After a busy day of dress fitting, shopping and making all the last-minute preparations against the big day, Tina decided to eat out with her friends and her elder military brother, -who just arrived in town, the same day to attend her huge awards ceremony.
In an attempt to impress her brother and friends, she selected a VIP restaurant located in the heart of town.
On her way to the restaurant, she received a call from Kayla asking if they could meet up to discuss something important.
Without reading any meaning to Kayla's sudden request to meet up, Tina gave her the address to the restaurant where she'd be dining with her brother.
This restaurant, graced by only the elite in town, was known for its exceptional services, its rich intercontinental delicacies, its free WiFi networks and its magnificent ambience that left guests spellbound
Since most of the tables were usually reserved for guests, - who called to book a reservation, - Tina was forced to accept the only round table located in the centre of the restaurant hall.
The clattering sounds of dishware, the clinking of wine glasses and the gentle hum of excited people conversing in low voices, blended with the soothing jazz music coming from the localized band in the hall.
Seated around the centralised table in the hall and chatting euphorically amid occasional laughter, wining and dining, Tina and her friends became the centre of attraction.
Most of the guests in the hall seated close to her table would occasionally still a glimpse of her, smiling in admiration. A few of them who were fans of her movies, politely approached her table and offered to take selfies with her.
Tina glowed amid the fame and attention, while celebrating her brother for making time to support her dreams.
"To Kelvin." Tina raised her glass to him prompting others on her table to do the same. "For being the most heroic, patriotic and brave man I have ever met. You are more than one in a million. Cheers, big brother."
The clinking of wine glasses saturated the air, as Kelvin shook his head, laughing, amused by his younger sister's never-ending theatrics to attract attention.
"What so funny?" Tina eyed her brother suspiciously, putting down her glass of wine on the table.
"Nothing. I was just thinking of how I've really missed you." Kelvin, a tall and athletically built young man in his early thirties, with a clean-shaven chin, neatly trimmed dark brown hair and captivating sky blue eyes, said softly.
"That's such a cute thing to say." Joanna could barely mask her feelings for Tina's handsome brother as she ogled shamelessly at him.
"Hey Jay, eyes off my brother." Tina shot her a distasteful look.
"How come you never told me you had such a handsome brother?" Jay ignored Tina's initial remarks as she continued to shamelessly flirt with him.
"That's because he is off the market. He is in a pretty serious relationship. So eyes of him." Tina warned, baring her claws.
"Wow, such a feisty and protective sister. I wouldn't wanna mess with you." Joanna raised both hands up, causing a ripple of laughter.
"Speaking of relationships, how did it go with your ex? Are you guys back together?" Kelvin asked, taking a sip of his wine.
"That one!" Tina scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I'm so done with him. I've decided that there are other better men out there."
Joanna raised her brow in surprise, stunned by her bestie's words unsure if she heard her correctly. But she didn't interrupt Tina as she ate her food silently while watching the exchange between brother and sister.
"That sounds like a perfect idea. I'm happy you've finally come to your senses. But try not to mess up a good relationship in the future. Like they say, opportunity comes but once. Only the lucky ones have it twice."
Tina huffed, sneering at her brother's statement as she picked up her smartphone which was buzzing on the table.
"Oh, it's Kayla." Tina's eyes brightened as she swiped the receive button to the right. "Hey Kay, are you here already?"
"Yes, where are you seated?" Kayla asked in a pleasantly captivating tone, leaving Tina beaming from cheeky to cheek.
"Just walk straight into the restaurant. I'm seated with some friends in an open space located in the middle. Look for the pretty blonde lady in a velvet sequin pink dress."
"Okay, I'm on my way."
The call instantly disconnected.
"Kayla is on her way here?" Joanna asked in a disapproving voice.
"Yeah," Tina replied nonchalatly, picking up her fork. "She wanted to see me and I asked her to join us."
"I'm not comfortable with that. She is still friends with Amelia." Joanna expressed her concern looking backwards.
"Who is Amelia?" Kelvin asked, noting the look of displeasure on his youngest sister's face.
"A cheap tramp, that is what she is." One of the ladies on the table spat out maliciously.
Kelvin arched his brows in surprise at such ridiculing words.
"A husband snatcher?" Another of Tina's friends hissed.
"A betrayer." Joanna joined in the contemptuous remarks.
"A nobody, who doesn't deserve our breath," Tina said between gritted teeth, bitterness and anger, lacing her voice.
Remy, who was seated in the direction facing the entrance, suddenly froze as his gaze met an angry squad of beautiful women approaching, with Amelia in the middle.
"Tina, I think that nobody is currently on her way to this table as we speak."
All eyes shifted backwards, following Remy's gaze.
The sight of Amelia, dressed in a loose-fitting high-end flay gown, with her lush wavy golden brown hair cascading gracefully down her shoulders and a sinister look in her eyes made all the blood drain from Tina's face. She instantly froze in her seat, eyes widened and jaw-dropping.
"This is not good." Remy shrank in his seat as he wondered what Tina might have done this time.
"I knew it was a bad idea to invite one of those witches," Joanna muttered under her breath as she stood up, ready to defend Tina.
"What's going on?" Kelvin demanded, turning to look at his sister, who had suddenly gone quiet.