~Joan~
The ideas I thought I had coming suddenly stopped. It was like my mind had hit a wall. And that was one of the many reasons I was sulking around the house in a foul mood.
Rhoda had asked me countless times if there was a problem. I’d told her I was okay -well, partially.
I stared at my laptop screen like it was the root of all my problems. Turns out it was true: Aaron was my muse.
I hated that. I really did.
Because he was a cheat, and I’d been stupid enough to get involved with him. I hated men who cheated. After what my last boyfriend had done, I’d promised myself I’d never get romantically involved with another man. Until Aaron.
We weren’t an item. We’d just slept together once. And, sure, he brought me to an orgasm a few days ago, but now I felt filthy.
The thought of being a tool in causing another woman pain burned me with guilt.
Angelina was his girlfriend in every sense of the word -and, honestly, I hated her.
Slamming my laptop shut, I stared out the window, my mind running in circles.
Rhoda wasn’t home; Lucas had called her over. She’d offered to stay with me since I’d been sulking like a child, but I told her to go.
I’d get over it eventually, but for now, I’d just let myself drown in guilt.
Peeling myself off the chair I’d been glued to all morning, I decided to get lunch since it was already late. I’d had nothing except the coffee Rhoda had brought me earlier.
The silence in the house told me Aaron wasn’t home. We hadn’t spoken since I’d walked away from him.
A cruel reminder that what we had was just a fling. Not that I wanted anything more -but still, the fact he hadn’t even tried to explain himself annoyed me.
When I got to the living room, a figure lounged on the couch, watching TV. Angelina.
She wore boy shorts and a tank top, her legs crossed elegantly. She was beautiful, but her face was always painted with makeup. Even early in the morning. I wondered how she managed to keep that mask on all the time.
I padded barefoot to the refrigerator, feeling her glance over her shoulder at me. Her gaze dropped to my feet, and she grimaced.
Oh, did I forget to mention we were the only ones home?
Grabbing the juice pack, I poured myself a glass and started on lunch. The only thing I knew how to make: scrambled eggs and an omelette. It was quick, and I was starving.
“So, you’re Joan?” Her voice broke the silence, bouncing off the walls. I glanced at her, taking a slow sip of juice.
After two days in this house, she should already know who I was.
“Obviously,” I replied curtly, trying to sound polite despite her less-than-friendly tone.
She shifted on the couch, turning to face me fully. I said nothing, focusing on preparing my food.
For a moment, there was silence, but I could feel her eyes boring into me.
“Aaron told me you’re an orphan,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery. My knife paused mid-air, hovering over the bell pepper I was about to chop.
Aaron told her?
I ignored her, chopping the pepper harder than necessary. So he’d told his sweet little girlfriend I was an orphan? Nice.
“You’re not supposed to be here, you know,” she continued. Her voice was sugary but laced with venom. My jaw clenched, my movements becoming sharper.
“Associating with Aaron and his sister,” Angelina added, her tone smug. “You’re not in their league, and I honestly don’t see what Rhoda sees in you.”
I turned to face her, my lips curling into a small smile that didn’t reach my eyes.
“Excuse you? Who are you again?” I asked.
Her smile faltered, and she sat up straighter, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
“Angelina Martinez, face of the-”
I tsked.
“I don’t know you, and honestly, your opinion doesn’t matter.” My tone was dry, but her expression fell instantly. Her nose flared as she stood, crossing her arms.
“You’ve got guts for someone with no identity,” she shot back, her words cutting deeper than I expected. I smirked, even though something in her tone pierced a tender part of me.
“Oh, darling,” I mused, shaking my head. “Why attack me? Do I look like a threat to you?”
Her eyes glittered as she tilted her head.
“Threat?” she chuckled, shaking her head as if the idea was ridiculous.
“I thought as much,” I muttered, turning back to my food. I kept my calm exterior, even though anger simmered beneath my skin.
She straightened, her expression hardening.
“You? A threat? Please, you’re nowhere near me.”
I shrugged, cracking eggs into the pan. “I see you’ve got nothing better to do with your time, princess. Save your energy for when you’ll actually need it.”
I heard her footsteps approach. A mistake on her part. Women like her should stay far away from me.
To think I’d been wallowing in guilt for sleeping with her boyfriend. Now, I could see why Aaron wasn’t smitten with her. She was exhausting.
“You should leave. They’ll dump you eventually,” she said, her voice quieter but still sharp. “Aaron told me himself.”
“And why should I believe you, princess?” I replied casually, not sparing her a glance.
“Angelina,” she snapped. I let a smile tug at my lips. Someone was getting angry.
“He’s my boyfriend. He tells me everything,” she said, pride coloring her words. I chuckled under my breath.
“Does he? Because he didn’t look thrilled to see you,” I said, finally glancing at her. Her eyes blazed with fury.
“He was!” she snapped defensively, and I smirked.
“You sure, princess?” I asked. She gritted her teeth in response.
I shook my head. Women like her were all bark and no bite. How dare she even try to talk down to me?
“Go play outside, sweetheart. Mummy’s busy,” I said sweetly, keeping my voice light. She arched a brow, her lips curling.
“I expected no better from someone who grew up in an orphanage,” she spat, and my nose flared. That was it. My last shred of patience snapped.
I stepped closer, watching as she held her breath for just a second.
“Mind how you speak to me, Angelina,” I said, my voice low and sharp. “Rhoda might ignore you, but I won’t.”
Her chin tipped up defiantly, but she stayed quiet. Message received.
The front door opened, and Aaron walked in. His eyes immediately darted to us.
Then, of course, the drama started. Angelina burst into tears. I rolled my eyes and turned back to the counter. Drama queen.
“Aaron, she threatened me! She needs to leave,” she wailed between fake hiccups. I couldn’t believe how smoothly she lied.
Grabbing my plate and the juice, I walked around the island, ready to leave. Aaron’s eyes met mine, but he said nothing. Not even as she threw herself into his arms. Some boyfriend she got.
“Keep your puppy on a leash, Thompson,” I said coolly as I passed him. “If she crosses me again, no one will like the outcome.” Without a second glance, I left the room.
I hated nonsense.