The Mistress' Revenge

Jane

The Next Day...

"Corin!" I call out to her, as she sits by herself at the cafeteria. A few heads turn in my direction but I pay them no heed.

"I was looking for you everywhere," I tell her and she lifts her heavy head. Her coffee cup remains untouched as I trace the lining of the newly formed darkcircles.

"About the other day..." I begin, and almost immediately all colour fades from her safe.

"Yeah. About that," she hums mindlessly. Then her cheeks turn pink and her eyes blink at me.

"I am so sorry. I- I didn't want to, but your boyfriend is just so weird," I tell her. She scrunches her nose and then sighs. Her head curls up on the stack of Isekai novels and she lets out a groan.

When she is sticking upright again, I have already figured out that I had made it awkward for both of us. So, I wait for her to say something.

By this time, the Montreal State crowd has already ordered their third coffee for the day. Most are busy talking amongst themselves. And amidst them are a few, watching our interaction interestingly.

I, on the other hand am counting moments till I get to tell her about the creepy thing about her new love interest, while watching the newly installed dome shaped lights that add to the cafeteria's ambience. Some aesthetic value to a dying palace of royalty.

"Jane, I promise you I will put in the extra hours and write the report with you. I was just busy at work," she tells me.

Work? What work? Corin comes from a well to do family. I haven't even imagined her lifting a box of carton. Or something like that. Besides, I knew where she was yesterday.

"Stop lying! This isn't about the report," I tell her, and she looks at me puzzled.

"Wha- What do you mean?" Her voice drops, and she looks at me icily.

"For one, I have already submitted the reports yesterday. I think we'll get the approval before we set to write the 'thing'," I tell her and she looks unamused.

"I thought you couldn't read spicy scenes alone," she tells me.

"I know I couldn't but I tried. And I submitted it. We might just be fine. But your boyfriend-"

"Hold up, girl. I do not have a boyfriend," Corin tells me.

"Corin... I know you do. I know you have a boyfriend. And you were..." I leaned and whispered. "At Lovegerie," I emphasised.

"You are talking funny, Jane. Why would I have a boyfriend? I am..." Then she hesitates.

"I am a baptised Catholic. We don't sleep before marriage. Saving it for the right time," she says, giggling.

Is she fucking with me?

"I-"

"Look, Jane. There's no need to make up stories like these. If you just want to hang out, all you got to do is ask," she tells me. Oh God. Was it the medications? Am I haullcinating too hard?

"I- I am sorry," I said, as my forehead ached from too much straining. Why cannot I remember? What had I done?

I reach for my cell and dial Mark's number.

Hello.

'Mark, did you see that customer yesterday? Some Young Master with his girlfriend. Right before you left for the recital?'

My heart throbbed in my chest. Something was amiss. Was my head capable of creating such elaborate hallucinations to hide the fact that I was reading smut?

Yes. And that net sales profit. Kid, are you still going to doubt yourself?

'Okay. Thanks.'

Wait...Wait...

I had already hung up by then. I turned to look at Corin, but she had already left her table. Her books and coffee stayed unmoved. Now what sort of person buys pricey coffee to not drink it? Shady ones.

"Hey," I heard someone breathe close. Do not be him. Do not be him. Please do not be him.

I turn around wearily to find his blue eyes. That stranger. From Lovegerie. Who creeped the fuck out of me.

"Aren't you the guy who was acting like a pervert the other day at my workplace?" I search his eyes for a response. But it doesn't come. Instead he smiles at me.

"Maybe," he says, and then cocks his head back.

"Aren't you dating..." Before I could say more he presses his palm over my mouth.

"Shh. Watch your words. We are surrounded, love," he says and I blanched. What the fuck, dude? My eyes grow wide.

I slapped his hand away. My eyes narrowing at him. Enough of this gaslighting bullshit. If Corin was lying to me, I had no business knowing why, but this guy has to back off.

"Get the fuck away from me," I pushed him back. "And keep your hands away from my goddamned face, you weirdo!"

"Jane, you're funny! Come on, don't be so hostile now. I am trying to help," he smiles in that weird way.

"Step away from her," I hear Corin say.

"Corin, baby," his smile turns wicked. "Why don't you tell her the truth?" He says, and I realised that this might fucking well be another hallucination.

"Jane, meet our new visiting faculty, Mr. Rafael. He is here to supervise the project that Montreal is funding," Corin tells me.

"Weird." What the fuck? A guy to supervise people writing shit? Who is he?

"He is here to help us write. Especially you. Since you are struggling with the scenes," she tells me.

"Well, but I don't think that's a great idea. I am a-"

"Don't be so ashamed. Just cause I have shown her some inspiration doesn't mean you should shy away from your share," he chuckles.

"What?"

"Jane, the truth is....he has been helping me write. With a very hands on approach," she tells me.

"And what in the world does that mean?"

"We were roleplaying to see what would be the natural course of progression. To recreate Vanya's character, of course," Corin adds with pink cheeks.

"Wait. So you are really not a slut. Just a method writer?" I didn't realise what I was saying but the guy erupts in laughter.

"Jane!" Corin looks at me offended.

"I am sorry. But-" God. The cash at the register. Mark knowing him.

"You were there! You paid a shit ton load of money for lingerie? Did I made that all up on my head," maybe it's time to get a refill on my prescription.

"My apologies," he said. "Those things were for my girlfriend. The real one," and he smirked. His perfect face sat in the tone of mockery. God, what have I done?

"But you should not worry, Jane. I am sure there would be more things we could worry about together. Laters," he said, walking away.

"Damn. He is hot," Corin chips, and I realised I was still gawking as his frame becomes smaller and smaller.