But then Simon, one of Skyler's friends who treated me slightly better than the rest, called. "Raya, why are you keeping us waiting? We're all here, just missing you."
I blinked in confusion. "Waiting for me? Why?"
"Aren't it you and Skyler treating us to dinner? Hurry up and come over. We're waiting for you." He hung up before I could protest.
I stood stunned as my phone beeped again. Simon had texted me the address of the restaurant and the private room number.
For a moment, I hesitated. Should I just ignore this and finally make a clean break? But then, maybe this was the time to confront them, to clarify things. After wrapping up my work, I headed to the address.
It was the five-star lounge I had mentioned to Skyler so many times before, begging him to take me so we could make memories together. I had seen rave reviews about it, and everyone online was crazy about the place. But, as always, Skyler had come up with an excuse. Too busy. Too much on his plate.
I exhaled, pushed the memory aside, and walked inside the building. The hostess gave me directions to the private room. As I reached for the door, I froze, overhearing Simon’s voice from inside. “Raya thinks so highly of herself. I can't believe we had to call her countless times before she agreed to come.”
My eyes narrowed. My heart pounded in my chest as I pressed my ear closer to the door.
"I don't know why Skyler humbles himself for someone like her," Simon continued, lacing his words with spite. "She's unappreciative."
Tia’s soft laugh followed. “She’s just a middle-class girl. Of course, she gives off an attitude. People like her are insecure. But I know she’ll come crawling back to Skyler. She’s nothing without him.”
They all laughed, mocking me, and I felt the world tilt beneath me. Simon’s next words pierced through the haze. “Raya is unworthy of him. Everyone can see that Skyler and you, Tia, are the perfect match. You're better in every way. If you hadn’t left to build your modeling career, you’d still be by his side."
I stumbled back, barely catching myself. My mind reeled. Tia left for her career? Skyler had told me she left because he rejected her. My stomach twisted. He had been lying to me all along. His tolerance, his tenderness toward her—it wasn’t just friendship. It was love. She was the one he cherished, not me.