End Game - Taylor Swift

Is this what you wanted 👿

At riley's mansion

Taylor's POV

There was a knock on the front door, interrupting our heavy conversation.

"Finally," Riley said, her gaze leaving mine as she moved to get the door. "Dinner is here."

She got up from the table and walked towards the front door, leaving me alone with my thoughts once more. I fidgeted with the glass in my hand, trying to calm my racing heartbeat and nerves.

A few minutes later, Riley returned with a delivery bag in her hand, her footsteps echoing on the hardwood floors.

She placed the bag on the table and started unpacking the contents - various takeout containers from a high-end restaurant.

"I hope you don't mind takeout," she said, her tone slightly sarcastic as she began to open the containers. "I'm not exactly in the mood for cooking tonight."

I managed a small smile, trying to hide my unease. "Takeout is fine," I replied, my voice tight. The smell of the food made my stomach clench, more out of nerves than hunger.

Riley placed a plate of food in front of me, the aroma wafting up to my nose. It looked and smelled delicious, but my stomach was in knots. I picked up my fork, intending to take a bite, when suddenly my phone vibrated in my pocket.

Startled by the sudden vibration, I set the fork back down and reached into my pocket to pull out my phone. A message notification was lit up on the screen.

It was from Alex.

Alex (09:37pm)
Hey baby, I'll be home a bit late. Love you.

My hands trembled slightly as I read the text. Alex's message was so casual, so normal, and it made my guilt increase tenfold. Here she was, sending me a loving text, and I was here, having an affair behind her back.

Before I could react, Riley reached across the table and snatched the phone out of my hand.

"You don't need to be looking at your phone right now. Tonight is about us."

She placed the phone out of my reach, on a nearby sideboard, before sliding a box of dumplings over to me.

I stared at the box of dumplings for a moment, my appetite non-existent. But I knew that if I didn't eat, Riley would ask questions.

Reluctantly, I picked up the box and opened it. The dumplings on the inside were small, steaming, and filled with chicken and veggies. I gingerly picked one up with my chopsticks, bringing it to my mouth.

It tasted good, but the guilt in my stomach made it hard to swallow. As I chewed and swallowed, my mind wandered to Alex, wondering what she was doing right now and if she had any idea what I was doing.

"You're eating awfully slowly," Riley observed, her tone casual but her eyes watching me closely. "Is there something wrong with the food?"

I shook my head, forcing a smile. "No, it's good," I said, my voice as steady as I could make it. I picked up another dumpling, trying to eat faster this time.

The conversation was stilted, the air heavy with an unsaid tension. Riley continued to watch me as I ate, her eyes never leaving my face.

Desperate to break the tension, I gestured to the container of noodles sitting on the table. "Can you hand me the noodles, please?"

Riley leaned over and picked up the container, then passed it to me.

"Thanks," I said, taking the container from her. The noodles were long and thin, covered in a glistening sauce. I used my chopsticks to scoop some of it up, watching as the sauce slid off the noodles and dripped back into the container.