Chapter 0005

“Ollie, guess who is here?” Claire squeaked excitedly as she barged into the room. “Your handsome boyfriend!”

I pulled a puzzled look because I didn't remember having a boyfriend. “My boyfriend?” I dropped the mascara I was about to apply and turned my full attention to her, trying to recall what she was talking about.

“Are you kidding? I mean Mr. Dante.” She rolled her eyes as she walked to the bed and slumped on it.

It took me another few seconds before I recalled that I’d already been dating Dante for a month at this point. “Oh! Right. Of course.”

She looked at me suspiciously. “Are you okay? You don't look well.” She approached and placed her hand on my forehead, checking my temperature.

I forced a smile and shook my head. “I'm fine. Can you tell him I'll be there in a minute, please?”

“Sure. Take your time and look good for your baby, girl.” She winked, then she stepped out of the room.

My heart thumped nervously as I headed to my wardrobe and opened it. Despite my determination to pay him back, nerves racked me. It was the first time I’d ever sought revenge against someone.

You can do this. I inhaled deeply, then spotted the dress I wore on the date. No way was I going to wear that again. Instead, I picked out black ripped jeans, a black crop top, black sneakers, and a black cap. At the end, I added a black handbag. “Perfect!” I said when I checked myself out in the mirror. But I needed two more things: my sunglasses and a pinch of perfume.

“Whoa!” Claire said, rising from the couch as soon as I stepped into our small living room. “Are you going to a funeral?”

I smirked. “I'm getting prepared for a funeral in the future. How do I look?” I flipped my hair and gave her a wink.

Her eyes narrowed. “Whose funeral?”

“Just kidding,” I said with a smile. “So how do I look?”

“You look weird, but really sweet… and a little badass. I love it!”

That lifted my confidence even more. I asked her about Dante.

“He insisted on waiting for you outside. He should be in his car.”

I hugged her briefly and said goodbye before leaving.

My skin crawled and my heart wrenched at the sight of him, leaning against his car, looking as handsome as ever. If someone had warned me the first time around, I would have never believed such a handsome young man could have such a dark heart. I knew better now.

“Babe... you're here.” He straightened and offered his familiar smile as soon as he saw me.

I scoffed internally. He couldn't fool me anymore. I no longer had the same excitement in seeing his smile now as I did back then.

“Good morning,” I said, forcing a smile so he wouldn’t grow suspicious.

“Good morning, my love. Did you sleep well?” He slid his arm around my waist and pulled me close until we were pressed hard against each other.

“Mmm-hmm,” I murmured.

Then he asked the same question Claire had asked. “What's up with the dress? You going to a funeral?”

“Maybe,” I said with a smirk.

“Whose funeral?” His eyebrows drew together as his brown eyes pierced mine, confusion on his face.

“I'm just kidding.” I chuckled softly.

“You look gorgeous, by the way.” He smiled, showing off his perfect white teeth.

“Thank you. Why don't we get going?”

“Oh... sure.” He finally took his grubby paws off me and pulled the car door open for me.

I thanked him and forced a smile as I hopped inside.

Once he joined me, he offered to help me with my seatbelt.

“Thank you. I'll handle it,” I said, not wanting him to touch me. I used to be so excited around him, used to seize every opportunity for skin contact with him, but now it felt so irritating. Having him around disgusted me so much that I felt like throwing up.

He drove us to the restaurant, where he’d made reservations for us. “Do you like this place, honey?” he asked. “I picked it especially for you.” He placed his hand on mine.

I just hummed and nodded.

“Do you remember what day it is today?” he asked, his voice annoying. I closed my eyes briefly, trying to calm myself because I was already losing it and kept wishing he would stop talking.

I shook my head.

“It's our one-month anniversary.” The smile he wore would’ve convinced anyone he was in love and happy to be with me. “I got you something.” He dipped his hand into his pocket and brought out a box I remembered. “Happy anniversary, baby. Having you in my life has been the happiest thing that has happened to me. Thank you for giving us a chance, darling.” He opened the box, revealing the necklace inside. The first time I’d seen it, I shed tears of excitement, feeling I had gotten the love I had always dreamed of.

But fuck all that now! I did all I could not to scoff. Instead, I merely said, “Thank you,” and forced another smile.

“Here,” he said, holding up. “Let me put it on you.” Once he had the chain clasped, he asked, “Do you like it?” He tucked my hair behind my ear as he stared into my eyes, looking like a man who was madly in love. No wonder he fooled me before.

"Mmm-hmm."

“It looks good on you.” He patted my cheek and returned to his seat.

After our meals were delivered, he picked at his food wearing a familiar, sad expression. Ah, the pity card. It felt so crazy that everything was happening all over again.

“Are you okay?” I asked as I had back then. Though, I had been worried then. This time, I knew the pathetic story I would get in response.