Chapter 18

Asides the fact that Kayla deserves a ten when it comes to planning a party, she deserves another ten for executing the plans to the fullest.

Their garden was all pink, it's Ruby's birthday. Both parents were in pink outfits. If I were to count the kids at the party, they wouldn't be more than fifteen. Boys and girls inclusive. There were more adults than children.

I had finished giving the children facials, no adult came forward for some, so I guess my job here is done. I sigh as I walk to the bar to grab a drink. Zayne had to work but he promised to show up. The party has long started but no sign of him. I check my phone for any notifications. None.

I was about to text him when I see a very attractive woman, she's hanging by the entrance the way people do when they show up at a party alone. She stands stroking her hair.

Suddenly her eyes falls on me, she heads in my direction, oblivious to the guys staring at her. She stops few feet from me.

 "Hey, I'm Amanda" she extends her hand towards me. Shoot! I had been staring at her I didn't realize.

 "Hi. I'm Jodie" I pumped her extended hand enthusiastically.

 "You've been here long?" She asks stroking the end of her long hair.

 "Errr. Yeah"

 "Oh. Nice" she says still stroking her hair looking around.

 "You know Kayla and Robert?" I ask wondering who invited her.

 "No, I don't" she says as a matter of fact. "My colleague asked that I accompany him, he's a friend of the celebrant" she cranes her neck, looking around "he's probably still looking for parking. He'll be here soon"

 "Okay"

She swivels her head this way and that way "over here" she waves.

I follow her voice to the direction she's waving, and I nearly faint on the spot. Standing by the entrance is Brian and Zayne.

I wheel around as if I'm a wanted fugitive, my heart beating like a galloping horse. I grab the ledge beside me for support.

What is Brian and Zayne doing together? Do they know each other? Who in particular is she waving at? I couldn't stop all the questions reeling in my head at the same time.

Oblivious to my mini panic attack. Amanda makes to hold my wrist "come let me introduce you"

I let out a fake cough with my head down. "I think I need to set this down" I say raising my almost empty cup.

She looks at me with a raised brow as I hurry away from her bumping into Kayla.

 "what is Brian doing here? Did you know that he was coming?" I ask her in a low voice despite the loud music. She shrugs as she replies nonchalant

 "I think Robert invited him or so" she's rocking baby Juliet on one hip.

 "You think?" I ask.

 "Uh-huh"

 "At least you could have told me that my experience-boyfriend is coming to the same party as my boyfriend"

 "It's no biggie, what's it with you? He didn't come alone. So chill out" she says narrowing her glasses to look me up and down and placing them back on.

 "what do you mean by he didn't come alone?"

 "Robert mentioned a fiancée or something" she says nonchalantly "is Zayne here by the way" she asks and without waiting for an answer she walks off leaving me standing there before I could ask any other questions.

Fiancée?? Could Amanda be the fiancée? What do I care? At least I know she's not with Zayne. But what if Zayne knows Brian?

I feel Zayne's arm wrap me from behind "hey gorgeous" I turn around to take a proper look at him. I don't recall Zayne in any other clothing asides his scrubs which he's always looking handsome in. But today, he's something else, like a god-like version of him in crisp white shirt which showed off every line of muscle.

 "Hey" I croak. There was no sign of Brian or Amanda anywhere around.

He smiles clearly aware of his effects on me. "Sorry, seems I've missed out on the fun part"

He is talking about my little beauty spa for the kids.

 "Yeah" I smile at him.

He pulls in me into him and grabs my bum "I'll make it up to you" he whispers in my ears.

I smack his hands off "let's get you something to drink, and besides you've not seen the celebrant"

 "Oh right!" He looks around. "Let's go find her"

 * * *

 "Brian's here" I hiss as soon as I'm alone with Sophie. We sat watching Zayne throw rings while Ruby and her friends catches them.

 "Who? Sophie clearly didn't register the name at first, I couldn't tell if she was tipsy or not.

 "Brian, my ex-boyfriend, Brian" I say through a gritted teeth.

She gasps "like cheating boyfriend Brian"

 "Ex-boyfriend" I emphasize. She's clearly tipsy as she tilts the empty glass of wine upwards.

 "Shit! What the hell is he doing here?"

I fold my arms and sighs. "Kayla says Robert invited him. She could have given me a heads up" I say sounding accusing.

 "Yeah. She should have, considering Zayne's here"

I shrug "I kinda bumped into him some weeks back though"

 "Really?" Sophie shrieks as she cocks her head "and then?"

 "And then nothing" we both wave back at Zayne who is now catching the rings. "he's engaged"

 "Already? Shit!" Sophie screws her face then mutters "he really didn't waste time"

 "What do you mean by that?" I frown.

 "Wait hold up! How did you find out? Did he tell you?"

 "Kayla did"

 "Whatever, you have Zayne now don't you?"

 "Yeah. I think he knows Brian" I say thoughtfully .

 "Ohhhhhhh...…. You don't say"

 "I'm not sure. Just that I saw both of them come in together" I sigh pushing my head upward "asides my exes been in the same party. can today just not get any more complicated"

Sophie taps my hand "It won't. How come I've not seen him. Brian I mean" she says looking around.

I shrug "he should be around somewhere" Hoping not to bump into him.

 "Jodie? Sophie?" Brian's voice booms from behind us.

Speaking of the devil. He's standing there alone. Where's his fiancée?

Sophie gives him a stiff hug. I remain in my position smiling at him.

 "You didn't say you were coming" I say stiffly.

He shrugs "Robert invited me last minute and congratulations Sophie" he nods to Sophie and turns back his eyes on me. Sophie excuses herself to get a drink.

 "So I asked if you were seeing someone, you never replied"

I blink. Sorry. Why the heck is he asking me such question again. I had deliberately ignored him when he first asked. He has no right to ask after breaking my heart three years ago. I snort. I look to see Zayne standing with his hands on his hip staring at us.

 "Yes I am" I say

His countenance darkens "oh!"

 "what about you? Kayla says you're engaged" I say as a matter of fact happy with the disappointment written a over his face.

He sputters over his drink "what? Engaged? No!"

I feel relived but funny at the statement. At least he didn't move on as fast as I thought he had.

I see Zayne taking long strides towards us. My heart quickens. How will he react when I introduce him to my ex.