"Apologies, milady, they could have seen you there."
Nico?
He held tight, back leaning against the wall as he poked his head to peek. Thankfully, there was no sound of footsteps approaching, which ant they hadn’t seen , and Nico arrived on ti.
"I-I can’t keep doing this."
I heard Theo speak; he sounded anxious. I can’t believe he’s in a relationship with Agatha. I’m trying to convince myself that what I saw was maybe my mind playing tricks on , but the mont Agatha spoke back to him, that thought went out the window.
"Don’t be like that, my love."
I shivered in disgust, and I think Nico shared that thought too, when his body stiffened.
"Agatha, I—"
"Co with ."
I heard the door slam shut before the tires screeched out. Nico released , and I looked to find them gone.
"H-How do you know I was here?"
"Experience, milady. Trying to avoid the case of you slipping out the back door. I cannot disappoint the boss again." He adjusted his tie. "Reed can do that as much as he wants, but not ."
Cocky.
"So you parked at the back of the store and not the front."
"Exactly."
Unbelievable.
"You know this guy?" he asked. "Enough to follow him like so detective?"
"Y-Yeah, I know him. Theo rcer. I just... I can’t believe he’s—"
"Whatever you saw, you never did."
"Excuse ?"
"No one’s gonna believe you anyway." He walked past .
"Agatha is clearly cheating on Ares’ dad with soone old enough to be her son. Doesn’t that bother you?"
"That’s none of my business, milady. This Theo is a grown-up man and a genius..." He shoved a cigar between his lips. "So genius."
"We should tell Ares."
"And tell him what?"
I opened my mouth to speak, but he didn’t let .
"Don’t waste your breath. Plenty shits happens in families, and this is none of your business as much as it’s not mine. So, can we please go now?"
I clenched my teeth. I hated that he was right in so way.
"Well? It’s getting late. You still have shopping to do."
"Theo..." I began. "He’s starting to seem suspicious. He keeps turning up where I am, and I know it’s probably like a coincidence, but I think it’s not. It’s creeping out. And now he’s probably in so acquaintance with Agatha... that alone disturbs ."
For a minute there, I discerned Nico might be agreeing with , but the bastard chuckled as if he found sothing funny.
"Congratulations, milady, I think you might have a stalker. I never thought soone else would take that title."
"I’m sorry, what?" I blinked, confused, at his last statent.
"If Theo’s bothering you. We’ll deal with him, but what you saw... don’t go telling."
"Deal with him, how?"
"In a way, you won’t have to be creeped out again. Think of it like a restraining order." He lit the end of his cigar with his Zippo, smirking.
~☆~
I’m still uncomfortable by what I saw... but I had to set it aside and focus on making this dinner before it gets too late. I already spent too much ti shopping.
The rest of the day, Nico and Reed kept stealing glances, not in their usual disagreeable way but like they were speaking with their eyes.
I shook my head. Focus, Catherine. I got down to cooking, despite how tedious it was, I always enjoyed doing it because it reminded of Granny. I played so country music as I swayed my hips, using the spoon as my mic.
I set the dishes down, proud of my display. I may have cooked too much, but nothing beats this spread. Not even Ares can resist. I used the lighter to light the candles before grabbing the best wine I could find and two glasses.
"Perfect," I said, checking the ti. "Shit!" I hurried upstairs to shower and change.
After an hour or so, I began to think that maybe Tori was right.
I stepped closer to the mirror. I was wearing one of the lingerie in Ares’ closet. It was a nightdress, light and see-through. A lace traced the neckline, sleeves, and hem. Paired with a silk robe that draped my shoulders.
I had combed out my hair, and it had more waves, resting on one side. I picked a matching red collar with a ribbon. The finishing was my light makeup.
This definitely gives romantic dinner vibes.
I got overly excited, and now I stood there like an actual wife waiting for her husband to co ho for dinner.
I didn’t know why that thought made my heart race wildly. I placed my hand on my chest, hoping to calm down.
"What am I doing?" I said, closing my eyes, feeling like I may have gone far.
However, when I opened my eyes and looked at my reflection, I told myself four words to make feel better.
"It’s for the contract."
I fixed my smile and went downstairs, checking the ti. It was almost 10 p.m. the ti we agreed on. Ares was always punctual, which ant any ti now, he would be here.
My nerves skyrocketed to the point that it felt like my heart was gonna jump out of my chest. To calm myself down, I filled my glass with wine and took little sips.
It transford from sips to large gulps when it got past 10. Ares was never late to anything. He was the master of tikeeping.
I grabbed my phone and texted him.
: It’s already past ten.
: Where are you?
: Are you busy?
The texts were not seen but delivered. I told myself I was getting worked up for no reason, so I waited.
It was 12 a.m. now. I had already finished a whole bottle of wine.
: Did you forget?
I stared at the last text I sent him two hours ago, yet to be seen.
My shaky eyes settled on the dinner spread, probably all cold now.
3 a.m.
I dropped my phone and grabbed another bottle, not bothering to use the glass anymore.
Reviews
All reviews (0)