<b>Chapter 91 </b>


    Mason


    The days went by in a sh. I can’t believe it’s the day I’ve been dreading already. I am teated on the edge of a bed, tapping my foot


    on the floor.


    I deleted the message I had just typed. Biting down on my lower lip, I began to type again.


    “Hey! Are you fine?” I deleted it again. I have sent that over 6 times and have gotten no reply from her.


    “Will you be here today? I miss you.” I deleted it again. It sounded too desperate.


    I flung my phone to the edge of the bed and passed my hand over my hair. Lydia was officially driving me crazy.


    When I saw her with Marcus some days ago, I got so mad <b>that </b>I walked out of the mall and gave up trying to get her attention. I messaged herter that evening, but she has not replied to any of my texts.


    Was she avoiding me? I asked myself. But she has no reason, no matter how hard I thought there was no reason for her to ignore <ol><li>me. </li></ol>


    That was when it struck me. I have been inconsiderate. Of course, she has a reason to ignore me. I’m getting engaged to another woman. Even if she tried to deny it, she still has feelings for me.


    Sigh!


    The urgent need to assure her that I would always be hers came rushing in. Taking hold of my phone one more time, I stared at the screen and keyboard, and then my finger danced on the keyboard.


    “I can’t say I know exactly how you feel, but I can guess I feel something simr whenever I see you with Marcus. But I hope you never forget that you will alwayse first to me. I may be engaged to Julia, but you will always have my heart, Lydia. Let’s meet this evening


    I stared at the message, thinking it was too long. Should I shorten it? I won’t be seeing her all through today, I doubt Mom would invite her. For the first time, I agreed with my mom, I don’t want Lydia to see me get engaged to another woman.


    The door pushed open at that moment and flinched. My finger touched the send button and before I could blink, the message had been delivered<b>. </b>


    “Mason, here you are, we are all waiting downstairs.” Zoe stepped into the room. I stared at the phone with wide eyes. The two ticks at the left turned green, proof that she has seen it.


    My eyes widened. I didn’t get the chance to remove some things. What if she thinks I’m a weirdo?


    Zoe is wearing a ck sleeveless dress. The dress stopped before her knees, and beads were scattered over it. She moved to stand in front of the mirror, admiring herself.


    I got the urge to remind her that it wasn’t her engagement and no one was going to be paying any attention to her. But I stopped myself and instead <b>picked </b>up my phone/from the side. Lydia hadn’t replied.


    She saw the message, I bit my thumb hails. Why are you ignoring me? Just say something


    “What do you think about my look? Aunty Nita suggested I wear my hair up instead, but the dress is” she paused, “tell me, what do


    <b>you </b>think<b>? </b>


    “<b>Good</b>. You look beautiful.” I said without lifting my head.


    “You aren’t even looking at me.” I inhaled sharply and stood. Lydia wasn’t responding. After the engagement, i would go see her Zoe was staring at me with both hands crossed over the other. I walked towards her and ced my hand on both her shoulders.


    Aker the day she broke down in front of <b>me</b>, I have been careful around her, and no matter how I tried, she didn’t tell me the reason for her breakdown.


    “What are you looking at?” She questioned.


    “It’s not your day, Zoe, you are already looking as good as someone with half beauty can look, what more do you want? I teased then stepped back.


    I pretended to take her in <b>while </b>stroking my chin, “For someone who isn’t the star of the party, you sure look overdressed,” I said, and turned to walk away.


    She was by my side before I made my way down the hallway.


    “I always knew you were not my brother. I hate you so much, since you’ve decided to put your sister down, let’s see who your bride–to–be is, what the star of the show would wear.”


    She walked past me and stopped, then turned back, “We both know she has terrible taste and has no style.” She humped and stomped her feet on the floor before walking <b>away</b>.


    1 smiled as I watched the back of her head. Seeing her like this, I felt relieved; my sister is back.


    The hall was decorated beautifully. Low music resounded, mixed with the chattering of the guests.


    At the entrance of the hall was <b>a </b>picture of Julia and me. “When was that picture taken?” I wondered to myself as I stepped in.


    Mom was by the side, chatting with a guest. I met Mr. Everett first, he had a big grin on his face when he saw me. A look of triumph spread across his face as I shook hands with him.


    “You made the right choice, Mason.” He said.


    Not being able to stand him for a long while, I left his side when a man came to greet him.


    I saw Zoe seated on one side of the hall. It was no news that she wasn’t in support of this union, but she had no other choice than <b>to </b>support me, so here she was.


    I wish I could <b>stay </b>away from people’s gaze like her. But that was impossible. I kept repeating the same word <b>to </b>anyone who shook <ol><li>me. </li></ol>


    When they asked after Julia, I would point to the side.


    “I’m so happy for you.” A hyperenthusiastic <b>Mrs. </b>Timber said in her <b>usually </b>loud voice. “Julia is a good girl, and what’s better than <b>seeing </b>two sessful <b>people </b>get married? This is truly beautiful.” My cheeks were beginning to hurt from the sn


    front of her.


    “And here shees.” She looked over my shoulder. I felt her hand slip over mine.


    aintained in


    Julia said <b>a </b>greeting in a meek volcs.


    “Where have you been?” I asked as we walked to our designated seat. Our hands were linked together<b>, </b>and she pressed her by


    into mine<b>. </b>


    “I had to look good. This is a special day. I wore your favourite color,” She said and moved away from me a bit. My eyes wandered over her. She wore a blue dress which hugged her body and had straps at the back,


    “You look beautiful,” I told her what she wanted <b>to </b>hear, and she was back at her initial position,


    What I didn’t tell her was that blue isn’t my favourite color.


    The party wouldmence in the next thirty minutes,


    We took our seats. My eyes searched the hall for Zoe when I didn’t find her in the ce where she was seated earlier.


    There was a slightmotion at the entrance which caught my attention. Someone just arrived. The person seemed to be stealing all the attention.


    When she came into view, my breath paused for a while. She looked beautiful in the grey gown she wore.


    What was she doing here?


    I stood up and walked towards my


    wards my mom. I didn’t think she’d be inviting Lydia over. She has no reason to invite her.


    “Mom,” I tapped on her gently. She seems oblivious to Lydia’s appearance.


    “Can we talk?” I was impatient. I pulled her out of the hall through a door at the side.


    “Why did you invite her? I thought you..”


    She looked behind me, “Who did I invite?” She seemed confused.


    “Lydia. Why is she here?” One minute, I was d she wouldn’t see me with Julia, and the next, she was here.


    Why would I invite your ex–wife to your engagement? She is your past, Mason.” Her voice was in a whisper at thest sentence.


    “Then who invited her?” I <b>was </b>genuinely puzzled.


    “I did.” A voice said behind me.


    “Huh?” I turned to see Julia. “I had no idea she was your ex–wife. I sent an invitation because I thought she was your business partner.” She said her voice was not betraying any emotion.


    “I’m sorry if I offended you,” she apologised.


    I inhaled sharply, trying but failing to calm myself, so I just nodded and we returned to the hall.


    Julia held me closer this time. Lydia was standing close to where we were seated.


    I felt bad that she’d <b>have </b>to see me with Julia.


    I squinted my eyes and clenched my palm when I saw him. Why is Marcus with her?


    Lydiaughed at something someone said, and then they asked, “Rumors have been going around saying you are dating” it was Mrs Timber again.


    I pretended not to be interested in the conversation as I shook hands with Mr. Felix.


    “What do you have to say about that?” My smile faltered as I waited for her to debunk it as a baseless rumor.


    Instead, with a shy smile on her face, she tucked her hair behind her ear, “About that, noment for now.” She stole a nce at Marcus, who was smiling too.


    I gritted my teeth.


    “AHH!” Mr. Felix shrieked in pain. I didn’t realise I was squeezing his hands.