Chapter 2
692 Words
Vivienne arrived the next afternoon.
She was wearing a white dress, and her hair looked freshly done. From the moment she stepped inside, she looked like she was in a wonderful mood.
"Sienna!"
She hugged me as soon as she came through the door.
As she hugged me, I caught the scent of Jo Malone Wild Bluebell on her skin. It was Carter's favorite fragrance.
"You look beautiful today," I said.
Vivienne gave a little twirl, beaming. "Do you think so? I dressed up on purpose."
Then she looked toward the dining room. "Is the pasta ready? I'm starving."
I pointed at the table. "Right on time."
Vivienne walked over and paused when she saw the table. There was only one bowl.
"Just one serving?" she asked.
I nodded. "Yes. I made it for you."
She looked back at me. "Aren't you eating?"
"I'm not hungry."
Vivienne sat down and picked up her fork with a smile. "Well, don't mind if I do."
I stood in the kitchen doorway and watched her eat.
Vivienne dug in like she had been starving. After a few bites, she took a photo and posted it to her i********: Story.
The caption read, "The best tomato basil pasta with soft-scrambled eggs in the world."
The geotag showed my apartment complex.
I turned back into the kitchen and made myself a bowl of instant noodles.
Carter still had not come home. He had said he would be back early, but it was already seven.
After I finished the ramen, I cleared the dishes and washed the bowls.
Vivienne sat on the living room sofa, scrolling through her phone as if she lived there.
I dried my hands and walked into the living room.
Vivienne looked up from her phone. "Sienna, are you in a mood today?"
I shook my head. "No."
She studied me for a few seconds. "Have you lost weight?"
I said nothing.
Vivienne got up and came over. "You need to take better care of yourself. Stop spending all your energy on Carter."
She sighed, as though she really cared about me. "Men are like that. The more you give them, the less they appreciate you."
I looked at her. "You're right."
Vivienne smiled. "I just hate seeing you bend over backward for him."
Then she glanced toward the door. "By the way, why isn't Carter back yet?"
"I don't know."
Vivienne took out her phone and called him. As soon as the call connected, she laughed. "Carter, where are you?"
After a brief pause, Vivienne added, "Sienna and I are waiting for you at home. When are you coming back?"
Whatever Carter said on the other end made her smile widen. "Okay," she said sweetly. "I'll wait for you."
She hung up and turned to me. "He said he's almost here."
I nodded.
Ten minutes later, the front door lock clicked. Carter walked in, carrying a bag of fruit. "Vivienne, sorry to keep you waiting."
Vivienne stood up. "No worries. Sienna has been keeping me company."
Carter set the bag on the coffee table. Inside were mangosteens and a durian.
"Your favorites," he said to Vivienne.
She took the bag with a bright smile. "You remembered."
I stood nearby and watched them.
Carter remembered that Vivienne loved mangosteen and durian. He never remembered that I was allergic to durian. Every time Carter brought durian home, I had to air out the apartment for hours.
"Sienna, have some too," Carter said.
I shook my head. "No. You two enjoy."
He glanced at me, but said nothing.
Vivienne peeled a mangosteen and handed it to him. "You first."
Carter took it from her with a smile. "You're so thoughtful."
I turned and went back to the bedroom.
The moment I closed the door, laughter drifted in from the living room. They sounded perfectly happy.
I sat down on the edge of the bed and unlocked my phone.
Carter's message from yesterday was still sitting in w******p.
Carter: Sorry, babe. I'll definitely remember next time.
I stared at the message for a long moment, but I did not reply.
Next time? Would there even be one?
- Writer
