Chapter 3 Manipulating Her

In an apartment, a figure buzzed around the room, packing things into her bags and making sure nothing was left behind.

The person was Lauren. She was dressed in casual wear with her hair tied in a low bun, and she had an expressionless face as if this place wasn't somewhere she had called her home for years.

Suddenly, her eyes paused on the frame she had placed on the bedside table and finally, the emotions she had kept hidden showed on her face. Her face turned pale and her lips trembled, but she still swallowed hard and picked up her courage to walk to the frame. She picked it up with her trembling fingers and her eyes deepened with emotion seeing the three people with a joyful smile.

The picture was of Lauren, Celine and Julian. This picture was taken on their graduation and the smiles on their faces were happiness and carefreeness.

Her fingers caressed their faces and her lips gradually curled up in a small sneer.

"How could I be so stupid as not to know something was going on between you both? You both are really good pretenders!" she chuckled but it was one of self-mockery.

She felt sorry for herself. Now that she thought about it, she wondered how someone like herself had agreed to give up everything for Julian? Was he that good?

He had told her his family doesn't like the limelight and like a fool, she had given up everything and even began to work behind the scenes just for his company to grow. And the dumbest thing she had done was that she never once asked him for anything. She didn't care about what he did with her designs or whether he gave her profits. All she had ever wanted was sincerity, but it seems, she had looked too desperate for him and like a fool, she allowed herself to be played by them.

She would agree that this was her fault. But, still...

Lauren paused, then her fingers that had traced the faces suddenly clenched on the frame and with a "bang!" she threw the frame on the floor.

She watched the glass that secured the picture break into pieces and as she bent to pick up the photo from the ground, she felt tense.

With one hard pull, the photo in her hand was torn but she didn't stop, and continued to tear it into shreds, then she walked to the washroom that was in the room and flushed it.

Lauren will not allow herself to be sentimental towards people who have treated her wrong. She would give an eye for an eye!

Besides, since she was married now, she would remain loyal to Alex.

At the thought of that powerful man, her heart which was still surging calmed down and her face returned to being indifferent.

Though she couldn't give him her heart, she would make sure her loyalty lies with him.

After resolving the conflict in her heart, she calmed down and finally finished parking her bags. Lauren pulled the bag up, then looked around the room she had stayed in, and then turned around to leave without any sentiment.

Though she and Julian lived together in the same apartment, they never slept in the same bed. And for the past few months, he hadn't even been coming home with excuses that he was busy, but now she understood that all had been lies.

Lauren opened the door and walked out, but she was shocked when she got to the sitting room and saw someone she wasn't expecting.

She frowned and her hand on her bag tightened.

How come she hadn't heard the sound of someone coming in?

"Lauren-"

Lauren snapped out of her daze and looked up to see Julian looking at her bag with a frown on his face.

"What are you doing?!" Julian asked with his eyes returning to Lauren.

He had rushed back home after he was done settling things at the company with the thought of coming home to coax Lauren. He knew she would be angry at him for not adhering to the promise he had made to her, but he also knew that with some promises and sweet words, Lauren would forgive him.

Besides, it's not like they couldn't get married anytime.

But, he didn't expect to meet her with her bag as soon as he got home and this confused him.

"Where are you going with a bag, Lauren?" He asked again, this time with a serious tone that showed his dissatisfaction.

Lauren looked at the man who questioned her and she couldn't help but find it funny. She couldn't help but be amused by the fact that he was able to act nonchalantly.

She sneered, "Leaving. Can't you see?" She responded casually.

"What?!" Julian was truly stunned this time. His eyes widened as he looked at her, but then he calmed down after thinking about it.

He could understand that she was angry with him for not turning up at the wedding.

He sighed, then loosened his tie in frustration, then he walked towards Lauren to hug her but she pulled back immediately with a frown.

Julian stiffened, then smiled helplessly and those who don't know would think he was a man who loves indulging his troublesome girlfriend.

"Lauren, I'm sorry for not turning up like I had promised. But," He sighed again like he was exhausted, then he looked at her with those eyes she was familiar with.

Those eyes that had always enchanted her and made her soften every single time. He always used this on her every time she was about to flip out and like a fool, she would always fall for this, but now that she knew what was happening, she felt so angry!

Those loves she once saw in those eyes were now so clear! She had been stupid that she couldn't see the pride, arrogance and indifference.

How stupid had she been?

Then Julian, who didn't know his cover had been broken, continued with his act, "You didn't even ask me why I didn't come. We just found out that some information leaked from the company so I had no other options but to take care of it. You wouldn't want our hard work to go down the drain, right?" He asked softly, then began to walk towards Lauren with a face filled with disappointment.

"Lauren I'm disappointed with you!" He spat.

Lauren who stood quietly watching his play felt her lips twitch. She felt speechless as she watched him try to fool her.

She lowered her head, and mockery filled her eyes, "Disappointed in me? I should be the one who is disappointed, right?" she asked.

Julian paused as he was surprised by her question. Why wouldn't he be surprised? He had thought as usual, she would turn pale and beg him not to be disappointed anymore. But, then, he thought about it and felt it was normal that she was still angry so he didn't think too much, but instead continued.

"We promised to be together forever but just because of something this little, you want to leave?! Must we get married today? There is tomorrow! Next tomorrow and every day, so why pack your things to leave just because of this?! Why are you so childish?!"

Lauren's body stiffened. Her hand which held her bag tightened and her blood surged with anger.

"Childish? He called me childish?!"

Well, since he said it like this, then...

Lauren suddenly smiled and looked at Julian who was still yapping away.

"Then, go with me to get married now!"