Prologue #6
“I’m getting married, bitches!” I shouted, hopping up from the couch in my section at Club Heat, with my glass held high, surrounded by my closest group of associates—Aaliyah, Angel, Tiara, and Savannah.
We all grew up close, but Savannah was the only one I considered a friend.
In high school we were the ones everyone wanted to be around, and if we didn’t like you, then you were no one.
That still hadn’t changed, even now that we’d graduated.
“Here, here!” Savannah agreed, bringing her glass to her mouth and downing the liquor.
The club was packed, which was to be expected.
Club Heat was always wall to wall from Thursday to Saturday.
“Life Is Good” by Future featuring Drake played.
After deciding on a dress, I went right to the mall to find something for tonight.
Since we were celebrating a special occasion, I couldn’t wear anything in my closet.
Tonight deserved something brand new that would make me stick out.
I found a backless sapphire blue mini dress with a deep plunge halter neckline and dual hip cutouts.
Between my breasts was a thin gold chain that dangled and stopped right above my belly button.
Around the waist, on the inside, were two thin straps that caused the dress to hug my body perfectly.
Along with it, I wore gold, wrap around the ankle Rene Caovillas.
I wore my custom-made, yellow gold Barnett necklace with my name in the middle of an infinity sign in diamonds, two matching tennis bracelets, infinity earrings in the front hole of my ear, and my two-carat diamond studs in the second hole.
On my opposite wrist was my 18k yellow gold, mother of pearl, Van Cleef & Arpels Perlée watch.
And to top everything off was a black and gold Prada leather mini pouch I brought specifically when I was going to a crowded place and needed a cute, small purse for my belongings.
After everyone else took a drink, we all stood to dance and celebrate.
Between the pictures, videos, great DJ, and liquor, I was having an amazing time.
When I was leaving for the club, my mom was there gossiping on the phone with a drink in her hand.
She gave me a half ass wave before turning and heading somewhere in their wing of the house.
The only reason I came to their side of the house was to see her and she barely acknowledged me and never even asked what dress I’d decided on.
Instead of getting in my feelings about it, I put my energy into enjoying my last week as a single woman.
“You know, Xylina, I thought you were seeing Luke until recently. How did you and this mystery guy end up engaged suddenly?” Aaliyah asked once we were all settled.
I was looking through my social media notifications. They were flooded with people asking about my engagement. I posted a picture of a sash that said bride-to-be on my page and in my story on InstaFlik. Now everyone wanted to know what it meant. It brought me joy to keep them guessing.
I lifted my head toward Aaliyah. She was messy and always spreading everyone’s business.
The only reason I stayed around her was because she was so knowledgeable about everyone.
She also was devious and wasn’t above using whatever she knew against you.
I always made sure to watch what I said around her and never let my guard down, but she was a good time to hang around.
I cocked my head to the side. “Me and Luke were casual. And me and Yosiah happened suddenly but we both just knew we were meant to be.” A fake drunk grin formed on my face. I batted my fresh, volume set lashes.
A smirk formed on Aaliyah’s face. She swirled the drink in her hand in the glass. “Yosiah? Yosiah who? I’ve only heard of one person with that name and he was listed on the expected Fifty Under Fifty list,” Angel commented.
My smile grew.
The Fifty Under Fifty was a list of men and women younger than fifty to look out for when it came to brains, wealth, and talent. Yosiah was on the list due to his work in tech. He recently did work for some city officials and was recognized for it.
“That’s him, Yosiah Bedford. My hubby-to-be.” I beamed with pride as I sat up straighter.
“Girl, that man is fine! How did you manage to get him?” Tiara asked.
I scoffed. “Do you see me?” I waved my hand down my front. “How could he resist me?”
We snickered. “Fair.”
“And we all know nothing is going to stop Xylina from getting someone’s attention,” Savannah chimed in.
“You’re correct about that!” I agreed, sneaking a look at her.
I know she had questions about Yosiah and me, especially since the first time I mentioned him I said we didn’t know each other.
Thankfully, she was waiting to bring it up, but I saw it on her face when we first got here. She wasn’t happy with me.
“Mhm,” Aaliyah hummed.
My eyes cut in her direction. “What?”
She crossed her legs at the knee, her skirt so short she might as well had on panties. It might be cool outside, but none of us cared when it came to going out and having a good time. Peering over her glass, Aaliyah silently studied me for a second.
“It’s just… this is all so sudden. We get a random text that we’re celebrating your engagement tonight. Then a man ten years older than you is the man in question. You two don’t even run in the same circles and he’s not even your type. So how did you end up together?”
I rolled my eyes and finished my drink before pouring another. “My type is a fine ass man who fucks me well, looks good next to me, and can match my lifestyle,” I replied with a deadpan stare.
She snorted. “I know he comes from money. My dad worked with his dad’s company when they were looking to expand, but he’s still not your type.”
I cocked my head to the side. “And what’s my type, Aaliyah?”
She snickered. “We all know your track record, Xylina. You date guys that are easy to control and will do whatever you say. I doubt Yosiah is that.”
I kept my face blank although my insides grew flustered. “And who said that’s not how he is.”
Again, she laughed. “Are you telling me he is?” One of her perfectly arched brows lifted.
“I’m saying he’s exactly what I’ve been looking for in a man.”
“How long have you two been dating?”
“Does it matter?”
She shrugged. “Something just doesn’t seem right. I mean you’re nineteen and about to marry someone we never heard you mention before. As a friend, I can’t be concerned?”
“Aaliyah! Girl, who cares. You’re ruining the damn mood,” Savannah complained, frowning in her direction.
“Yeah. I thought we were here to party and celebrate! This is not fun!” Angel went into her purse and pulled out a small baggie.
I knew what was inside. We all experimented with coke and ecstasy before but Angel was the only one who kept her nose dirty frequently. “I’m going to the bathroom.” She stood.
“Hold on, I’m coming with you. My bladder is about to explode.” Tiara popped up.
“Aaliyah!” someone yelled out from the entrance of our section. The guards standing out front blocked them from coming in.
She glanced over and lifted a finger. I never took my eyes off her though.
“I hope you didn’t take offense to what I said, Xylina. You know I’m nosy, girl.” Her tone lacked any sincerity. I knew this was just how Aaliyah was though. I didn’t think she was genuine with anyone.
With a fake smile on my face, I shook my head. “Girl, no. If one of you guys suddenly announced a marriage, I would wonder too. You don’t have to worry though. When you come to the wedding, you’ll see how in love we are.”
She smirked. “I guess I will.” She stood. “I’ll be right back.” She grabbed her Gucci crossbody and paused. “Oh, where’s your ring? You’re not one to not show anything off, yet I don’t see it on your finger.”
I glanced at my left hand then flicked my eyes back to Aaliyah. “It’s getting resized. Don’t worry, I’m going to show it off soon as I get it back.”
“Mhm.” She nodded and turned to leave the section.
Soon as she was gone, I rolled my eyes and took a large gulp of my drink while Savannah rushed to my side. She leaned in so her mouth was close to my ear.
“Okay we’re alone, bitch. Spill right now!” Her words slurred as she spoke loudly.
Pulling my cup back, I twisted my neck to face her.
“You told me you didn’t know that man and now you’re about to marry him. What happened?”
Setting my glass down, I grabbed my pouch and went inside for my lip gloss. “Simple, everyone knows when I set my eyes on something I don’t stop until I get it.”
Her eyes narrowed, causing me to snicker. “Fine, fine.” First reapplying my lip gloss, I gave a summary of everything.
A snarky smile slid onto her face. “You sneaky bitch.”
Laughing, I pushed some flyaway pieces of hair out my face and put my lip gloss back before checking myself with my phone’s camera.
“You gotta do what you gotta do.”
“That you do and I’m not mad at you. After you mentioned him at my house, I looked him up and there’s tons of articles written about how he’s on the road to millions and how promising he is.”
“That’s my hubby. He’s everything I could want in a man and more.”
Her head bobbed to the music and she eyed the crowded club. “Oh, by the way, did you get fitted for your dress?” I asked.
Savannah was the only one in my wedding. We had made a pact a long time ago to be each other’s maid of honor, not that there was any question about it.
“I did and I looked snatched too! I might look better than you on your day.” She laughed, causing me to join in.
“Bitch, you wish.”
She lifted her glass and I grabbed mine and did the same.
“Salute to you, best friend! You got your man.” Clinking our glasses together, we drank to her words.