Provocation From His Lover
922 Words
The next day was the weekend, so I took the documents Jessica gave me to a downtown café. I planned to look into potential companies for collaboration. I found a corner table by the window, ordered a latte, and spread the documents out.
After spending the afternoon carefully reviewing everything, I picked three companies that seemed like the best fit. Feeling accomplished, I started organizing the documents into neat piles, ready to leave the café.
Just as I was about to stand up, someone bumped into my shoulder. My documents slipped from my hands, scattered across the table, and knocked over my coffee cup. I quickly caught the cup, relieved it was empty.
“Oh no, I’m so sorry!” a voice said. I looked up and my heart sank. It was the girl who had spoken to me when I picked up Adrian from the club a few days ago. The same girl who had exchanged glances with Adrian. She had delicate, almost doll-like features and was wearing a dress designed to attract attention, accentuating her curvaceous figure.
“Are you okay?” she asked, pretending to be concerned, But her eyes, glittering with something much less innocent, told a different story. There was a glint in her gaze that suggested she wasn’t here by chance.
“I’m fine.” I replied.
“Good, good,” she said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I didn’t expect to see you here. I’m so sorry again.”
She stepped closer and took my hand as if we were friends. I pulled my hand away, feeling uncomfortable. All I wanted was to leave. “It’s really not a big deal,” I said, gathering my documents. “You didn’t hurt me, and my files are fine.”
“Oh, but I feel so bad! Let me make it up to you with a meal. After all, it’s partly my fault you were left alone last night… What a coincidence, huh? Good thing I didn’t hurt you when I bumped into you, or who knows how Adrian might have reacted?”
“Well…” I said, focusing on collecting my papers. I knew she was trying to get under my skin, but I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction.
Seeing that I wasn’t reacting, she leaned in, her tone more smug. “By the way, I’m Vivian,” she said, as if revealing something important. “You might remember me from the club. I’m not sure if Adrian’s had time to introduce us properly…”
I could feel her watching me, waiting for a sign of weakness. “What are you trying to say?” I asked, meeting her gaze without flinching.
“Nothing really,” she said, smiling wider as she toyed with the necklace around her neck. The necklace was clearly expensive, catching the light as she moved. “I just thought I’d introduce myself. Oh, and thank Adrian for this,” she added, holding up the necklace. “It’s so expensive, but he got it for me just because I liked it. You’re so lucky to have such a generous… boyfriend.”
The way she said “boyfriend” made my skin crawl. “By the way,” she began again, “you—”
“Stop,” I cut her off, my patience running out. “I’m not interested in anything you want to say.”
Vivian’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. I felt a wave of nausea, but I kept my face calm. “Too many women have already tried this with me. What you’re saying isn’t new.”
Her expression soured, but I wasn’t done. “If you’re trying to make a point with me, you’ve picked the wrong person,” I said coldly. “You’d do better flattering Adrian and seeing if he’ll buy you something more expensive.”
I glanced at her necklace, noticing a faint hickey on her skin just above the chain. “Is that necklace from Bvlgari’s 2022 season?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Why don't you buy the latest one? Is it not to your taste? Or does Adrian think the out of season ones are better for you.”
Vivian's face reddened with anger, “ - The hell do you know! At least he bought it for me, what about you? What have you gotten from being with him all these years? You rustic woman - ”
"The last woman who tried to flaunt her gifts to me had an out-of-print Red Beryl necklace. I didn't bother to compete with her, but the one you're wearing is worth less than a tenth of its value. And do you know what happened to her? Within three months, Adrian was completely fed up with her."
Vivian’s face reddened with anger, but I didn’t wait for her to respond. Gathering my documents, I turned and walked out of the café. Outside, the cool air hit my face, grounding me as I took a deep breath. I wasn’t lying to Vivian. For years, even as Adrian and I played the role of a loving couple, ambitious women had constantly paraded in front of me, convinced that pushing me aside would clear their path to the top. They were stupid, naïve—just like I once was—believing they’d be the special one to capture Adrian’s heart.
I didn’t look back. In my haste to leave, I didn’t notice the indignation on Vivian’s face as I walked away.
- Writer
