Reborn ghost seeing lady is pampered by her ex husband - Chapter 264

Chapter 264: Choosing friendship over love.

They all returned to the party, played pin the tail on the donkey and danced and feasted like there was no tomorrow. It was the most fun Phoebe had had in a very long time. When the sun had firmly set, the party inevitably came to an end.

Phoebe and her parents bid goodbye to all her guests, giving out souvenirs that were mostly snacks produced by the Mayfair corporation.

Not all left of course, some like Evelyn stayed back due to unforeseen circumstances. She was too drunk to go anywhere so she was escorted to one of the guest bedrooms. The Mayfairs were concerned for her well being so they decided to have her stay in their house.

She used to stay over all the time after Ruth’s parties anywhere so it was not new.

As soon as she was placed on the bed, Evelyn bent down and threw up, prompting Maria to rush her to the bathroom.

Phoebe was worried about her friend so she placed a tonic on the table for her. Jennie was displeased meanwhile, glaring at the contents of Evelyn’s stomach which had yet to be cleaned away.

“She does this all the time, Pheebs, darling, i hope that you don’t follow in her footsteps. Her dating life is a mess and….”

“Mom…. don’t say that.” Phoebe said in a low voice.

She was familiar with her mother’s earnest judgemental ways. Still, Evie was her friend, and she was not a bad one.

Grandma Mayfair dismissed Jennie’s words. “That Evie girl is a sweet girl, she is a little too free spirited but a good and loyal friend to our Pheebs. Jennie, you should judge people less, who here has not been stupidly drunk a time or two?”

Edward’s arms were folded to his chest with his narrow eyes staring at his wife. “It’s odd that you are saying this honey, during your era you were worse. The wild parties, non stop drinking, circuit races…. ha! Should I go on?”

“What?” The Mayfair siblings spoke in unison, shocked by the revelation.

Jennie good girl reputation Mayfair used to drink and race at circuits? She used to enjoy wild parties!!! Who was that woman and where had she gone? This Jennie was a few marbles shy of becoming as confused as light church obsessed Emilia Verdemont.

How had the strict grandma Mayfair allowed old Jennie to marry her only precious son?

The children had many questions for the adults but for now, they just hid their laughter because Jennie’s face had turned ripe tomato shade red.

Jennie’s shoulder fell inwards, slightly hunched as if trying to make herself smaller, she had changed since then and was embarrassed of such memories. She gave Edward the famous Jennie glare for exposing her after she had worked hard to bury that dark history.

“I’ll go check on Evelyn.” She scurried away from the group that was laughing at her.

The rest of the group returned downstairs to bid farewell to the remaining few guests. One happened to be Collin Baltimore who started moving towards them as soon as they appeared. He had come at Collin’s invitation as they had become friendlier lately.

It wasn’t surprising when her brother Collin gave him a side hug.

“What’s up bro?”

The two men bumped their fists together and slapped each other on the back. Phoebe snorted and rolled her eyes.

“Bro? Really Collin? How is this guy your brother, you have known him for less than a month.” David appeared out of nowhere.

He had been keeping his eyes on the Baltimore dude since the moment of his arrival shortly before the cake was cut.

“I am wanted Saxon, i can’t say the same about you.” Collin Baltimore smirked.

Phoebe exhaled loudly and her shoulders slumped dramatically. In her mind, she pictured them coming to blows for no reason other than big egos.

It did not help that Connie had scrambled out of the space as soon as she smelled tension and she was loudly chanting, “Fight, fight, fight.”

The girl really didn’t know when to shut up and when to talk. This was not a wrestling arena, Phoebe did not want to see any fighting.

[I really hope that they don’t choose to fight today, it’s my first special birthday]

Everyone that was paying attention to her especially the three men saw the thought, they all made a silent agreement to be civil.

Collin cleared his throat. “Yeah, I may not have known him for long but we are cool. In fact Collin Baltimore and I are about to collaborate on a project together.”

“Is that so?” Edward cocked his head, he wore a wide smile that showed that he approved.

Collin Baltimore quickly interjected. “We are still in the talking phase but it looks quite promising and fruitful for both companies.” He clearly stated, part of him disapproved of Collin’s move, announcing the news prematurely.

David’s right hand thumb traced over one of his eyebrows, the rage in his nerves slowly surging. He understood that it was just business but it pained him that Collin Baltimore was forming permanent relationships with Phoebe’s family, even if it was just business.

He strongly disliked Collin Mayfair’s move, it was one made in the effort to link Phoebe to Baltimore.

“Well good for you both.” David forced a smile on his face, playing the jealous lover was only going to be make him look childish and petty.

Phoebe put her hand on David’s arm and gave him a reassuring smile. That alone was enough to chase away the dark cloud hanging over his head.

As long as Phoebe was on his side, not even the two Collin’s could separate them. After a little courtesy chat, Phoebe opted to escort Collin who announced that he was leaving.

David wanted to follow but Collin intercepted him, suddenly acting friendly.He had no choice but to watch her disappear with the hateful Baltimore.

He had nothing to worry about, Phoebe felt uncomfortable around Collin Baltimore, especially because she knew how he felt about her.

When they were walking, she remained silent and it was he that finally broke the silence.

“Happy birthday, it’s good that you came along with me because I wanted to give these to you.” Collin’s hand reached inside his pocket and pulled out two tickets which he gave to her.

She took the tickets and they continued walking at a moderate pace.

“Annual Citrus antique museum auction and gala?” Phoebe read out loud.

Nodding his head, Collin’s cheeks faintly tinged with pink. “Yes i was hoping that we could go together, if you are okay with it of course.” He lifted his eyes in search for hers but Phoebe avoided his gaze as much as possible.

[Oh Crap! I don’t want to break your heart or lose this little awkward friendship that we have but i can’t accept your feelings. For heavens sake Goldie, i have given you hints, can’t you see? You are cute, but i don’t feel the same way.]

Phoebe’s eyes grew dark and heavy with a sorrow that she had not yet voiced. She opened her mouth to speak and closed it again, her breathing hitching softly.

Collin smiled sadly on reading her thoughts, his smile was a little too bright but it didn’t reach his eyes. He knew who owned her heart but he did not want to give up. He could read her inner thoughts, wasn’t it a sign that they were destined somehow?

However, he was afraid that if her pushed too hard, she would cut him off completely so as always, he decided to step back.

“Phoebe don’t think about it so deeply, we are good friends i just thought that you would love to go with me as a friend. Friends do this sometimes, don’t they?” His laughter came easy, a little too easy.

It was dry however, not that Phoebe noticed. For her, all she felt was relief which washed over her like a sudden summer rain shower.

“Of course we are friends, i like being your friend. Ha-ha, my friend Collin Baltimore, when i see you from now on, i will call you friend Collin…haha.” she answered awkwardly.

Her answer only made him feel worse, especially because she kept repeating the word friend over and over. Had anyone in the world been friend zoned as much as this?