Bad Boy Rich

The waiter—a young fellow—looks rather bored and uninterested at Wesley’s rude behavior. To avoid coming across like rich snobs—which I wasn’t by a long shot—I grab another and thank him kindly.

“Why don’t you just go to bed with him,” Wesley bellows, out of nowhere.

“What did you just say?”

“Never mind.”

I heard him. Loud and clear. Just as I am about to bring it up again, a woman stops where the two of us are standing. She’s quite short, though wearing high gold pumps and a slimming white beaded dress. Her hair—platinum blond—is curled nicely and pinned to the side. I would say she looked mid-forties but hard to pin point behind the obvious plastic surgery done to her cheeks and lips.

“You must be Wesley’s girlfriend, Milana.” She extends her hand, awaiting a shake in return. I didn’t know who she was or whether I should acknowledge that my real name was Milana. I thought I would be Anita Dick for the night?

“This is my mother,” Wesley says flatly, narrowing his eyes.

“Oh!” I grab her hand immediately to shake it. “Please to meet you Mrs…”

I draw a blank, realizing I didn’t know her surname.

“It’s okay, honey, I’ve change husbands more than I have underwear. It’s Mrs. Cole. But please, call me Gina.”

“Gina.” I smile politely.

“Now, tell me, how did you both meet? Are you an actress?”

“Uh no, I’m a personal assistant.”

Her eyes peak with curiosity. “To Wesley?”

“No, Mother, to Em. If you must pry.”

“Oh, I see. Well, you look beautiful and I really hope you enjoy the night.”

“I’m sure I will Mrs…I mean, Gina.”

Gina examines the both of us, following with a fake smile. She latches onto Wesley’s arm which appears to make him uncomfortable. “Have you said hello to Carson?”

“I said I’d come to support the event.”

“Wesley, don’t start now.”

The tension mounts between them, broken by the guest speaker announcing the events of the night. We turn our focus before an applause erupts and music carries on. Wesley excuses himself to the bathroom, leaving me alone in the corner with a napkin and some shrimp. Upon my second bite, my clutch begins to vibrate, prompting me to retrieve my cell.

“Milly, what have you done?”

Phoebe’s desperation catches me off guard, forcing me to move towards a room less noisy to be able to listen properly.

“Phoebe, what are you talking about?”

“Liam, he came back home and he’s been…”

“What, Phoebe? I don’t have time for this. Liam is a big boy,” I tell her, covering my guilt.

“Liam is a big boy? So what Liam said is true. You’re screwing Wesley Rich? My God Milly, have you lost your mind? You know what disease he must carry. I can’t believe you would do this to Liam. And why didn’t you tell me about Wesley?”

“Because, he was just a friend. I don’t know what Liam told you. Yes, we are now in a relationship. Liam and I are over. I’m sorry I didn’t have a chance to tell you but I didn’t want to expose this just yet. It wouldn’t be good for my career. I hope you understand that.”

I could hear the breathing on the line; Phoebe’s wrath of fury ready to unleash.

“I don’t know who you are anymore. You said you wouldn’t become one of them. You cheat on your boyfriend and with the worst possible guy. Next you’ll be snorting lines and shooting up like your new boyfriend.”