Glad I Found You

I was in a temporary shock from an allergic reaction.

The two guys I had grown up with didn't even look my way. One of them was busy helping Vivian Byrd carry a pile of gifts, while the other was snapping pictures of her at some popular social media spot.

It was a stranger passing by who called an ambulance and got me to the hospital, saving my life.

The next day, Vivian called, her tone almost smug. "Trish, Zeke and Hendrick were so exhausted after shopping with me yesterday. I heard you threw a tantrum and ended up in the hospital. Should I come visit you?"

I simply replied, "No need."

Zeke Benson and Hendrick Peay were my childhood friends. They once treated me like I was everything to them—promising to pluck the moon and stars from the sky and to protect me forever.

But ever since Vivian came into the picture, their world no longer revolved around me.

I thought for a moment and then dialed my mother's number.

"Mom, I'll accept the marriage arrangement."

On the other end of the line, my mother's voice was filled with excitement. "Trish, I'm so glad you finally agreed! The engagement with Maltimum Enterprise's heir was arranged when you were little. We were supposed to introduce you to him a year ago, but you kept resisting for those two friends of yours. Although their families have some wealth, they can't even compare to Maltimum Enterprise. Have you really thought this through?"

I nodded while holding the phone. "I've thought it over. I'll follow your lead in this matter."

My mother laughed. "Don't worry! I'll make sure you have a grand wedding!"

Just as I hung up, Zeke Benson and Hendrick Peay walked into the room with fruits.

"Trish, whose wedding were you talking about?"

I looked at them, expressionless. "My wedding. Why?"

Zeke snorted. "Oh, Trish, you sure know how to joke around."

Hendrick pulled a mango and handed it to me. "Are you jealous of Vivian or something? We just think of her like a sister. Don't overthink it."

Zeke joined in. "Yeah, you were the one who introduced Vivian to us. Isn't it a bit petty to be jealous of her now?"

I stayed silent for a moment, then slapped the mango out of Hendrick's hand.

Before I could say anything, Hendrick got upset. "Trish, what's your deal? You don't even want the kindness we're offering? Did I spoil you too much?"

Zeke picked up the mango, peeled it, and was about to force it into my mouth. "Take it!"

I had just recovered from an allergic shock, and my body was still weak. I couldn't muster the strength to stop him, and before I knew it, the mango was inches from my mouth. In a panic, I bit Zeke's hand.

Zeke yelped, throwing the mango across the room. "Are you crazy?! Why did you bite me?"

I looked at them, a bit amused. "I'm allergic to mangoes. Have you guys forgotten?"

I remembered back in school when Zeke and Hendrick first found out about my mango allergy. They were so protective, each of them taking turns cooking for me just to make sure I wouldn't have an allergic reaction.

But now, just six months after Vivian Byrd appeared, they had completely forgotten.

Zeke and Hendrick exchanged an awkward glance. "Of course we haven't. We were just joking around!"

"Trish, why can't you take a joke? If it were Vivian, she wouldn't be mad at us. Can't you be a little more magnanimous, like Vivian?"

"Alright, stop being jealous of her. There are other fruits. Let me get you something else you like."

I couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

They really thought I was competing with Vivian for their attention, not realizing that I had already given up on both of them.

"You guys should go. I need some rest." I pressed the nurse's call button.

Zeke flipped through my medical chart, looking confused. "Trish, you just have low blood sugar. There's no need to fake an allergic shock to get our attention."

Hendrick glanced at the chart as well. "Yeah, Trish, you're allergic to mangoes, but you didn't eat any yesterday."

I pulled the covers over my head, ignoring them.

They had no idea Vivian had tricked me into drinking half a cup of mango juice yesterday, which almost killed me.

Even if they knew, they wouldn't believe it. To them, Vivian was perfect in every way.