Chapter 14

I barely slept that night, tossing and turning as my mind and heart battled within me, trying to decide whether I was making a mistake. The decision that I swore to myself was the right one, wasn't settling well with my aching heart. I was sure that I had to walk away. I couldn't get involved in this overly complicated disaster with Sean. It would bring nothing other than pain and catastrophe. Besides, it wasn't like there was anything between us, right?

"Argh!" I groaned, throwing my pillow across the room and sitting up. I kicked my legs over the edge of the bed, noting the time on the clock at my side, three forty-six am. I slunk out of my room, and down the stairs, where I ended up in the kitchen, my feet tingling with the cold from the hardwood floor. I knew I had to be at work in just a few hours, and without sleep, it was going to be torture, as if with everything else on my mind, it would be anything less than that anyway. I pulled open the fridge, and pulled out the bottle of milk. Pouring some into a jug, I placed it in the microwave, thinking a mug of hot chocolate might do the trick. Not long later, I was wrapped in a blanket on the sofa, sipping the hot drink and beginning to feel drowsy. I pushed everything out of my head, deciding I could face it all in the morning, or not. The last thought I remembered before fading into sleep, was just how easy it would be, if I just disappeared, packed a bag and jetted off to some tropical island, leaving all my family drama and Mel and Sean behind.

A loud ringing sound caused me to jump, the sudden jolt out of my sleep made my heart beat so furiously that it felt like it was about to leap out of my chest. I looked around for my phone, before I realised that I'd fallen asleep on the sofa, I leapt off the sofa, racing out into the hall and up the stairs, maneuvering the sharp turn of the doorways with excellent precision given my still half asleep state. I jumped onto the bed, reaching for my phone, and accepting the call just in time.

"Hello?"

"Rox, where are you?" Kennedy's voice rang out in my ear.

Shit! I pulled the clock around to face me and swore, pushing back off the bed.

"Kens, I'm sorry, I will be right there, just gimme twenty minutes." I spoke fast as I sped into the bathroom.

"Okay, I'll hold things down, but you know that the Raddison's want you to manage their event, if you aren't here when they arrive, we will lose the account."

"Right, here's what you do. Go to the deli across the road, order a platter of sandwiches, and pastries, pull a bottle of champagne from the store room, and set it up in the conference room. If they get there before me, tell them I am just discussing some final details of another account with the caterers, and let them help themselves. I will be there as soon as I can."

I hung up and quickly busied myself getting ready. At record speed I managed to get dressed and put on a light dusting of subtle make up. I was soon pulling up outside of work, and making my way to the conference room.

"Thank god you made it." Kennedy gasped, springing forwards and holding out a bright orange file.

"They're not here yet?" I asked, taking the file and glancing at the still empty office.

"No, I set the room up ready, would you like me to show them in there when they arrive, or your office?"

"Get them settled in there, and text me the minute they're in the building. I need to go do something quickly."

I made my way to my office and finally relaxed. Taking a moment to compose myself, I ran my fingers through my hair, tidying the flyaway bits from the rush, and smoothed the front of my white pencil dress. I locked my handbag in my desk drawer, and was just about to leave as my phone buzzed in my hand, it was Kennedy, letting me know it was time. I set off back towards the office, this kind of meeting wasn't unusual for me, it was part of my job, certain clients who were intent on having everything the way they want, and not hesitating to make an issue if things failed to turn out their way. Somehow though, today, I just didn't feel like dealing with it. I was tired, and now that I had gained a few moments to myself, the battle from last night was threatening to overwhelm me once more. Mentally shaking the thoughts, I took a breath and strolled into the room, greeting the clients with a calm and professional manner, before starting the meeting.

Hours later, I was sitting at my desk, organising sample invitations, taster menus and floral arrangements for one of my clients when Kennedy interrupted.

"Rox? There's someone here to see you."

"Who is it?" I asked, spinning my chair and rising to my feet.

"Your sister." She replied with a small smile.

Ohhhhhh just great! I thought, rolling my eyes and making my way towards the door. Mel was sitting in the waiting area, dressed in a plum dress and nude heels, her hair twisted up in an elegant pleat and her eyes were fixed on her phone.

"Mel?"

The sound of her name caught her attention, and she immediately rose to her feet.

"Hey Roxy," Her tone had a slight sweetness to it. One that made me wonder what exactly she was after. "Can we talk?"

"I'm at work Mel, this isn't really the time." I crossed my arms across my chest, noticing the receptionist casting glances over at us, as if trying to read the situation. I wasn't in the mood to hash things out with my sister right now, not with the mountain of work I had to get done before the start of the weekend, and the uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach knowing that I had slept with the man that she was in love with.

"Please? It won't take long." She managed a slight smile and I felt myself cave.

"Fine, follow me." I turned away, leading her towards the conference room that was still set up from earlier, the left-over sandwiches had since began disappearing as staff had helped themselves, and the empty bottle of champagne was placed upside down in the ice bucket.

"I can see why this job appeals to you so much." She said, waving her hand in the direction of the empty bottle with a small laugh.

"If you only came here to throw insults, then you can leave. I have plenty of work to get back to." There was a snappy edge to my voice as I remained holding the door open, preparing to turn and walk away. But instead Mel interjected, a touch of sadness in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"Have another dig at me?"

She squeezed her eyes closed at the bitter tone of my voice.

"Yes."

I sighed and allowed the door to fall closed as I walked inside and took a seat at the table.

"Staff party?" She asked awkwardly, hovering nearby.

"No, important meeting. Take a seat." I nodded towards the chairs and she sat. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

"Right, of course." She bit the inside of her lip, nervousness radiated off of her. It was a strange sight. I wasn't sure I'd ever seen Mel this nervous. "I wanted to apologise." The words came out in a rush, one that surprised me as I was far from expecting them. I didn't have time to reply before she continued. "I was a bitch, and what I said was way out of order. I've just been so stressed lately and I guess it all got on top of me."

"So your stress levels made you turn into mom, and I'm meant to what? Say it's okay, I don't mind." I rolled my eyes again, typical, always an excuse. Mel was becoming more and more like mom these days.

"No, of course not. It's just, well, I hope you can forgive me, because I have something to ask you, and I really hope you'll say yes."

The broad smile on her face made my heart stop, internally I was pleading for her not to ask what I thought, what I feared, that she would ask.

"Will you be my maid of honour?"

Her face beamed with hope and joy whilst I was pretty sure mine had adopted a look of disgust and terror. My breath disappeared and I felt like my heart had abandoned me altogether.

"I- I don't think-"

"Please, just think about it. I know we haven't been on good terms lately. But no matter what, you're my sister, the only one I have. I want you to be there for my wedding, at my side."

Fuck! That was all that was going through my head. How the hell do I get out of it. It's not like I could call her out on it being a sham wedding. I'm not meant to know that, and confronting her about it would open an entire can of worms. At the end of the day, sham or not, she isn't faking how she feels about him. Even if it's all one way, she loves him and she isn't about to let him go. As sick as it makes me feel, thinking about her marrying the man who is invading my mind and my heart, the man who is turning my world upside down, there is nothing I can do to stop it. Looking into my sister's eyes, I didn't know how to respond, I jumped to my feet, smoothing down the front of my dress and hastily made my way towards the door.

"I really need to get back to work."

She seemed a little taken aback, but nonetheless she rose to her feet and followed me.

"Of course, just let me know what you decide."

I nodded once, unable to bring myself to reply in words, standing back to allow her to pass me. Once she was out of sight I retreated to my office, flopped down into my seat and raked my fingers through my hair. Mel asking this of me was more evidence that my decision was the right one. I had to walk away and leave Sean behind me. I couldn't get caught up in something, he was affecting me so much in such a short time, this would all add up to a perfect way to get hurt. That was something I had fought hard to avoid all my life, and if I wasn't careful, this would be the biggest pain I could ever feel. I pulled my phone out and tapped out a text to Evan.

Up for drinks tonight? I need it! X

They say the best way to get over a guy, is to get under another... well tonight, I am going to move on. The old Roxy is back, and she is coming out to play.