Chapter 7
I grimaced as I yanked my hand free from his grasp and looked at him dead in the eyes.
His eyebrows slightly furrowed, his nose slightly scrunched, and his lips pursed. His expression was full
of anger, jealousy, and suspicion.
The tortured look on his face made my anger evaporate. Of course, he thought I was cheating on him
with Aaron, but with no proof, what was he supposed to do about it? My heart swelled with pride at this
revtion.
I decided to keep up the facade of the loving, devoted girlfriend. I wanted to see him fall apart, just as I
did. I needed to see him lost in his paranoia. Overwhelmed with insecurity.
After a moment, I turned my nk stare into a tender one, eyes gentle and brows drawn as if I actually
cared about him getting hurt back at the bar. I held my pajamas with one arm and reached up with the
other to fix his cor, my hand caressing his neck.
“I bought you a shirt at the mall today… I didn’t realize you already got a a brand-new one.”
His shirt had the subtle Turnbull and Asser logo printed on its breast. I bit my lip, frowning. I didn’t
expect that bitch Emily to pay such a high price tag for someone else’s man.
Oh, but the look on his face was delicious. The anger in his eyes fad ed as he looked down. It was
reced with slight panic as he realized I’d noticed he wasn’t wearing the same shirt he’d left in this
morning.
I wasn’t done yet. I wanted him to see him squirm. What made this hastard think he could question me
when he was the one who cheated in
the first ce?
“You didn’t answer my texts earlier either…” I dragged my hand up from his cor to his face, caressing
his cheek. I mustered up the scraps of my affection for him, giving him the sweetest smile I could
muster. “I thought you were workingte.”
His expression softened as he looked down at me. It seemed that my act as the oblivious girlfriend was
convincing.
What a piece of shit! It was in as day that all he cared about was himself
Vincent tried to keep his voice steady as he exined, but his words came out rushed. “These are my
friend’s clothes. The polo I wore this morning got dirty at work, so he lent this one to me.”
“Oh! Who?” I tilted my head and continued to smile, “Why don’t you introduce me? You must be close if
he’d let you borrow something that ex pensive.”
“It’s just… it’s Aaron’s. You already know him. He wears stuff like this all the time.” Vincent ced his
hand over mine but refused to look me in the eyes.
I sighed dramatically, “It’s a lot more high-end than the clothes I usu ally buy you… I was worried Emily
bought it for you as a gift or some thing.”
? “What? Babe, we’re just friends. You’re not jealous, are you?” He seemed content as if he believed
that was my only concern earlier this svening. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me
against his
body. His warm breath on my forehead made me nauseous.
“After I finished my shift, I was about to go home, but Aaron invited me out at thest minute. I
should’ve told you.” Vincent kissed my fore head, “But it looks like you made it anyway. Did he invite
you too?” –
I pushed Vincent away and smiled innocently.
“He just dragged me in! I think he recognized me while I was walking home from work. I usually pass
by that bar on the way back.” Iughed. “I never would’ve guessed I’d see you there!”
“He was drunk,” Vincent said quickly, panic evident in his eyes.
“Oh, yeah, I don’t hold it against him. I do kinda look like his girl friend.” I raised an eyebrow, “Don’t you
think?”
“Molly looks like you,” Vincent whispered, voice full of the devotion that used to be only for me. Was I
supposed to be ttered? “But I didn’t even know he had a girlfriend. In fact, I’d never seen him with
one. He only has fuck buddies… You should keep your distance.”
Vincent nudged up my chin with his finger and suddenly dered, “You’re so much more beautiful than
that girl. What if he tries to get at you? I can’t let that happen.”
Myugh sounded colder than I would’ve liked, but I couldn’t help it. He didn’t want me to see Aaron?
Or did he not want me to see him with Emily again?
Regardless of whether I like Aaron or not, I’ve already slept with him, and Vincent was none the wiser.
“But it’s over now,” he continued, then yawned. “I’m exhausted. Let’s just shower and go to bed.” His
smile this time was much more suggestive.
“It’s already sote, but you should still try to get as much sleep in as you can. I’m not really in the
mood tonight.” I smiled, stepping around him and opening the bathroom door. He didn’t stop me this
time.
After I showered, Iid back on the couch instead of heading to our shared bedroom, idly swiping
through my social media while I thought about what happened earlier. Vincent was still in the shower
when I got a message from Aaron.
I frowned. What was the matter with him? He’d dragged me into a confrontation with Vincent in front of
everyone. He might’ve been defend ing me, but now I’m sure everyone thinks we’re close! His
recklessness nearly ruined my n to tear Vincent down piece by piece.
Amorris: Sorry about today…
Not to mention his girlfriend suddenly appearing out of thin air like that. Everyone thought he was
standing up for me just because he had me confused for her. Before all of this, Vincent’s friends hardly
knew I exist ed, but now I was sure they’ll remember my face for years.
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way
After a moment of thinking, I responded.
heyOlive: don’t worry about it. it’s not like we’ll meet up again any
heyOlive: today was just a fluke
Amorris: Sure if you say so
Amorris: But I still feel terrible
heyOlive: not interested
Amorris: Ouch
Amorris: I mean it olive
Amorris: I fucked up big time
Amorris: I should’ve gotten you out of there as soon as I saw you crying
Amortis: I was being immature. I’m sorry.
I stared at hisst message on my screen, getting lost in thought. Aaron was being just as ambiguous
as ever. I wondered if he was in the same position as I was, texting me while Molly was in the shower.
heyOlive: save your apology for your girlfriend
Amorris: She’s not my girlfriend
Amorris: I told you, I’m single
Was he actually?
No. It didn’t matter if he had a girlfriend or not. I was done with him. I turned over while holding my
phone with my other hand, which was a mistake. A searing pain shot up my ribs, which had already
bruised.
Amorris: Are you ok though?
Amorris: I saw him push you into the table
I froze. Was he watching me right now? Did he hear me wince? I saw him look at me when I hit the
table but didn’t think he paid any mind to it His concern made me scowl. I just couldn’t figure this guy
out!
The whole thing was exhausting. On the one hand, my boyfriend only cared about saving face in front
of everyone, he didn’t care about me On the other hand, some guy I’d hooked up with once was
defending me He was the one who asked me if I was alright, not Vincent
It seems like they have that inmon, obsessing more over their lovers than their girlfriends.
I didn’t have the energy to respond to Aaron anymore I deleted the
text conversation, now for the second time, and retreated to bed for the night.
For a few weeks, my life was quiet. There was no contact between Aaron and me, and Vincent cut
back on “workingte,” ying the part of the faithful boyfriend.
Things went back to the way they were before.
As I was thinking of a way to finally end things with Vincent, he cheated on me again.
Of course, my immediate reaction was to reach out to Aaron for the first time in weeks.
I held my breath as I texted him
heyOlive: are you at the windermere hotel too
His reply was instant.
Amorris: Yeah
heyOlive: staying the night?
Amorris: I’m right next door to them
I wanted to hurl my phone into the wall. Once a cheater, always a cheater, and Vincent was no
exception.
I’d been biding my time, waiting for Vincent’s “perfect boyfriend” charade to hit its peak before breaking
up with him. I imagined him asking me why, promising he’d change, and begging me to stay.
I wanted to look him in the eye with the coldest, most nonchnt ex pression I could muster, to shake
my head casually, and say, “No. I don’t love you anymore. We’re done.”
But now I doubted I’d ever get that chance.
Amorris: Do you want toe over…?
I wasn’t sure what I wanted. I didn’t even have time to think about it
before he texted again.
Amorris: Please?
Amortis: I miss you
God, what a flirt. I didn’t want to give in that easily
heyOlive: really?
heyOlive: or do you just want a stand in while your girlfriend’s away _
Amortis: I already told you. I’m single
Amorris: Plus she’d be *your* cheap knockoff if anything
Vincent told me the same thing. Now he’s with Emily again.
I let out a dryugh. We’re all terrible people, aren’t we?
Well, if that was the case…
I pushed away my conscience telling me to be the better person, to not stoop down to Vincent’s level
for the second time.
heyOlive: where are you staying
Amorris: Room 718
Amortis: Vince and Emily are in 720
Before I knew it, I found myself standing in the lobby of the Winder mere Hotel, hesitating near the
elevators
Part of me wanted to rush in. to m on Vincent’s room and catch him in the act. The other part
wanted to indulge in another bout of revenge.
Both seemed equally alluring
But before I could decide, one of the elevators behind me opened with a ding A man stepped out, eves
glued to his phone before he happened to notice me standing there He nced up at me
It was Aaron
He’d lost some weight since Ist saw him In the hallway lights of the hotel, his ivory satin shirt
shimmered softly My eves followed his open cor down to the outline of his pees, then to the
silhouette of his waist, clearly visible as the light shone through his shirt. He wore an un tied scarfzily
draped around the back of his neck, giving his outfit a seductive tone.
I couldn’t help but wonder if this was the kind of thing he wears when he’s interested in someone. The
past two times I’d seen him, he was dressed much more casually.
After a few seconds of staring at each other in the lobby, his lips quirked upwards in a dazzling smile,
revealing his pearly white teeth. “I’m surprised you didn’t get lost this time. I came down to wait for
you.”
I’d been eager to see him, I admit, but now that he was in front of me, I was lost.
“Oh. Yeah, I found you. The hotel, I mean. Thanks.” I looked away, trying my hardest to not undress
him with my eyes right here on the main floor.
He stepped back into the elevator and I followed him. We didn’t say anything to each other on the way
to the room,ing to a stop at the door marked 718. Right next door, as he told me, was 720.
If I wanted to, I could still pound on Vincent’s door. I lingered in the hallway, considering it. Aaron rang
the doorbell next to his room, frown ing at me. “Come here.”
I walked toward him, curious as to why he rang the doorbell. The door clicked open, revealing a woman
leaningzily against the frame,ining, “Does it really take that long to buy a cigarette?”
There was the decision then.
ist.
The woman was sexy in every sense of the word. Long, straight ck hair fell past her shoulders as
smooth as melted wax, and thickshes lined her foxy eyes. Her body was wless in its moderation.
She was toned, but not muscr. Thin, but not morbidly skinny. She wore a white button-up blouse
tucked into a short ck skirt, professional and minimal
It was… Quite embarrassing.
Aaron dragged me inside. In the spacious room, the first thing I noticed was therge bed, still neatly
made. Had they not done anything to gether?
“Sir,” the woman smirked as she yfully chided him, hands sped
neatly behind her back. “Were you in the mood for a threesome tonight?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Tempting, but I’m not interested.” He stepped around her, tossing his phone
onto the nightstand and picking up a set of car keys. “You should get going now anyway. Daisy. Drive
safe.” .
She hummed, gingerly taking the keys from his outstretched hand. “Take it easy, you two.” Her eyes
met mine, and she gave me a devious smirk before reminding Aaron, “You still have that meeting in the
morning.”
There was an awkward atmosphere in the room after Daisy left.
Or maybe it was just me because Aaron was already making himselffortable, shedding his jacket
and turning on the TV. He looked at me, a pleasant smile on his face, “Have you eaten yet?”
I nodded, “Yeah, I did.”
“No burger for me this time?” He asked, casually putting his tie on a hanger in the closet.
I nearly choked, my face flushing. “I only brought you food because I wanted to bang, so no. No burger
for you this time.”
He clicked his tongue, shaking his head. “I’m only worth a burger? What are you here for this time
then?”
I didn’t know what to say. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what I was sup posed to do now
55251 He threw himself down at the edge of the bed, eyes closed while he
folded his arms behind his head.
“I wanted to catch him.” I muttered.
He cracked one eye open to check his watch. “Now’s not the time. Give it a bit.”
With a sigh, I dropped myself in the armchair beside the bed, resting my head in my hands, elbows
pressing into my knees. “How long have they been… together?”
He shrugged, “That’s a question for him.”
Of course. I figured there was no point in asking him. What would he tell me anyway? I wouldn’t put it
past him to still cover for Vincent, even after what happened at the bar three weeks ago. They were still
best friends. They probably even introduced each other to whoever they were sleeping with! I looked at
him with anger in my eyes.
He acted as though he didn’t notice, idly patting the spot beside him.
“Sit over here.”
We both ended up lying next to each other on the bed, with the couch in the corner of the room left cold
and empty.
Aaron had turned onto his side to look at me, but I was afraid to meet his gaze, my heart pounding. I
kept my eyes closed, my head turned up to ward the ceiling.
The awkward tension in the room eventually got to me, and I blurted, “Did I ruin your night?”
“No. You’re here, so it’s quite the opposite,” he replied indifferently.
My eyes were still shut, and I pretended I didn’t hear what he’d just said. Instead, I thought about when
the right time would be to crash Vin cent’s private party in the next room.
Aaron suddenlyughed. I was attracted to the low, melodic sound, and impulsively turned to face him.
His eyes were closed, and he seemed so… rxed.
“Thest time I was with you, I actually slept until morning. I don’t usually sleep so heavily,” he exhaled
infort.
I smirked. “You mean you don’t usually spend the night with some
one like me?”
His eyes opened, stunned, and heughed even harder. “You are too confident for your own good.”
Then he added. “But yes. And if I knew you were gonna try to leave so early, I wouldn’t have saved my
I grew silent and regretted ying along with his teasing. The conversation had started to escte in a
direction that I wasn’tfortable with.
The silence was broken by my phone ringing.
It was Vincent.