The Romance Of Lies

THE FIRST LIE

At this moment, a suited man stood by the corner preparing to leave. This was Henry Steele. He recognized Opal quickly. This was the woman who had crawled into his bed and run away by morning.

He raised his brow as he watched her talk. She sure had a sharp tongue. He recalled their rendezvous the night before and felt hot and bothered.

For some reason, he stayed a bit longer and watched her.

He was not the only one watching. The entire restaurant was filled with people of different caliber.

The other friends seated seeing this did not dare open their mouths. Even though they came to cause trouble, they are not going to stand here and get embarrassed at this high-end restaurant.

Noticing that Erica seemed to be crying more than usual. Not crying, what she was doing could only be considered as wailing without tears. Opal had a feeling this drama had only begun.

“Your group of brain-dead peacocks is not complete until someone appears and says, no matter what you do, it is Erica, I love, you need to move on.” Opal’s words had not even landed when Andrew dashed forward.

“Opal stop! No matter what you do, I am already engaged to Erica. You need to move on!” he declared confidently, and the surrounding tables broke into laughter.

Andrew was completely lost by the looks he was getting at this moment, especially when everyone seemed to be laughing at him.

“Look, the cast is complete,” Opal said, and a few giggles and chuckles escaped the tables around again.

“Opal, Lily only thought she would act as the middleman and mend the misunderstanding between us. I am getting married soon, and it would be good if you were there. No matter what, we are still family,” Erica explained.

“I have cut ties with your family. I don’t care if you sleep with this garbage or have his child. The very fact that the entire family hid this and arranged your engagement while I had traveled for work, without waiting for my breakup is enough for me to stay away. Who needs enemies when there is a family like yours?” she scoffed.

“If you have let go, then why have you distanced yourself from your family? Is that what a daughter should do?” Andrew asked.

“Before you debate morality with anyone, please look in the mirror. How can coal give a speech about being clean?” she sneered at Andrew. The look on her face made him freeze slightly.

It was as though she was looking at something dirty. This bothered him greatly; the Opal he knew always looked at him full of smiles.

“I am not shocked this piece of garbage stunk but Andrew, you shocked me. As for Erica, there is nothing to be shocked about, when she is just as dirty as her mother.” Opal asked Erica, and she started getting uncomfortable.

Erica suddenly held her stomach as though in pain. A flustered Andrew went to her side.

“Stop it, Opal, she is carrying my child, can’t you be kinder?” he asked.

“It can’t be that you are going to say she is suffering for your family so she should be treated well, right? Should I reward her for carrying a child for your family? Someone would think I am the main wife bullying a concubine. Do I look like your wife? Should I also open a courtyard in the backyard and raise the baby for your family like a good legitimate wife, Have you been watching too much costume drama?” Opal could not take it anymore.

She had never seen such a shameless couple before.

“This is a private matter, don’t air dirty laundry here!” Andrew scolded Opal. Hearing him scold her completely offended her even more.

“Don’t you dare raise your voice at me!” Opal stepped forward in a warning.

“How is this a private matter? You were dating me and still slept with my cousin. Are you going to use the child as an excuse? Are you an ancient man looking for sons to carry on your line?” she asked and the spectators were amused.

“Even if this was true, Even if you wanted a concubine like my cousin, you wanted a child. Why did you not carry your concubine in through the side door? Instead, you went out to pick whatever they were selling in the red-light district to have your baby so that you can take it back home and you dare scream at those spitting at you on the street, saying it is your private matter? If you cannot read the road signs find a translator; A brothel is a public place!”

Those listening on the other side almost choked, more or less Henry standing in the room with her.

She sure had a mouth on her, he thought.

“Opal, no matter what, you should not air family laundry," Eric said through her teeth. Her delicate look was gone, replaced with a fierce stare.

“I am not your family. Your mother was your father’s mistress and got pregnant with you. She forced my uncle’s wife to leave the house so she could marry him. While his children are making things of themselves, you are using his money to get a nose job,” Opal said, and Erica suddenly felt people were staring at her nose.

“If you think this family laundry is not enough, come near me again. I tell stories to keep this city entertained for a full year,” Opal said and made to leave, but Andrew grabbed her.

“I am sorry for how this…” he said, as though full of regret.

“Take your hands off me or else I will deliver you to your maker before your mother finishes paying her toll fee,” she said, but he was insistent.

“Opal,” he started to say when she tore her hand from his grip.

“Don’t dirty my clothes; I still need to meet my husband tonight,” she said.

“You are married?” he frowned.

“If someone like you can get married why can’t I? I waited for you Tor propose all this while. Now you have jumped ship, I got married at a courthouse today.” She snorted and walked away he blocked her way he was visibly angry.

“Who did you marry?! Tell me! Who is it?” he asked.

“Most call him Henry Steele. You wouldn’t know him,” She snorted and walked away.

It was a made-up husband and made-up name. It was one small lie. There was no way he would find out. She only wanted to hurt him.

Opal could still tell even when she stepped out into the cold night air that their group had followed her out.

She was too anxious to leave. She did not want to talk to them any longer. Opal spotted Henry Steele whose car just arrived and walked around his car to where he stood. She did not know who he was and did not care.

“Handsome, please lend me your lips for a moment,” she said and hooked her arm around his neck, pulled him down, and covered his lips with hers.

She grabbed Henry by the neck and kissed him before he could react.