Vincent groaned when he heard the voices downstairs. He counted more than just the three people staying here, which meant there were guests. After the events of yesterday evening, he didn't feel like being around other people.
Sighing, he made himself presentable before heading downstairs. The first face he saw was Juliet, who smiled and laughed with pink cheeks. He paused for a moment at the sheer amount of beauty she radiated. Then his eyes caught Harris Jones, who smiled and laughed with her as they conversed with one another.
His gaze broke away as he continued down the few steps left. "Vincent! You'll never guess who the cat dragged in!" Jeremiah was by his side, dragging him across the room from Juliet and towards Serena and-
"Rosaline?" The woman turned and smiled, her dark eyes enchanting him just as they used to. Her dark hair fell across her back in long gorgeous waves, her lips painted red like they always were, and her brown eyes pulling him into an endless river of temptation.
"Vincent! It's been a while, hasn't it? You didn't write like you promised, you dog!" She pulled him into a hug, holding on longer than was necessary. "Lucky for you, my cousin is that lovesick puppy over there ogling the girl you brought from the South. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known to come to visit my dear friends!"
Vincent just stared at the woman, surprised to hear that this beauty was related to the clumsy fool on the other side of the room. That must have been why he recognized the man. The thought of Harris was enough for Vincent to turn his attention back over, only to find the two of them gone. "Where did they-"
"Come now, Vincent! We were just getting the chance to talk just like old times!"
LuLu's words rang loudly in his skull. He needed to find another girl willing to marry him. Enough worrying over Juliet. He had to fight with himself. He hated losing bets, but was Juliet worth more than his pride? Could he pull himself together enough to make her love him? It would be easier to go with the woman throwing herself at his feet and let Juliet go and throw herself at another man. They can finally live in peace without yelling at one another ever again.
Finally, Vincent turned back towards Rosaline with a smile, letting his gaze travel to Serena and Jeremiah to see their approval. Serena seemed less than pleased, but still put on a smile for him, and Jeremiah seemed none-the-wiser to everything happening around him.
Juliet wanted nothing more than to enjoy her time with Harris, but the world seemed to be working against her. All she could think about was Vincent, how he held her as she cried, how he reasoned with her. She even went back to remembering his kiss, over and over and over again.
Then there's this Rosaline character. Vincent was completely taken with her, and it was obvious. They had some sort of connection, some sort of bond that formed long before she was ever in the picture.
Serena's advice continued to echo in her head. She needed to slow down. If she wanted to fall in love with Harris, then she needed to go through it one step at a time and not all at once. She needed to think clearly and not let her heart get ahead of her brain.
"We were invited to join everyone at the pub later tonight if you'd like?" Juliet watched as Vincent and Rosaline exited the house while laughing gleefully and holding on to one another's arms like newlyweds.
"Yes, I think that would be nice." She hardly paid attention to what she spoke before turning back and giving Harris a dazzling smile. It's what he'd want to see her do. So long as she did everything to his expectation, then they'd be fine.
Of course, Vincent turned just in time to see Juliet smiling as beautifully as always at Harris, which only irked him more. It was a competition now. Who could prove they were more in love by the end of the night?
Vincent had to win. He wouldn't let her win even if his love was a lie. All he had to do was prove that he and Rosaline are more compatible than the two other lovers across the street. He'd known this woman for years, it shouldn't be too hard.
Vincent turned his attention back to Rosaline, who gave him her typical smirk. She very well knew the man beside her did not love or care for her all that much. That was fine. She loved and cared for him, and that was enough. After all this time, she'll take what she can get.
~~
Juliet sat with her head in her fist, listening as Harris described their day to Serena and Jeremiah. The four had been sitting at the pub for an hour, waiting on Vincent and Rosaline to show up. It was all small talk and boring conversation. Nothing interesting.
"Did you enjoy your day, dear?" For a moment, Juliet didn't realize Harris had addressed her. She lifted her eyes when the conversation drifted away, only straightening when she realized it was her turn to speak.
"Oh, I did, but I'm not one for pet names-"
Before she could finish the missing couple appeared, and an over-enthusiastic Harris waved them over, completely ignoring her remark. Juliet made helpless eyes at Serena, who quickly understood the message.
"Sorry, we're late everyone, but someone is a bit picky when it comes to her jewelry," Vincent stared Juliet down and grinned his devious grin. Everyone's eyes were too busy studying Rosaline, looking for the jewelry he spoke of.
"Do you have whatever it is on?" Jeremiah asked out of curiosity, wanting to know how much money Vincent had on him to buy jewelry.
"Oh, yes, it's right here!" Rosaline lifted her left hand, showing everyone the gleaming gem on her left ring finger. Shock passed through them all, but mostly Juliet. Never in a million years did she expect Vincent McCoy to become engaged so quickly. Would he send her home now? Does she truly want to go home anymore?
Despite all the fights, she did enjoy being around McCoy.
"Congratulations!" Jeremiah grinned brightly as he ordered them all drinks to celebrate, while Serena seemed to be in too much shock to say much. Juliet gulped down whatever was lodged in her throat before forcing herself to smile.
"I'm so happy for you, congratulations-"
"Is it customary for the man to bring the woman with him to look at rings?" Harris' question was out-of-the-blue, but it was something even Juliet had to wonder. She almost interrupted to say that it didn't matter - especially because she was not so interested in marrying Harris anymore.
"No, we just decided it was best for her to chose. Most men surprise their intended with a ring," Vincent couldn't help but glare at Harris as he spoke. The man was nervous. He was sweating and rubbing his hands on his legs before one of his hands went into his trouser's pocket before exiting and beginning the cycle again. "Now, let's drink!"
Harris was the first to drown his cup, followed by several more to get rid of his nerves. Before long, he was feeling nothing but happiness. Conversations were flowing naturally, everyone was laughing, and it was overall perfect.
"I say that no woman should get engaged until after she's seen a man drunk!" Rosaline pronounced her statement after slamming down her cup, which was quickly shoved aside by Vincent. He had downed a few drinks, but he remained cool-headed despite his drunkenness.
Juliet was the only one to avoid alcohol, seeing as she was completely against it. Look at them all acting like fools because of a few cups of liquor. Serena was cuddled up to Jeremiah, and both of them seemed to be singing along to some song that wasn't being played. Rosaline was shouting out her life philosophies, and Harris was too busy muttering under his breath to pay any attention to her.
Only Juliet and Vincent were of sound enough mind.
"I have an announcement!" Harris suddenly shouted over his cousin, silencing everyone around them. "I'm going to marry this beautiful girl beside me!"
Cheers erupted around the pub. Juliet couldn't help but be taken aback, considering she never agreed to any such arrangement. "Excuse me?"
"We're in love!"
"No, we are not!" Juliet stood up, ignoring her chair as it fell behind her. Silence occupied the air around them as she faced the drunken man. "How dare you assume my feelings?! How dare you make such an outrageous proclamation without first asking my consent?! I will not be marrying you and I do not love you!"
The words cut deep into Harris, and an old friend of his began to come crawling out. His inebriated self couldn't save her from the deepest, darkest part of his soul. Even as the other drunken patrons began to riot in the cramped space, Harris stood still, shaking with the newfound emotion surging through him and taking control of his actions.
His rage would make her change her mind. He would have her, even if he had to force her love.