"We know about the marriage, dear," Mrs. Clarksville said, avoiding "And we support it."
"You're joking. FUCKING tell me you're joking!"
"Language, Elara!" her mother cautioned.
They knew about it too? As she mused in her confused state, she heard her father's next words.
"It's a good match, Elara. You'll see."
She opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again. What was happening to her life? Elara pulled away from them, rubbing her eyes in disbelief. Was she dreaming or something?
These were her very own parents and they also agreed Leo was her husband.
They were standing before her like ghosts, in the removed corner of the room, wearing expressions that suggested they had anticipated her shock.
"What the hell? Are they also part of this?" She muttered inwardly, glancing between them in disbelief.
They stepped closer, and as she made the attempt to question them again, her mother whispered in a hushed tone.
"We will explain everything at the right time, dear. For now, just go with the flow."
Elara wanted to press further, but her father added softly, "Please, stay calm sweetheart."
She looked from them to Leo, like someone about to lose her sanity but she found herself at a loss for words. From a nearby corner, a man's voice rang out,
"Tonight, we celebrate the union of two great families: Watson and Clarksville."
Elara's head flung toward the source of the announcement, her stomach dropping. The only thing she could do was step away from them, her heart beating as she observed again and again.
" This was way bigger than I had imagined." Leo offered a brief smile to the room, then approached Elara again, taking her hand.
The sound of applause erupted, and the guests who barely knew what was going on murmured happy words she couldn't discern.
With Leo so close again, another memory struck her vision like lightning. This one was different, more vivid than the previous. She saw herself, with eyes so red and hands gripping Leo's jacket.
"Marry me," she had sounded so broken and desperate.
Elara opened, closed and opened her eyes again almost staggering backwards. But Leo steadied her, his voice gentle.
"You okay?"
Looking dazed and still trying to come to terms with what she had just seen, she shook her head.
"I... I don't know." Elara stammered.
" I will get you a glass of water," Leo offered, smiling faintly.
Elara's heart raced, just staring at that gorgeous half smiling face. As Leo left, her phone vibrated with a message tone
She glanced at the screen only to see that it was Joshua's text. Without hesitation she hastily opened it.
"Elara, I know a way to make him divorce you himself. Come to my place. Please. I can't live without you."
Elara went quiet for like five seconds, stunned and equally curious Finally, she managed to respond.
"I will be there in an hour."
She stared at the back of Leo, eyes wide with confusion. What does Joshua know?
Minutes after Joshua's call, she was still trying to get away from the party. She desperately needed to see Joshua. With pressed lips, Elara's eyes kept darting in between her phone and the people around her.
Joshua's last words kept echoing in her head. What did he mean? What could he have found out?
Elara trusts Joshua. But since last night after the failed proposal, he had ignored her completely. Why was he suddenly eager to divorce Leo? Something was unsettling in the way he had said those words earlier as if this was more than just a plan, more than just an escape route.
His tone was off.
Since this whole Leo saga, Elara could not exactly say Joshua has been the same. But who really was? Elara was still thinking of this when the sound of approaching footsteps made her ears strain. She turned around and was surprised to see Vanessa.
" He invited you too?" Elara asked, rolling her eyes.
" Yeah. A special invitation as the best friend of the bride…"
Elara rolled her eyes at Vanessa's dramatic words. Why host a bouquet to announce the so-called marriage? For all she knew, it was likely a scam marriage forced on her!
" Joshua texted me. He said he can help with the divorce," Elara blurted out, facing Vanessa squarely. Although she knew how much her friend hated Joshua, Vanessa had always had her best interest in mind.
Vanessa just let out a sigh of disbelief and disagreement as she stood beside Elara. She took a sip of her wine, her eyes stuck on Leo too. Then she nudged Elara playfully.
" It wouldn't be bad getting laid by such a handsome hunk, right?" Vanessa teased, ignoring Elara's words.
" Vanessa, you know that's not…"
Vanessa cuts her off quickly. "You're not seriously considering Joshua's words, are you?"
Elara turned measuredly, meeting her frown and one brow arched in an annoyed battle. She knew Vanessa was definitely up to no good. Not ready to battle words with her friend, Elara just shrugged,
"Vanessa, you know I desperately need a way out of this. And if Joshua really knows how, then.. then…"
Vanessa cut Elara off with a dismissive shake of her head. "Or maybe he just wants to get in your head girl."
Elara allowed a thoughtful pause, then she tilted her head. But she just couldn't bring herself to agree.
Joshua might be many things, but manipulative wasn't one of them. At least, not to her. Vanessa had never liked him, and maybe she had her reasons. But Elara couldn't just dismiss him, not without hearing him out.
She sighed, this time a little bit longer. "I need to hear him out at least."
Vanessa's lips parted, her expression saying I was making a mistake. But she didn't argue. And that was enough answer for me. With a last gulp of her wine, Elara whispered to her friend.
" Cover for me, please. I will be back before anyone finds out…"
Before Vanessa could protest, Elara had left the hall. If there was a slightest chance of getting divorced from this sham marriage, Elara was ready to risk it all.