Resign with Grace, Return with Fire Chapter 25
I’d felt bad for Sandra, so I’d lied and said that I liked milk. During the movie, I’d pretended I couldn’t finish mine and didn’t want to waste it, then I’d hand more than half my drink to her.
I’d loved her, so I’d remembered every one of her preferences clearly. She, on the other hand, had been with me for so many years and still didn’t know that I was lactose intolerant.
I pushed the milk away and said coolly, “I’m lactose intolerant. I can’t drink it.”
Sandra’s hand froze in mid-air, and a flicker of embarrassment crossed her face. After a moment of silence, she suddenly looked toward Ariana beside me and asked, “Hi, could we switch seats? I want to sit with Fred.”
Just as I was marveling at her shamelessness and about to clap back, Ariana slipped her arm through mine and chirped, “Sorry, no can do. I want to sit next to my boyfriend!”
Her words stunned both Sandra and me.
I glanced at Ariana in surprise and understood what she was doing when I caught her playful look. I knew that she was helping me out of a tight spot, so I didn’t call her out.
But Sandra couldn’t keep it together. She jolted and stared at me in shock. “What? Your boyfriend? Fred, what’s going on? Are you seeing someone now?” ⚫
I’d been wracking my brain for a way to turn Sandra down, so this was the perfect chance. I took Ariana’s hand and played along, staking my claim. “What, is that a problem? Let me introduce you to my girlfriend, Ariana Jensen.”
Sandra’s face went pale, and her lips quivered. “No, I don’t believe this. You’re lying to me! You love me so much. How could you be dating another woman?”
Suddenly, as if something had clicked, she smiled knowingly, as if she’d seen right through me.
“I get it now. She’s an actress you hired to mess with me, isn’t she? You’re still mad at me, so you found someone to pretend to be your girlfriend just to provoke me. Look, enough is enough. I know I messed up, and I’ve already apologized. Just forgive me and come home with me.
“I promise I’ll listen to everything you say from now on, okay? Whatever you say goes. Is that good enough?”
I couldn’t be bothered to respond. I kept up the act with Ariana and pretended to be affectionate with her.” Sorry, but you’re keeping Ari and me from our date.”
Ariana went with the flow and rested her head on my shoulder. She gave Sandra a winning smile and said, “Fred and I are getting engaged soon. When we get married, come celebrate with us, okay?”
That completely shattered Sandra’s composure. Right in the middle of the movie, she shot to her feet, pointed at me, and cried, “I’m the one who’s your fiancee, Fred! You promised you’d marry no one but me. You said you’d love me and only me for the rest of your life.
“How can you go back on your word and get cozy with another woman right in front of me? And you want to get engaged to her? No way. I won’t allow it!”
I found it laughable. “Sandra, get a grip. You’re my ex-girlfriend. What right do you have to object? Also, when
we were together, didn’t you get all chummy with Lester right in front of me?
“I said a few things about it, and you said I was being petty and calculating. You told me I was imagining things and that I thought the worst of you two because I was rotten inside.
“So what, it’s fine when you’re all over Lester, but it’s not fine when I’m affectionate with Ariana? And we’re actually dating, too. Don’t be so two-faced!”
