Episode5
1150 Words
*LEAH*
Vance and I walked towards the entrance of the club, Mirage.
This place screamed luxury.
A sigh of relief escaped me; finally, a chance to escape my reality and unwind.
“Didn’t we make it clear enough that we don’t want you anywhere around us, you slut?”
A familiar voice, sharp and dripping with malice sliced through the air.
My heart skipped a beat. I stopped and slowly turned to confirm my thoughts.
And there she was, Serena, standing with her arms crossed and a cruel smirk on her face, her eyes glinting with the same disdain I’d grown to recognize all too well.
Can I get a break already?
Of course, she was here with Jordan.
I’m just going to act like he’s not here.
Why were they here in the first place?
“Why are you so obsessed?” she sneered, stepping closer to Vance and me.
Obsessed my foot.
I met her gaze, my frustration bubbling. “Why does it matter to you? Just walk past.”
“Places like the Mirage aren't for people like…” she paused, sizing me up, “…you.”
The Mirage was the most prominent club in the entire Beverly Hills.
I agree that I’d never dreamed of setting my feet here, but who is she to judge?
If my father had treated me like his daughter just like he treated her, places like these would be regular to me.
But he didn’t. He’d rather lock me up in the house while they all went to expensive dinners and luxurious events.
She turned to Vance, her face masked with mock sympathy and her voice dripping with false concern. “Oh, Vance,” she sighed, “I’m so sorry you had to end up with someone like her,” she said, gesturing at me with a flick of her wrist.
“She’s nothing but a pathetic wretch. Your handsome self deserves so much better.”
She began to toy with his tie seductively. “You must feel trapped already, having to pretend like she’s worth your time.”
I could barely contain my frustration. What a shameless flirt.
I hope Jordan is proud, watching who he cheated on me with.
Still, I waited, expecting Vance to say something– anything– to defend me. But the silence stretched on, and my stomach twisted uncomfortably.
Why wasn’t he standing up for me?
Does he… agree with her?
The thought stung more than I wanted to admit. I could feel Serena’s smug gaze on me, as if she knew exactly what was going through my head.
Was I really that pathetic in his eyes too?
Now, I regret everything.
I regret opening up to him about everything.
I regret letting him see me vulnerable.
What was I thinking, crying in his embrace?
What was I thinking, hoping the stranger I just met and married yesterday would end up being the man of my dreams?
“Let me tell you a secret,” she continued, pulling him towards her by his tie and tiptoeing to get closer to his ears. “This slut stole everything she is wearing from me. From the dress down to the jewelry.”
She made sure she was loud enough for everyone passing to hear.
“So pathetic right?” Her breasts heaved as she laughed heartily at Vance’s face.
Vance bought the dress I had on and everything. I found them on my bed when I got home and I thought it was really sweet.
I shot him a sideways glance wondering why he was not saying anything.
His silence was deafening and for some reason it felt like betrayal.
His face was unreadable.
Was he enjoying what Serena was doing to him?
“Serena, that’s enough!” Jordan snapped.
Can we leave already?
“We’ll be on our way now,” I meant to say, but Jordan was faster.
“I hear you got married to a jobless criminal, this must be him.” Jordan sneered, his eyes scanning Vance mockingly.
I clenched my fists, fighting back my anger.
“Must have been hard, Leah,” Jordan taunted. “Rushing into marriage right after I dumped you? Desperate, huh?”
I stayed silent but he wasn’t done.
“So you were already cheating on me before I dumped you. How could you?” His face was contorted in rage. “Pretending to be the victim while screwing behind my back.”
I could barely process what I was hearing now. Jordan? Accusing me of infidelity? After sleeping with my stepsister?
“I have no words for you, Jordan,” I simply said.
“I have none for you either,” he shot back. “Except that I’m glad I threw you aside and chose Serena. Look at me now, I’m happy, Leah. Happier than I could ever be with you.”
His smugness crawled under my skin, but I kept my face neutral. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction.
“Suit yourself, Jordan.”
Vance leaned in, whispering in my ears, “How come you had such bad taste in men?”
I glanced at him, feeling a mix of anger and confusion.
For a moment, I thought he had forgotten how to speak.
Jordan’s lips curled into a smirk. “Well, get comfortable watching from the shadows tonight, because my partnership with Emirates group is the highlight of tonight. You lost, Leah.”
I had no idea the banquet was to celebrate the partnership between Jordan’s company and Emirates group.
If I had known, I wouldn’t have come.
I’ve never hated running into someone like I hated running into these two.
“Wait!” Vance said, his head tilting slightly and his brows furrowed. “You own Swinton, the company that got the partnership?”
Jordan nodded smugly, “Of course I do. Or would it be a Jobless criminal like you?”
Vance chuckled. “There must have been a mistake. We… I mean, Emirates group doesn't partner with arrogant, empty vessels.”
“Are you crazy?!” Jordan roared, his eyes blazing with fury. “What did you just say?”
Vance raised his hand, silencing Jordan. “I’m certain the partnership will be terminated.”
He acted so casually, like it was nothing.
And why does he look infuriatingly attractive right now?
I bit my lower lips slightly and snapped out of my head.
A man dressed in a black suit and dark shades walked up to us before Jordan could react further. His expression was serious as he stopped directly in front of Vance.
“Boss, the event is about to begin. We need you inside,” he said, bowing slightly.
All eyes snapped at Vance.
Boss??
Jordan’s face went pale.
My eyes widened, I could hear my heart pound in my chest.
What the hell is happening?
- Writer
