Perhaps I took my sweet time staring at him until he was no longer within my sight, which made Siobhan stare at my face peculiarly. She had an unpleasant look at me which made me curious than upset. I can't describe what emotions she kept when she looked at me.
But why me?
Ophelia was ogling at the man intensely than I did. She had that expression where only her imagination could justify. But then again we both knew how Ophelia was. It wasn't a secret that she was not only power eager but man-hungry also.
I raised my brow and mirrored her stare but making it menacing. She might have felt uncomfortable as I did cause her to fake a cough. I smirked at her reaction loving the demeaning power I had over a lot of women in society. This is what I live for, this is exactly what I achieve to be.
"I was thinking of hitting the club later", she said while checking her acrylic nails. She brushed every tension that had just happened as if it were a mere flinch at a moment.
"I can't, Ian planned a romantic dinner for us", I rambled. Not wanting to let out too many details about our relationship. People might think that it's sentimental for us to keep it private but it took me too many relationships to realize that having it splattered all over public destroys it. And having the one thing that makes me wealthy be destroyed is something that I would never wish for.
Ophelia giggled and took my hand in hers. "I really can't believe you are engaged", she took my other hand and gazed at the ring with fascination as if she hadn't seen it for the millionth time. I admire it also, relief as it is that Ian understands what I want. Big and expensive diamonds.
"Don't you think it's a bit fast? I mean you've only been dating for 2 years", she said with an indifferent expression. Both Ophelia and I rolled our eyes at her. Whenever the topic is about our engagement, Siobhan would always be passive-aggressive about it.
"Get over yourself Han, Ian loves Annalise too much to let her out of his grasp", Ophelia said in her sweet southern accent which made the men beside the table look at her. She gave them a small wave and a wink.
They were bickering back and forth on where they would settle their night when I took the opportunity to text Ian.
I'll drop by later...
It wasn't even a minute when he responded. This makes me wonder what if he was waiting for me to text or if he just free.
Good, I wanna show you something.
I didn't respond after that and checked my Instagram. Notifications reached four digits just in the span of 24 hours. I'm not surprised a lot of people have been waiting for updates of the famous Estellaa Ball.
The last picture I posted was last night's party. Ian was looking ravishing in his dark suit which suited with my spectacular blue ball gown.
In the picture, I was kissing Ian while caressing his face with the hand that subtly shows my engagement ring.
Finally mine 💖
The post had both positive and negative comments. Some expressed their congratulations, while others still pointed out that I was a gold digger out for Ian's wealth.
Well... It's one of those reasons. Folks have witnessed me jump from one rich gun to another. Leaving each one for a wealthier and youthful opportunity.
Money makes the world turn whether you like it or not, and that's a hard-to-swallow pill. Being acquainted with this prosperous lifestyle for a couple of years now may have influenced this type of thinking but I will never go back to where I started. Foolish as it is but being rich is more crucial than virtues.
I now have a man who can buy me anything I want. Not even love can top that, because how can you love someone if they can't provide for you. I will tread on anyone who crosses me otherwise.
Scrolling down, I saw Ian's recent post which was me having my morning tea by our suite's balcony. Dressed in an Amoralle Magnum silk robe, I was leaning into the rails as the gentle breeze swept my uncombed hair.
It had no captions but there are a majority of nasty comments. I know he doesn't read those but I can.
She's just using you for the fortune Iaaaan
That's one lucky gold-digging bitch
If had a body like that I'd also seduce every rich man out there.
Just as I was being swallowed by those words, a cup was placed in front of me.
I smiled sweetly, fully expecting the attractive waiter to come face with it but I was wrong. The sharp jaw and emerald eyes were replaced by a cherub face.
She was reciprocating with a smile whilst mine was slowly faltering. I took a moment to glance at my friends, both of them had confusion written on their faces. I turned my gaze back to the new face. My eyes wandered from her blonde hair down to the unmade toenails. Noticing my stare, she curled her toes in embarrassment and her smile wavered.
"Where's that handsome waiter we had sugar?" Lia asked. She gave her a tight smile, "Con had something to do out back, so I'll be your new waiter". Her chubby cheeks became twisted, implying she was biting it from the inside. She wishes to say something she'll certainly regret.
I stared at her. She had bright blue eyes and a petite figure, it complemented her round freckled face.
She scrunched her button nose as she became uneasy and asked, "Is everything okay with your order?", we nodded at her then she walked out. Her step had a little hop to it making her seem cheerful and animated. It would show that she has a character of a 12-year-old.
I glanced over to where was she headed and saw the attractive man she called Con, who seemed to tirelessly carry out several crates. She reached him and took out her white towel from the backside of her jeans to wipe at his forehead. He smiled at her and took the crates behind the counter.
Her face glowed finishing off my observation that definitely likes this man. A foreign feeling creeps into my skin, making me doubt myself on what this means.
I don't know what came over me, but I took my coffee and walked over to her. It took a lot of resilience in me not to grip my coffee too tight that it might shatter in the palm of my hands and spill all over the floor.
Upon reaching them, she looked at me with an uncertain expression. "My coffee is not hot, make me another one", I said with indifference.
She took the cup from my hand and the corners of her mouth dropped, " This is still hot Ma'am", she said emphasizing her words as if she were talking to a toddler.
I brought my newly pampered face to hers and raised a brow, "It's not hot enough". I was willing to challenge her, but it comes as a surprise to me that I don't know why I'm fighting with this girl.
She was about to say something when Con interfered, "Excuse me, is there a problem here?". His hand came between us, particularly brushing on my breast. It sparked a sensual feeling in the valley of my legs.
I was acting like a salacious woman. I feel like a female dog on heat. There's a part of me that somehow wants this man's attention.
I faced him with a seductive manner, "Yes. I wanted my coffee hotter and asked her to make me a new one".
She was going to say something when he lifted his hand at her, " The customer asked you to remake her coffee, Joey" he looked at her with resignation. I smirked in her direction
She took my cup with a frown on her face. Gripping it with the same intensity I had earlier.
" Thank you... uhm... Con" I gave him a teethty smile. His smirk widen when he heard me say his name, "You know my name". I rolled my eyes still smiling, " Of course, angel over there was practically moaning it". He gave a hearty laugh and leaned on the tabletop, "Can I know yours also?".
I placed my hand on his chest and gave him an innocent look. His body tensed under my fingertips and his eyes burned a familiar fire. He turned to look at my lips and licked his, I gulped as a tingling sensation traveled to the back of my neck.
" My name is Annalise," I said almost purring. I took off my hand and gave him a wink as I turned around.
I walked back to our table with a triumph smile. Ophelia and Siobhan had confused but wicked smiles on their faces. Like somehow they knew what happened.
We began to talk inanimately when the waitress returned with my coffee. She must have dragged it lightly on the rough table over to a small gap tumbling the mug over causing it to spill on my end.
By the time my reflexes responded everything was too late. The coffee overflowed at the end of the table and poured onto Hermes Barenia. I felt the blood on my face drained as the brown stain seeped into the cloth.
My friends gasped as I began to panic. I was dabbing the tissues on the coffee spot whilst my body filled with dread, it was a $12500 bag. It was one of my prized possession and one of the three bags that Ian bought me on our first anniversary.
I looked up to the waitress which paled at the scene. Her hand was shaking as she mumbled her words, probably to apologize but I a sweet sorry from her isn't gonna do it.
Taking Siobhan's iced tea and splashed it on her face and clothes, "You reckless bitch!" I shrieked, red in rage. I smashed the glass onto the ground having a fit.
By this time both customers and staff were gaping and shocked at the havoc I created. "This bag costs more than your paycheck here!" I already gave up on the coffee stain because I know it'll never come off. I wanted to cry but the tears seem to steam off in my boiling anger.
A lanky middle-aged man approached us and held her shoulders. "What is going on here?" He asked. I didn't even glimpse at him when I said, "She spilled coffee all over my Hermes bag!". I banged my ruined handbag on the table to show so.
She stood there with her mouth ajar and paled face. I don't know if it's because I splashed iced tea over her or because of the price of the bag. Snapping out of her daze tears poured out of her eyes, she scurried out of the scene.
She passed by Con who had a worried and disgruntled expression on his face. He looked at me disapprovingly before going after her. This scene angered me even more.
Fuck him and his disapproval! My fiance bought this bag with his money! What did he have as a waiter?!
The man who I assume was either the owner or the manager kept babbling his apologies and tried to negotiate a way to compensate for my loss. As if they can find a way to either pay or replace my destroyed handbag. I didn't register anything that he said as my mind was filled with both outrage and hurt.
But why am I hurt?
Why does Con's expression irk me along with the hurt that I feel of him going after that woman?
Why do I suddenly feel like I want to cry a river instead?
----
Sincerely,
Atticus