Make Me Yours

In no time, Kelly had packed up all her things and put her in her car, despite her mumbled protests. To make things worse, Jenny had been right outside to drive her home.

“What’s this? Some sort of intervention or something?”

“No. We are simply taking care of you, girl. Besides, it was Carrie who sent me; Kelly didn’t know I would be there. And… there is something you need to know.”

Jenny’s tone and her unusually solemn face had Zoey’s antenna rising. “What’s that? What? What happened?”

“Nothing serious, I presume. Mariah said she has an announcement for us. You know how she always is.” The false laugh that followed those words told Zoey that it was nothing but B.S, but she held her peace all through the ride.

However, when she arrived home and saw that all her friends and her entire family were present, her patience thinned out.

“Okay… something is definitely up, and since you are all here, I’d like to assume that none of you are in a life-threatening situation. So, who died? Wait… is it Aunt Meg?”

Aunt Meg was her mother’s aunt, and only surviving close relative. She was one of Zoey’s favorites, and had been ill for a while, now.

It was her mother who responded. “No. Aunt Meg is fine. Her doctors say she is healthier than ever. Sit, baby. I’ll get you a cup of hot chocolate.”

Her father was by her side the next moment, massaging her hands, and Lamar was happy to raise her feet up on piled cushions.

Before she could wrap her head around it all, her mother was pushing the cup of chocolate into her hands. The smell enticed her and she took a sip before she could stop herself. It was just as well that she did, for her mind suddenly cleared.

She snatched her hand from her father, set down the cup, put down and legs and stood on her feet.

“Okay. That’s it. Quit the stalling. What’s going on here and why are you all trying to babysit me? Why is everyone here?” She needed to know. ASAP.

No one said anything. Instead, they started to look at each other’s faces.

“Hello?!”

Finally, Mariah spoke. “Ah. Fu*k this! I’ll tell her. Babe, we are all here because we felt you would need all the support you can get for this news.”

“Waiting for someone to tell me what this news is. Anytime now…”

“Here. See for yourself.”

Mariah’s iPad was in her face, so she took it. Only, the moment she looked at the screen and saw the reason behind this whole fuss, she wished that she hadn’t. Her knees weakened and when she would fall, her father and Lamar caught her. This time, when they led her to the sofa, she willingly sat.

It took a while before she found her voice. But her heart was already broken and the pieces were now stabbing her insides, causing her pain. The kind she had never felt before.

“What’s this? It’s not true, is it? Is it some old news? I mean… this can’t be true, can it?”

“It is as true as the sky is blue, baby. I hate to break it to you, but Xen played a huge one on all of us. That bas*ard! To think I had liked him the most.” That was Carrie. From the moment she had finally met Xen, she had taken an instant liking to him.

“No. It can’t be.” Zoey whispered. It couldn’t be, could it? Xen… Xen could not have faked all of that. The kisses, the caresses, the mindlessly reaching out to take her hand or squeeze her shoulder… the profession of love.

Surely, he couldn’t have? What would he have hoped to gain?

“There must be an explanation for this,” she said again, aware that that was the voice of denial.

“Oh well, I would like to see him explain how he ended up marrying the daughter of a wealthy Chinese Billionaire, three weeks after going AWOL. It pretty much makes sense now. The asshole went back to have the wedding that he must have been secretly planning all this while. I hate to break it to you, baby. But you’ve been nothing but some girl to pass time with and keep his bed warm while in Colorado.”

As Jenny finished, it finally began to sink in. It was true. Everything Jenny had said was true.

She looked down at the iPad again, surprised that it had not fallen off her shaking hands. There it was, boldly written with pictures for proof. She read the headline again.

Business Tycoon and CEO of Li Group exchange vows with long time sweetheart, Rachel Park of Park Global Industries.

Reading further, she followed the story.

As early as 7 a.m. today, Xen Li of Li Group tied the nuptial knot with Rachel Park, M.D of Park Global Industries. It was a beautiful outdoor event, filled with only close family and friends as the couple had wished to keep it a very small and intimate affair, as it should be.

Reports say that they had earlier signed their marriage license at the magistrate two days ago, but that had been done very discretely with only the parents of the bride and groom present, in persons of Mrs Kim Li, Chairman of Li Groups, and Mr Young Park, Chairman of Park Industries.

We believe that Mr and Mrs Li who have been long time friends since childhood due to the closeness of their families, have been discretely dating for a while now and finally decided to make it official.

Although we are not certain that this was the only reason behind the sudden marriage, as a merger of these two great companies was announced right after the reception. Here are some pictures that have been released of the wedding. We hope to bring you more details before the day ends.

As Zoey finished reading, she felt a wave of nausea come up her throat and somehow she knew she wouldn’t be able to hold it in. So, dropping the iPad, she stood up and made a mad dash for the toilet.

She barely made it and as she hurled her guts out, her friends were there to hold her hair up and rub her back. When she was certain that it was over, she accepted the cup of water from Mariah and washed her mouth clean.

Dear Lord… now is not the time to be sick. I can’t afford to be sick. Not at a time like this!

“Only, the thing is, we do not think you are sick, Zoey.” That was Carrie.

What? Did I say that aloud?

“Yes, you did,” Jenny replied.

Holding her head, she bent down again. “I swear, I thought I was only thinking that. I’m losing my mind.”

“No, you aren’t. When last did you have your period, girl?”

What did her monthly flow have to do with this? Still, she thought hard and long.