Making her way out of the main hall, she found an exit and spotted a quiet pool some distance away. Without hesitation, she walked toward it. That would be the best place to be alone, away from the gazes of people she didn’t even know.
If only she had listened to Zara, she wouldn’t have ended up in such a predicament. Sighing, she continued walking until she reached the pool, glancing around in search of a bar, perhaps she could get something to drink. Her mouth had been dry for a while, craving water or any non-alcoholic drink. She would be so glad to find one right now. She needed to cool down.
"Oh, look who it is."
A voice spoke from beside her, and Patricia didn’t need to be told who it was.
Turning to face her, her heart skipped a beat when her eyes landed on the person beside her sister. It was Collin. She couldn’t make out his expression clearly, but she knew he was staring at her. Quickly, she averted her gaze and dropped it to her sister.
"I will excuse myself," she said, hoping Clara wouldn’t make things worse by stopping her. If there was one thing Clara had learned from Lisa, it was the habit of humiliating people just to feel superior.
"What? Are you suddenly denying your sister now that you are married? You didn’t even bring your husband home for your grandfather’s death anniversary. How could you change so quickly just because you got the man you wanted? You are ungrateful."
As expected, Clara ran her mouth, and the last part hit a nerve. The man she wanted?
Scoffing inwardly, Patricia turned to face her.
"Ungrateful? For someone who threw a fit when you were announced to be marrying him, you seem very happy now. I got the man you didn’t want. You should be grateful to me."
Clara’s face flushed with embarrassment. Instinctively, she glanced at Collin, only to find he had already turned away. Her heart raced, afraid she had been exposed. She had lied to him, claiming she had always wanted him and never planned to marry Roman. How dare that bitch speak so boldly?
"If you didn’t want him, you should have ran away instead of marrying him!" She snapped, raising her voice at Patricia.
"You are right. I should have."
The words caught Collin’s attention and he turned to face her, scoffing.
"Is this some plot to get me back?" He asked, unmoved. He had been faithful to her, never once glancing at another woman when he could and yet here she was, married to his cousin after making countless promises to him.
"You can think whatever you want," she responded, no longer caring what he believed. It was too late to clarify anything. He hadn’t given her the chance when she needed it. Nothing could be reversed now. Everyone just had to move on.
"Are they bothering you?" Suddenly, a man appeared seemingly out of nowhere and draped his arm over Patricia’s shoulders, his eyes fixed on the two standing in front of her.
Patricia flinched and looked up, squinting at the stranger. There was something familiar about him. She was sure she knew him, but couldn’t quite place where from.
"I am sorry, do I..." Before she could finish, the man slipped his hand into hers and said, "I don’t appreciate my woman being disturbed. If you are done talking, you can leave." Directing his words to the duo.
Clara’s eyes lit up with excitement, she had found something to tattle tale about.
"Wow. Now you have got a side piece? That’s impressive, sister. I can’t wait to tell our old lady," Clara said smugly. Just as Patricia opened her mouth to respond, Collin interrupted.
"Let’s go." Without waiting for a reply, he led Clara away.
Once they were out of sight, Patricia frowned and pulled her hand free from the stranger, pushing him off her.
"Why did you do that? You don’t even know me and I didn’t ask for your help!" She snapped, her voice rising.
"Do I need to know you to help you? And for the record, we are not strangers. I know who you are," he replied, smiling broadly like it was all a joke.
There was something oddly familiar about him, and she found herself trying to place where she had seen him before.
"Did Lisa send you to do this?" She asked, voicing the most likely explanation. The smile on his face faded, replaced by a confused expression.
"That hurts," he said. Then, without warning, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. Her eyes widened at the sudden motion.
"What are you doing?!" She exclaimed, her cheeks flushing with a mix of shock and anger. Who did he think he was, touching her like that?
Unbeknownst to them, two blank eyes were watching from a distance, taking one final look before quietly walking away.
"I am a married woman!" She blurted, desperate to find a way to push him off. But instead of letting go, he chuckled and said, "Don’t you remember me?"
She blinked, taken aback by the question. "I..."
He silenced her with a finger on her lips, his voice low and husky.
"Relax. Look at me properly. Don’t I look familiar?"
His deep voice had an oddly calming effect. Her gaze finally settled on his face, and the first thing that stood out were his striking blue eyes. Then, like a flash, an image came to her, a patient she had met in the emergency ward. Syres?!
She gasped. "You are that spoiled brat?"
His smile faltered into a frown.
"Spoiled brat? And here I was thinking you had a cute nickname for me," he said, quickly recovering his grin.
Patricia had known there was something familiar about him, though the dark sky hadn’t made it easy to recognize. Still, he had been unforgettable, especially since he had come looking for her after getting treated that day.
"Can I have your number now?"