Three women and a guy

Meredith’s POV:

I take a moment to compose myself entirely before disembarking the car. Trying to use the small fraction of time before I am out in public with Conrad. I am not entirely sure why I am feeling like this, but it’s better to be prepared than shabby. I took my sweet time figuring out what to wear, maybe two and a half hours and one massive pile of clothes later, I got into one of the basic outfits of all times, a knitted white long sleeved turtle neck that hugs like second skin and denim jeans and sneakers because I believe that such activities need comfy ensembles and in my opinion, nothing is more comfortable than sneakers.

For the hair, I decided on a messy bun and had my transition glasses on to tie the look. Nerdy but deadly. Plus I asked Conrad to leave his suit behind and for once dress casual. The last time he did was when he took me for a ride but that was biker boy----casual is laid back. A part of me wants to make sure that he looks good in it too.

Dixon spotted him in the car park and I held my breath. The man literally can sweep me off my feet among the thirty other mom’s and aunts who was straining their necks to get a glimpse of him.

“Sis, is it just me or the moms here started to act single?”

“Mmm, it’s just you. Let’s go.” I giggled but started to scan the place. Damn, he is right.

“You sure, you have a little bit of rogue mascara over here.” Dixon points at my side lips.

“Really?” I panicked before I could realize that I am being pranked. Dixon is clearly vibing. “I hate you.”

“Hurry up, or else my hot teacher will make her move.”

"Your what?"

"Come, you will see."

I hurried because I spotted a hot woman making her way to Conrad. So in a hurry that I forgot to check if I can compete with the hot teacher using the chrome doors to check myself up in full. I have always been good at a quick recovery and manage to bring myself to be calm and presentable in mere minutes of deep breaths and gulps.

“Told you, my teacher can spot a cute guy in miles and be ready,” he insisted.

I cannot hide that I’m upset because, frankly, my makeup must be blotchy as hell in this light. I know I was going for a 'barely there' look but I am new to this and I don't think I am as good as Wyn or her glam team. I don’t want to go back up and fix my face. I’m hoping I can pass this off as nothing. I’m always very precise with it, given the simplicity of what I can do, so looking streaky is a major tell. I head for his direction.

“Gomez, tell your sister that the activity is that way.” Hoe-Anne snaps at me bitchily. "You don't need a map to go there,right?"

Conrad butts in, thank God. “She’s with me. She’s my fiancé. I am here with them.”

“Oh.”

Take that, bitch. Who’s laughing now? Wait, fiance? Did he really say that?

“Is that so? I will see you inside.” The teacher who was dressed inappropriately retorted. Too ashamed that she even made a pass for him. Her demeanor changed greatly and I can see by Conrad's face that he was pleased that it worked.

I turn to follow her and Dixon who joined his classmates not far from us. This is the first time that he’s attending a school activity with guardians. Before, he would just sulk at home because I was too busy making dime. Tears started to form as I get emotional. It was not too long ago, we've come a long way and somehow, I am thankful that I was hired by Gustav instead of slashing our throats and left us to die in the basement.

“Meredith…a word.” Conrad’s voice cuts into my thoughts, disrupting them with a sharp yank of my brain back to the present, and I throw my head over my shoulder to catch sight of him wandering in. He looks clueless. I sneer and turn away from him, walking another few steps to widen the gap.

“No time for dilly dally. The activity starts in five.” Making it clear he gets zero chance at talking to me, and I want him to leave me alone. We were ushered inside the gymnasium and I wish I wore something loose like the others instead of a fitted shirt and jeans.

I can feel him making his way towards me, his presence affecting me as it does. His eyes assessing me, and I can't help but blush like a peach. God, this man! The only way to make Conrad fuck off is to draw attention to us in a major way. He won’t make a scene if all eyes are on me. So I decide to join every game possible and so did he. I take a deep breath and let it out. But he is one lucky bastard. The activity commenced and I swear to God I thought I would never enjoy it but I did. Three hours passed by and Dixon and I had fun. In my opinion, Conrad too.

I just died a little. He spent three hours with us and I was the bitch here.

For an entrepreneur, three hours is a long time and we weren't even dating formally. He just said he liked me. That's it.

Maybe I was ahead of myself instead of actually having fun because my brother was having a blast. The surprise that I already have had doubled realizing how good Conrad is with teenagers and he’s an only child. We were on our way to our cars and plans were made for early dinner for a good day when another woman approached me while Dixon took Conrad to the rest room.

“Hey,” the woman said.

“Hey, can I help you? Are you a parent or a guardian of a student too?”

“My name is Billy Evans, and I want you to look straight in the eye and tell me why you are standing beside Conrad’s car?”

Of course, I know her. My memory never fails me. She’s in his file. Conrad’s past fuckbuddy. A model and a brat. “Oh, I am the school’s parking officer. Do you want a free ticket?” I add as an afterthought, and there’s a puzzled look around from many heads and nervous chatter as they whisper theories. Damn, PTA parents. Vultures sensing a kill.

“How dare you!”

“I dare. Just because I stand here doesn’t give you the license to talk to me like that!” I point out coldly but with an evil smile aimed at her. She looks annoyed.

Conrad arrives, Dixon in tow. Just in time to ease us apart.

“Baby!” Billy hugs Conrad but he evades the hug. “Why?”

“What do you mean why? Why are you here?”

“To surprise you! You were a no show in Paris.”

Dixon elbowed me. We were attracting unnecessary attention and I just found a new way to measure Conrad’s desire to be with me. Billy showing up is complicating things but it also makes it entertaining. Either way, I’m about to show him he can’t lie anymore: she is right here to out his bullshit. Truth always has a way of coming out.

Conrad dragged Billy on the side. I tried my best to hear but all I could make out were snippets.

“Why are you asking me to leave? …No…I didn't say anything. She provoked me...I swear..” She tries in her defense, and I admit it startles me at first, but I’m beyond caring, and for all I know, I have to act like I’m done with this shit. Irritated but unwilling yo believe this and disappointed that he’s talking to her in a hushed voice.

“Dixon, let’s go.” I wave my hand airily.

“But…dinner…” my brother protests, he can’t say no to food. Ugh.

“I said let’s go. See you around , Billy.” I wave at her and then turn on my heel, so I’m facing Conrad, and blank all of them now I have done what I intended. Acting smug and cross my arms across my chest in a manner he knows only too well. Oh, I am on the warpath and willing to take that crap head on. I may be shitting myself inside with what I know is coming, but I will not back down and show him hesitation.

“Meredith, wait…” Conrad snarls low, and Billy hastily turns him around quickly.

I shiver, knowing what I’ve started.

I turn my attention back to Dixon and his open jaws, urging him to move faster to the car. “Chop, chop. What are you waiting for?”

Then I notice his friends watching us. “Nothing to see here, boys.”

I may be walking away, now but I am leaving an impression. Two things are bound to happen now. One, he comes after me and ditches the model or two, he realizes that his mother’s approval is not going to merit and I am nothing but a fling he cannot have. My money is on the first option.