Chapter 2

Dennis ran his fingers through his bangs, letting out an impatient tsk. "Didn't I tell you? You don't have to pick me up."

I showed up to surprise him, but he couldn't care less.

I felt a wave of sadness, mixed with a kind of hurt I couldn't even explain.

I reached out, wanting to grab his arm. "I..."

"Dennis! It's your turn. Where have you been? I've been searching everywhere for you," called a sweet, slightly teasing female voice from inside.

The next second, a stunning woman in a red mermaid dress slipped her arm through Dennis's.

She had a playful, charming face and big, round eyes.

When she looked at me, her eyes were curious, sizing me up.

She asked Dennis, "Who's this?"

I silently withdrew my hand.

Dennis clicked his tongue impatiently. "The girlfriend who disappeared for three months."

"I see..." She smiled meaningfully.

My face fell as I watched Dennis act all casual, and I could feel my temper flaring.

"Dennis, you're just going to stand there? Why don't you introduce us?" I pressed.

"Hi, I'm Daphne Swanson, Dennis's ex-fiancée," Daphne said, flashing a big smile. "Dennis and I grew up together. Our families go way back.

"So you're the one who talked Dennis into calling off our engagement just for you? You must be something else."

I ignored Daphne's provocation, just stared straight at Dennis, who was standing there in silence.

He was watching me with obvious interest, like he was waiting for a show.

Seeing his reaction, I turned and walked away.

Behind me, Daphne's sweet laughter rang out. "Dennis, your girlfriend's running off. Aren't you going to chase after her?"

Dennis just laughed.

"Dennis, if you don't hurry, the elevator she's waiting for is about to get here," Daphne added.

Dennis just let out a dismissive chuckle.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened.

I stepped inside and looked up, only to see Griffin standing there.

"Griffin? Weren't you supposed to be with your friend? Why are you here?" I asked.

Griffin scratched his head. "Oh, something came up for my friend last minute, so I'm leaving."

I turned to hit the button for the first floor.

When I looked up, Dennis walked in, looking pissed. He jabbed the button for the basement level.

Griffin called out, all polite, "Dennis."

But Dennis didn't even acknowledge him. Instead, he grabbed my hand with a mocking smile. "You left me hanging for three months, and now you're mad at me?"

His grip was so tight that my wrist was starting to turn red.

I looked up at him, biting my lip, feeling all wronged.

Dennis's sharp gaze softened in an instant. "Alright, nothing's going on between me and Daphne."

"Then why were you letting her hang all over you right in front of me?" I shot back.

Dennis huffed, shooting me a look of disdain. "She's the one clinging to me."

I couldn't help but frown. "Why didn't you just say no?"

Dennis let out a soft tsk. He was starting to get impatient. "Do you have to keep going on about this?" he snapped.

Seeing how things were going, I pulled my hand away and turned my back on him, refusing to look at him.

I ended up bumping into Griffin, who quickly turned away, looking super awkward.

I felt awkward too and silently moved to the side.

Dennis opened his mouth to say something when the elevator reached the first floor.

Griffin was the first to step out. I followed right after him but Dennis reached out and pulled me back.

He refused to let me go, his voice cold. "Cut the attitude."

I glared at him, gritting my teeth, feeling so bitter I couldn't even say a word.

Dennis looked totally fed up. He tsked again and said, "Blair, you ditched me for three months and I haven't even given you a hard time about it yet, so don't start throwing a tantrum now."

I held back the bitterness in my chest and turned away, refusing to look at him.

Suddenly, he grabbed the back of my head and pulled me in for a rough kiss.

My eyes flew wide as I tried to shove him off.

Dennis locked his arms around my waist, pulling me tight against him.

He was so forceful, so possessive, and didn't give me a chance to refuse.

Just as I was starting to give in, my mind going fuzzy, I suddenly spotted something clear on his neck.

It was a smear of red lipstick.

My eyes snapped wide open. There was no doubt left by a woman.

I pushed Dennis away with everything I had. Without thinking, I swung my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

I glared at him, spitting out my words in rage. "You shameless bastard."

Dennis stared at me, his hand on his cheek, totally stunned. "Blair, you..."

Just then, the elevator doors slid open.

I covered my mouth, tears brimming in my eyes, and bolted out of there.

Dennis snapped out of it and took off after me, his long legs eating up the distance in no time.