I had just gotten engaged to my boyfriend of three years.
He knew I loved going to the movies, so early that morning, he bought tickets for us to watch one. It was a romance film titled Tangled.
The plot was emotional, and I cried until my eyes were red. I stepped out to the restroom to touch up my makeup. My best friend, Isabelle called, asking what I was up to. I responded while dabbing on some powder, "Just watching a movie."
"With who?" she asked.
The lipstick was a bit too dark, and I gently wiped it off with my finger before answering, "Lucas."
Isabelle wasn't fond of Lucas. She thought he was dull, not romantic enough, and his family background was rather ordinary. She didn't think he was a good match for me.
"Are you really going to marry him?" she asked.
I smiled softly. "He's very good to me. I'm happy with him."
Isabelle changed the subject, her tone turning sharp. "Does Felix know about this?"
Hearing Felix's name made my eyelid twitch, and I lowered my voice. "Why bring him up?"
Isabelle continued with a teasing tone, "You don't think he'll make trouble when he finds out, do you?"
"He left the city ten years ago. He's not coming back to cause trouble," I said, my voice softening.
Isabelle let out a small laugh. "He's your brother, you know how he is. When he finds out about your engagement, he won't just let it go." Her words made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I bit my lip. "Can you just not bring him up?" Isabelle paused before saying, "Libby, I have to tell you something. I saw Felix at the airport today."
I froze. The lipstick fell from my hand and rolled across the floor, finally stopping by the door.
"What—what?" I stammered.
"Felix is back. He's definitely here to find you. Be careful," Isabelle warned.
My heart raced, and I felt the blood Libby from my face. I bent down to pick up the lipstick, trying to gather my thoughts.
Just as I straightened up, I saw a pair of polished black shoes in front of me. The shoes were spotless, so clean that they reflected my face. I stared at them for a moment, then slowly raised my gaze.
The chandelier above was blinding. I blinked a few times, and that's when I saw him. His narrow, dark eyes, a high nose bridge with a small mole on the left side, and his skin as pale as marble.
Felix!
My fingers trembled, still clutching the lipstick, and old memories flooded back. My mind went blank, and before I could stop myself, I bolted.
But he stopped me, his hand gripping my wrist with iron strength, pulling me back to the door. The buzzing in my ears made everything else seem distant. His voice, like a shadow, whispered in my ear.
"Libby, long time no see."
If I could, I would have preferred never to see him again. His grip was stronger than before, and my wrist felt as though it might snap.
"...Let me go."
"Let go?" Felix leaned in closer, his lips brushing against mine. It was light, barely a touch, yet it sent a shiver down my spine. "Dream on." I heard Isabelle shout from the phone, her voice filled with panic, "Libby, what's going on?" Before I could respond, Felix grabbed my phone and threw it into the sink.
The phone powered off a few moments later.
I struggled against him. "Felix, let me go."
Felix's finger traced the curve of my cheek, his smile chilling. "You used to call me 'brother'."Those memories felt like nightmares I wanted to forget, but they were all too clear now. I tilted my head away, unwilling to let him touch me.
Felix held my chin firmly, gently turning my face back to meet his gaze. His eyes flickered down to my lips. His breath was hot on my skin as he murmured, "You're engaged? Who gave their permission for that?" I trembled, unable to form a single coherent sentence.
His hand rested on my shoulder, and when he saw me close to tears, he grabbed my chin again.
"So sweet," he whispered. "Has he ever tasted them?"
