Chapter 132 Is there anything else you need, madam?
His face still looks cold and distant, like nothing can touch him. But I catch it. Just for a second. That look in his eyes. Shock. Like he did not expect this at all.
“Surprised?” I let out a dry laugh, taking my time to enjoy the way he looks right now. “I thought you already knew… since you spent the whole day shopping with your new girl.”
His expression changes right away. “For the second time, Rossi is not my girlfriend.”
“Just stop lying, please. If she is not your girlfriend, then what the hell is she? Why are you always with her?” I let out a breath and wave my hand like I am done with it. “Actually, forget it. I do not even want to hear it.”
He pushes himself up from the chair so suddenly that it catches me off guard. I tilt my head up to look at him. His face has gone dark, like he is holding something back.
“So what now?” he asks, his voice tight. “You want me to stop talking to every female friend I have? Is that it? Because I can do that. I will do it, if you can stop talking to Alex.”
That does it. I was angry before, but I was still trying to keep it together. Now I lose it completely. I climb onto the bed, pointing straight at him as my voice rises.
“Are you serious right now? You know damn well Rossi is not just some random friend. She wants you, and you have been fucking her for who knows how long. Is it really so hard for you to stay away from her now that we are together? And why do you keep bringing Alex into this? We are just friends. That is all. Not like you and Rossi.”
“But he is the reason you want to break up with me, right?” he fires back, raising his voice too. “If you do not care about him, then why do you keep choosing him over me?”
“Oh my God… Liam…” I can barely get my words out. I am too angry to think straight. “This has nothing to do with him. I am mad because you keep trying to control me. You do not respect me at all. Why can you not understand that?”
He looks at me like he is trying to figure me out, his brows pulled together. Then he speaks, quieter this time.
“I do not understand.”
“Bullshit,” I shoot back. “You have dated so many girls. Do not act stupid now.”
“Yes, I have been with other girls…” he says, his voice dropping. “But you are different. This… all of this… I am not used to it.”
For a second, my heart reacts before my brain does. Different. Is he saying I matter more?
No. I am not falling for that.
“Oh, wow. I feel so special,” I reply, my tone flat and cold. “But this is where it ends. We are done. I am not wasting my time on you anymore.”
He opens his mouth like he wants to say something else, but a soft knock interrupts him.
“Liam? Sophie?” my mum calls from outside. Her voice sounds worried. “Is everything okay?”
Shit.
I completely forgot we are at home.
“Everything is fine! He is just leaving!” I call back quickly.
I jump off the bed and start pushing him toward the door. He catches my arm before I can get him out, leaning close to my ear.
“Sophie… I do not want us to end.”
I pull away, my voice low and harsh. “That is too bad. You do not always get what you want. Deal with it.”
I grab the door and push him out without another word.
After I shut it, I stand there for a moment, telling myself I did the right thing.
Even though it hurts.
Even though I can still see that look on his face.
^^^^^^
The next week, I keep myself busy on purpose. School. Work. Anything that stops me from thinking about him. The coffee shop helps a lot. Lola makes it easier too. She shows me everything, from making drinks to dealing with annoying customers.
“It is simple,” she tells me one day with a grin. “Smile. Act sweet. Say ‘yes, madam’ and ‘of course, sir.’ Write down their long, annoying orders. Then later, if you feel like it, you can imagine spitting in their drink.”
I laugh. “Thank you for your wisdom.”
“You are welcome. Now go,” she says, handing me a tray. “Table twenty-seven. Upstairs meeting room. That woman is a whole problem. She made me come in just to take her order. Like… why? This is a coffee shop, not some fancy place.”
I shake my head, smiling as I take the tray and head upstairs.
When I get to the meeting room, I knock on the door first.
“Come in,” a woman’s voice says from inside.
I walk in, keeping my eyes down as I set everything on the table. From the corner of my eye, I notice she is dressed sharp. Black suit. Looks important.
“Is there anything else you need, madam?” I ask.
“Yes,” she says. “Bring me two glasses of sparkling water. And fresh lemon on the side.”
Of course she does.
“Alright,” I reply, finally looking up…
And my breath catches.
“Ms. Griswold?” I say without thinking, staring at her in shock.