•Leiara•
I breathe out a loud sigh of relief, trying to mask the displeasure that came with her presence. But there's only so much u can take in just one night.
Cora walks to me slowly, a small smile across her face as her eyes rake me.
"I never thought I'd see the day you'd finally let loose and dress your age, given your sense of fashion," she says, a bit amused.
Her tone carries a hint of mockery.
Normally, I would ignore it and just move on. That is, if it is someone other than Cora. But Cora is a competitive person.
Right from high school, she's been on my tail like white on rice. She even fought so hard to take the first place from me but never could.
Since she couldn't, she turned to bully me along with some other students. But I didn't tolerate it. I let her know if she so much as inflict any kind of harm on me, I'd make sure to bring it to the media and drag her prestigious family name into the mud.
That seemed to work because she steps back in her plans of bullying me. Instead, she turned all the students against me. No one would talk to me or interact with me in anyway.
But I liked it. I wasn't exactly fond of people talking to me anyway. I preferred being alone in my own space so I was actually grateful to her.
It was also the same in college. Although not as dire as it was in high school, she still spread some rumors that made me the black sheep in college.
Rumors I can't even remember what they were about since I didn't really care.
Because of this, I've always made sure she never surpasses me in anything. Be it in studies or in business.
To match her poise, I smile and inch closer, trying my best not to limp to make my wound obvious.
"Well, I guess you should thank your stars you got to see this day, then."
Her smile falters and her face turns serious.
People find it fun hurting others with their words, but one word back at them and they turn all stern and pained.
Too bad though, she's one among the few I never want to lose face with. For some reason, she ticks my competitive buttons.
I won't give her something to laugh at me about.
The air around her darkens as her whole demeanor changes.
"And how are you doing after snatching someone else's husband?" She fires.
The anger beneath her tone is tangible.
I tilt my head to the side and put on an innocent, clueless look.
"Hmm? Husband?" I ask.
"Whose? I might be bad at many other things, but you and I know the memory game is what I excel best at. But do remind me, when did you get married?"
I see her face twist tighter in rage, her chest mounting and falling lightly as her breath quickens.
"If you hadn't thrown yourself so easily at him, I would be the one with him now, not you!" She snarls.
"I didn't though. I was simply chosen because I'm better," I reply curtly.
She glares intently at me for some moment. Then her face loosens up and a smile creeps in.
"So… how's your married life?"
I throw her a questioning look.
"With your husband. I mean, it's well known that Colson is a man with high standards. Although a gentle man, he's got type. He wouldn't have settled for you if it wasn't business related. So, does he treat you well?"
Her eyes rake me from head to toe with an obvious look that tells me she's sure I'm not being treated well by my husband.
I'm not given a chance to reply before she continues.
"I think everyone knows the answer to that. At least those who know Colson very well. There's no way he'd give you any sort of attention, Leiara. But you don't have to hide it, just tell me if he makes you cry. Who knows, I might sympathize with you," she giggles.
My stomach twists with how accurate she hits the nail on the head. But it's Cora, one of the only person I do not want to show my pains to.
I mask the pain her words prick through me and I put on a confident face.
"You say it's obvious? Isn't that just what you want to hear? I mean, it seems to me you're only voicing out your wishes right now, Cora."
I lean into her.
"You actually wish for him to treat me bad, don't you? But sorry, he cares for me."
I smile big and bright, too gleeful for her to even catch any hint of pretense within it.
Her face briefly turns frank but quickly loosens up again.
"If he does, then why are you limping?"
My smile vanishes as shock hits me. I thought I was doing well to hide it, but no?
"Mm? Where's your smile? Don't tell me he's actually abusing you, is he?"
It takes a moment for me to regain my composure but I do.
"What are you saying? Why would I be abused? Were you not the one who says he's a gentleman?" I shoot her back with her own words.
"I'm limping not because I was abused by my husband, but because I slipped and fell down the stairs. You know how clumsy I can be once in a blue moon."
Cora's eyes fixates on me with intense loathing. She simply glares at me with no words to counter. The embarrassment mixed with anger is evident on her face.
"If you've had enough of wasting my time, let's gather for the dinner."
I walk past her and start heading back inside.
In the distance, I see people, majorly the major investors, already gathering round the long table for the dinner.
It is a gathering where Helen would personally honor the major investors. Colson and I are of course included, including my dad and some other people I don't quite like seeing.
Cora and her father.
Not that I have the power or option to make them disappear out of my sight though.
I head toward the table in careful steps, but as I near, a figure walks into my front and blocks my path.
I halt and throw my gaze up with mild irritation. But my annoyance instantly fades when I meet Timothy's eyes.
"You! What are you doing here?!" I say with utter surprise.
Timothy side eyes me slightly and awareness hits me.
What kind of question was that? Of course he'd be here since he's the newly appointed head of a department.
Ugh!
"I.. I don't mean it that way, haha," I chuckle lightly. "I'm just surprised to see you. I mean!.. I'm just happy to see you."
He chuckles back lightly, shaking his head at me with a bit of interest in his eyes.
"Yeah, likewise. I'm happy to see you again too."
"Yeah. So.. um, I gotta go," I point over to the table.
I attempt to walk past him but he pulls me back with a gentle wrap around my arm. Too gentle that I snatch away and flinch backward.
What was that?!
He stares at me with shock and confusion.
"Did I hurt you?" He asks, moving closer.
In response, my body reflexively moves back.
"N-no," I say softly.
It's the opposite actually.
"I… just wanted to ask what is wrong with your leg. Are you wounded?"
My eyes trail his that goes down to my legs.
"Oh! Yeah. I sprained my ankle," I nod repeatedly, a bit awkward.
"You should have it checked if you haven't and—"
"I already did," I interrupt him.
The atmosphere is getting tense and I can see everyone gathered already.
"I have to go."
Without wasting any more seconds, I walk away.
Reaching the table, I take my place beside Colson, awkwardly ignoring everyone's eyes that are fixed on me.
Even Helen's eyes quietly scold and reprimand me.
But my dad, among the others, smiles at me which lessens the mood for me.
Moments later, Helen starts the dinner with honor talks and all before everyone starts eating.
I'm focused on my food and eating quietly when I feel Cora and her dad's eyes heavily on me.
I cough slightly, almost choking from the pressure. I lift my gaze and steal a brief glance.
But I quickly dip my gaze back when I meet the fierceness in his eyes.
"For someone who stole my daughter's chance of marrying into the Hayes family, you sure are lively in our presence."