ChapterSix
1118 Words
CHAPTER SIX
Sophie
“Sophie?” Ethan’s eyes were wide with shock but he was quick to mask it with a look of indifference, casually twirling his wine glass, then he took a small sip from it. “I didn’t know you were out of jail. It’s good to see you.”
I knew Ethan, there was a lot on his mind. He was confused but he knew how to play his cards right and guard his emotions.
“Well I can’t say the same,” I shot back. Ethan’s calmness infuriated me and I knew he was doing it to save face. I couldn’t wait to show the world his true nature.
He smiled, it was small, almost like he found me silly, but he turned to Dominic and a cold smile formed on his face, “Is this what you settled for, Dominic? Friendly advice, you should be careful around this one, the last time I saw her, she almost killed me.”
A muscle in Dominic’s jaw ticked and his arms around my waist tightened as he stared down at Ethan, “I’d appreciate it if you address me properly. We’re not friends,” Then he added quietly, “My choice of partner is none of your business, Koleman.”
Ethan chuckled dryly, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Hayes, she’s nothing but bad luck.”
“You seem to know her quite well,” Dominic turned to me and with a small smile on his face, he asked, “Do you know him, darling?”
I smiled back at him and said in the softest voice I could come up with, “He’s my ex, but I guess we’ve all made terrible mistakes when we were young right?”
Dominic smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes and I saw a flicker of something I couldn’t understand, passed in his eyes but it disappeared as quickly as it came, “Don’t worry, baby. You’be made the right choice by marrying me. No more mistakes.”
I smiled, watching how Ethan’s fingers tightened around the wine glass while he gritted his teeth in quiet anger.
“Sophie, I—“
“If you keep speaking to my wife, I’d be forced to believe that you’re interested in her. And that kind of interest would end badly” Dominic cut him before he could even finish his sentence.
Ethan chuckled and raised a brow, “That’d be delightful,” he said and with one last glance at me, he turned and walked away.
“Well, that was anticlimactic...” I said to clear off the tense air.
“This won’t be your last meeting. You have to learn how to stand up to him. Ethan is not one to give up easily,” He replied seriously, and before I could reply, he turned to a man standing beside him, who was around his age.
“About the company….” His words trailed off as I looked around for the first time, taking in the beauty of the hall. But my peace didn’t last long as whispers filtered into my ears.
“…I think she’s a s**t or something. Can’t you see how he’s not paying attention to her?” A lady who had her arms entwined with a man, spoke.
“It seems like she’s just a placeholder. He can never love her like—,”
“That’s enough. She can hear you,” the man she was with, stopped her just when I got interested.
They were talking about me and I shouldn’t have paid attention to them since it was just gossip, but the thought of me being a placeholder didn’t sit right with me. I couldn’t help but wonder who they were comparing me with and who Dominic loved.
“Are you okay?” Dominic’s soft voice brought me back to reality.
“Yeah,” I forced a smile, “I’m fine, I just need to use the restroom.”
“It’s that way,” He gestured to me and I nodded, then walked away.
I lied.
I didn’t need to use the restroom, I just needed to get out of the toxic space and clear my head. It hadn’t even been a full day since I left jail and I had already bumped into Ethan, my ex.
I’d be lying if I said that seeing him after four years didn’t bring back memories but my hatred and anger for him was much stronger than anything else.
“You’ll get your revenge,” I said to my reflection in the mirror. “Get yourself together.”
I heard the restroom door open and I quickly composed myself. I reached for the tap, ready to turn it on, when I heard a very familiar voice.
“Being in jail for four years didn’t do much. You should have stayed there much longer.”
I could recognize that voice anywhere. No one had to tell me. It was Stella.
“Four years and still a bitch.” I slowly turned to her. “I guess some things never change no matter how long, does it?”
Stella’s smile faltered for a moment and she blinked, clearly stunned, but she was quick to mask it. She took a step towards me and sneered, “I don’t know why and how you’re out of jail so soon, but I don’t care. All I know is that you should stay away from Ethan. Nothing has changed. He still doesn’t want you.”
Her words made me burst into laughter. I laughed so hard that tears pricked from the corner of my eyes, “Oh, Stella, just how low can you go?”
“I’m warning you!” She shot me a glare.
“And what the hell can you do to stop me if I decide that I want him?” I slightly tilted my head to the side, enjoying the way she panicked to find a response.
“Ethan doesn’t want you, so don’t be pathetic!”
“Well being in jail doesn’t teach you how to behave,” I smiled and leaned into her, “And being pathetic is exactly what I am.”
“Sophie—“
“Count your days, Stella. Ethan is mine and I can get him back with just a snap of my fingers,” I said and pushed past her. I wasn’t interested in Ethan even in the slightest but I enjoyed seeing her panic.
Or I did, until her foot slid out suddenly and hooked around my ankle, making me stumble and hit my head on the bathroom tile.
“Oops, clumsy me,” She smiled slyly.
- Writer
