Victor’s hand grew weak, and the flowers slipped out of his hand, falling to the ground. He felt as though he had been unreasonable.
“I just wanted to forget about him, forget all the memories that just won’t go away, pick myself back up, and do the things I love doing to get over him,” she said, turning to him. “That night means a lot to me, and I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t replay in my head every night. I’m sorry for making you misunderstand, so stop thinking I used you. No, I didn’t. But a lot has been going on, and that’s why I’m like this,” she said, bursting into fake tears.
Victor quickly rushed to her side and began to pat her, feeling overwhelmed with guilt. He pulled her into his arms and started rubbing her shoulder.
“Aish!” Alice groaned in her mind as he touched her, but she continued to pretend.
“Instead of pushing me away, Alice, you can always confide in me,” he said sweetly, hoping to calm her down and show that his feelings for her were sincere. However, his words stirred something else in Alice.
“Really?” she asked, looking up at him. He nodded gently.
She sniffled. “I’m still trying to get over the heartbreak, but my sister is making my life hell.”
“You mean… Clarisse?”
She nodded. “Yes, I don’t know if it’s because of what happened that night, but she’s been trying everything-using her husband’s power to make me miserable,” she said, bursting into another round of tears.
Victor’s anger grew as he watched her cry. It was all because of her sister, whom he wasn’t going to spare.
“What did she do?” he asked, his tone filled with resentment and anger.
Seeing the satisfactory expression on Victor’s face, Alice smirked evilly as she wiped her tears with her palm before turning to Victor with a sad expression.
Gael sat patiently in the restaurant, looking his best. He was dressed in brown pants, a white shirt, a brown jacket, and white sneakers. He made sure to look more handsome than usual, with his only accessories being his wristwatch and a silver necklace worth millions. It had been a while since he last went on a date with his girlfriend, who was always busy most of the time. But tonight, she had made time for him, and they were supposed to go on a date.
He had been sitting alone in the restaurant for over an hour past the time she had set, but he remained still, hoping she would show. Every time he called her, she didn’t pick up.
He had started to give up, thinking she might not turn up for the date anymore, especially since she wasn’t answering his calls. Just as he was about to stand up, she entered the restaurant. His sullen face immediately lightened up when he saw her, replaced by admiration. He couldn’t help but stare at her beauty, her calculated steps, and her beaming smile that instantly lifted his mood.
She was adorned in a classy dress, wearing a short skirt with a tiger-colored pattern, and tucked into it was a black long-sleeve top with a turtleneck neckline. The dress was completed with black heeled boots and a black purse. Her hair cascaded over her shoulder, blowing backward beautifully as she walked towards him. She was so beautiful, too beautiful that he couldn’t stop staring.
“Hi,” she cooed as she reached his table, sitting down next to him. “I’m so sorry I’m late. I couldn’t come to a date wearing corporate wear,” she said, pouting her lips. “I had to rush home to change into this dress before coming. I’m also sorry I didn’t pick up when you were calling. I was in the bathroom and didn’t want to tell you that.”
She apologized, and he smiled.
“You should have at least picked up. I thought you weren’t coming anymore.”
“Never! I won’t miss our date for anything,” she grinned, and he couldn’t help but smile, not able to frown in response to her beautiful smile. He nodded.
“I’ve heard,” he said.
“You sure? Is there anything you want me to do to make it up to you?”
“Hmm,” he feigned thinking. “I’ll keep thinking about it.”
“Forever,” she said, and they both burst into laughter.
“What would you like to eat?”
“Anything my man orders,” she flirted, and he blushed.
“Well, I want to eat what my woman wants.”
“Hm, okay then,” she said, taking the menu from him and flipping through the pages until she stopped at one she liked. She ordered two meals: sauerkraut and cheddar croquettes, and steak. She also ordered a sticky toffee pudding.
The waiter took the order and left before she turned back to Gael.
“You good?”
“Sure, and you? How’s work today?”
“Ugh! Don’t even ask. Is there a day it isn’t stressful? I thought being an analyst would be easy.”
“But it’s not,” Gael said, chuckling. “No job is easy, but I trust you’d do a good job no matter what occupation you choose.”
“Awwn,” she blushed.
“But you’re such a lazy bone, thanks to your passion,” he teased her.
“For real?” she giggled as she hit him on the shoulder. “You’re not serious.”
“Just kidding. You’d have chosen not to work if you were actually lazy.”
“Because I have a rich boyfriend,” she blew him a kiss.
“Don’t blow me a kiss when I’m right in front of you.”
“Who wants to kiss you?” she teased, eyeing him playfully.
“Oh wow! Now we’re doing that?”
“Doing what?” she acted clueless and laughed.
The waiter soon brought back their meals, and they dug in, laughing and chatting as they ate.
“Speaking of the party, tomorrow is Ashley’s birthday, right?”
“Hm-hm,” he nodded with his mouth full of food.
“Wow, bet it’ll be grand.”
He swallowed the food and sipped his wine before responding. “You bet. She’s been making a fuss about it, and Mum’s been busy making preparations.”
“I thought as much,” Sophia chuckled.
“You’re coming, right?”
“Sure, I wouldn’t miss it for anything. I already took a day off from work, and I bought a dress for the occasion.”
“Woah! You even brought a dress?”
“Of course! You don’t expect me to wear my old dresses when there’ll be so many elites there tomorrow.”
“I just don’t get you women’s problems. It’s just a birthday party, and the invitations they sent are more than for someone getting married.”
“And how’s that a women’s issue?”
“Because you won’t see a man organizing a birthday party like that.”
“Yenyenyenyen,” she poked her tongue at him. “Whatever, it’s her birthday, and you know your status in society, so you shouldn’t expect a sitting room party.”
“Yeah, accepted,” he surrendered before she could escalate it into an argument and accuse him of being discriminatory.
They enjoyed the rest of their dinner, eating, chatting, and laughing. As the night grew late, he drove her to her apartment. Sophia sat still after Gael pulled over.
“I had a great time today. It was so beautiful, even though it was short,” Gael pouted, looking so adorable that it made Sophia giggle.
“I know, right? And you look so handsome tonight.”
“I have to. Can’t let my stunning baby beat me to it.”
Sophia laughed. “And…?”
“I don’t know, she almost still beat me to it,” he said, and they both laughed.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.