Alexis felt Stefan's eye bore on her as she didn't dare to look at him. Her plus one? She showed up to her ex-boyfriend's wedding bringing a plus one with her? She can't blame that stare. But how can she explain that she also came to know that she has brought a partner with her today?
Alexis's bewildered eyes flew straight towards the man as he looked back. She could clearly see he wasn't great at talking but still extending his hands to possibly end the uncomfortable conversation she was stuck in just now. Her eyes caught the non-existent rescue signal of that nonchalant man, deciding to make the best outcome of this situation.
"Uh… yeah, meet Arthur. He came with me. In fact, I was sitting with him but didn't get the time to introduce you with him," Alexis pointed on the seat beside hers that was previously occupied by the man named Arthur, a bit too far of a seat to call it two people familiar with each other sitting side by side.
Oscar winning performance indeed, Alexis thought as her eyes found Stefan's boring at Arthur this time. Alexis never saw him looking up at someone as there weren't that tall guys around him, but this Arthur guy has made this happen as Stefan had to slightly upward to match his gaze.
"I think Venessa might need you, why don't you check where she is?" Alexis offered her plastic smile to him hinting it's high time he stopped bothering her. She could almost hear him grit his teeth.
Why is he so angry? Today was full of surprises, indeed. First, Stefan acted strange and now this man whom she doesn't even know was helping her out like they are besties since forever.
And to save her from the awkward situation, Venessa entered the scene again holding Rebecca's arms. They have warmed up with each other, haven't they?
"Hey, everyone's waiting for you. Why are you still here, Stefan?" Venessa's soft tone made Alexis feel a bit chilly. The voice was sweet and charming, just like herself. And that was directed to her husband, obviously.
"I'll be joining them now," he looked back at her, nothing with the coldness he had while talking to Alexis.
Perfect, just perfect.
Venessa saw his retreating body and her eyes finally fell on Alexis and the man beside her. Although she had something to say, she abruptly became quiet just after looking at them.
"Excuse me, you guys have fun."
Rebecca looked at me and Arthur back and forth, eyes filled with questions because by that time, we were uncomfortably standing way too close beside each other as two strangers.
"What's the deal?" Rebecca's eyebrows danced with her question.
"I don't know either," Alexis replied, although she wasn't in the state of analysing the situation at all.
Stepping out of the scenes quickly, she went towards the backyard of the house. The wedding was held in Stefan and Rebecca's parents' house. It had a huge front and backyard. The backyard wasn't decorated with flowers and curtains like the front yard. Cool breezes were playing their part correctly, making her legs feel chillier. The weather wasn't suitable for moist eyes, even if she wanted to cry she didn't feel that much will come out in this weather. And she does not definitely want to get caught crying here. She didn't cry when she broke up with Stefan. Why would she cry now?
The love she had wasn't shallow enough to let it slide with tears. Even if she wanted to cry with her hearts out, her pride didn't let her. She did whatever she had to, but it wasn't meant to last. And it didn't. She was foolish to believe it did. She was foolish to dream of a wedding when she didn't even graduate.
A wedding wearing white gown, looking all pretty, seeing Stefan patiently waiting for her to come down the wedding aisle while looking like the prince he was, dazzling as ever. But she forgot she was living a fantasy. Her reality could only effort to hold onto the fairy tale for a little time, the lifetime wasn't in her capability. It was all her fantasy, wasn't it?
She felt like screaming her heart out, but was afraid someone might hear her.
"There's a lake 100 meters away from this property."
Alexis almost jumped in surprise, realizing she wasn't alone anymore. When did he stand behind her?
"What exactly are you? A ghost or something?" She shivered a little. Why is the weather suddenly dropping? Damn it, she even dressed lightly. And this man even has a chillier voice than the temperature right now. No, this wasn't helping at all.
She rubbed her hands together to get a bit of warmth as two large hands emerged behind her and held a white coat around her, almost draping her with it.
"May I?" Arthur simply asked as if it's the most natural question he could ever ask her. Alexis didn't see him wearing it from the beginning and she wasn't both in a mood or luxury to decline this offer. She nodded a little, finding herself tugged inside the coat instantly. It was warm. Way warmer than she felt a second ago.