Chapter 43

Chapter 43


The wave of jealousy hit her so had and even though she tried to control it, Megan could no longer control the hatred that she felt for both Linda and Cleo.

To her, Cleo Ainsley was like a tyrant queen that stood in the middle of everything. It was so easy for her to have everything that he could ever want.

Megan could not help but feel inadequate next to her. No matter how hard she tried, Cleo always ended up winning at the very end.

She does so without any ven putting in half of the work that she had put in.

Megan could not help but feel like Cleo was undeserving of all that she had. She felt like she should be the one living her life because she deserved it and had put in  all of the work.

Her entire presence commanded attention and respect without her even saying a word. If she were to be very honest with herself, even though Megan was quite intimidated and jealous of Cleo, she could not deny the fact that even adored her.

Her feet had stopped moving as she could not help but stare at the woman.

Her brown curls fell down in waves around her and her tailored suit was styled to perfection. Her make up was minimal but her face was still so beautiful and flawless.

Her brown eyes were hidden behind a frame yet it felt like her eye were sharp and distinct at the same time.

Why her?
Why did Cleo get to have everything?
Why did the universe bend itself to her presence while I became a shadow no one noticed?
Perhaps it was because she had finally experienced what it means to be Cleo Ainsley even if ended up not being real, but Cleo had a nostalgia and an unquenchable thirst to take it all back.

These were the questions that ran through her mind as she could not help but feel small as Cleo looked at her from above.

The reaction came almost immediately. Her eyes felt hot as they watered.

It was not out of sadness but from an unexplainable rage that was swelling up from inside of her.

It would have been better for me to have died inside the restroom.

She thought in her mind as the tears threatened to fall.

Then she saw it.

The more she stared, the more that she could swear that the little girl was here again.

However, it was clear that she was the only one that could see her.

She stood beside Cleo Ainsley as she placed her hands on her right leg. It was clear that even Cleo herself was not aware of what was happening.

Cleo didn’t flinch, neither did she look down to acknowledge the little girl. She subtly took a. a look around just to be sure that no one else noticed what she had noticed.

Her breathing quickened as the little girl smiled eerily. Megan closed her eyes hoping for it to stop as she continued to make her way out of the restaurant.

“Megan.”

A voice spoke as she was about to move towards the door. However, Megan could not help but notice how close to her the voice sounded.

Opening her eyes, she came face to face with Linda.

Unlike what she had imagined, she had a worried look on her face.

Beads of sweat gathered on Megan’s face causing her already greasy hair to stick to the sides of her face.

Her oversized tea was soaked with sweat as her breath was tagged and uneven.

It was also then that she noticed that the eyes that were on her were not eyes of disdain but eyes of concern?

“Megan, are you alright? You look pale.”

Linda asked again as she placed a hand over her forehead and the other on Megan’s.

Linda’s touch felt cool and Megan could not help but lean into her hand.

She never even noticed that her entire body felt like it was burning in the first place.

Megan swallowed hard, her lips trembling but something shifted in Megan.

Just as soon as she had calmed down, the same wave of anger and jealousy that she had felt earlier, sprung up again.

She stared down at Linda’s fancy looking shoes and at her own dirty baggy sweatpants.

Not being a beck to handle it anymore, she broke free from Linda’s touch as her eyes flared straight at her.

She could not explain where this was coming from but it burned harshly in her.

It is my hard work that makes them able to enjoy this life.

Why is it then I am not enjoying all of these as well?

She thought to herself, further solidifying the feeling of hatred and envy.

“I’m fine!”

She said in a cold tone as she turned away from her.

Linda’s face concocted into one of confusion but still, her eyes remained soft and concerned.

“Megan? Maybe you should sit down and have some water.”

Linda said again as she was already signaling at a waiter to get her some water.

She is using me to shine

She wants to show everyone here that she is a kind and sweet person

She wants to keep looking like a saint while everyone looks down on me.

She is pretending 

These were the thoughts that ran through Megan’s mind at lightning speed.

From the corner of her eyes, Megan could notice that the rest of the guests were no longer focused on her and Linda.

They had all moved to where Cleo was seated.

The glass of water finally came and Linda crouched down in an attempt to make her sip.

“Don’t touch me!”

Megan snapped sharply making Linda stumble back in shock but she didn’t regret it.

Linda’s body froze as she had no other choice but to step back.

Cleo’s laughter reverberated in her mind. Her laughter felt like acid against her skin as her toes curled and her stomach churned in utter disgust.

So she could not even spare me a moment of her time?

Why does she always have to be the center of everything?

More thoughts creeped into Megan’s mjnd as her gaze hardened.

She hates how everyone leaned in hand hung onto her every word.

She did not miss the way the eyes of everyone seemed to glisten almost as if they were in the presence of some mystical being.

She hated it. 

Megan hated every second of it.

Her breath quickened but this time it was not out of fear as the ringing in her ears grew louder and louder.

Her vision grew blurry but she still found a way to get back up on her feet and move closer to where they were.

Ms. Ainsley,” the publisher said with a wide grin.

“Tell me, how did you manage to capture such raw emotion in your latest manuscript? Truly, it feels lived.”

The moment she heard the publisher ask that, she could not help the scoff that escaped her lips.

For she knew that Cleo Ainsley had never worked on any manuscript. 

Every hit was because of her and this was more than enough to make her blood boil even more.