Then, I called him, told him it was over, I was
pulling out my money, and we were done.
No more contact.
I remember how his breathing got heavy on
く
I remember how his breathing got heavy on
the other end of the line.
His voice was low, like he was trying to hide
his rage:
“Josie, it’s not like that with me and Lauren.
Can we please not break up?”
Of course, I said no.
The afternoon I was supposed to sign the
transfer papers, I got rear–ended by a cab.
Lauren was in the back seat; she was back
from a business trip.
Me, Lauren, and the driver – all dead.
That’s when I saw it all. Frank, getting the
Г
news about me and Lauren, then pulling Emily
into his arms and kissing her.
It was so clear.
Frank used me and Lauren to get his
company on the stock market.
He ignored my parents‘ anger and proposed
to the woman he actually loved.
Me and Lauren, two women who dedicated
our lives to his success?
We were just a joke to Emily.
“Ugh, why’d they have to die on such a happy
day? So tacky.”
I’m furious.
L
I dig my nails into my palms, trying to stay
focused.
I shake myself out of the memory and lock
eyes with Lauren across the room.
Her expression is different. It’s not the usual
snark; it’s regret. Guilt.
My lips twitch.
Great, she remembers too.
In a flash, we both know.
I mouth the words:
“Let the games begin.”
My arrival gets everyone’s attention.
Г
They’ve all seen me and Lauren go at it
before.
They all pulled out their phones, wanting to
record the drama.
Frank sees me and freezes. He glances at
Emily in the corner, just for a split second.
I catch it.
Then, he puts Lauren behind him, like he’s
protecting her.
I used to be so naive, I never saw through his
crap.
I stare at Frank, about to say something.
<
Then he says, loud enough for everyone to
hear:
“Josie, I’ve told you a million times, you can’t
just throw around accusations about my
staff!”
It’s the same old song and dance.
Frank doesn’t just want to make Lauren and
me enemies.
He’s trying to turn everyone else against me.
Even the other shareholders think I’m messing
with the company’s operations.
Now that Frank’s said that, the people around
us are already throwing shade:
Г
“Seriously? Can’t control her man, so she
bullies another woman?”
“I haven’t seen Lauren do anything wrong, to
be honest. It’s always Josie who ruins the
vibe.”
I can hear the whispers, and Frank’s
practically smirking.
He tries to sound reasonable, like he’s talking
me down:
“I know you’re upset about Lauren wearing
your dress, but that was my mistake; I put the
wrong address. Come on, it’s Lauren’s party.
Can we please not do this now?”
Every word is designed to piss me off.
く
How does a designer screw up my address?
Lauren’s great, but she’s not the only one
who can close a million–dollar deal. Why is
she getting a party?
He’s already calling me “upset” before I even
said a word. Who wouldn’t snap?
Even though I knew it was coming, I’m still
disgusted.
“No.”
