Chapter 7
I grimaced as I yanked my hand free from his grasp and looked at him dead in the eyes.
His eyebrows slightly furrowed, his nose slightly scrunched, and his lips pursed. His expression was full of anger, jealousy, and suspicion.
The tortured look on his face made my anger evaporate. Of course, he thought I was cheating on him with Aaron, but with no proof, what was he supposed to do about it? My heart swelled with pride at this revelation.
I decided to keep up the facade of the loving, devoted girlfriend. I wanted to see him fall apart, just as I did. I needed to see him lost in his paranoia. Overwhelmed with insecurity.
After a moment, I turned my blank stare into a tender one, eyes gentle and brows drawn as if I actually cared about him getting hurt back at the bar. I held my pajamas with one arm and reached up with the other to fix his collar, my hand caressing his neck.
“I bought you a shirt at the mall today… I didn’t realize you already got a a brand-new one.”
His shirt had the subtle Turnbull and Asser logo printed on its breast. I bit my lip, frowning. I didn’t expect that bitch Emily to pay such a high price tag for someone else’s man.
Oh, but the look on his face was delicious. The anger in his eyes fad ed as he looked down. It was replaced with slight panic as he realized I’d noticed he wasn’t wearing the same shirt he’d left in this morning.
I wasn’t done yet. I wanted him to see him squirm. What made this hastard think he could question me when he was the one who cheated in
the first place?
“You didn’t answer my texts earlier either…” I dragged my hand up from his collar to his face, caressing his cheek. I mustered up the scraps of my affection for him, giving him the sweetest smile I could muster. “I thought you were working late.”
His expression softened as he looked down at me. It seemed that my act as the oblivious girlfriend was convincing.
What a piece of shit! It was plain as day that all he cared about was himself
Vincent tried to keep his voice steady as he explained, but his words came out rushed. “These are my friend’s clothes. The polo I wore this morning got dirty at work, so he lent this one to me.”
“Oh! Who?” I tilted my head and continued to smile, “Why don’t you introduce me? You must be close if he’d let you borrow something that ex pensive.”
“It’s just… it’s Aaron’s. You already know him. He wears stuff like this all the time.” Vincent placed his hand over mine but refused to look me in the eyes.
I sighed dramatically, “It’s a lot more high-end than the clothes I usu ally buy you… I was worried Emily bought it for you as a gift or some thing.”
į “What? Babe, we’re just friends. You’re not jealous, are you?” He seemed content as if he believed that was my only concern earlier this svening. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me against his
body. His warm breath on my forehead made me nauseous.
“After I finished my shift, I was about to go home, but Aaron invited me out at the last minute. I should’ve told you.” Vincent kissed my fore head, “But it looks like you made it anyway. Did he invite you too?” –
I pushed Vincent away and smiled innocently.
“He just dragged me in! I think he recognized me while I was walking home from work. I usually pass by that bar on the way back.” I laughed. “I never would’ve guessed I’d see you there!”
“He was drunk,” Vincent said quickly, panic evident in his eyes.
“Oh, yeah, I don’t hold it against him. I do kinda look like his girl friend.” I raised an eyebrow, “Don’t you think?”
“Molly looks like you,” Vincent whispered, voice full of the devotion that used to be only for me. Was I supposed to be flattered? “But I didn’t even know he had a girlfriend. In fact, I’d never seen him with one. He only has fuck buddies… You should keep your distance.”
Vincent nudged up my chin with his finger and suddenly declared, “You’re so much more beautiful than that girl. What if he tries to get at you? I can’t let that happen.”
My laugh sounded colder than I would’ve liked, but I couldn’t help it. He didn’t want me to see Aaron? Or did he not want me to see him with Emily again?
Regardless of whether I like Aaron or not, I’ve already slept with him, and Vincent was none the wiser.
“But it’s over now,” he continued, then yawned. “I’m exhausted. Let’s just shower and go to bed.” His smile this time was much more suggestive.
“It’s already so late, but you should still try to get as much sleep in as you can. I’m not really in the mood tonight.” I smiled, stepping around him and opening the bathroom door. He didn’t stop me this time.
After I showered, I laid back on the couch instead of heading to our shared bedroom, idly swiping through my social media while I thought about what happened earlier. Vincent was still in the shower when I got a message from Aaron.
I frowned. What was the matter with him? He’d dragged me into a confrontation with Vincent in front of everyone. He might’ve been defend ing me, but now I’m sure everyone thinks we’re close! His recklessness nearly ruined my plan to tear Vincent down piece by piece.
Amorris: Sorry about today…
Not to mention his girlfriend suddenly appearing out of thin air like that. Everyone thought he was standing up for me just because he had me confused for her. Before all of this, Vincent’s friends hardly knew I exist ed, but now I was sure they’ll remember my face for years.
way
moment of thinking,
it. it’s not like we’ll meet up
today was just a
if
I still feel
heyOlive: not interested
Amorris: Ouch
mean it
fucked
out of there
I was being immature. I’m
as ever. I wondered
save your apology for
She’s not my
told you, I’m
Was he actually?
done with him. I turned over while holding my phone with my other hand, which was a mistake. A searing pain shot up my ribs, which had already
you
him push you into the
Did he hear me wince? I saw him look at me when I hit the table but didn’t think he paid any mind to it His concern made me scowl.
my boyfriend only cared about saving face in front of everyone, he didn’t care about me On
that in common, obsessing more over their
have the energy to respond to Aaron anymore I deleted
conversation, now for the second time,
and me, and Vincent cut back on
went back to the
a way to finally end things with Vincent, he
reaction was to reach out to
held my breath as
at the
His reply was instant.
Amorris: Yeah
heyOlive: staying the night?
I’m right next door
wall. Once a cheater, always a cheater,
been biding my time, waiting for Vincent’s “perfect boyfriend” charade to hit its peak before breaking up with him. I imagined him asking me why, promising he’d change, and
coldest, most nonchalant ex pression I could
doubted I’d ever get
you want to come
I wanted. I didn’t even
before he texted again.
Amorris: Please?
Amortis: I miss you
what a flirt. I didn’t want to give
heyOlive: really?
a stand in
I already told you. I’m
be *your* cheap knockoff
same thing.
laugh.
that
telling me to be the better person, to not stoop down to Vincent’s level for
where are
Amorris: Room 718
Emily are
in the lobby of the Winder mere Hotel, hesitating near
to slam on Vincent’s room and catch him in
Both seemed equally alluring
decide, one of the elevators behind me opened with a ding A man stepped out, eves glued to his phone before he happened to notice me standing there He glanced up at
It was Aaron
pees, then to the silhouette of his
the kind of thing he wears when he’s interested
each other in the lobby, his lips quirked upwards in a dazzling smile, revealing his pearly white teeth. “I’m surprised you didn’t get lost this time. I came down to
but now that he was in front of me,