Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74123 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74123 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Amina bit the inside of her lip. She was hoping Jasmine would be here by now because she didn’t know how much longer she could keep up this act. Mark sat beside her, fuming and she was getting angry glares from his parents.
She’d have to put up with these assholes just a little longer.
“Who was texting you?” Mark attempted to peep over her shoulder.
She pulled the phone out of his eyesight range. “Just a friend. They said they were running late.”
“You invited someone besides that white girl?”
“Her name is Paisley. And yes, I have another guest coming. You did say I could invite my friends and it looks like there’s a seat still available.”
“Amina, you’ve been acting weird lately and maybe you’re going through a woman’s thing or something but you need to calm down. Here. Maybe this will put you in a better mood.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a red velvet box.
She recognized it instantly but she feigned ignorance. “What is it?”
“Open it dummy.”
Again, she bit the inside of her lip, to keep her from saying something out of pocket. She took the box and opened. Sure enough, nestled inside a satin bed was a gold ring with one of the smallest diamonds she’d ever seen. She didn’t know a whole lot about jewelry but if someone said it was a quarter carat it would be a generous estimation.
He took the ring out of the box and grabbed her left hand and slipped it on her ring finger. She could only stare at this ridiculous thing.
“You’re speechless aren’t you? I knew you’d like it.” He had no business having so much pride in his voice over this pathetic purchase.
This time when Amina bit the inside of her lip, she did it with enough force to keep herself from laughing in his face. She was aware that it was the thought that counted, but she knew for a fact that he’d put no thought or effort into this at all.
She was also aware that he’d gotten the money to purchase this ring from his parents because in the previous timeline, Mrs. Caldwell had told her to be grateful for having in-laws like them to help out.
Amina could almost guarantee that Mark didn’t use all the money his parents had gifted him and spent as little as he could on the ring and pocketed the rest.
She was saved from actually answering when the servers started going around the table and placing salads in front of the guests and more bread on the table.
Some of the attendees decided to use this time to come to their table to congratulate them and look at her ring. A few of the women made polite comments while others declined to say anything about it at all.
And then to Amina’s annoyance, Candace strolled over, wearing a maxi bodycon dress that was so low cut the top of her areolas could be seen.
Despite calling Amina a streetwalker earlier, Mark was ogling so hard, he was practically salivating.
“Hi Candace. I’m glad you could make it.” He smiled showing every single one of his teeth, his first genuine smile since Amina had arrived.
Her cousin bent over the table to give them a better view of her cleavage. Amina wasn’t fooled into thinking this was simply an attempt to wish them well. This was Candace trying to show her up, but tonight Amina was ready for her.
“Congratulations, little cousin. You look….” She gave Amina a slow perusal. “Nice.” Her mouth said one thing but the tone implied something completely different.
But Amina wasn’t fooled for an instant. She remembered Candace’s reaction when she walked in to the party.
“Thanks. And you look…interesting.” Amina smiled back.
Candace’s cheeks reddened briefly but then the smirk returned to her glossy red lips.
“I never thought you’d get married before me. I mean you were never that popular in high school.” She then turned to Mark. “Whenever poor Amina would get close to a boy in school she’d find out that they were using her just to get close to me. I felt so sorry for her.”
Amina clenched her fists in her lap. She knew this was Candace’s way of trying to embarrass her and she refused to crumble.
To her annoyance however, Mark laughed. “I can see that. But you know how it is. Amina is the loyal type, so, I had to reward her.”
Candace snickered. “You make her sound like a dog.”
Amina wanted to throw up in both of their faces. “Candace, is it really a surprise I’d get married before you? As Mark said, I’m the loyal type. The popular girls in school usually get used up early and guys don’t want to bring that home to their moms. You should know that. You’ve had a lot of boyfriends haven’t you? Are you still seeing that one guy who was supposed to get drafted by the NFL?”