Chapter five

Heather

A smile touched my lips as I stared at the cake I just decorated. It was chocolate cake, Dallas's favorite. Dallas and Oliver were returning from their honeymoon today and we decided to throw a ‘welcome home' party for them. Nothing big, just cake and champagne.

No one else was invited aside from our friend group, especially not Ethan. I knew my friends didn't invite him because of me, but it only made me feel even more terrible. I didn't give them any real reason after they asked me how the apartment inspection went.

I had to tell them eventually when Dallas arrived, but for now, I just wanted to focus on the cake and not think about my life, and James' business card is currently sitting in my purse.

It's been twenty four hours since James offered to sell the restaurant to me but I still haven't given him a reply. I'd always thought opening my own restaurant was what I wanted, but now that I had the opportunity to do that, I just…I don't know if that's what I should do next.

“Okay, that cake looks so good. I can't wait to dig in. My stomach is literally begging me to take a bite.” Tabitha said as she walked into the kitchen.

I smiled, my heart swelling with pride.

“Well, too bad you don't get to eat until Dallas gets here.”

“Can't we just take a tiny bite? I'm sure she won't mind. The aroma is killing me.” She groaned.

“No, you cannot, ma'am. Why are you in the kitchen anyway? Are the decorations done?” I asked.

“That depends on who you ask. Jenna insists it's too much, Lisa thinks it's too little. They were arguing about it so I just left it to them.” she shrugged.

“We should get back out there before they decide to take down the entire decorations.”

Tabitha nodded and we went to the living room. Sure enough, Lisa and Jenna were still arguing about the decorations.

Tabitha's phone rang before she could interfere in the argument. She walked outside to answer it.

“Really, guys, I think it looks great. We shouldn't add or remove anything from it.” I said, trying to settle the argument.

They seem like they're about to resume their argument, but thankfully, Tabitha rushed back in.

“They're here!” Tabitha squealed.

Lisa, Jenna, and I hid behind the couch while Tabitha stood by the light switch.

“This is dumb. I feel like a six year old who just designed a birthday card for the first time, waiting for her mum to come home.” Jenna scoffed.

“How very adult-y of you, Jenna.” I snorted.

I've grown used to seeing Jenna act like she doesn't care about anything or anyone, but we all know it's just a facade. Jenna cared a lot, perhaps more than any of us. She would literally go to the end of the earth for the people she cared about.

Jenna might be Dallas biological sister, but honestly, she was the big sister in our friend group. And damn, does she know it.

“I suggested we throw a small ‘welcome home’ party for the new couple, not a kid's birthday party. Why the fuck are there balloons everywhere? And petals, really?” She arched an eyebrow at Lisa.

“What? It's cute and romantic.” Lisa shrugged.

“Yeah, for a high school prom.” Jenna said.

Sometimes, listening to Jenna talk about events or extremely fashionable things makes me wonder how she's made it this far in her modelling career. I was certain she was the only supermodel who hates almost all things fashion.

“It doesn't look like that. And what's wrong with prom? They're great.”

“Can you guys keep it down? They just got out of the car.” Tabitha hushed and we all immediately kept quiet. “And proms are great, by the way. I was prom queen.” she added.

Lisa stared at Jenna with a ‘I told you’ look and Jenna rolled her eyes.

“Heather, a little help?” she asked.

“Nah, I'm not getting in the middle of this.” I shook my head. “And Tabby said ‘shush’.”

The sounds of footsteps approaching carried to the living room. We became extremely quiet as we waited for them to walk in. It was like we were all holding our breaths.

Dallas's laughter drifted to the living room as Oliver grumbled something we couldn't hear. The door finally pushed open and–

Wait…were they kissing?

Lisa, Jenna, and I exchanged horrified expressions. But really, what were we expecting from newly weds who are crazy in love with each other?

I contemplated just sneaking away instead to save them the embarrassment. But there's no way I could do that without alerting them.

“Yeah, I'm stopping them before they get naked.” Jenna said and rose from her kneeling position before we could stop her.

“Hi!” she said loudly. Tabitha finally switched on the lights around the same time. Lisa and I came out of our hiding places and waved awkwardly.

Yup! The welcome party is definitely over.

Dallas disengaged from her husband and cleared her throat, her face slightly red.

“Hey, guys!” she said.

Jenna was the first person to walk up to her sister and hug her. I shook my head, amazed at how fast she went from being broody to all smiles when she saw Dallas.

Things might have started out rocky between them, but somehow, they've made their relationship work. I wished I had the same relationship with my own siblings. I ignored the pang I felt as the thought ran through my mind. Now was not the time to rehash the past.

The rest of us walked towards them and the group hugged. When we disengaged from the hug, Oliver was already gone. I hadn't expected him to hang around, but I wanted to thank him for helping me with my apartment search.

“So the welcome surprise is ruined, but at least there's still cake.” Tabitha said.

“Yeah, sorry about…that.” she said, her face flushing lightly.

“No, don't apologize. You deserve to be happy. But please, check your surroundings next time before you start fucking.” Jenna said and Dallas elbowed her side.

“What she said. Now, let's go sit down and tell us everything about Capri.” Lisa quipped.

“Not everything. Just like the places you visited, the food, the people, but not..you know…the things you did.” Jenna added.

“I am happy that you're back, Mrs Kang.” Tabitha said, while Dallas chuckled. “But the cake!!!.” she added.

This time, we all laughed.

“Alright, I'll go get the plates and save Tabby from her misery.” I said.

“Good call.” Tabitha responded.

I went to the kitchen to get the cutleries. I saw Oliver, taking out a bottle of water from the refrigerator. He nodded his greetings to me and proceeded to do his thing.

That was Oliver Kang. He barely speaks to any woman that wasn't his wife. Despite working and living with him for almost two years, the longest conversation we've ever had was the day I got hired.

“Thank you for helping me with my apartment search. And I'm sorry I didn't end up taking it, but I do appreciate your assistance.” I said.

His mouth tilted slightly, a hint of a smile.

“You don't have to apologize.” he paused, “For what it's worth, Ethan was only trying to help. I don't know what happened between you two, but you shouldn't refuse the apartment because of it. If you end up changing your mind, I’ll make sure it's available for you.”

If only he knew Ethan never did anything wrong.

I forced a smile on and nodded.

“Thank you.”

He walked out after that. I fetched the cutleries we needed and headed back to the living room. They had already opened the wine when I got there.

“You opened the wine without me? I was just in the kitchen.” I pouted.

“You were taking too long, and Dallas's Capri stories were interesting.” Lisa said.

“I saved you a glass.” Dallas handed over a glass of wine to me. I thanked her and took my seat on the couch.

“You haven't told us how your job interview went, Heather.” Dallas prompted.

“Actually, she has.” Tabitha said, while Jenna and Lisa nodded in agreement.

“So I'm the only one that doesn't know?” Dallas asked, we all nodded.

I knew I was going to regret this, but I had to do it anyway. I'd only told my friends briefly about how the interview went. I didn't tell them James offered me the place. If I did, I'd have to tell them what decision I made, which was ‘no decision yet’.

“Since this is Lisa's last weekend in New York, let's have a girl's night out and I'll tell you everything about the interview.” I said, trying and failing to show enthusiasm.

The four of them stared at me with varying levels of shock like I had grown two heads.

“You want to go out?” Dallas asked and I nodded.

The rest of them were probably thinking I suggested it because I didn't get the job I interviewed for. I was going to find some courage to tell them. After all, they were the only family I have.

“Alright then, girl's night out, it is.” Dallas announced.

Jenna winced. She hated loud places as much as I do.

“I don't think I want to g–”

“What's that, Jen? You're going to bail on an outing with your friends and your sister that you haven't seen in weeks?” Dallas asked, batting her eyelashes.

“Alright, fine.” Jenna rolled her eyes. “I swear, you were sent from hell to torture me.” she glared at her sister.

We burst into laughter at her murderous expression. Jenna tried to keep her annoyed face for all of two seconds before she cracked a smile.

My eyes drag over the four of them, happy and laughing in that moment, and I wonder if things would remain like this when they find out the truth.

That I'm nothing but a big fraud.