C13 - Rich & Drunk Bitch

"Bria," Thomas calmly says, entering the boutique.

"Hi." I push my hand through my hair before looking st Joanna. "Can you ring me up, please?"

She nods, carrying my dresses to the register. I want to follow her, but I'm paralyzed. Grace though, she manages to make me move. I watch her eyes, I feel the tension. I know I am not wanted, and I respect her enough to begin to walk away.

"What are you-?" He tries to ask.

"Doing here?" I ask, passing him.

"Yeah." He follows me.

Jesus. Don't fucking follow me in front of your wife.

Grace stands taller, "Thomas."

"Give me a moment." He tells her.

She doesn't give up, and I don't blame her. Jesus, I'd be pissed if Thomas were mine. Following another lady around like some sort of love sick puppy.

"Come to the suite, I want to show you something." She sounds promising, I imagine her flaunting her sex to him. A distraction from his true lover.

"I'll come in a moment. Grace," He grits his teeth before relaxing. "Okay?"

She gives him these eyes, I swear they're magic on their own. She looks like a serpent ready to just kill me, and kill him. Or perhaps make him strip naked, the sexual connection between Grace and Tommy might not be as close as his and I's but it is there.

We get to the register, where Joanna begins scanning all of these items. I expect Tommy to say something, but he's too distracted looking at me. I turn my head, looking at Grace who also looks at me. I'm popular today.

"Stay." Thomas tells me, whispering under his breath.

"No, I can't." I hiss, turning my back away from Grace.

Looking to the Joanna now, I pull out my purse filled with cash. "How much do I owe you?"

She gives me a number that shatters me into two. And then I remember that dad left me with enough money to buy the whole shop and everything in it. I hand her the cash, Thomas's eyes go wide as Joanna counts it.

"How did you get that money?" He snaps, grabbing the back of my arm like he did Grace. "Did you sell the house?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." I roll my eyes, I shouldn't have drank as much as I did. Damn you, delicious champagne.

"You selfish bastard." He scoffs, lowering his gaze to meet mine. Grinding his teeth together, he adds. "Yah I would, because whenever you leave I feel so-"

"Thomas!" Grace calls.

I take a step towards him. Our chests nearly brushing. "So what?" I breathe his scent. I breathe all of him. Fuck. Just like that, I'm reminded of the previous night we spent together. Before the fireplace, just him and I. My insides instantly warm up, I want him badly.

He swallows. "So unhappy."

Just like that, I feel like the evil person I really was for leaving such a great man. My eyes followed his lips as said those words to me, I reach out for him, and without thinking I put my lips on his and squeeze my eyes shut. A tear rolls down my cheek, Thomas doesn't pull away and neither do I.

"I want you to be happy." I whisper against his lips before brushing my nose against his. My fingers span out over his cheek, I feel stubble. He kissed me back, so softly I nearly fall back before his hand falls on the small of my back.

I only realize then that I've kissed Thomas, in front of his wife. And when I do, I immediately turn to Grace whose eyes fill with tears. Her shoulders bob up and down, she shakes her head.

"Oh my days." Joanna whispers between us.

Thomas looks at Grace as she storms from the showroom and I assume into her suite. He follows after her, calling her name.

Pouting, I turn and grab the three bags Joanna bad perched up for me. I slump over the counter, leaning into her.

"Is the bottle of champagne in here too?" I ask, nodding down to the bags.

"A-ah, yes." She's still in shock, and I don't blame here. "Of course it is, Ms. Hearn."

"Thanks Joanna." I reply, not too sure as to what else I need to say.

"You're welcome!" She says, making her way around the counter. "Good luck with everything!"

"Thank you, you too."

Outside, I hull for a car and gather the attention rather quickly of a kind man. He holds my bags, putting them into the trunk. I take the time to wipe away my tears, embarrassed and quite astonished of what I had done.

The man drives off with me in the back seat. He opens his mouth, but to my shock, it's my mothers voice that speaks.

"I told you to stop, didn't I? My my my, Bria, what have you gotten yourself into dear?"