Coming Between Us

Suddenly, a high-pitched voice called out Raphael's nickname. I felt a sudden tightness in my chest and realized that I recognized that voice. I slowly turned around to see Rosabella approaching us with a brilliant smile on her face. Suddenly, I felt like I didn't belong there with the two of them, and I was instantly reminded of that similar feeling that I felt when she joined us at my mother's wedding reception.

"I'm sorry for arriving late. I wanted to greet you sooner, but by the time that I got here, you were already up on stage," Rosabella said before smiling apologetically at Raphael. Her eyes did not even glance my way, and I wondered if she saw me as just some object of decoration in the background. That was just how much her entire attention was absorbed by Raphael.

"You didn't need to come," Raphael replied quite coldly.

"This is your event; of course, I have to be here," Rosabella replied as if she was completely unaffected by his detached comment.