Chapter 4: A Rival
1788 Words
Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. What the hell had I gotten myself into? How was I supposed to answer this question?
“Diana, what were you staring at?” he asked again. His voice grew colder, making my chest race with fear.
“N-nothing,” I whispered, my entire body trembling; I kept staring at anything except him. My goodness, I wished the floor would open up and swallow me whole.
"Don't lie to me, Diana. What were you staring at?” he yelled, his voice rising. I jerked in fear. This was the first time he had yelled at me, and before I could stop myself, the words slipped out on their own.
“Your body!”
A thick silence settled between us; it seems like the world has ceased to exist.
He froze for a moment, staring at me. Our eyes locked. His expression was completely blank.
My heart pounded so loudly I could hear it in my ears as I anticipated his reaction. But still, I took a bold step forward, pushing my luck.
“Mr. Blackwell, I’ve liked you for five years now. Not like a father, but as a lover.” I paused, watching his eyes blink twice. “I want you to take my virginity. I’ve kept it for you and you alone,” I blurted out, each word fueled by every ounce of courage I could summon.
He stared at me as if he had seen a ghost. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.
I knew he was shocked, but I couldn't help it. I'm dying slowly, and it hurts. I wanted him to see me differently. I wanted him to kiss me. To touch me like his woman.
“Mr. Blackwell, I really like you. I want to be a good wife to you. I will do everything you want. I will take care of you, I promise,” I added, taking another step closer. Now the only distance between us could be measured by a pen.
But he stood still, his brow twisting in both disbelief and confusion.
“Diana, are you sick?”
That was the question he asked me. That was everything he could say at this moment.
Yes. If loving him meant I was sick, then yes—I'm sick.
“Do you know what you’re saying? This is a scandalous disaster. Why the hell would I be with a child my daughter’s age? That’s not possible,” he yelled, trying to make me understand. Yes, I understood his point of view, but there was nothing wrong with being with a younger woman.
“Mr. Blackwell, there’s nothing wrong—” I started.
“There’s everything wrong, Diana. Wake up, child! There’s no such kind of relationship, okay?” he cut in sharply.
“I’m not a child. I’m a grown woman,” I shot back in frustration, rubbing my hair violently.
My feelings and his words are driving me crazy.
I'm not a damn child. Why is he still calling me that?
He chuckled bitterly. “You’re a grown woman?” He repeated it, sounding more like mockery than a question.
I hesitated, biting my lower lip before nodding.
“What do you know about life? What is your dream in life? You don’t even have a career. Diana, stop living in this childish fantasy. You’re young and beautiful. There are many young guys who want to date you. What the heck are you doing with an older man?” he snapped, sounding desperate and frustrated.
My heart sank. He just called me beautiful. Was he attracted to me but couldn’t admit it because he thought he was too old?
“No, Mr. Blackwell, you’re not old. You’re still young, handsome, and intelligent. And I don’t want young guys. I want you. I want to be with you until I grow old, please,” I said quickly, my heart pounding as I fought the urge to press my body against his.
“Diana, you need to sleep. I can see you’re stressed,” he said dismissively. He turned back to his work, completely ignoring me as if I weren't even there.
My chest tightened and my fists clenched. I stared at him for a moment.
Mr. Blackwell, one day you will want me so desperately. And I promise you—that day is closer than you think. I thought to myself.
In a swift motion, I turned and strode out of the room.
***********
“Diana, this is Luis, my lover, and this is Jess, his best friend,” Zoe said, pointing at two young guys about our age—or maybe a year or two older. They looked somewhat alike with their blue-dyed hair.
When did Zoe’s taste in guys change? She always used to say how much she loved men who wore suits. But these guys were totally different. They were dressed in ripped jeans and covered in chains, and Luis even had a nose ring.
“So, can you turn around and give me a 360?” Jess said, sliding his tongue over his lips as he rubbed his hands together shamelessly.
My skin crawled in disgust. What kind of disrespect was that? I tried to speak.
“Oh, come on, Jess. Diana is always shy,” Zoe cut in carefully, trying to ease the tension that was already making my fists clench. She rubbed my hand soothingly.
Jess chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Shy, but I’m sure she’d be rough in bed.”
“What kind of nonsense is that, Jess? Luis, ask your friend to behave,” Zoe snapped, still holding my hand. I knew she was trying her best to stop me from unleashing my anger in front of her boyfriend and his friend.
“Jess, please don’t be disrespectful,” Luis said calmly. Okay, his character seemed a little different from his appearance.
“Okay, I'm sorry, shy princess,” Jess said, his voice dripping with sarcastic sincerity.
I exhaled and got to my feet. There was no point staying here. I have to go back home.
You might be wondering if Mr. Blackwell was at home. The answer is automatically no. Ever since my confession last night, I hadn’t set eyes on him.
He seemed to be avoiding me even more. The thought always made my heart twist in pain, but it was fine. His reaction was normal. It's just a matter of time.
“Where are you going, Diana? Are you still angry at me? I said I’m sorry,” Jess said quickly. He seemed genuinely sincere now, but what was the point? His good or bad character wouldn’t make me accept him.
“Diana, where are you going? Jess is really sorry,” Zoe defended, grabbing my wrist.
I sighed in exhaustion and turned to face her. “Zoe, I’m kind of tired. I want to go home.”
“Okay, why don’t we all go to your house, Zoe? Luis kept praising how amazing your room looks. I want to see it too,” Jess said desperately.
I shut my eyes in frustration as Zoe nodded instantly in approval. I couldn’t even have some peace to come up with a plan to seduce her father.
~~
We arrived at the house, and to my greatest surprise, Mr. Blackwell’s car was in the driveway. My heart dropped as I tried to process why he was home at this time.
“Wow, it seems my father is home, Luis. This is the best time for you both to meet. You’ve only heard about him, but my dad hasn’t had a chance to finally see you in person. This is the perfect opportunity,” Zoe said cheerfully, wrapping her arms around Luis. I could see the discomfort on his face.
My brow furrowed. Is he scared?
“I’ll also introduce myself as Diana’s boyfriend,” Jess said happily.
My brow furrowed in disgust. “Don’t you dare,” I warned, pointing at him. But he only took my hand and placed a kiss on it.
“Wooow!” Zoe and her boyfriend cheered happily, making Jess grin proudly.
How childish. Gosh, I will never date such an immature guy.
I rolled my eyes and pushed the door open.
My entire body froze at the sight in front of me. A beautiful woman was fixing Mr. Blackwell’s tie. My chest tightened as I stared at them.
Mr. Blackwell’s gaze snapped to me. He instantly looked away. “I’ll do it, Phoebe,” he said softly, and she let go.
“Oh my goodness, wrong timing, guys. We just interrupted my dad’s romance,” Zoe said casually.
My heart shattered into pieces as I stood still, staring at the woman. She was indeed beautiful and more mature — probably in her late twenties or early thirties. Her gown clung to her like a second skin. She looked like a model, and her curly black hair was styled perfectly. And her golden bracelet is real gold; it was clear she was wealthy.
So this was the type of woman Mr. Blackwell liked. Something about her made me feel threatened. She was so beautiful.
“Don’t be silly, Zoe. I was just testing the tie I bought for your father. He seemed to have a guest waiting last night, and he didn’t even finish his meal, so I had to bring it over,” she explained, her voice so calm and sweet.
My chest tightened, fixing Mr. Blackwell’s tie. Huh… That didn’t justify anything. Couldn’t Mr. Blackwell fix his own tie? He had done it for me and Zoe back in high school. It wasn’t like he didn’t know how.
“Oh, sorry, Phoebe. My friend Diana came over and I couldn’t stay with her. I’m so sorry I ruined your date by begging my father to let her stay,” Zoe explained, folding her hands in a plea.
Phoebe only grinned and shifted her gaze to me. It took everything in me to hide my feelings. Her eyes swept over me from head to toe.
“She’s quite beautiful,” she said calmly, her eyes still on me.
“Of course Diana is damn beautiful,” Zoe said excitedly as she quickly wrapped her arm around mine. “Sometimes when my father praises her, I usually fear he has a crush on her.”
My entire being stopped. My gaze snapped to Mr. Blackwell. His eyes were on me before he quickly turned them to Phoebe, who seemed shocked too.
I couldn’t help the joy spreading through me. So he had a crush on me.
- Writer
