Chapter 420: Missed (A side Story)

Mina's head was pounding, and not just because of Connor's proposal, the loud music, or the people staring at her. Mina was angry with Willow for having invited Connor to Wayvair, because she was afraid that the man's current infatuation with her would not fade in time, and he would pull some grand romantic gesture at the event.

Willow assured Mina that Connor went through intense phases since he was a teen, and she saw his declaration as nothing more than that, but she did admit to not expecting his reaction. From what Willow remembered and from what Olivia confirmed, Connor had not received presents for his birthday ever in life.

As Mina had guessed, presents for the rich came in monetary form. For guests who could not afford to give, which only happened if an excess of starving artists were invited, gifts were given in the form of social media recognition. Mina still did not understand the significance, because she was almost positive that Connor's tie cost more than what she had given him. It was then that Willow reminded Mina of a story she once told her at Wayvair.

"Do you remember that year you returned to university so depressed that Ash and I thought someone had died?" Mina nodded.

"I lost my necklace," she said aloud. That small beaded chain was precious to Mina, and it still bothered her that she had been careless with it. She absentmindedly reached toward her neck and played with the small charm Cylus' grandmother had customized for her.

"You said it meant a lot to you because your parents couldn't afford to buy it, but because they wanted to make you happy; they found a way." Willow did not like speaking kindly of Mina's parents, but it was the only pleasant thing she knew of the man and woman.

"So, because I'm poor, my gift has more value?" Willow made a noise of affirmation and Olivia chimed in.

"To Connor, you made a sacrifice for him, something you did not have to do." Mina finally understood, and she made a mental note not to ever present a birthday present to a person in a higher income bracket than her.

"I'm still shocked by his reaction though," Willow added. "I thought he would use it to tease Oric or Cylus." Mina had not thought about that aspect of things, but she had something better in mind for either man if time allowed it.

"You have to be careful though," Olivia said, the women had leaned in close to one another as the music was loud, and it was difficult to hold a conversation. "People will think you gave him something to gain favor." Mina could understand that as well, and she suddenly felt uncomfortable sitting on stage with Connor and his closest friends.

Mina voiced her concerns and Willow agreed that it was a curious seating arrangement. Deciding that it was better to leave Olivia at the high table, Mina and Willow made their way down to the general seating and found a place where both women could feel comfortable. The music blared loudly, and Mina registered that they had been spared from the ear bursting sound when they were situated behind the speakers.

As the night progressed, so did the intensity of the music that played, and after a few drinks, Willow told Mina she wanted to dance. Mina encouraged her friend to have fun, telling her that she would not leave from where she sat until she returned. Elated, Willow kissed Mina's cheek and hit the dance floor.

Feeling buzzed, Willow twisted and turned her body in ways that were foreign to Pan natives. It was not long before someone Willow recognized approached and wrapped his arms around Willow's waist. He was not from Pan, but he had been pursuing Willow for years. As their bodies swayed with one another, the man whispered into Willow's ear. He wanted to know if she had considered his offer.

Jeremy Barnes was the only man, since Oric, that Willow had ever tried to have a relationship with. He was a kind and handsome man, but eventually he lost his patience with her. Although their relationship had crossed many lines, Willow could not sleep with him. She wanted to, but she literally could not, and it was not just Jeremy.

There was something about the thought of taking her clothes off for anyone that put Willow off, and she could not help but to become unenthused whenever the offer was made. She badly wished she could, but all she could think about was the feeling that Oric had given her after they were together for the first time.

Having had sex so young, Willow was a shaking mess, with tears of pain, joy and fear running down her face. While she was not crying; Oric was not even concerned for her. He only cared about cleaning all traces of their passion off of her body, before humiliating her further. It was a side of him she had never seen before that time, but she would never forget it, despite trying.

The entire ordeal was so damaging to Willow that she sought therapy, hoping that it would alleviate her of the guilt she felt toward her parents, who moved their entire fortune to a more expensive country for her sake. When that did not work, Willow delved heavily into one hobby after another. It was during one of the times when she was obsessed with club hopping that she met Jeremy, who, by chance, knew of the Lamar's.

Jeremey treated Willow well, always reminding her that she was beautiful at the right times; all while never forcing her to do anything that made her uncomfortable. When Willow had told Mina and Olivia that she had never tried to sleep with a man after Oric, it was a lie she told to protect herself, because she had tried unsuccessfully many times, but of all the men she tried with, Jeremy had been the only other man to see her fully naked.

"I miss you," Jeremy whispered into the shell of Willow's ear and she turned to face the man, embracing him the way she would have if they were still in The Four Cities. The man hugged her back and Willow looked into his dark eyes before she replied.

"You look happy." Jeremy was a good man, but he was broken by mentally abusive parents. He reminded Willow of Mina in that regard, and if she were being honest, it was probably why the man had been able to put up with her for as long as he did.

"I am happy now that I found you again." Willow felt her heart twitch as Jeremy's dark hand reached up to gently stroke her cheek.

"I told you. It's time for you to move on." Willow tried to separate herself from the man, but he pulled her into his body again, allowing her to feel the muscles that she knew were hidden under his shirt.

"I've already found the woman I want." Jeremy looked deep into Willow's eyes, trying to convey to her that she was the one he wanted.

Willow felt her whole body shake from a chill that ran up her spine with Jeremy's words. Being his wife would not be horrible. He was hard working, he was handsome, and above all, he was tolerant. Her eyes drifted away from Jeremy's and for a second too long, they landed on Oric's gloomy expression.

"Don't look at him," Jeremy ordered. "He already had his chance." Out of the men Willow tried to date, Jeremy was the only one who ever cared enough to try and figure out why she struggled with intimacy. It took months, but he waited for her back then, just like he was waiting for her now.

"What happened to Claire?" Willow asked, forcing the man to hang his head as if he were too ashamed to speak.