought was meant for her.
Johnson's family designer was her good friend. When she saw the dress design in her sketchbook, she liked it and asked for the dress.
When she was informed that it was Mark's order for his fiancee to be, she thought the dress was meant for her. But now she watched Melissa smile boastfully flaunting her curves in that dress.
Walking beside Sasha, Mark welcomed the guests, occasionally stopping for a quick word but his attention on Melissa was unwavering. He kept glancing at her and smiling from time to time not paying attention to the people around him. Glowing irritated, she excused herself when they stopped at their table joined by his friends.
"Don't get so complacent Melissa. I'll take everything back. Let the game begin." With a smug smile on her face, Sasha spoke staring into the mirror.
The chairman of the business association in attendance was impressed by the hotel's design. He asked to speak to the designer and a few moments later the manager walked back with Melissa by his side.
"Ah!" Walking over to the older man who had his hand outstretched to greet her, Melissa tripped falling forward.
Closing her eyes, she braced herself for the embarrassment she would face. Landing on the warm chest, she smelled the familiar cologne.
Mark was swift, he held her by the waist preventing her from falling on the chairman causing a stare from everyone around.
With a cold look in her eyes, Sasha took a glass of wine and then slowly took a sip.
As Melissa regained her balance she turned to look at the person behind her to see who had tripped her.
Having failed the first time, Sasha stepped back, bumping into the waiter behind her as she poured all her glass content on Melissa. Socking her face and the dress.
"Oh! I'm so sorry. What a mess, these waiters don't watch where they're going. I'm so sorry." Apologizing profusely, Sasha used her handkerchief to wipe the red wine.
"It's okay. It's just an accident. Excuse me, I'll go clean up." Melissa assured trying to stop her from ruining her dress more.
"Are you okay?" Standing beside her, Mark inquired when he saw her winch as she tried to walk.
"It's okay honey. I'll take care of her." Touching his hand that was on Melissa's back, Sasha smiled at Mark. "I'll take her to clean up." She informed him, guiding Melissa to the powder room.
"I can take care of myself, ma'am. Thank you." Stepping back she pulled her arm from Sasha's hold.
Her chin high, she sauntered enduring the pain in her ankle and the shame of walking out drenched.
"Ah!" She hissed, taking off her shoe to massage her swelling ankle.
"Melissa!" Lisa, Nancy, and Jenifer rushed into the washroom.
"Are you okay? I feel like punching that Sasha. How could she do this?" Nancy thundered, clenching her fists.
"It was an accident Nancy, don't think too much about it. Ouch!" She winched when Lisa touched her foot.
"You have a sprain." Lisa stated examining her foot.
"You also need a change of clothes. I have a dress in my car. Though it's not this elegant it's better than walking around in that stain." Jenifer offered, giving her a sympathetic look.
"That won't be necessary." Mark walked in with his assistant beside him carrying a dress and shoes for her.
"Oh!" They stepped back giving them privacy.
"Does it hurt?" Placing a soft kiss on her lips, he crouched down to look at her foot. Touching it, he blew air on it then got a bottle from his pocket. Applying the cold cream on her ankle relieved the pain. "Is it better?" He inquired massaging her ankle.
"Mhm!" She nodded gazing into his eyes.
"Get changed, then we can leave." He held her hand helping her walk to one of the cubicles.
"No, we can't leave. The party is not over yet and you have to make a speech." She insisted, walking in to change her dress.
"James will take care of that." Just then his secretary came to inform him that the chairman and some board members needed to talk to him.
Expecting Melissa to be so humiliated and embarrassed, Sasha was surprised to see her. She walked hand in hand with Mark shaking hands with his associates. Smiling at them like nothing had happened.