Goodbye Ex, Hello Hot Billionaire

Chapter Three

MASHA

The queue to my favourite eating place was always annoyingly long. So many came here because it was so good. After I woke up with a fever due to the angry scratches that b***h left on my arm, Matt decided to escort me as a way of making it up to me for all the shitty things he had done.

It couldn't be undone but I pretended to fall for it. After putting up with this asshole for seven years, I might as well get a meal out of it.

As we walked, Matt's presence beside me felt heavier than it ever had before. Which was funny because this is what I had always wanted.

For him to stop hiding me away and walk in public with him as his girl and not his boss's little sister whom he had been left to baby sit.

My thoughts were in full swing when we halted. A frown crossed my features wondering what had gone wrong for us to stop.

Before I could even ask, I noticed Jane peeking out the window of the restaurant trying to make her way through but of course it wasn't possible. Even I, who made a reservation earlier, still had to wait.

From the way Matt's ’s eyes were fixed straight ahead, I bet he saw her too.

In an instant, his expression shifted, and he was no longer the attentive, caring partner who had just been fussing over me. His eyes lit up, his brow furrowed in concern, and without so much as a glance in my direction, he rushed toward her.

“What are you doing here, Jane?” His voice was laced with concern as he reached her side, his hands already tapping her like he couldn't keep them to himself.

Jane looked up at him with her fake soft smile, her gaze flickering briefly to me as if telling me he was hers and I was just a stand in.

“I was just feeling sick and was craving their soup, but no one will let me in.” she said lightly. “What a coincidence, though. Are you two here for a meal too?”

Matt hesitated, glancing back at me for the first time since he’d seen her. His expression was unreadable, but his words stung like knives.

“Yeah, my little friend here also wanted to check the place out.”

Little friend?

Was he being serious?

The words shouldn’t have hurt anymore; they were the same lies we’d told the world for years. But standing there, hearing him say it in front of Jane, it felt like the final nail in the coffin of our game.

Jane smiled, “That's so kind of you, Matt. You've always been caring. I bet you already have a table inside.”

Oh no he wouldnt-

“Actually, yes. Masha reserved a table. Would you like to join us?” He asked, making me bite my lip so hard I would have smashed his head if not for the onlookers.

“I didn't reserve a table, Matt. I'm still in the queue.” I said through gritted teeth.

“You didn't?” He turned to me like he was dumb. “I must have mixed you up with Fred. Come, Jane, let's get you inside. You can wait a little, Masha right?” He asked not even waiting for my response as he walked away while holding Jane by the shoulder.

For a moment, I stood frozen, watching as he carried her away without a second thought. My chest tightened, and the world seemed to blur around me.

So this is what it felt like to truly be invisible.

I turned away, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. Without a word, I walked to the long queue outside. He had a table reserved and he didn't say anything?

After what seemed like forever, it was finally my turn and I grabbed my take away pack and left not in the mood to dine anymore.

My phone vibrated and I pulled it out, expecting an apology from Matt.

Matt: [Hi babe. Jane is not feeling so good so I'll take her to the hospital later. You can take a can right?]

I let out a self-mocking laugh as I read the message and shoved the phone back into my pocket.

I didn’t need him. Not anymore. So he could go f**k himself for all I cared.

I hailed for a cab and I was lucky enough that one was waiting right outside.

“Where to miss?” He asked.

“100th street.” I responded, holding back tears as the engine roared to life.

I stared out the cab window and watched the rising sun which reminded me of my self. I was in darkness all along but now I was going to rise and be myself.

This time, I vowed to myself, I wouldn’t rely on anyone else to heal me.

Because love built on lies was no love at all.

It would leave you out in the cold, bleeding with a thousand stabs to your already shattered heart.

By the time I reached the apartment, exhaustion weighed heavy on me, but sleep was impossible.

Outside, fireworks lit up the night sky, their vibrant bursts mocking the emptiness inside me.

I pulled out my tablet, hoping to distract myself with work.

Sketching jewelry designs had always been my escape, but tonight, even the curves of diamonds and the lines of gold felt meaningless.

As I adjusted the tablet settings, a notification popped up and it was a new post from Jane.

“Don’t be stupid Masha. Nothing good will come out of it!” A voice nagged me at the back of my mind but curiosity got the better of me, and I opened it.

It was a photo of fireworks, with a caption:

[After being apart from each other, our hearts still find a way back together!!]

The caption felt pointed, like a bullet aimed straight at me.

My heart ached as I read the caption over and over again.

A cruel reminder that I was never in the game to begin with.

I closed the app and logged out of Matt's, unwilling to see more.