Chapter Nine Plan A Mend Up Dinner 

Rebecca’s POV

“Rebecca, his wife is outside. She is staring at you now,” Natasha said through the earbud in my ear, prompting me to smile again. Though the smile appeared cute and harmless to Gabriel, it was, in fact, a smirk. It was the perfect moment to inflict pain on the woman who had taken my place, and I wanted her to feel three times the anguish I experienced when Gabriel betrayed me.

Just then, I heard Natasha again. “One of his connections is just leaving a short distance away. We’ll talk more about that when you get here.” I waited to respond, ensuring Gabriel wouldn’t suspect anything. I coughed once to signal that I had heard her.

Gabriel rushed to grab a bottle of water, believing my cough was genuine and that I needed it to calm myself. How foolish of him! But it was anyway an unplanned move to make his little wife even more jealous. I accepted the glass of water from him, smiling sweetly.

As I took the glass, I brushed my fingers lightly against his, ensuring it was at an angle that his wife would see clearly. I knew that what I considered a mere touch would feel like a year-long torment to her. Just the sight of our hands together would undoubtedly crush her spirit, but what could she do to me? Nothing!

I smiled at Gabriel and said, “I will be leaving now, but I’d like us to meet again. Would you be busy tomorrow?” I knew he would never decline.

Before everything had turned sour, before this man had betrayed me and nearly destroyed me, he had always found excuses not to take me out. “Maybe another day. I have a business meeting I can’t miss,” he would say. But tonight, he offered no such excuse.

“Yes, of course, tomorrow it is. But by what time can I be here early?” he asked, and I couldn’t help but smile openly at him. Wasn’t he the one who always acted busy for me? Now that he knew I had what he needed, he would move mountains to accommodate me.

“Don’t you have a business meeting to attend tomorrow?” I teased, raising an eyebrow playfully.

“Business meeting? All meetings can wait for you, Rebecca,” he replied, his tone smooth and eager, and my heart swelled with satisfaction. It was exhilarating to see him so willing to drop everything for me.

As he spoke, I picked up my bag from the table and signaled the waiter to come over. She bowed to greet me, and I handed her my MasterCard. “Please deduct the total amount of the bill quickly,” I said, smiling as I sipped another glass of wine. The taste was sweet, almost intoxicating, as it washed away the bitterness of my memories.

“Thank you, ma’am. Have a lovely rest of the night,” the waiter said before bowing and leaving.

Just as she walked away, I glanced at Gabriel, who immediately sprang to his feet, eager to walk me to my car. The thought of him wanting to escort me felt gratifying, but I had to maintain the facade.

“No, thank you,” I said, smiling again. However, if the smile seemed genuine, it was a complete lie. I only smiled because I knew his wife was at the door, and I was certain she would storm into the restaurant to cause a scene once I left. I couldn’t wait to witness it.

As I walked away from the table with elegance, I could feel Gabriel’s eyes on me, heavy with unspoken words. Reaching the door, the doorman opened it for me. Stepping outside, I spotted Emmanuella still lingering there. This time, she wasn’t hiding from me. Her face was twisted with pain and emotion, deeply frowning, but what could she do besides that?

I paused in front of her for a brief second, then smirked, holding my head high. She hadn’t seen anything yet; she was about to experience true pain and heartache. Just then, my limo arrived, and my chauffeur opened the door for me. I walked slowly to the car, savoring the moment, relishing the thought of what was about to unfold.

Once I settled inside, I called the restaurant’s CEO to inform him that I was finished and they could open for public use now. It felt empowering to know that my actions had consequences, that I was orchestrating a scene from behind the curtain.

Once my chauffeur drove a bit forward, I said, “Stop for a moment, please.”

Looking back through the glassy walls of the restaurant, which had previously concealed the interior, I now saw Emmanuella inside, creating a scene of embarrassment for Gabriel. She was gesturing wildly, her expression shifting from confusion to fury. With everything inside of me, I reveled in what I witnessed, a twisted satisfaction coursing through my veins. Gabriel’s face paled as he tried to calm her down, but the tension in the air was palpable.

“Look at her,” I thought, a sense of glee washing over me. “She’s finally realizing what she’s lost.” I couldn’t help but smirk at the irony of it all. She thought she had everything under control, but here I was, pulling the strings.

As my chauffeur remained parked, I observed the chaotic scene unfolding inside. Emmanuella’s voice reached my ears even through the walls, sharp and laced with accusation. “How could you do this to me, Gabriel? After everything we’ve been through?” Her anguish was almost palpable, and I savored every moment of it.

I leaned back in my seat, allowing the gravity of the moment to sink in. This was just the beginning. I had plans—grand plans—to ensure that both Gabriel and his  wife understood the depth of my betrayal, to show them that I was not a woman to be trifled with. I was ready to take my revenge, and I would enjoy every second of it.

As my chauffeur turned the car around, I glanced back one last time at the restaurant, where chaos reigned. I smiled to myself, knowing that this was merely the first act in my carefully orchestrated play. I was ready to make my move, to reclaim what was once mine, and nothing would stand in my way.

The night was still young, and the best was yet to come.