Turquoise

It took me exactly fourteen-point-four seconds to register the shrill scream that fell off my chapped lips.

Fourteen seconds of shock.

Fourteen seconds of welcoming a panic attack.

Sharp gasps escaped me and I jerked sharply as I tried to shake off the feeling of being strangled deep inside. My palm covered my lips immediately as I emitted soft sobs.

"V, I swear it's not-"

I couldn't listen to what she was saying.

Who would?

My gaze moved from the jittery 25-year old in front of me to my 5-inch stiletto. Its glitters and fancy stones almost blinds my eyes—that was slowly watering. I jerked for the umpteenth time this evening and I don't even bother considering the fact that I might have broken my spine or dislocated my hip bone.

I could hear the soft hum of Lewis Capaldi in the background, coupled with the hurrying steps of leather soles.

Trevor's leather soles, to be exact.

"Valerie wai-" The mixed Engineer barges in. The force of the door almost knocks me off my feet.

My hand unconsciously finds the band on my longest finger. It has always been a habit. Whenever the world threw spoilt lemons at me, I'd always twirl my engagement ring.

Right now, the Yonte Sterling Silver 6mm Cz Engagement ring had me scrunching my—already red—face in disgust. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't find that mean bone in me to pull off the ring, dump it on his lap and show the world my middle finger. Instead, I twirl my finger around the crystal-like stone and purse my lip to keep my sobs from falling.

"You bastard!" Trevor lands a punch his temple.

Molly McHnanon shrieks in shock and moves back immediately, almost tripping on her turquoise knee-length dress.

I've never really liked the color Turquoise before. I always thought it was a vacillating bitch. Molly and Jenny, my Best Friends Forever, would always snicker and shove my shoulder after then we'd either go to the movies or head to BriTEAny's Cafe and spend all our chicken feeds on smoothies and fries.

"Dear, are you alright?" A soft melodious voice pulls me out of nostalgia. I turn to face Mrs. Boharas. She looked her best today, who wouldn't? I remember when she walked in with her black strapless more-than-dinner gown. Her arm was loosely linked with that of Mr. Boharas' and her smile was ever radiating. Paparazzi had flooded her, probably to fill the vacant spaces in their career-eating tabloids.

My eyes water immediately, I wrap my arm around her neck and my sobs resume immediately.

"Oh, dear child." Mrs. Boharas rubs my back soothingly.

A sound of bone cracking makes me move impossibly closer to her. Her slightly obese body, providing the warmth I've always needed.

"Oh, shit." It was Liam that exclaimed this time. He places his hand on my shoulder and gives it a tight squeeze.

"Okay! We're clearing it out, Troy!" He yells to Troy who ushers the media-men and the guests out politely.

By now, I was squished between Mrs. Boharas and Aunt Melanie. They were both holding each of my hands and running their thumbs casually on my knuckles.

I look up.

Jenny was yelling at a disheveled Molly. My eyes widened as her hand shoots up to smack Molly across the face. Liam pulls a raging Jenny away and mutters something in her ear.

Mr. Boharas was on a phone call, he was speaking animatedly as he gestured directions to the workers.

"Miss Valerie, why was Brother Jayden naked with Miss Molly?" A tiny voice makes me look down. Zoey Boharas stared doe-eyed at me. Her princess doll was tightly clutched against her chest. Her blonde hair tilted to the side.

I couldn't find it in me to look into her eyes...

It had so much resemblance with his.

I glance at Mrs. Boharas for help and she nods. She pulls Zoey to her and whispers something about ice cream to the five-year old who grins and walks away with her.

Few minutes later, All outsiders were already cleared out. The large hall was silent and tense. My sobs had already seized save for the tremors that ran down my spine once in a while.

I took in a deep breath.

"Why?" I whisper.

Why? Jayden why? Why did you sleep with my BFF on my engagement night?

I stare at those eyes.

Those eyes that always glint every time I give him a kiss on his lip or cheek

Those eyes.

Jayden groans and wipes his forehead before gaping nervously. I shake my head slowly before getting up and walking out, ignoring the calls of my aunt and my ex-fiancè's family.

           Today marks a month.

I couldn't wish for anything else than to be here, in my office, slurping on a cappuccino as my assistant placed various files on my table. Cole glanced at me when he was done and I make no move to dismiss him.

He takes the hint and slump on the chair opposite mine.

"So... Falling Fianceè, huh?" Cole smiles apologetically as he leans his arms on the table.

I roll my eyes. What can I say?

I take a last sip and shoot him a smile.

I've gotten better along the line. Two weeks ago, if you'd mentioned anything about the incident, I would have been bawling my eyes out.

"Those shitty tabloids makes everything shitty." I tsk and Cole chuckles in turn.

"Like you said, can't trust tabloids. What happened though? Jayden seemed pretty chill,"

Sure, he'd think that. Jayden had always pulled the gentleman card anytime he picked me up from the office. He'd even shared a bro hug with Cole and half of the male employees.

"He slept with Molly." I reply bluntly. Cole widens his eyes, "On our engagement night." I add and that really closed everything up.

Cole grimaces, "Piece of shit! Is that why you're just resuming now? After a month? Why didn't you tell me?"

"You're my assistant." I raise a brow.

"And you're hot as hell!" Cole counters with a playful smirk. I pull off a smirk of my own.

"Are you hitting on me Mr. Myers?"

"Nah, I'm not. Not now at least. I need to set my cards right." He winks at me.

"Then I'll be waiting for that day."

...and they say things haven't changed.

I set my engagement ring on fire, I drew a middle finger on Jayden's car, I moved out of my aunt's apartment, I resumed work, I cut all ties with the Boharas, my assistant is low-key hitting on me...

And I still don't like the color, Turquoise.