"You're still as charming as ever, I see," he said with an insinuating smile."Thanks... you're... pretty decent too," she replied, her voice betraying her displeasure. She preferred brunettes with values different from Joe's. Although tall, with green eyes and always elegant, Joe held no attraction for her. He was an influential businessman, heading one of the largest English firms.Joe laughed heartily, apparently amused by her remark. "I've always enjoyed your humor," he said, fixing her with an intense stare.Blair looked away, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze. She headed toward the café's entrance, hoping to end this unpleasant interaction.
"Shall we?" she asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.Suddenly, she felt a sweaty hand grasp her wrist. Joe had taken her hand and was gripping it with a familiarity she found unpleasant. "This is better," he said before pulling her toward the door and opening it for her.
Entering the café, Blair waved to Lily, the owner. Lily was a warm old lady, almost like a grandmother to Blair, with whom she had shared many comforting conversations over the years."Blair, dear, how are you?" exclaimed Lily, her warm smile lighting up the room. But she glanced at Joe and frowned, clearly surprised to see him."Hello, Lily, I'm fine, thank you. And you? It's been a while since I've been here," Blair replied, trying to sound light despite her discomfort.Lily opened her mouth to respond, but Joe interrupted her abruptly, pulling her away from the counter. He led her to a table, pulled out a chair for Blair, and sat down opposite her with a satisfied smile.
Blair sat slowly, trying to control her frustration. She knew her interaction with Joe would be long and painful, but she hoped it wouldn't be as unpleasant as she feared.Joe finally sat down opposite Blair, a satisfied smile on his lips. "So, how's it going?"Blair hesitated for a moment, surprised by Joe's polite question. She wondered why he seemed suddenly to adopt a friendlier tone. However, before she could respond, Joe launched into a self-satisfied speech.
"Well, let's talk about things that really matter. You know, with my job, you have to be on top. In my field, there's no room for mistakes. I'm essential in the business world. Without me, a lot of things wouldn't work as well. It's a burden, sure, but someone has to carry it."He continued, sitting up straighter as if preparing to deliver a life lesson.
Blair was annoyed and exasperated by his words.Joe leaned slightly towards her, a satisfied smile on his lips. Blair simply murmured, "I think you talk a lot about yourself."The two were interrupted by Lily, who approached with her usual warm energy. She was ready to take their order with her contagious smile and attentive eyes."So, what can I get you today?" she asked enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling as she waited for their choices.
Joe, visibly annoyed by Lily's demeanor, looked at her with a hint of condescension. "Well, I suppose we could start with a coffee for the lady," he said in a tone that betrayed his impatience. "And an espresso for me. But make it quick; we don't have all day."
Lily, despite Joe's dismissive attitude, continued to smile. "Of course, an espresso for you, and the usual coffee for Blair. I'll take care of that right away."Joe frowned as he watched Lily walk away towards the counter, his smile turning into a look of disdain as he watched the waitress. "Did you notice how irritating she is? It's like she's here just to waste your time."
Blair clenched her fists under the table, her eyes widening slightly with surprise and anger. She fixed Joe with a cold stare. "Don't talk about her like that. She's always been kind to me, and right now, the only thing I find irritating is you."
Joe, apparently indifferent to her remark, responded with calculated nonchalance. "Calm down, beautiful. You wouldn't want the cameras just outside to see you getting angry at your man, would you?" Turning around, Blair indeed spotted two photographers across the street, which only increased her frustration."Don't call me that, Joe. And for your information, you're nobody to me."
Joe chuckled softly. "Oh, I see, you're on your period? You seem really in a bad mood." As he spoke, his phone rang loudly. He glanced at the screen, stood up without a word, adjusted his suit, and walked away from the table, his phone pressed to his ear.
Blair sat there, stunned by Joe's arrogance and disrespect. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she watched him walk away to take his call. The café, usually a haven of warmth and comfort, now felt suffocating. How did she end up here? Why had she agreed to this date?
Lily approached again, this time with their drinks. Her kind, wrinkled face was full of concern. "Blair, dear... everything okay?" she asked softly, setting down the coffee in front of her.
Blair forced a smile, though her frustration was palpable. "I'm fine, Lily, thank you." She gestured vaguely in the direction Joe had wandered off, still talking animatedly on the phone.
Lily nodded, understanding immediately. "Well, if you need anything, you just let me know, love."
Blair gave her a genuine smile this time. "Thanks, Lily. You're the best."
Joe returned after several minutes, sliding back into his seat with a smug grin as if nothing had happened. "Sorry about that, business can't wait, you know?" He took a sip of his espresso before continuing, "Where were we? Oh yes, our future. "You know, Blair," he began, his voice dripping with insincerity, "you're the most beautiful girl out there. Everyone thinks so. You're trending number one right now. Imagine us as a couple—the most handsome guy with the most beautiful girl. We'd be unstoppable. You could give me some stunning kids, just look at your eyes! I can already see it: a boy to take over the company in the future, once we're married, we should invest in property abroad—maybe a nice villa in Italy or Spain. Perfect for when you stop racing."
Blair blinked, feeling a wave of anger rise again. "Stop racing?" She leaned forward, her voice low but sharp. "You think I'm just going to give up everything I've worked for because you and my dad think it's a good idea?"
Joe raised an eyebrow, clearly unbothered by her rising frustration. "Blair, let's be realistic. Racing is dangerous, and it's not exactly what people expect from a wife or a mother. Your father and I agree that it's time for you to settle down, focus on family, on us."
Blair felt her heart pounding in her chest, the weight of Joe's words crashing down on her. She had never been someone's property, someone's "future investment." And she certainly wasn't going to let anyone, not even Joe or her father, dictate her life.
Blair couldn't help but laugh, the absurdity of his proposal striking her. "Seriously, Joe? You think that's how life works?" She leaned in closer, her hand resting lightly on his chest, a gesture meant to both disarm and provoke. "Let me make one thing clear: I would never date someone like you. In fact, I don't even love men—I love women. And I've already got someone way better than you in mind."
Joe's expression soured, his confident facade crumbling into anger. "What are you talking about? That's impossible! Girls are for men, and you're not ugly enough to date a woman. It just doesn't make sense!" His voice rose, and Blair felt a wave of discomfort wash over her.
"Joe, your views are outdated and ridiculous," she said, her tone firm. "Love isn't about what's expected; it's about who you connect with. And you clearly don't understand that."
He shot her a disdainful look, the irritation in his eyes evident. "You're just confused. You're too pretty to waste yourself on a girl."
Blair shook her head, her patience wearing thin. "And you're too arrogant to see that love comes in many forms. Your opinion doesn't matter to me, and frankly, I'm done with this conversation."
With that, she stood up and walked away from the table, leaving Joe fuming behind her. The air felt lighter as she stepped outside, the crisp breeze a refreshing contrast to the tension she had just left behind.
The photographers were still there, snapping pictures of her as she exited, but for the first time in a while, she didn't care. She wasn't going to let anyone, not Joe, her father, or the media, control her narrative.
YOU ARE READING
Breaking the Grid
Fanfiction"I don't get it," she says softly. "Why would you choose someone like me? There are so many out there who could give you what you truly deserve."
