Chapter 19 HE'S STILL WITH HER
NOVA
I put the phone on a high speaker as I drove out of the school car park, waiting for Brion to answer.
"Hello, darling. Did you miss me?" Brion's cheerful voice filtered in, reminding me there were more good guys out there, ones who were better than that bastard Dashiell. Each encounter with him always made me question how blind I must have been years ago when I gave him my all. I must have been sick in the head, that I didn't realize what a bastard he was until I left.
"Nova?" He called out, dragging my thoughts from my reverie and back to my phone. "Are you okay? Why aren't you saying anything?"
"I want to leave," I said, keeping my focus on the road and trying not to clench my fists hard on the steering wheel.
"Why? Did you meet him again?"
"Yeah, I did." Nodding as if he could see me, I left the highway for the less busy street to avoid getting honked on by those desperately driving to work.
"And he made you decide to leave?"
"I can't take this anymore. Each encounter with him always leaves me drained. He's a bastard. I'm certain it won't be for long until I'm handcuffed and led away for murder."
Peals of laughter filled my car as Brion let his mirth out. "Now, that's something I know you will do."
"Which is why I need to return to the States. Let's cancel the contract with him, and return to our home. It's better than this place," I said, with my gaze partially on the phone and on the road. Though the street I was driving on wasn't as parked as the highway, there were a few cars around, and I had to be careful because of the school kids who were reckless enough not to use the zebra crossing. "And what next after that?" He asked, his tone not giving his thoughts away. "Don't you think leaving would make it seem like you've been defeated? Do you want him to have the last laugh like he did five years ago?"
"No, I don't." I shook my head. "I just -"
"To earn your revenge on him, and get that closure you deserve, you need to make him suffer. Let him dance to the tune of his music. Show him you are not the pushover you were years ago. Cause him to realize you are now a woman, capable of standing for yourself," he said, trying to get me to see things through his lenses.
I wanted to argue about that, to tell him returning home was the best option, but I knew he was right about one thing. Leaving me with my tails tucked between my legs would only make Dashiell mock me more. Standing up for myself, and letting him taste the fruit he sowed years ago, was the best choice.
"Thank you so much, Brion," I said at last, having decided on what to do. "You are freaking awesome."
"Anything, darling. You know I'm always here for you?"
I drove to the office after the call I had with Brion. Speaking with him helped a lot. It was enough to keep my focus on the future and ignore the clash I had with Dashiell.
Killing the engine, I parked my car at the only spot I found in the car park, and headed into the office, with my head held high and a swagger to my steps.
Gasps accompanied me as I walked towards the receptionist, and I pretended I didn't know the heads I was turning. Gone was the insecure woman who always thought I was beneath others. Back then, I repeatedly thought I was lucky a man like Dashiell would be with me, but not anymore. Any man I end up with, if I do, would be the luckiest man in the entire world.
"Good morning," I smiled at the receptionist, who was still gaping at me, her eyes almost jumping out of their sockets. I was tempted to wave my palm while telling her to pick her jaws from the floor,
but I didn't.
Smiling, I got to her side. "I'm Miss Nova, the designer -"
"Yes, I know!" she squealed, a bit too loudly for my liking. "I watched your unveiling last night. It was remarkable!"
"Oh, thanks a lot."
Getting the directions to my office from the chatty receptionist wasn't that difficult. It turned out my office was on the same floor as Dashiell's, instead of the designer's floor, something I wasn't happy about, but not ready to bitch it. Unless given a reason to demand a change of office, I wasn't against the location.
I used the private elevator, grateful for that. One thing I wanted to avoid was chatty employees in a lift. I always get nervous when I meet fans, which was why I kept my information hidden from the
public until yesterday.
Walking past Dashiell's office, I froze when I heard the all too familiar voice of that bitch, Lilith. I got a sense of déjà vu at the sound. It reminded me of the time I walked in on them.
My stomach twisted, not in pain, but in disgust. That fucking bastard was still with her. What was I hoping for? That he would have broken up with her when he didn't even do that when we were
together?
I knew he was a bastard, but witnessing it first-hand left a bitter taste in my mouth. I willed my legs to go forward, to ignore the cheating husband of mine who thought he was the best thing that ever happened to humanity.
I had just reached my office, and made to open the door when his door opened, and he stepped out with Lilith in his arms. Seeing them sent my blood boiling, my rage almost combusting from how
much it was brewing within me. I'd never felt the urge to strangle someone as I had when I saw them kiss in the hallway, so locked in their passion they didn't realize someone was watching them.
Shameless.
Gritting my teeth in annoyance, I entered my office and slammed the door shut, hoping they heard it.