Page 15 of King of Deception

“Why don’t you just block him?”

“And provoke him? You know he’ll just show up here or worse… the office.”

Savoring the salt and smacking his lips, Alex rolled his eyes, fixing them on the ceiling. “But, like… what happened? Aren’t you curious? It’s been six months, and for the past three, he’d left you alone, hadn’t he?”

“He did, yes,” I quickly nodded as I handed him the glass. “But it’s something about him making it big at work or something?”

“What’s that got to do with you?”

“He’s so insecure, Lexi.” I sat down across from him, crossing my legs and scratching my head under the messy bun. “I bet he thinks that his new title and the money he’s making is gonna somehow make him… more appealing?”

He sipped the one, then reached for another breadstick. “I remember vividly why you broke up.”

“And it had nothing to do with that, I know.” I shrugged. “But he’s in denial. It’s obvious, right?”

“Well,” he twisted his lips sideways as if in contemplation, “I guess it is easier to believe that it’s something you can change and not your shitty personality.”

“C’mon, that’s harsh. He doesn’t have a shitty personality. He just needs some… therapy or something.”

He furrowed his eyebrows. “Right, I mean, how hard would it be to convince a total narcissist that he needs help.”

“Lexi!”

“Please,” he enunciated. “I watched that guy abuse you for months and tried to say it in all the subtle ways? Now that you’re over him, and I know that this might bite me in the ass if you do get back together—”

“We won’t,” I reassured him.

“Good. Because you deserve better than that.” He paused, raising an eyebrow. “I mean, maybe not hotter,” he smirked and stifled a giggle, “but definitely better.”

“Now I can guiltlessly tear you to bits about your latest fuck up with James!” As I raised my hand with a chip, ready to toss it at him, the doorbell rang, prompting us both to look.

“I’m technically in my pajamas. Who did you invite?” Alex stared at me.

“Nobody!” Placing down my glass and the bag of chips, I got off the chair and slowly walked toward the door. Turning to Alex, I mouthed with wide eyes, “Jude?”

“Oh, fuck. Don’t say!” he whispered.

Lifting myself up on the tips of my toes, I looked through the peephole and saw a teenager in a baseball hat. Baffled, I opened the door.

“Good evening. Are you Ms. Boraine?”

“Yeah?” my eyes wandered down to the wrapped package in his hands. “Is this for me?”

“Yes. Will you please sign here?”

Turning around, I slowly walked back into the living room with the anonymous parcel in my hands. The wrapping paper was an elegant glossy black, with a well-crafted bow in the corner.

Alex instantly grinned, leaning forward and rubbing his palms together. “Oh, mystery!”

“Weren’t you about to tell me about what happened with Jimmy?” I teased.

“No, no.” He flailed both hands in the air, waving it off as he approached. “That can wait. Open it! I need this action as much as you do.”

Tittering, I leaned over and placed the box on the coffee table, carefully unwrapping it. As I removed the luxurious lid, my confusion spiked as I looked down at a solitary glass nestled in a bed of black silk. When I picked it up and examined it, I saw the letters ‘ERB’ engraved on the bottom.

Alex suddenly gasped, his eyes wider than ever. “La fêtarde!”

“La what?” I slightly dangled my hand as my fingers clasped the stem.

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