Rewind Reverie

Her New Boyfriend

It's amazing what we fail to notice when we're supposedly deeply in love with someone.  We're always so willing to overlook things for sake of keeping things calm in a relationship.  

The first time I ever met Wesley, he looked just like this.  I went with my parents to this fundraising gala in this ritzy downtown hotel.  It might have been the Four Seasons or something, but it doesn't matter.  After several years of poverty due to a failed business, my dad had finally bounced back. Not at the helm of a thriving business that had him rubbing shoulders with the wealthy, my Dad was ready to face the world again.  My mom, ever the social climber, was ready to keep up with the Joneses once more.  I didn't want to go, but my mom forced me, too.  It was would be impolite if I didn't show up, but really she was hoping that I'd find myself a potential husband in the throes of old money singletons also forced to show up with their parents.

Wesley approached me. I was so flattered at the time.  There are plenty of other rich and beautiful women would love to entertain the son of a old money family.  But he chose upper middle class me.  And damn, did he play the part of a modern Prince Charming well in his sleek, black Armani suit, slicked back chestnut brown hair, and bejewelled green eyes.  

I didn't have a chance.

I bit back a giggle as kissed my hand and told me that he was pleased to make my acquaintance.  We floated around each other the entire night.  Before I left with my parents, he gave me his business card in hopes that we might connect again.  

Looking back I wish I'd somehow "misplaced" the card.  

I can't tell you what made me fall for him.  I know it had nothing to do with money.  My mom was chasing after greatness, trying to hobnob with the rich and famous and Dad followed along quietly.  She wanted me to marry rich.  I didn't care either way.  Maybe I liked the attention.  Wesley was the first people who seemed to pay any attention to me.  Or maybe I just liked how the boy from the ivory tower came down to tell me over and over again about how wonderful he is.  Unfortunately for me, because I enjoy the fake attention, I didn't see the malicious intentions the so-called perfect until it was too late.

Now, this so-called casanova is stands in front of me, breathless with the most pathetic look on his face.  He doesn't look like a man who could have any woman he wants.  Instead, he looks like a smarmy cad who got dumped by his newest pretty little thing and now he's come crawling back to save face.

Why on earth did I waste my time with this asshole?

"Wesley."  I don't even try to hide my displeasure.  "What are you doing here?  I thought you wouldn't be caught dead in a place like this."

"I wanted to see you, Josephine."  The sickly sweetness of his voice makes me gag. "Didn't your mom tell you that I've been trying to get in contact with you?  You haven't answered my texts, either."

I place my hands on hips.  "Was I supposed to?"

Wesley blinks, raising an eyebrow.  "I thought you would want to talk to me."

My eyes narrow.  "I believe your exact words were 'never speak to me again'."

"I don't think I was that definitive," he replies, nervously tugging at his tie.  I'm not sure that's what he said exactly but judging my his reaction, it's close enough.  "Besides, I realize now that I was not in the right frame of mind.  I was too harsh with you."

I fold my arms across my chest.  "Was that before or after you hooked up with that girl?"

"Sweetie, please."  Now, I really feel like I'm going to be sick.  Sweetie - he always called me that.  Even when he was declaring his love for another woman, it was always "sweetie" with him.  Like I was so hapless child who didn't know any better.  Like I needed him to take care of me or I'd fall apart.  It makes my skin crawl.  "I know I screwed up..."

"You screwed something all right."

"...but I want to make it all up to you.  I love you, Josephine."  The words are so artificial, a humanoid robot could get away with sounding more authentic.  "Can't we go somewhere and talk about this, just the two of us?"

"Whatever you have to say, you can say it right here."  I pay no mind to the scant groups of students who look at us curiously as they whisk to and from the building.  "But make it fast,  I've got somewhere to be."

I can see that slight hint of annoyance in his eye.  His face may look pathetic, with those droopy eyes, pathetic pout, and the threat of tears, but I can see it.  He brews behind his pupils, just out of reach from those who wouldn't bother to pay attention.  This isn't the way he thought things would go.  He probably expected me to take him back without too much trouble.  That's what he gets for being so damn arrogant.

"Josephine, I don't understand why you're treating me like this."  His voice quivers as he tries to move closer to me.  But when he sees how hardened I am in my posture, he changes his mind.  Good.  I don't want him anywhere near me. "I thought you'd be happy to see me."  

"Sorry to disappointment you," I spit out, ready for this conversation to be over.  "Wasn't the firs time but it will be the last.  By the way, you need to stop sniffing around parents.  If you've something to say to me,  say it to my face."

"Josephine, please, don't be like this."  He hand slithers over to mine.  His fingers feel cold and clammy against my skin.  He really is a snake.  "I don't want it to end like this..."

"Don't touch me." Wesley flinches as I snatch my hand back, glaring at him angrily.  "You've said what you came here to say so get out of my sight.  While you're at it, lose my number.  Forget that I exist!"

Wesley moves in front of me, blocking me from entering the building.  "What has gotten into you, Josephine?  You've never treated me like this!  I don't appreciate this hostility at all."

"And you know what I don't appreciate?  You.  Cheating on me.  With another woman.  Again. "  The more I think about it, the more I want to rush to the bathroom and throw up.  "Did you really think you're sweet words would work on me after all that shit you put me through?  Are you really that fucking dense?"

"Language, Josephine!" he hisses.  "You know I don't like it when you use profanity."

"I really don't care what you like right now.  It is not my job to care about that anymore."  I'm done with this.  He's not worth the air in my lungs.  "I've said my peace, Wesley.  Now, go. We're done and there's nothing more to say about it."

"Sweetie, please."  He tries to grab my hand again and I snatch it away.  "Please, we can talk about this.  Let me take you somewhere nice where we can talk this out.."

"What, am I speaking Greek or something?  I said we're - "

A gasp rips from throat as something snakes around my waist, pushing me toward the entrance doors.  Before I can think to scream for help, a voice whispers into my ear.  "Smile sweetly, look as happy as possible.  He won't believe it if you look terrified."

"Huh?"  My mind is whirling as I look over to see Ari looking back at me. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Helping you out."  He smirks.  "And taking you up on that challenge."

Before I can ask him what the hell he's getting at, Wesley appears in front of us.  And he's not happy.  "Josephine, what is going on here? "