Valerie's POV
I should be happy for my sister. But all I felt was envy.
Gina twirled a bouquet of white roses under the soft lights of the florist shop, her engagement ring catching the sun. "What do you think?"
"Calla lilies," I said, brushing my fingers over the petals. "They would make the roses pop."
She beamed, but my chest tightened. I wonder if a ring will ever grace my finger
It was Ten o'clock on a Saturday morning and I was with my younger sister– Gina at a florist shop helping her pick the flowers for her wedding which was only three weeks away. I almost turned her down the first time she asked me to accompany her, not because I was busy but because I had a tiny tinge of jealousy that I was not the one getting married before her. Moreover, she already hired a wedding planner who was already doing a perfect job.
"You're the interior decorator so you're the best person to help me make the perfect choice" Gina had said over the phone.
As her big sister I am supposed to be happy for my sister and not jealous so I decided to support her in any way possible to make her big day perfect..
My phone rang immediately distracting me from my thoughts.
I smiled at the caller ID—Damian, my date for Gina's wedding.
"Hey babe" I said, a wide grin already plastered on my face.
"Hi Val" his response was quick and there was something off with his tone or maybe I was overthinking.
"Could you come over to Skyline restaurant by four"
"Sure babe"
An early dinner date with my man would be a great way to spend my weekend.
"How are...."
Mid way into my question and he already cut the call. No "I miss you", Just a time and venue. I shoved the creeping unease aside and forced a smile, put my phone back into my sling bag and turned to face my sister who seemed to have been eavesdropping.
"Was that Damian?" she asks with a small pout on her face.
"Mhmm" I nodded as I pretended to be looking at some other bouquet in the shop.
"He's still coming to the wedding…right?" Gina asked
"Let's wrap up. I've got a date to get ready for." I said changing the topic
"Okay sis, if you say so" she said with her hands in surrender and concern written all over her face.
A knot formed in my chest as I bit the inside of my cheek and forced a smile.
We went ahead to make inquiry on the flower arrangements for Gina's wedding.
My parents, especially my dad, have been on my neck to get married because he sees marriage as a marker of success and stability. He has a very traditional mindset and believes a woman's crown is her husband. Although I have the perfect job as a top-tier interior decorator in New York City and have built a name for myself, we still have a slight shift in our relationship. Marriage is the one milestone I haven't checked off my life's list.
I recall sitting beside him at my cousin Sophia's wedding last year and he whispered "Maybe next year it will be your turn – if you stop being too picky"
I felt disappointed at myself knowing that regardless of any of my achievements I could never make my father proud unless a man put a ring on my finger.
I have already attended enough weddings so I promised myself to stay away from any more weddings. I don't need any more reminders that I was missing the one thing that would make me fulfilled.
" " " " "
Arriving at my apartment at One O'clock was perfect because it will give me enough time to rest before preparing for my date.
"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!"
The only thing I had taken into my system since morning was a cup of coffee and I have been so busy helping Gina I forgot to even eat. Now I could literally hear my stomach rumble.
I would have ordered some take-in but I have decided to prepare some noodles and save the best for the last by waiting till dinner with Damian so I would eat to my satisfaction.
"I can't help it, I really like good food"
Three hours later, I had already taken a well deserved nap, showered and now put finishing touches to my makeup as I took a final glance at my full-length mirror. I am impressed by the reflection I see.
I'm running late for my date so I rush to meet the waiting uber I already booked before I began my make-up. Moments like these makes me wish I had used my savings to buy a car instead of renting an extra space for my office.
As a top tier interior decorator in New York City I have to represent my brand and having a second office was necessary because Jane– my personal assistant has so much to do and I felt she needed a space of her own.
I walked into Skyline twenty minutes late. The silk of my blue dress hugged my skin, matching the shimmer in my eyes. I spot Damian at a corner booth and smile, but he does not smile back.
"Hey babe, I'm sorry for—"
"It's fine," he cuts in, flat.
I pause, blinking. He does not even look up.
Suddenly, I felt uncomfortable because this was the second time he was cutting me short today. I waved off his attitude as I picked up the menu to select a meal.
Instinctively, a waiter walks up to our table to collect our orders.
"We would like some champagne before the main course" Damian said to the waiter as I placed the order for both of us. This was a ritual we did whenever we hung out–eat the same meal.
As the waiter disappeared an awkward silence loomed and Damian looked at his wristwatch from time to time like he had somewhere else to go.
The waiter quickly returned with two glasses of champagne, releasing the awkwardness in our midst.
"Thank you" I say, taking a sip from my glass.
With the waiter gone, Damian looked me in the eyes for the first time this evening as he spoke, wine untouched.
"Valerie Edwards, I'm no longer interested in this relationship"
I nearly choked on my wine which now had a bitter taste in my mouth.
I should have seen it coming. The way he checked his wristwatch more than he looked at me. But still, I stayed—hoping I could be enough. And now, here I am, dumped three weeks into my sister's wedding, with nothing to show for all the love I gave.
I could already hear my father's voice in my head— "Maybe next year it will be your turn— if you stop
being too picky".
I stared into my half-full glass, blinking back tears.
This time, I had no excuses left