Hi?
Vlora’s expression snapped to attention when she heard the informal greeting directed at her. Even more so when a hand was extended a moment later, accompanied by a smile.
Vlora welcomed the handshake. “Vlora.”
“I know who you are. At least, the host introduced you earlier.”
Ah! A forgotten fact by Vlora. It seemed that now, there was no one who did not know her. It was all thanks to Andreas’ brilliant idea.
“Unfortunately, you probably don’t know me. I’m Nadine Martinez.”
I know you.
Certainly, thanks to the brief argument between Andreas and Bryan. Vlora had repeatedly heard the name Nadine mentioned. So, was this her lucky chance to meet her in person?
“Ah, Nadine.”
The handshake concluded. Nadine, who was wearing a black dress that night, continued speaking.
“Yes, and I am Andreas’ girlfriend.”
Vlora’s forehead furrowed slightly. Her mouth opened briefly. The gleam in Vlora’s eyes was not one of surprise or shock but rather pity. Her overall expression showed powerlessness for what was happening.
“I’m sorry.”
Vlora’s response did not meet Nadine’s expectations. She clearly did not say it to seek sympathy. The only thing she wanted was to shake Vlora’s composure.
Nadine wanted to see Vlora shocked. She wanted to see Vlora devastated and crying, realizing that her fiance had a lover.
That’s how it should have been. The typical scenario played out like that. Unfortunately for Nadine, things did not go as expected.
“I never thought that in order to marry me, Andreas would have to leave you.”
It seemed like the situation had reversed. Instead of Vlora being shaken, it was Nadine whose eyes widened. Not only did she fail to shock Vlora, but now she herself was taken aback.
“W-what did you say?” Nadine asked, disbelief in her voice. “Are you saying that Andreas left me?”
“Isn’t that the case?” Vlora replied.
Nadine managed to regain her composure. She suppressed her shock and chuckled softly. With her hands clasped together, she closed the distance between them.
“Andreas could never marry you. We were arranged to be married, and you need to know something. Long before the arranged marriage, Andreas and I were in a serious relationship,” Nadine whispered with a rhythmic tone. Her eyes glanced and the corners of her lips rose in a mocking smile. “A very serious relationship for a woman and a man.”
“As far as I know, Andreas rejected your arranged marriage.”
Vlora returned the gaze and smiled back.
“Andreas has even introduced me to his parents. In front of the journalists.”
Nadine looked furious. She took a deep breath and realized that Vlora indeed had a good ammunition to counter her. However, that did not mean she would back down. Of course not.
“Do you think you can snatch Andreas away from me? Don’t dream. It’s clearly impossible.”
“Listen, Nadine. I have no intention of snatching Andreas from anyone. Do you know what? He’s the one who has always approached me all this time.”
Nadine laughed softly with the intention of belittling her. “Andreas approached you? Do you think I believe that?”
“Don’t believe it,” Vlora signaled. She shook her head once and stared at Nadine without blinking. “Don’t believe it so that you can always hold on to your empty hopes.”
Nadine closed her eyes dramatically. Then, when she opened them, there was a surge of emotions in them.
Vlora did not want to take any risks. She decided to leave before things got out of control. As a woman, she knew very well the craziness that could be unleashed by her kind when it came to love and jealousy.
She moved her feet. Vlora was ready to leave. However, Nadine grabbed her arm.
“Listen, Vlora. I don’t know what you did to Andreas, but I’m sure he will come back to me,” Nadine said with emphasis. Her grip on Vlora’s hand tightened, as if reinforcing her words. “We have been in a relationship for several years, and you should know, right? I have satisfied him in bed too many times. We have made love to each other.”
Vlora was taken aback. Her ears heard and her eyes saw the grip from Nadine. At that moment, she made a promise.
You will release your own hand.
For that, Vlora smiled again and looked at Nadine sympathetically.
“Oh! I didn’t know that all this time you were Andreas’ bed servant. How pathetic.”
“Pathetic?”
“Do you know something, Nadine?” Vlora asked without waiting for an answer. “Until this moment, Andreas has never seen me naked. He doesn’t even know what type of bra I wear. Do you know what that means?”
Vlora did not give Nadine a chance to speak. It was not just the question that was Vlora’s only response, but also her actions.
This time, Vlora closed the distance between them. She positioned herself in a way that she could speak softly, but still be heard clearly by Nadine.
“I don’t have to be Andreas’ bed servant to be his chosen woman. So, can you imagine what would happen if I were to satisfy him in bed just once?”
Vlora’s smile turned into a mischievous smirk and then faded.
“I bet that by next week, we will be married.”
Nadine’s face froze. “You’re too confident, Vlora.”
“Yes, because I know my worth.”
Nadine’s taunt struck a chord with Vlora. Not only through her words but also her demeanor. She truly exuded the confidence that Nadine had tried to undermine.
“It’s hard to admit, but I don’t know whether it’s Andreas who cleverly took advantage or if you’re just too foolish to be taken advantage of. Maybe Andreas is the kind of man who knows the difference between a pleasure provider and a future queen.”
Not only Nadine’s face turned red, but even the tips of her ears looked as if they were scalded by hot water.
“You were arranged to be married, and you have become his pleasure provider, but Andreas still doesn’t want to marry you?”
Vlora sighed with a rhythmic tone. This time, it was she who looked down at Nadine with a condescending gaze.
“I have to say, Nadine. You’re truly unlucky.”
Right at that moment, Nadine released her grip on Vlora. Her hand fell and hung limply by her side. Just as Vlora had desired, Nadine herself let go.
“So, just wait for our wedding invitation in the near future. And by the way, since you’ve been a pleasure provider for Andreas, can I ask for lingerie recommendations that he likes? Can you help me?”
Of course, that was not the response Vlora received. Instead, she was met with a hateful glare and tightly clenched fists.
Nadine’s beautiful face hardened with intense emotions. Her mouth remained tightly shut. It seemed she was still aware that she could not physically attack Vlora there. She had to maintain a shred of dignity that was left.
“If you can’t help me, it’s fine. It seems like it’s an opportunity for me and Andreas to explore each other. It seems like it will be a pleasurable experience.”
That was the final statement Vlora made. She turned her body and her expression changed briefly as she glanced at Nadine one last time.
Vlora walked away, distancing herself from Nadine, and Andreas approached her.
“Is there a problem?” he asked, clearly having noticed the conversation between the two women. That was why he intended to catch up with Vlora, albeit a bit late.
Vlora shook her head. “There’s no problem at all. I’m just feeling a bit hungry.”
Andreas decided to find out what the two women had been talking about later. Now was the time to enjoy the main course.
“Let’s go. We should taste the main dishes.”
Both moved. Walking side by side, Andreas heard Vlora’s whisper.
“Embrace me. Put your hand on my waist.”
For a moment, Andreas was taken aback, but in the next moment, he did as Vlora asked. His hand landed on the curve of Vlora’s buttocks.
“Just like this?” Andreas teasingly asked. “I thought it would be better if it was more than this.”
As a result, Andreas truly embraced Vlora’s waist, pressing her slim body tightly against his. Vlora was slightly surprised and immediately turned her head, meeting a kiss on her temple with a gesture so intimate.
That touch was unexpected for Vlora. However, she reacted naturally. Her eyes closed, and one hand rose, landing on Andreas’ chest.
The kiss from Andreas turned into a smile. One compliment echoed in his mind.
Never wanting to be outdone. I like it.
Andreas turned his gaze back. His eyes landed on Nadine, who stood frozen. He did not know what they had been talking about. Nevertheless, he would not hesitate to express his gratitude.
It turns out you’re useful, Nadine.
Because it was the first time Vlora asked to be embraced. In public. In front of many eyes. It seemed like now the situation had truly fallen into place, hadn’t it?
*