One Night, Three Lies

Lysander Xanthos, the only man who knew love as a game of chess and this time, he'd love to rule the game. After being in six different relationships, he figured out that all women wanted was money and more money. None of them really loved him; they just knew how to pretend. He took out his phone and car keys, as he stomped out of his office with his assistant, Auden Wells, following behind him. Lysander was no joke. His body was like an iconic magnet that seemed to attract whomever or whatever he was close to. His dark, near-black hair, impeccably styled, showed he was no joke. His piercing grey eyes could do the talking. Just one look at those eyes and you would be on your knees begging for more. But there was something else about him, something he tended to hide, something he wishes no one would find out, but as always, the truth knows just how to reveal itself. “Mr Xanthos, you have a blind date with a lady called Amelia Grays. She would like to know when you'd be ready for her,” a lady in her early thirties, walked up to him, trying to keep up with his pace as her dark brown hair wiggled in excitement and exhaustion. “Cancel.” Was the one word that came out of his mouth. “But sir,” he turned around to face her and that was all she needed. “Yes, sir.” She turned around and left. He was out of the company and got into his car with Auden sitting in the passenger seat. Lysander loved to take charge and he wouldn't give up a ride just to act like a king in a suit. He was going to have fun and he intends to have it to the fullest. “You look like you are in a good mood, sir.” Auden commented when he noticed the excitement on his face. “I just feel like today's going to be an amazing day.” He smirked before starting the engine and zooming off. His car halted at a nearby coffee shop. He loves the taste of coffee and it was a good place to play a game. “Stand guard, I will be out in a minute,” he told Auden who bowed in understanding. He opened the door to the coffee shop and the bell overhead chimed like it was welcoming him into a world of paradise. “Sienna, can you get the…” a voice said, but paused when it felt like she hit something. Turning to see what or who she just collided with, grey eyes met her in disdain. “Oh, I am so sorry… I was…” she kept on apologizing as she tried to wipe the coffee stain off his shirt. “Get your f*****g hands off me!” he roared. Taken aback by his outburst, she stepped back a little. A look of embarrassment flushed her face. “I am so sorry… I didn't…” “Hey, babe… are you okay?” A calm voice sounded behind them. “Yes, Julian, I spilled coffee and…” Lysander looked up at the two of them and scoffed. They are a thing? “Um… she's so sorry. We will do whatever we can to…” the guy with slicked back brown hair and brown eyes looked up at him, trying his best to apologize so his girlfriend won't get into trouble, but Lysander wasn't having it. “How about you both get your disgusting figures out of my way…” he cut in and pushed them out of the way. Julian had to stop his girlfriend from tripping. “Vianne, are you okay?” Julian asked, a look of concern written all over his face. “I get that I messed up, but were all those insults necessary?” She asked looking up at her boyfriend and at the man who just made her feel so useless. “Just let it slide.” “I should get back to work. Thanks, babe. I love you.” She hugged him before going back to her post, but she couldn't stop sending dagger stares at the man she just had an encounter with. “You might end up burying someone with those looks,” Sienna said, coming from the back room. “That's my intention.” Sienna laughed. “Easy there, pirate… you will get another chance to roast him when you've served the rest of the tables.” Vianne looked at her and was about to protest, but Sienna shook her head. “You're the worst friend ever!” “I would have been in The Guinness World Records if that was true.” She patted Vianne on her shoulders as she gave her list of their orders. *** “I told you I don't have any money to send to you. Do you think I am working in a bank or sitting somewhere zapping money from God-knows-where? Don't call me asking for that. I am trying so hard to make a living out of myself here. Nothing has been working well… I don't need you adding more pressure to my life,” he ended the call abruptly. He took a deep breath, his eyes closed as he tried to calm his nerves. He was 27, but it seemed he lived a wasted life. After college, everything was supposed to come easy: jobs, money, fun, but all he got was nothing. If not for Vianne who has been helping him out financially and giving him the emotional support he needed, he would have been a forgotten man, maybe his generation wiped out because he saw no point in living. His parents left him with the burden of taking care of his siblings while they go about flaunting their lazy asses out on the street. It was a good idea to move away from that. “I would do anything to flip this life of mine over.” He slowly walked to the coffee shop to pick up his girlfriend, but she sighted him and waved to him with a broad smile on her face. How was she happy with him? With his kind of life? What did she see in him to keep her wanting him? His answers became clearer the moment she hugged him and tiptoed to kiss him. She loved him. That can be the only reason. “Were you able to get what you wanted?” She asked, the smile not leaving her face. “I didn't see what I was looking for, but I will try again tomorrow.” “My grandma wants to see you. I don't know how she could tell I have a boyfriend, but she has been saying I've been looking radiant and happy and would love to see the man who's bringing the shine to her grand-daughter’s eyes. Julian smiled. He couldn't deny it either. He loved her. She meant the world to him and not being able to support her and give her the things she needs dawned on him. “I love you, Julian,” she held his hands and looked into his soul. “More than anything in the world.” “More than Granny Beatrice?” Julian joked. “Grandma…” she paused and stared away for a while before locking eyes with him again. “... is an exception.” They both laughed. “I love you too, Vi.” He pulled her close and locked his lips with hers. “Let's get you home.” “Yes, sire.” She saluted him, before she held his hand and walked home. Out in the shadows, Lysander appeared with Auden by his side. He had just finished watching the scene between two lovers and all he could say was: “You see that, Auden…” He pointed at the couple leaving while watching them giggle. “... T's desperation. It won't last.” “But, how do you know that?” Auden asked, his eyes still fixed on the couple. “One way to find out. Find out everything about the boyfriend and his price.” “His price?” Lysander gestured to him to come forward as he whispered into his ears. Auden's reaction showed that whatever Lysander was planning, he was willing to do everything to win. “I am curious to see if this love will stand the test of time.”