The Best Man novel Chapter 2

"If happy is her, I'm happy for you"

~Demi Lovato, Stone cold

Olivia's POV

Devastation.

At that point and time, I was thankful I wasn't eating or drinking anything because I'm certain I would have probably choked to death or something along those lines, which wouldn't be such a bad thing because it would actually take me out of my misery

I just sat there with the same expression I had when Tristan told me him and Mellisa were dating five years ago.....now that I think about it, that was nothing compared to the fact that they were getting married

They were getting married!

"Liv, did you hear what we said?", Tristan's excitement on his face slowly died down when he probably noticed me staring blankly at him. I'm sure all the blood drained from my face as I blinked repeatedly.

"Liv, are you okay?", Mel came into sight again and my eyes fixed on the huge diamond ring on her finger. Why did I answer this freaking video call in the first place?

"I'm sure it must be a connection problem. She hasn't moved in two minutes", Mel said over her shoulder and Tristan shook his head.

"She's blinking", he pointed out before he snapped his fingers in front of their laptop screen. "Liv?"

I snapped back to the sad reality yet again and pulled a confused expression. "Yeah?"

Tristan chuckled. "Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah", I stuttered nervously, sitting uncomfortably in my seat as I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly. "This is a huge surprise"

"I know right?", Mellisa giggled as she flicked her hand to give me a clear view of her ring and I gulped heavily. "I was as equally surprised when I saw him going down on one knee"

He told me it wasn't a big deal when I asked him what he wanted to talk about. He was planning a whole engagement, and it wasn't a big deal?

Really Tristan?

I forced a smile. "Congratulations you two"

"Thank you", they chorused together before he placed a tender kiss on her temple I dropped my eyes to my keyboard. Seeing them together was like an instant punch to the gut.

"We would like to invite you to dinner next week Saturday, to celebrate", Mellisa said

"You can bring Greg as your plus one", Tristan added

"Oh yeah, it's been a while since we've all hung out together.", Mellisa replied

"Okay sure, I'll let Greg know"

"I'll text you the details"- Tristan

"I'll see the two of you Saturday night then", I smiled and they both waved goodbye before closing my laptop shut and covered my face with my hands for a second, tears already threatening to escape my eyes. I know I was supposed to be happy for him but why is there a burning sensation in my heart? That tightening feeling in my chest?

Am I jealous?

Yes.

I thought I was over him, I really did. Greg managed to close that void I felt in my life for the longest time, but it seems it was ripped open yet again. I love to see Tristan happy but why does it also hurt so freaking much?

I sat there probably looking seconds away from my eyes popping out. Not only that, but I was still processing everything in my head before I felt a hand brushing against my shoulder, startling the light out of me to see Anna's emerald eyes staring at me.

"Oh my God Liv, are you okay?. You look like you've seen a ghost", she exclaimed as she leaned to my height and placed her hand on my forehead. "Are you coming down with something?"

"Yes", I breathed out. "Heartbreak and jealousy"

"It can only be Tristan", she sighed as she took the seat opposite me. "He and Melisa got back together again?"

That was literally the least of my problems

"Yes but this time it's different", I rested my cheek in my hand, and she rose her eyebrow, daring me to continue. "They're engaged"

"Oh wow", her jaw dropped in surprise before composing herself. "But that's great news, right?"

"It's so exciting", I faked enthusiasm before standing on my feet and walked past her

"Leave?!", she stopped in her tracks and I turned to see her with her mouth hanging open

"Yes. Leave", I took a sip of my coffee, and she pouted her lip, looking at me like I just said the craziest thing she's ever heard.

"As much as I hate to admit it, I really love that idiot", she shrugged helplessly before entwining our arms again, and we continued walking. "I can't just leave him just because things aren't going my way. I'm just tired of always fighting"

"Are you willing to compromise?"

"Yes, I really want to make us work"

"That's the spirit kiddo", I gently squeezed her shoulder when we reached my office. "The both of you need to sit down and really talk, every relationship has challenges, but it's up to the both of you to steer it in the right direction. You'll both be okay, trust me"

She cooed before she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me in for a bear hug. "For someone who can't give out advice, you're actually not so bad"

"I try sometimes"

"You're a good friend, Liv. Thank you"

"I'll send you my invoice", I joked, and she laughed out loud as we broke away from the hug

"Now go back to work young lady", I ordered, mimicking Mr Spencer's voice before I walked into my office and heard her mimic me back childishly

"I heard that", I called out to her and she laughed

"That was the intention"

On this particular day after work, I didn't want to go back to my apartment because I didn't feel like being alone, so I decided to drive to Greg's place and spend the night there

It's a great thing that it was Thursday today, so I wouldn't have to worry about getting early for work tomorrow morning because it was a public holiday, long weekend ahead baby!

I knocked on the door twice but there was no response, so I decided to use my own set of keys he gave to me months prior. He wasn't aware I was coming over, I wanted to surprise him.

Inside his apartment it was dead quiet, which was weird because he usually played some music or something. I took off my heels and looked around for him in the house. He wasn't in his study nor the balcony, which were his outermost favorite places to collect his thoughts.

His bedroom door was closed shut, I thought he must be in bed after his late meeting. As my hand turned on the door knob, the groaning and moaning sounds from the other side of the door grew disturbing by the second.