FIVE
1079 Words
Lila took a deep breath as she stepped back into the cabin she shared with Matt. Every inch of the space felt heavier now, the air thick with the weight of her frustration. She just wanted to grab her things and leave as quickly as possible, but of course, Matt was already there, waiting.
“Where were you last night?” he asked, arms crossed, his tone more accusing than curious.
She barely glanced at him, moving past to pull her suitcase from under the bed. “Does it matter?”
Matt’s brows knitted, his irritation flaring as he watched her collect her things. “Are you kidding me? You disappear for the night, and now you’re… what? Leaving?”
“That’s right,” she replied, not bothering to hide the bitterness in her voice. “I’m done with this.”
His gaze hardened as he blocked her path. “You’re seriously walking out just like that? You don’t even want to try to fix things?”
She paused, taking in his expression—the defensiveness, the simmering anger, but not a trace of regret. “After what I saw? There’s nothing left to fix, Matt.”
“Don’t act like this is all on me,” he snapped, frustration building in his voice. “You’re the one who’s been checked out. Half the time, you act like you don’t even want to be here. And Maggie kissed me yesterday! It wasn't like I started it.”
She kissed him? Well it didn't seem like he had a thing against it. As a matter of fact, he seemed to be enjoying it a lot.
She closed her eyes briefly, steadying herself. “I thought we had something real. But if that’s how you see it, maybe we were never on the same page.”
“So that’s it?” he asked, his voice dropping, thick with resentment. “You’re walking out because I made one mistake?”
Her jaw tightened. She didn’t owe him any more explanations, but his words stung, the ease with which he deflected his guilt onto her. “This isn’t about one mistake, Matt. It’s about realizing that we were never what I thought we were."
All along she had thought they were perfect, and he had been on the verge of resenting her for being unable to be what he wanted.
“Fine,” he muttered, clenching his fists. “Run off and do whatever you want. I swear Lila, no one will be as patient as I've been with you."
Lila didn’t respond, knowing that any more words would only deepen the hurt. She gripped her suitcase and walked out, ignoring the prickling sensation at the back of her throat, determined to hold back tears until she was out of his sight.
~~
When she reached Nigel’s suite, he was waiting with that familiar glint in his eye, the one that said he was ready for whatever came next.
“Everything settled?” he asked, his tone casual as he took in her slightly flustered state.
“Yes,” she replied, a newfound determination in her voice.
He grinned. “What's your name?"
She almost choked on her stupidity. She was about to embark on a fake dating spree with someone who didn't even know her name.
"Lila Michaels." She replied.
"Well, Lila, let's do this."
Blowing out a breath, she gathered her wits.
"What do you stand to gain from this?" She asked him. He was Nigel Lancaster, he could get whomever he wanted, why decided to play this game with her?
He shrugged.
"I've been forced to board this ship by my associates, and I have no choice but to endure the whole holiday spirits torture for the next few days to come." He replied, seeming exhausted. "I could do with some entertainment."
He didn't want to be here? He also wasn't a fan of the whole holiday vibe thing? Well at least they had a thing or two in common.
~~
The evening of the Christmas soiree arrived, and Lila could hardly recognize herself in the mirror; she had taken more time to get dressed and do her make up. The day has been spent brooding over the whole breakup and betrayal until Nigel had swept her off her feet and f****d her till her mind was blank.
Afterwards, she had pulled herself together, showered, and started getting ready for the soiree. She was glad she hadn't been cynical enough to not bring a dress. Like her red dress, this blue one hugged her curves perfectly, but it was more elaborate.
When Nigel emerged, looking devastatingly handsome in a black suit and perfectly styled hair, he gave her an approving nod. “You look incredible.”
A blush warmed her cheeks, but she forced herself to smile. “Thank you. You....don’t look bad yourself.”
What was she even saying?
He chuckled, offering his arm. “Let’s go turn a few heads, shall we?”
Arm in arm, they entered the grand hall where the soiree was in full swing, festive lights twinkling above, and a gentle hum of chatter filling the room. Lila could feel eyes on them immediately, whispers buzzing as people noticed Nigel and his stunning company.
She knew they were more interested in Nigel but her body trembled uneasily still. She was nervous, she had never been exposed to so much attention before. But she had to play her part, she kept her cool, kept her poise.
Her gaze flickered around in search of her target, then, she sighted him—Matt.
He was standing with a group of people, laughing about something. The girl from last night was leaning on his arm comfortably like they had been in a relationship for an eternity.
Like her stare seared him, he turned and saw her, and for a moment he seemed to not realize ehome she was with, but when he eventually did, his face went pale. His jaw dropping slightly as he took in the sight of her with Nigel.
Nigel leaned close to her ear, his voice a playful murmur. “Looks like we’ve made an impression.”
Lila felt a thrill of satisfaction watching Matt’s stunned expression, the disbelief and jealousy flickering across his face. She squeezed Nigel’s arm lightly, signaling that she was ready to step even deeper into their ruse. Tonight, she was determined to show Matt what he'd foolishly thrown away.
- Writer
