The phone rang, and Elvira picked up to Olivia's excited congratulations. "Elvira, you lucky duck! Though, between us, I never pegged Calvin as your Mr. Right. But hey, love conquers all, right?"
"Brace yourself, Olivia. You're not gonna believe this," Elvira knew she had to come clean with her bestie.
"What could possibly top the 'I married Calvin' disaster?" Olivia scoffed, her disdain for Calvin no secret.
"Well, plot twist. I didn't marry Calvin," Elvira revealed calmly.
"Hell yes! Wait, then who is the unlucky fella?" Olivia's brain, already fried from a marathon shift, nearly short-circuited.
"It's a long story. Let's grab dinner and I'll spill the beans," Elvira proposed, seizing the opportunity as she glanced around her nearly settled home.
They agreed on a spot and made their way there.
Olivia was a doctor. She often missed meals due to her busy schedule, which was why she hadn't seen Elvira's social media updates.
Over dinner, Elvira unpacked the story, with Olivia cursing Calvin to the seven hells, relieved she could finally vent her true feelings.
"Who did you marry, and why aren't we getting him annulled tomorrow? Worse comes to worst, we'll embrace the single life together!" Olivia was both worried and scared Elvira might have made another hasty decision.
Elvira assured her Zach was not a mistake, but Olivia remained skeptical until she could meet him.
Left with no choice, Elvira rang Zach amid his busy schedule. His initial annoyance at the disturbance softened when he learned why she called. He valued his privacy and wasn't keen on needless interruptions, especially not from someone he was still getting to know.
"What's up?" Zach's voice was cool.
"Sorry to bother you, but my bestie's freaking out about our shotgun wedding. She wants to meet you. Totally cool if you're swamped," Elvira said lightly, aware she was pushing her luck.
"Send me the address. I can't promise I'll be there soon, but I'll make an effort." Zach, ever the pragmatist, figured helping Elvira manage her social circle was part of the deal.
"Thanks a bunch." Elvira texted him the details and then reassured Olivia. "He's swamped but will do his best to swing by. Let's eat for now."
"Best he can do? Seriously? He is your husband, not some distant cousin. Screw this, we're getting you out of this tomorrow!" Olivia was fuming.
"Chill, Olivia. I kinda sprung this on him last minute. He is actually pretty decent," Elvira defended Zach, hoping to temper Olivia's outrage.
"How 'decent' can a guy you impulsively marry be?" Olivia wasn't buying it, convinced Elvira was just putting on a brave face, all while preaching the gospel of singledom.
Post-dinner, with Zach MIA, Olivia was all set to launch Operation: Annulment.
That's when Zach strolled in, exuding an air of regal charm that could silence a room.
Olivia, mouth agape, was about to nudge Elvira when she noticed her already beaming and rising to greet him.
Zach arrived at their table, apologizing softly, "Sorry for the delay, traffic was a nightmare. Have you both finished eating?"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: She Got A Better Man