Something for you to hate. Zero Eroticism, no heroes, bad revenge. In it's favor, there are no cuckolds, willing or unwilling, in this story and it's short so you won't waste too much time. There IS a humiliated husband (well, ex), so it might appeal to Matt...
Mikothebaby edited and then I ruined her good work by adding more crap.
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It was after I served the jerks in the Harrison building that I saw him at the café. He was sitting there with a pretty woman. My heart raced. I watched them carefully, trying to make sure I was hidden. They held hands. She put a fork full of food in his mouth, forcing him to try something he wasn't interested in. He laughed. I remember those days. Dating days; when you tried to make a good impression. I should have just walked on. It was his life, not mine. He was trying to move on as well. But the yearning in my soul just wouldn't let me.
I used a reflective window to check my appearance, patting some errant locks in place, freshening my lip gloss and straightening my skirt. Good Will has some good bargains in high end clothes if you pick the right neighborhood. Rich women dump last year's fashions when there is still a lot of wear in them. I had long gotten over being choosy. A year out of date but I still was able to be presentable. Heck, in brand terms, I actually upgraded my wardrobe if you overlooked the humiliation of used clothes.
I ditched my carry-all in my car and hoped I didn't miss them. But no, some fru fru dessert was just being set in front of them as I edged the wrought iron gate for the cafe patio open.
They were making eyes and smiling at each other when I walked up. "Randy Carter! How are you?"
His eyes widened in surprise and his spoon stood still in front of his mouth. Suddenly gathering himself, he put it back in the bowl. "Brenda Roberts. It's been...a while." He said with half sincere bonhomie.
"It's Brenda Nealy again." I said slightly pointedly.
"Of course." I did not evaporate in the sunlight or suddenly slink away despite a pointed silent awkward moment. Didn't I see this was a date? Why the hell was I breaking the Code? The woman seemed slightly curious. Good. She should be.
"I haven't seen you for almost two years. How have you been?" I pressed.
"Not so bad." His tone suggested friendship and I almost screamed. "You know...I'm just getting over all of that. Let me introduce you to Natalie." He said this with a smile in his eyes as he glanced at her. "Do you want to join us?" He was forced to ask.
Without hesitation, I grabbed a chair from a nearby table without asking and sat down at the small table. "So...will you buy a girl a drink?"
He blinked at my effrontery but signaled a waiter. One needed to make a good impression on a date even when dealing with pains in the ass.
"Yes madam?" the polite young man asked.
"I'd like a cranberry and vodka, no ice. Heavy on the cranberry." He nodded left.
Natalie was looking at him with those raised eyebrows which indicated that he'd better start talking very quickly about who this strange, forceful woman was. I decided to let him field this one, curious as to how he'd spin it.
"Er...I know Brenda from during my divorce." He glanced at me, seeking some permission about how much he should invade my privacy. NOW this concerns him? I fought down a laugh "She was...she was..." he started delicately.
"The wife of the man who was fucking his wife." I said, reaching out to shake her hand. Needless to say, she shook it rather limply while he had a sour expression.
He put this aside. "How have you been?" he asked with some unfeigned concern. He hadn't bothered to keep up with my life as far as I knew, but his question just confirmed it. The waiter dropped off my drink and vanished as his ilk is fond of doing. I used that as an excuse to take a sip and really look at him.
He seemed to have been hitting the gym. Some of his mid drift spread had vanished from married life. There were a few stress lines, something I'd seen in my own mirror, but overall, he didn't look bad. He was also wearing a rather nice short sleeve button down that really brought out his eyes. I put on the vapid female grin and looked at Natalie. "Do you like his shirt? I think it looks really good on him."
She simpered a bit. "Thank you for saying so. I picked it out for him myself." I was in the midst of bringing my drink back up for my last sip and I hesitated.
"I'm sorry." I said to her. Then I dashed the entire glass into his face and specifically onto his shirt and khakis.
"What did you do that for?" he stated loudly, but quickly getting quieter as people looked on astonished. He'd jumped up and was grabbing at his napkin as Natalie sat there shocked...but then rallied to offer him another napkin.
"What do you think that's for?" I hissed back at him, letting my rancor show on my face finally. "You ruined my life!"
"Michael did that, not me! If this is just because I'm around and he isn't, I don't appreciate being your scapegoat."
I had to look at him agog. He was perfectly sincere. He had absolutely no idea what he did to me.
