Chapter ninety

Dallas

I trimmed an overgrown leaf in the flower bed, my eyes twitching at how inaccurate the cut was. I truly suck at gardening, but if I wasn't so stressed, I wouldn't bother myself with such task. I sighed and moved to the next flower bed.

Heather and I just saw Lisa off to the airport. Her work leave was over and she had to return back to Korea.

Six days. That's how long I have to endure my boyfriend's fiancee's presence. Well, until they get married and we inevitably break up. It's already been four days since Jenna moved in and I've done my very best to avoid her.

Everyone in the house was avoiding her. Oliver spends more time with me than usual. He's with me even when he's supposed to be at work. I couldn't even be mad at him probably because I could see how uncomfortable it made him too.

The only person who seem excited about Jenna moving in was Tabitha. Partly because she knew how uncomfortable it made me. She made sure to remind me daily of how good Jenna and Oliver looked together.

But she didn't need to remind me when I could see it clearly. I saw it every time they're in the same room together, which isn't a lot of time. I saw it whenever Jenna approaches Oliver for a conversation. He always shut her up before she even said much. And while I feel a little triumphant when that happens, it still doesn't change the fact that he's not completely mine. Or how perfect they seem together.

They both behave in the same robotic way. They had the same OCD. They even make the same gestures sometimes without either of them noticing. Like crinkling of nose, smoothening of wrinkles, and so much more. They're just always in sync.

Sometimes I wonder how Jenna became a successful supermodel because of how stiff she is. She is like the female carbon copy of Oliver. Her tall figure compliment his and they look powerful together.

Oliver told me that the engagement was only on paper. He even showed me the legal contract he'd drawn up with both their signatures on it. The terms were ridiculous and I wondered how anyone would agree to them, but it didn't help the jealousy I was feeling.

I heard light footsteps behind me followed by a curse word. I turned around to see Jenna struggling to walk towards me, her pointy heels were sinking into the mowed grass.

The sight of her struggling was hilarious and I had to bite my lower lip hard to refrain the smile.

“Poor choose of footwear.” I said and shook my head.

She stared at me and tilted her head slightly, a frown appearing between he eyebrows. She quickly smoothened it out as if I wasn't worth the reaction.

She flipped her long hair and attempted to walk towards me in her usual graceful manner, but it was a huge failure. She groaned but kept walking. She finally got to the small bench few feet away from me and sat on it, heaving a sigh that I assume was a relief.

“May I speak with you?” she asked, her voice gentle but firm, her chin was lifted in her usual confident and poise manner.

This was the first time she'd talk to me ever since she moved in. She was avoiding me as much as I was avoiding her. If it bothered her that I was sleeping with her fiance, she didn't make it obvious. Except in the subtle ways she flaunt her engagement ring. Or maybe I was always reading too much into it.

I sighed and went to sit on the space beside her. She visibly tensed but seem to force herself to relax. She ran her eyes over my body, taking note of my dirty outfit and sweaty body. Her nose cringed slightly and she scooted away slightly.

“Make it fast, I'm working.” I said unable to stomach her disgust anymore.

“I thought you were just his cleaner. Are you his gardener too?” she arched an eyebrow.

“Oh, I'm a multitasker. I do a lot of things for him.” I mumbled.

I decided to keep my negative feelings aside and hear her out. Just because she's a condescending, narcissistic bitch doesn't make her an entirely bad person. Right? I can try be civil with her.

“Including warming his bed, I suppose.”

My eyebrows shot up and I narrowed my gaze on her. She didn't just call me a whore, right? Oh, fuck being civil. This bitch asked for it.

“Well, if you mean being his official girlfriend and not his closeted fiancee, than yes.”

Lisa would literally high five me if she was here. I miss her already. Jenna glared at me. She drew a long breath as if to calm herself.

“Do you think you have him just because he's been crawling into your bed every night?” She asked.

“Yes.” I said with a certainty I don't feel. But I wasn't going to let her know about my doubts and insecurities. She didn't deserve to know that.

The cocky smile dancing on her smile suggest she's already seen it.

“Tell me, Dallas, doesn't it go against your morals to sleep with someone else's man for money?” She taunted, a smirk tilting at the corner of her lips.

I pressed my lips together and refrained from hurling curse words at her. I wouldn't stoop low to her level. I've never fought over a man in my life and she isn't going to make me start now.

“I take it as you have nothing important to say. I'll go back to my work now.”

I stood up from the bench and was about walking away when she stood up and snapped at me. Guess she's finally letting her mask fall and showing her real self now.

“He’ll never end up with you, you know. You'll only remain his whore. You can't give him what he truly wants. What he truly needs.” she pressed on.

And that broke the last thread holding me back. I snapped.

“Last I checked, he didn't give himself third degree burns when I touched him. If you think you have him, than I laugh at how delusional you are.”

“Maybe not now, but eventually. He belongs to me. He was mine since birth. You're not what he needs. You're just a temporary distraction. And when he eventually becomes mine again, he'll never leave.”

“What do you mean by ‘yours since birth’? Didn't you and Oliver just meet?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Oliver told me he'd never met Jenna before. If it turns out they were childhood friends or first love, like in those cliche romance movies that Heather loves to watch, I'm going to be so pissed. But he had no reasons to lie to me.

A smirk appeared on Jenna's lips.
“Do you think it was a mere coincidence that Regina chose me out of thousands of girls for her son? No. I've been preparing for this role since we were kids. He doesn't remember me much before they moved here, but I remember him. I've wanted him since then,” she sighed.

“I made a promise to myself to find him again when I'm old enough and make him mine. I planned my entire life to fit everything he wants in a partner. Starting from the school I attended, the courses I studied, my choice of career, even changed some of my habits to mirror his. I changed everything about myself so I can be what he needs and it worked. All it took was a planned reunion between Mum and Regina and I finally got to be with him.” Her smile was very wide now.

I stood there, my lips slightly parted. I was stunned at the revelation but also felt a little sorry for her. The idea that someone spent their whole life trying to mould herself to be the perfect wife just to fulfill a childhood fantasy was nauseating. And also very depressing.

“He agreed to get into a relationship with me the very first time we met. We were meant to be. I can give him what he needs, you can't.” She said, a dreamy and equally psychotic look in her eyes.

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her that their relationship was literally just on paper, and remind her how sad that is. I just hoped she dated someone at a point in her life and not spent her whole life pining after someone who didn't even remember her.

“Do you really know what he needs?” I asked instead.

“He needs a submissive partner. Someone who wouldn't complain about what he gives nor ask for more, like affection or care. He needs someone who can match his public image while also being her own person. He needs someone who has their life purpose figured out. Someone with a great career path. A strong, confident, educated, and well mannered lady. I'm all of these. He'd eventually warm up to me. And I have his mother's support.” She smiled.

“Until then, I need you to stop distracting him.”

I wanted to remind her that he willingly came to me and I wasn't doing anything, but it felt wrong to taunt her at the moment. So I just watched as she spoke. I tuned out the rest of her words. A part of me wanted to walk away but I stayed. Worst decision.

“If you're so sure he'd come to you, why are we having this conversation?” I asked.

“So you wouldn't get any ideas and try to force yourself on him when it finally happens. Because I wouldn't be so nice if you try that.” Her eyes flashed with something cruel and sinister it quickly vanished.

“Also I heard you wouldn't accept money to leave him alone. The talk was necessary.”

“I see you've been spending a lot of time with Regina.” I smirked.

“Yes, because Oliver listens to her. Do you think he wouldn't leave you in a heartbeat if she asks him to? And if you're still holding on to the fantasy that he'd be with you, let me remind you that I'm still wearing his ring. He didn't break our engagement and he would never do it. Not when it would upset Regina.”

My jaws fucking dropped. The two women were using Oliver's guilt against him. Oliver would never say no to his mum and Jenna is using it to her advantage.

“I have the upper hand, Dallas. So back off.” She rose from her seat and stalked off.

Oliver would never choose me over his mother. She was right. I never had him.