Chapter 8
Allen reached out to shake hands, his smile just as genial. But his words made me want to cover my face in embarrassment: “Right? You think my tie looks sharp too, huh? Jenny gave it to me when she publicly declared I was her boyfriend. Kind of a ‘going public‘ gift.”
I thought to myself, “Oh Allen, you really know how to strike up a conversation and hold a grudge.” Jackson probably still has no clue. This whole thing stemmed from Christmas when he said, “I’ll introduce you to someone new in a heartbeat!”
The party was getting lively as more guests arrived. Given Allen’s status, even if he wanted to avoid mingling, people kept pulling him into conversations. I found a quiet corner, nibbling on a slice of tiramisu while watching Jackson on stage, holding his wife’s hand and bawling his eyes out. It was quite touching. Jackson had been quite the heartbreaker in the past–his pursuit of his wife had been like a scene out of a tragic romance. Yet, he somehow managed to win her over.
A shadow fell beside me. I didn’t need to look to know who it was. I had anticipated running into him today. Unlike the other night when he was a drunken mess, Antony looked presentable today. But his weary expression and bloodshot eyes betrayed that he hadn’t been doing well. “Jenny.” he started, struggling to say my name. He looked at the couple on stage, then turned to me, hand outstretched. In his palm lay a ring, its imprint still visible from how tightly he’d held it before. “Let’s get married too, shall we? I’m sorry. I should have proposed all those years ago. I won’t let you down again. I’ll treat you right, and it’ll just be you, for the rest of my life.”
I set my fork down, having lost my appetite. I picked up the ring that I used to wear. In his eyes, which seemed to light up with hope, I turned and opened the patio door. The ring traced an arc through the air and landed in the pool with a splash. Antony’s body swayed. His already pale face lost any remaining color, and he stammered, desperate: “Jenny, I was wrong. I really know that now. I didn’t appreciate what we had. I was foolish. I’m changing. I’m trying to win you back. But then you blocked me.”
Antony still couldn’t shake the despair he felt when he realized I had erased him from my life. Just when he thought he’d found a way, when hope was within reach, that red exclamation mark shattered his fragile optimism. “Jenny, I’m not asking for immediate forgiveness or acceptance. But at least, leave me a way to make amends, to try to win you back.”
“Take a left on your way out.” A mocking voice, tinged with cold amusement, suddenly interjected. Before I could react, I was pulled into a strong, warm embrace. Allen held me possessively, raising an eyebrow at Antony with a cocky grin: “Thinking about doing what it takes to win her back? I’ll be there to pick up the pieces when you finally give up.”
With Antony’s interruption, Allen and I decided it was best to leave early, not wanting to disrupt the party further.
“Not heading home?” I asked, noticing Allen checking the GPS with curiosity.
“Nope, I’m in a good mood today. Thought I’d take you to the beach to watch the sunrise.” I honestly believed Allen. Sure, to watch the sunrise. But he didn’t mention that the time before the sunrise would be spent in the car… well, you know.
In the most heated moment, when emotions were running high, Allen lifted my hand, and I felt a brief chill on my ring finger. I was lucid for just a second, only to get swept away again as he intertwined our fingers.
Jackson’s call came just as dawn was breaking. Exhausted, I leaned against Allen’s chest, my voice still heavy with sleep: “What’s up, Jackson?” But it wasn’t Jackson on the other end–it was another of our mutual friends: “Jenny, you need to come see Antony! He spent hours diving in the pool trying to retrieve that ring you threw. It’s winter; no one can withstand that! He passed out as soon as he got out. He’s in the hospital now, burning up with a fever. You two grew up together. Could you come here?”
I pressed my lips together, then replied coolly, “Is he conscious? If so, hand him the phone.” There was silence on the other end for several seconds.
04:46
Then Antony’s weak, hoarse voice, choked with emotion, came through: “Jenny, I found the ring. I–I found it. Can you…”
“Antony,” I interrupted gently, “you’ve got quite a repertoire of ways to get my attention now, haven’t you? Stop doing these pointless things. Don’t interrupt Allen and me while we’re watching the sunrise.”
The line went silent. And so did I. Because just then, when I glanced down, I saw the diamond ring on my finger. It sparkled brilliantly in the emerging sunlight. Allen wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer.
His other hand brushed over the ring, his voice low and firm: “With my ring on your finger, you’re committed to me for the rest of your life. If you even think about running,”
I couldn’t help but smile, raising an eyebrow cheekily: “I’ll scatter your ashes.”
