23: Two can play this game

“Sarah,” Xavier called her with a smile that mirrored hers forming and tugging at the corners of his lips, a smile I have never seen aimed at me. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“After ghosting me for weeks, I’m sure you didn’t,” came her snarky response back. I’d have thought she was pissed if I didn’t see the playful smirk playing on her lips.

“You and I know that’s not how it is,” Xavier replied to her. “You know how things have been,”

“Oh, I know,” and she glanced at me for barely a nanosecond when she said that, making me frown.

What was that supposed to mean? Was she in on Xavier’s devious plans?

Then she began to walk toward us with measured steps, and her figure revealed a graceful silhouette that bespoke both strength and grace. It was at that moment I noticed how her deep navy blue suit hugged her slender frame perfectly, accentuating curves that spoke of athleticism and poise.

She was perfect.

Aggravatingly Perfect.

When she got in front of us, she ignored my presence like she had done since she announced her presence, tiptoed and gave Xavier — my husband, a kiss on his cheek right in front of me.

I gaped like a fish out of water.

What the actual fuck?

This bitch doesn’t know who the fuck she’s messing with.

Okay, I might not be in love with my husband, but that doesn’t give any woman the right to be all over him so shamelessly. And that too, in my presence?

The worst part? Xavier didn’t push her away.

Instead, he chuckled.

“I missed you,” the bitch said when she pulled slightly away from Xavier, running her hand through his broad chest while I stood, completely invisible to both of them.

“I know you did, Sarah,” Xavier responded and she giggled.

Finally, she turned her attention to me, acknowledging my presence for the first time since we came in.

“And you must be Lillian Wright—”

“Lillian Santos,” I cut her off rudely, feigning a smile. “Mrs. Lillian Santos.” I repeated, intently ignoring the feeling of Xavier’s eyes on me. Sarah in response let out a chuckle that was all but fake.

I knew it so well because I give those kinds of chuckles as well.

“I’m sorry,” I continued speaking. “And you are?”

Her face fell though for a nanosecond, possibly at the fact that I didn’t know her just as she knew me and it stroked my ego that I just reigned on her parade and kicked her to the curb.

“She’s my business partner, Sarah Mark,” Xavier took it upon himself to answer the question, speaking from beside me. I chuckled again, turning to look at Xavier.

“I believe the young lady can answer the question for herself, babe,” I said with faux sweetness, smiling at him. I saw his eyes flash and I averted my gaze from his to look at the bitch.

She was staring at me, her lips curved upwards in a carefully crafted smile, the kind that spoke of practiced social grace, the one I could see right through. Because behind that facade, her eyes blazed with a simmering anger, an intensity like smoldering embers beneath a thin veil of civility.

“Sarah Mark,” she introduced herself, stretching her hand out for what might be a shake. “Business Partner to Xavier here,” she gave him a sweet look, a look I knew all too well, “and COO of Santos Enterprise.”

“So you work for my husband—” I started to speak again, feigning interest.

“With your husband,” she corrected me, a certain edge to her voice that told me I touched a nerve. I fought the urge to smirk.

“Apologies,” I giggled. “I’m probably so tired and jet lagged from the journey. I should get some rest,” I said.

Then much to Xavier’s surprise and Sarah’s bewilderment, I tiptoed and pressed a kiss to Xavier’s lips, lingering for a bit before pulling away. His eyes darkened as he stared down at me and I smiled in triumph.

Lillian - 1
Xavier and the bitch - 0

Two can play this game.