A Reunion with her Ex-best Friend

AS USUAL, she wore a pair of sweatpants and a hooded jacket. On her shoulder was a tote bag. She pulled out a chair and occupied it. Her facial expression was unreadable when she looked at the woman her age, who was her confidante friend.

"Don't you know it's rude to stare at someone?" She blurted coldly. Her eyes were elusive under those shade wore. She could not shake off the feeling that someone was watching her. "You're no different from your brother."

"S-sorry…" Stefanie was apologetic but with a smile. "You look different... I mean, you're way too beautiful now..."

"Flatterers, don't make me move" her tone hasn't changed. "Alright, here I am… I can't last long here. We can discuss whatever you want to discuss, but make it quick. So, what's it about?" She asked in an icy voice. Underneath her sunglasses, her eyes focused on Jacob's younger sister.

"I never forget that you were my best friend and still want to think that you are, even if it's the opposite for you. It was a shock to learn that you and my brother are on a different level as his fiancée. Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to interfere. "

"Then, what's your point?"

"I knew you no longer have a crush on my brother. That all changed when Tristan came into your life back then. There is no reason for you to agree to the marriage."

"Why? Do you think I don't fit to be your sister-in-law?" She ridiculed. But her face remained expressionless.

"No, nothing like that," she replied, shaking her head. "I'm aware that Jacob still loves

Michelle. They were together yesterday and even having dinner at home. You see, it will only hurt you if you agree to marry him even if you don't love him."

"Thanks if that concern is solely for me. Though if ever, we weren't marrying for love… " taunting her, smiles played on her lips. " I prefer to marry someone without so much emotional attachment. So if ever you're betrayed, it's not that bothersome. It will not hurt me, will it?"

Silence reigned between them when she noticed the sudden distress mirrored her face.

"Angeli… don't look back to your right," Stefanie warned her when she spoke again. Even her eyes quietly gave her a warning. She could not help, but fear gripped her. Not again, her mind was troubled.

"Earlier, I noticed the man already when you arrived. He was always looking at you. You came almost one after the other. And his full attention is immediately focused on you."

"Describe him..." Words barely came out of her lips.

"He is handsome and tall…" she described.

"Oh, better looking and younger than your brother?"

"Can you try to be serious?" Stefanie said, annoyed. He was looking straight at her. "Anyway, he's wearing faded denim pants and a black polo. "His long hair almost reached his shoulders. Do you know? "

"No…" she said, trying to compose herself. "But it's not the first time I caught that man around wherever I was roaming around. But this time, I can't move quickly. Jacob took the key to my motorcycle. " Stefanie's shocked at her statement. It showed in the rolling of her eyes and the opening and closing of her mouth.

"I need to go…" she declared and stood up.

"Someone will get you out here?"

She stood still, eyeing her. She wanted to ignore her ex-best friend, but she could not ignore the concern she could see in Stefanie's eyes.

"I need to go to the lady's room. Please, order me something to drink," she said softly. "Call someone to get you out here after ten minutes, and I'm not back." She left her without looking back.

When Angeline entered the ladies' room, she occupied a toilet cubicle. She was in haste to change her clothes. Since Angeline found out that someone kept following her, there's always a backpack with her extra garments inside. She made a point to prepare for this kind of getaway when she discovered a stalker. Three different men she noticed doing the same thing. Stalking her but never approaching her. She changed into a printed loose t-shirt followed by faded jeans. She lifted her long ponytail hair and hid it in her hat. One last glance in the mirror and heaved a deep sigh before she exited the ladies' room.

Her steps were fast until she reached the entrance of the restaurant. She walked casually with one hand clasped. She was at the roadside. Rarely does a taxi pass by when a vehicle stops in front of her. It took her seconds to contemplate before she climbed into the car—Stefanie's driving.

"Thanks…" she let out a sigh of relief.

"Does my brother know about that man?"

"He doesn't need to know…."

"You're marrying him-"

"Really?" She blurted sarcastically, looking at her. "If I may decide to marry your brother, this part of my life has nothing to do with him. We'll be married to make two old grannies happy. And nothing else."

"He has to know…" she adamantly replied. "He should know that you have a stalker. He will also risk his life if-"

"You're not saying anything to him. I can take care of myself," Angeline snapped.

"He is my brother," Stefanie replied in a slightly raised voice.

"What is your problem?" She countered back in high pitch. "Fine! I am not marrying your brother, be happy. Stop the car. Now!"

Stefanie didn't seem to hear anything. She kept going.

"I'll jump if you don't stop the car…."

The two were silent when the car stopped on the side of the road. She quietly got out of the car while watching her former best friend wriggle in her seat. When she smelled fresh blood in the air, somewhat pasted on her nostrils, she gripped the door handle and saw the blood. She felt her stomach somersault. She closed her eyes for a bit to calm herself and open her eyes. She found Stefanie looking at the blood cascading through her thighs.