Serah leaned in and whispered as though she was telling something so important and secretive. I swiveled my head a bit to the front to hear what her surprised eyes could bring.
"I know you may hardly believe me, but that's just the truth and nothing else. I overheard Jeremy talking on the phone just now. He's meeting someone else, someone special, I guess!" She poured a small quantity of wine into a cup and sipped it.
My eyes narrowed, a mix of disbelief and concern flickering across my face. Even as I knew how bad Serah could be, I still found an iota of truth in what she said. Why would Jeremy rush out abruptly? He had never done such before. I was also shocked when I saw him perform the drama this evening, but I never could have guessed that he was calling other girls.
"What are you talking about, Serah? Jeremy wouldn't do that," I interjected, trying to hide the pain.
Serah chuckled and sipped from her cup of wine again.
"Sweetheart, you need to wake up. I heard him saying he was meeting one of his fling gummies at some secluded spot. It sounded quite intimate if you caught my drift," she smiled - a wicked laughter.
My heart raced, torn between trusting Jeremy and the seeds of doubt that Serah was planting. Serah sounded so real for me to doubt.
"I don't believe you, Serah. Why would he do that?" I asked indistinctly.
Serah shrugged, her facial expressions claiming innocence.
She said phlegmatically, "Who knows? Men can be so unpredictable. Maybe he's tired of the same old routine with you. Just an opinion though!"
I felt a lump forming in my throat as she landed, but I refused to agree.
"This can't be true. Jeremy wouldn't betray me like that," I muttered silently, but still she could hear.
Serah leaned back, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction, and shuffled her mouth as if she pitied me.
"Believe what you want, Amaya. I just thought you should know the truth. Moreover, I am just saying this because you saved my life from a set of kidnappers," Serah said.
I was now uncomfortable with Serah's words. I stood up from the chair and walked out of the party, leaving her alone with the wines on the table. I spotted Jeremy pacing by the entrance, his phone pressed to his ear.
"Jeremy, what's going on?" I demanded, my voice a mix of confusion and accusation.
Jeremy turned around, looked startled, and quickly ended his call.
"Amaya. It's not what you think. I—"
Jeremy was explaining when I cut him off, the weight of Serah's words hammering in my head.
"Is it true? Are you meeting someone else?" I frowned.
Jeremy sighed, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Amaya, listen. I got a call from my sister. She's in trouble and needed my help. That's why I had to leave abruptly," Jeremy said to my face.
My eyes softened, the anger giving way to concern. "Your sister? Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, still trying to match how true it could be.
Jeremy ran a hand through his hair, the frustration on his face feigning evidence.
"I didn't have time to explain. It was an emergency. I would never betray you, Amaya!" Jeremy responded.
Torn between trusting Jeremy and the lingering doubt Serah had planted, I took a step back, and explained,
"Serah told me you are meeting someone, that it's something intimate."
Jeremy's eyes widened in disbelief. "Serah? She's the one who's been spreading lies? Don't tell me you could believe whatever Serah and her mum, Aurora, say."
"Alpha Jeremy!!!" Emily breathlessly called out as she approached, her eyes darting abruptly.
Jeremy turned at her, his brow furrowing with curiosity, and asked,
"What's going on, Emily? Why do you look so worried?"
I turned towards Emily, wondering what must have caused her relentless breathing.
"Is everything okay?" I asked.
Emily took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "It's your sister, Jeremy. She's sick. I got a call, and they said it was serious. You need to come to the hospital." Just as she landed, Jeremy's eyes widened, such that his expression shifted from curiosity to alarm.
"I just got a call from home!" Jeremy said, looking so worried.
"She's in critical condition," Emily replied, her voice filled with urgency. You need to go to her now. The doctors said it's important," she added.
"I am sorry, Amaya. I need to go see my sister. I will be back soon!" Jeremy turned to me and grabbed my hands. I nodded, then he left with Emily.
Jeremy's sister, Katherine, was Jeremy's favorite sibling. He loves her so much that he guides her and protects her. This was because, just for Jeremy to attend a boarding school outside our territory, she stood behind, and allowed Jeremy to go instead of her. Jeremy went there and had the examination. Though, Jeremy was not choosing Katherine's unexpected act made him love her so damn much.
I moved back inside the party house, Serah now operating her phone. I sat beside her, sparing her bad gazes. That blonde was nothing but a cramp. She just took after her mother, Aurora. I lifted my wine and emptied it into my belly.