16. Not According To Plan

16. Not According To Plan
Florence had already thought about what she would do to David once she met him. Besides demanding responsibility from him, she had other options that would harm him, and of course he deserved it, such as shouting at him with various dirty curses, hitting, kicking, and pushing him with all her might so that he fell to the ground.

But, that was just a plan in her head, it felt so fitting and perfect when implemented, and she would be very satisfied to vent it even though it was still only in her imagination.

Florence knew how it felt to be satisfied. She wanted it so deeply, but when she realized David was walking faster and his position was getting closer to her, panic actually ensnared her.

And this was not what Florence wanted. The plan that had been arranged in her head felt like it was starting to blur. She was not lying, her heart was currently beating so fast. The preparations she had made felt in vain now.
Then, when David stood right in front of her, really in front of her, only a meter away, Florence practically turned into a statue.

There was a frozen moment, trapping them in that brief moment.

Isn't this what Florence wanted? David was already in front of her. She could do anything to him, but strangely she was silent and confused by the situation that was happening.

"Hi, I'm here." David was the first to break the silence. He stood straight, not looking nervous like Florence felt right now. In fact, he looked strangely calm and relaxed, his hands in his pockets.

Staying silent would be a stupid thing to do, so Florence cleared her throat to get rid of the hoarseness before finally saying, "yeah, I can see you."

"Okay, can I sit?" David pointed to the chair next to Florence that was still empty.

Well, that was an unexpected question, and Florence nodded. She was so nervous. And when he sat down next to her, she felt regret because why? Why did she do it? What she should have done was push, slap, and hit him brutally. Ah, but it was all too late now. He had already sat down and it made her uncomfortable.

"So, we can discuss everything now."
Good, he was aware enough to start everything immediately because this all should be resolved quickly.

"You already know where your mistake is." Florence tried to control her anger. Yes, she wanted to do anything to him, she wanted her hands to work to teach him a lesson, but somehow she couldn't do it because then, she just realized that what she was going to say was much easier because her emotions were more controlled.

Holding back anger is not an easy action. She did it with great struggle, even now her teeth were chattering, because she was trying to hold back all her emotions.

"I just did what I had to do."

"Really?" Florence laughed softly while shaking her head, just feeling annoyed and couldn't understand David's response. "You know you're wrong and you still defend yourself?"

"I didn't—"

"Yes, you did. Why did you do something evil like that? You're a man, act mature and be a real man. You're so embarrassing."

David still didn't want to be blamed. "You know exactly what I want, and I've warned you. I can do anything, but you don't want to listen to my words."

"And you think I'm the one who's wrong here?"

"Look, I just want your help, I'm not asking for anything—"

"That's exactly the problem!" Florence said loudly, she roared right in front of David's face. She continued to rant, not caring even though she had been interrupting him. To hell with him. "You already know I can't help you, I told you, but you—" She felt angry, and wanted to cry suddenly, her throat was blocked so that her sentence was not finished properly. She covered her mouth with the back of her hand.

Florence looked back at David with wide, teary eyes. She really felt tired right now. Her mouth opened, words came out freely again, "You ruined my career, you know that? You told your cousin that I, oh I don't care what you told her about me, I just want to say you're really cruel. Is this your plan? Yes, congratulations, you succeeded in doing it." She smiled blandly, "and all my clients ran away and were reluctant to use my services because of the fucking article you wrote and spread."

David was silent. He thought and absorbed everything Florence said.

"You must be happy now, right? Especially since Mandy is your cousin and you can reveal everything about me through her. I don't know how you got all the information about me, but didn't..." Florence paused to take a deep breath. "Didn't it even cross your mind that what you were going to do was an overly cruel act? Not even a little bit? Oh great!"

"I didn't mean to ruin your career."

"You've done it, and you're aware of it, you've achieved what you wanted."

"Really, I thought it was just a small act that wouldn't have much effect. Because your name is already big, and people already trust you. I just wanted to threaten you a little. I swear I didn't mean to—"

"And you think I'll believe you?" Florence was fed up. She shook her head in disappointment. "Nope, you've crossed the line."

"You want me to fix everything? Return everything to the way it was?"

"You seem to have enough sense to think that far." Florence quipped with a sneer. "That's what you should do. Turn things around before things escalate. I know it's too late, but I know there's still a little bit left that can be saved."

"And I will, but you have to help me. That's the condition."

"You—" Florence suddenly stood up, her eyes gleaming sharply, glaring full of hostility.

David did not remain silent, he also stood up with a quick movement. He returned Florence's glare. "I feel the need to get my share. Don't be mad at me, this world is cruel, you can't just ask people to demand your will."

Florence's two hands clenched tightly.

David continued. "Look, I'll take care of everything, but I only have one request..." He took a step forward in front of Florence, making her hold her breath for a moment, then he continued, "come with me to my relative's wedding."