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“Don't you dare forget that,” I wash my hands and adjust my dress's cups.
Let's say he might have a point; I might be just as crazy as him, but I loved the sense of empowerment and the satisfaction of outsmarting him. I felt a renewed strength in the face-off with the old scary ogre, but perhaps he had only encountered submissive women until now. He had the misfortune of encountering me, and even if I was not completely healed, I could never tolerate his shit.
I've come to hate losing, and Manasseh's presence in my life has an influence that's hard to ignore. It fuels my ambition even more, I can't hold back.
“I knew from the moment you walked away from me that you wouldn't do it. It was worth putting Caius's skin on the line. Maybe now he won't act all high and mighty when I make decisions in the company.”
“Did you just use me in your shitty strategy?” I walk toward him.
“You did great, didn't you?” He shrugs innocently. “If I had any doubt, I wouldn't have let you go in the first place.”
“Why? Because now you're the one ready to heal the traumas you keep causing me?
“I told you this game of ours wouldn't be easy,” he puffs on his cigarette and holds my chin.
“You're disappointing,” I snap, feeling a rush of cold water sobering me up if I were to believe even for a moment that his intentions are pure. “You have all the pieces on the board, and it seems like fate is on your side, but do you really know how to play as well as you claim?”
Everything about Manasseh is dirty. And now I've become dirty too.
“You want to back down?” He blows the cigarette smoke towards me, and my gaze falls on the half-open slit of his shirt. “You know you can't. The stakes are too high. Mommy needs you.”
The idiot!
“Tomorrow, I'm moving to my dad,” I inform him and hurry to leave the mix of scents lingering in the bathroom.
“No, you ain’t!” I hear the click of his shiny shoe heels on the marble floor.
“Look at me!” I ignore him and stride determinedly toward the bustling hall.
“My match is about to start,” he grabs my arm and points me in a direction, using his index finger as a landmark. “See that secluded table over there, the one with my jacket left on the couch? Stay there with Peter until I finish. And how about a good luck kiss?” He looks at my lips with interest, dripping with sarcasm.
What's wrong with this guy? Mortal enemies don't kiss.
“I'd rather kiss a dog,” I mutter, just as sarcastic.
“Morgenstern, there you are!” A man appears next to us and runs his hands through his hair. “I've been looking for you everywhere! Do you know what time it is? Where have you been?”
He wears a black velvet bomber jacket with gold stars woven on the shoulders and the message ALWAYS DEVIL’S SPAWN, which I recognize as Masse's symbol, having the same thing tattooed over his heart.
“I was warming up,” Manasseh looks at me suggestively, and the man wipes sweat off his forehead with his hand.
“I hope you get your ass kicked,” I turn my back on him and make my way through the people gathered around the stage, arguing with the security forces trying to keep them away.
“I won't let you move anywhere!” He shouts after me, and I flip him off, ignoring him.
He’s so annoying!
I don't know why, but after being with him, something about Manasseh doesn't seem as terrifying anymore. It's as if he's become a vaccine that I was initially afraid to take, but now I'm glad I did. The sting hurt, but I'm relieved that I don't have to go through it again. I gave him what he so desperately wanted, just one night with me. Manasseh is the type of guy who marks his territory and then quickly loses interest. I'm pretty sure the same happened with me, and now the only thing he seems to want from me is help with his stupid inheritance plan.
I make my way to the table where Peter, his driver, is waiting, engaged in conversation with a woman. When she sees me, she quickly excuses herself and leaves.
“Here you go,” Peter places Manasseh's jacket over my shoulders.
I realize the reason for the woman's abrupt leaving. I look like shit, and my dress, makeup, and hair are all ruined.
The match is announced, and the fighters enter the stage amidst thunderous applause from the spectators.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to turn the page and witness the last, most anticipated match of the evening. We thank our generous sponsors tonight, too many to mention, so we'll move on,” the man in the suit smiles, and the entire hall erupts into laughter and applause. “Boxing fans, are you ready to witness history?” The voice of the crowd fills the air with excitement.
