PAYBACK IS A BITCH

Chapter thirty four: She spills everything

The road today was clear of traffic. I sang a Taylor Swift song on the radio as I drove. I kept watching for Billy's car to see if he was really tailing me, but nothing was behind me. Maybe he is trying to do it like they do in movies, keeping a few paces behind me so that I don't catch him in the act.

I rolled my eyes to the centre mirror before returning my attention to driving. I drove into the parking lot of the Italian restaurant where I was meeting Gloria. She wanted a girls' night out that starts with us having dinner and then moving on to any club that interested us.

I was the first to arrive, but Gloria wasn't that far behind. She busted through the door with her usual confidence and vitality. She was dressed chic and sexy today. Her hair looked lovely—I think it is new. She had long black braids patted at the centre, fitting nicely to her round, slightly chubby face.

She stood briefly by the door to check for my presence, and once she saw me, she made a beeline for me.

"Hey! Girl," she smiled widely at me, reaching for a hug. I was already on my feet waiting when I saw her moving toward me, knowing that she would be going for a hug. Gloria is that affectionate.

"Hey," I said in the same friendly, affectionate tone, returning her hug warmly. We briefly stayed in each other's arms before pulling apart and taking our seats opposite each other.

"You are looking good," she smiled at me. "Marriage must be treating you well." 

I stifled the mocking scoff that filled my lips and just answered with a smile that barely stretched my lips, and I was sure it didn't catch my eyes. 

If Gloria noticed the superficiality of my smile, she didn't let on. But before she could say anything, I asked about her family. From how long we have known each other, I know that family is the one thing that gets Gloria going. She can talk about her family and the antics of her children for hours. 

I sometimes envy her excitement and contentment with life. 

As expected, her bright smile lit up her face as she talked about her family. Watching her light up as she spoke about her husband made me envious, though I kept smiling and making the necessary sounds to show her I was listening.

"Ready to order?" She asked when she was done with her tale. "Yes, please," I answered with a dramatic flare that had her arching a brow at me. "Billy is not feeding you, right?" she teased with a smile. I chuckled but deflected answering by signalling the waiter. I do not want to go into the topic of Billy. I am scared if I start talking, I might not stop, and I don't know how my dark friend will react to knowing I am Isla and everything else that follows.

We both ordered, starting with a drink while we waited for our food. Gloria excused herself to use the bathroom as soon as the waiter left with our orders. I took out my phone to keep busy. A few minutes later, the waiter returned with our drinks.

"Where is he?" someone barked loudly beside me, and I looked up to see Billy looming over me with this intense fury in his eyes. He looked ready to murder someone. I knew what he was asking, but I played dumb. "Who?" I blinked up at him as if he had lost his mind, and apparently, he had if he was following me around, accusing me of shit.

"Don't bullshit me, Bella! where the fuck is the guy you are cheating on me with?" He demanded, looking around the restaurant as if expecting to see Gray or whoever his deluded mind thinks I am fucking behind his back. His guilty conscience made him paranoid, and I am happy to exploit that.

His yelling has attracted the attention of the people inside the restaurant and they are now watching us like we are acting a movie. I was determined to make Billy look like the fool he was acting like. "Are you alright, Billy?" I asked innocently, with the most confused expression on my face. If he was thinking right he would have stopped his madness knowing here isn't the right place for this confrontation, but he wasn't thinking and he looked slightly drunk which isn't surprising, he is been drinking a lot these days.