Chapter 3

RACHEL POV

I felt as though I was living in a dream, and I needed to pinch myself to reality. I rubbed my eyes with the palm of my hand, wondering how my deepest desires had somehow materialized without me even realizing it. It was as if fantasy had seamlessly merged with reality, requiring no effort whatsoever. I couldn't help but think that the universe was rewarding me for my choices.

The mere sight of him sent my heart racing, my palms growing sweaty, and my temperature soaring. I struggled to wrap my head around the fact that the man standing mere feet away from me was the very person I had been fantasizing about. It all felt too surreal to be true.

Mary nearly collided with me when I came to an abrupt halt, my feet seemingly rooted to the spot as I struggled to process the unexpected turn of events.

"Hey, young woman, watch where you're going!" Mary exclaimed, snapping me out of my reverie.

I turned to face her, still trying to process what I had just seen. "Mary, do you see what I just saw? Am I dreaming? This can't be real!" I whispered urgently, my voice trembling with excitement.

Mary's expression changed from concern to curiosity, and she swiftly turned to look in the direction I had been staring.

"It's all too real, dear, but sorry, you don't stand a chance," Mary teased, her words piercing my heart as she pulled me toward our table.

Her words stung because they were laced with truth. The man of my dreams was accompanied by his girlfriend, a woman who embodied everything I felt I wasn't. She was the epitome of perfection, with curves that could stop traffic and a porcelain complexion that seemed almost ethereal. Her golden locks cascaded down her back, and her refined features exuded sophistication. The way she moved her lips as she spoke was mesmerizing, leaving me feeling inadequate and invisible. She was his perfect match, and I had to swallow the bitter truth that some things were just meant to be. Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice the conversation around me until I felt the weight of everyone's gaze upon me.

I looked around, confused, to find that every pair of eyes at the table was fixed on me. "What?" I asked, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks.

Tom's voice came from beside me, "Femi just said you're beautiful." I turned to him, my face still warm, and murmured a polite "thank you".

"We've never met, and I was surprised when Tomide mentioned he'd be bringing a friend - Mary's friend, that is," he said with a warm smile. "Thanks for joining our little gathering."

As I met his gaze, I couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked, radiating confidence in his crisp white shirt and wine-colored blazer. He exuded an aura of charm, the kind of person who could make dreams come true. But, ironically, he wasn't the one who had caught my attention.

My eyes had been drawn to someone else, sitting at the adjacent table. I flashed a bright, 1000-watt smile and replied, "It's no problem at all. I just couldn't bear the thought of staying home alone, so I tagged along with them."

When we joined the table, there were already two guys and a girl engaged in lively conversation. As the discussion continued, food was served, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, laughing and chatting. However, I remained detached, I was physically present but my soul was far away from the table

My mind wandered, and I felt disconnected from the gathering. I sensed someone's gaze on me, and although I didn't meet their eyes, I intuitively knew it was Femi. His subtle attention sent a shiver down my spine, but I refused to acknowledge it, maintaining my emotional distance. Femi had been discreetly glancing my way since I took my seat, his actions subtly conveying his interest. However, my attention was captivated by another couple - the man in the blue suit, who was deeply engrossed in conversation with a breathtakingly beautiful woman.

She wore a stunning gold knee-length gown that accentuated her curves, paired with elegant pearl jewelry that adorned her ears, neck, and hands. Her presence was radiant, and I found myself drawn to the couple, my fascination with them overshadowing Femi's attempts to catch my eye.

She was laughing at something he said, and even though I only had a side view of her from where I sat, I could tell by the way her body was shaking with mirth. A pang of jealousy simmered in the pit of my stomach, threatening to boil over.

I felt a surge of guilt - I had no right to be jealous. He wasn't mine, and I had no claim to him. Yet, witnessing the way he touched her, patted her hand, and gazed at her with such affection, made it impossible for me to remain calm.

"Hey, young woman, are you with us?" Mary asked, waving her hand in front of my face to snap me out of my reverie.

I quickly turned my attention to her, and she whispered in my ear, "Forget about him and just enjoy the night. He's not worth ruining your mood. Besides, someone here can't take their eyes off you since we arrived." I knew she was referring to Femi, and I wished she wouldn't be so pessimistic about Aderemi.

Just then, Femi turned to me and asked, "So, Rachel, where are you from?" I replied, "I'm from Ekiti state." Femi's expression turned nostalgic, and he said, "Oh, really? My grandmother lived there before she passed away last year." For a fleeting moment, a hint of sadness crossed his face, revealing a deep affection for his grandmother.

"I'm sorry," I said genuinely, trying to offer some comfort.

But before I could continue, Femi downplayed the situation, saying, "Come on, she died at an old age. She was probably around 95."

I was about to respond when a sudden, sharp noise cut through the air – the unmistakable sound of a slap. My eyes widened as I watched in shock as the girl slapped him, then hurled insults, calling him a bastard. She grabbed her bag and stormed off, leaving him sitting there, looking stunned and helpless, like a child who'd just been stripped of his favorite PJ MASK top.

If Mary hadn't grasped my arm, holding me back, I would have rushed over and confronted the girl. My anger was simmering just below the surface.

I knew the embarrassment he was feeling would be too much. He was a well-known guy to football lovers and he didn't deserve what he just went through. I didn't even know how I got up but I knew I was at his table. The only thing I knew was that my name was being called from our table but it sounded like I was being called from another planet.