Chapter 2 Confrontation

Avery stood up, her arms already halfway extended in anticipation of a hug. But Tiffany raised a hand, refusing the embrace.

"Hey, we're in public. We can't hug here," Tiffany said.

Avery's smile faltered slightly, disappointment flickering across her face. "But girls hug in public all the time," she replied, trying to mask her hurt.

"I know I'm not just any girl to you, and I know it isn't going to be a regular hug. Let's save it for when we're alone, okay?" Tiffany suggested, motioning toward the empty seat across from Avery.

With a deflated sigh, Avery settled into the seat opposite Tiffany, watching her order a drink with a practised ease that felt all too foreign now.

"So, how was your day? How did you spend it?" Avery asked, forcing a smile.

Tiffany took a moment to consider before replying, "Oh, I was at home all day. Although, I did visit my mom at the hospital. How about you?"

A wave of sadness washed over Avery upon hearing Tiffany's response. It pierced her heart, scattering the last piece of trust she had left. Tiffany was lying.

"Oh, that's nice. My mom wanted me to join them for dinner, and as expected, drama ensued," Avery confessed.

Tiffany's brows furrowed. "Really? What happened this time?"

"Honestly, it was about you," Avery hesitated, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air.

Tiffany's eyes widened in surprise as she reached across the table to grasp Avery's hands. "Is she still pressuring you?"

Avery took a deep breath, her voice tinged with sadness and frustration.

"Of course. I still have to prove you are a worthy partner."

"But it hasn't even been three months, has it? And what did she do to you?" Tiffany pressed, concern etching her features.

"She said there's no point in me proving anything because she has proof that you are unworthy."

Shock flooded Tiffany's face. "What does that mean?"

Avery let out a deep breath, feeling a pang of regret for the way this conversation was unfolding. Confronting Tiffany wasn't what she had envisioned.

"Well... she showed me these videos of you kissing a man and it made me question... 'us'."

"So, you got upset?": Tiffany scoffed.

"They were definitely pictures of me with my ex. I can't believe your mom would go through such lengths to dig up my past just to ruin things between us, and even more, I can believe you believed her!" Tiffany exclaimed, frustration creeping into her tone.

"The dress you're wearing now is the same one from the picture. That means the picture was taken today," Avery revealed, her heart racing as she spoke.

Tiffany's expression faltered, her body sinking back into her seat. "Oh..." she murmured.

"I just need an explanation, Tiffany. I need to understand why you would lie to me. My heart is heavy with confusion," Avery responded, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

"I can't believe you, Avery. After everything we've been through, after all our precious moments, you're suspecting me?" Tiffany's voice quivered with hurt.

"I am only asking for an explanation. Or is that too much to ask?" Avery replied calmly.

"If you're asking for an explanation, it means you're doubting me. I can't believe you're really doubting me! What happened to trust?" Tears welled in Tiffany's eyes.

"Stop it, Tiffs. I should be the one sad here. I should be the one tearing up, not you. I trust you, and that's why I'm asking for an explanation like a normal person, instead of jumping to conclusions."

"That means you don't trust me!" Tiffany cried.

"Tiffs, stop the emotional blackmail! All I did was ask a simple question!" Avery raised her voice.

"Now you're even shouting at me?" Tiffany began to cry, and Avery felt embarrassment wash over her as they attracted the attention of nearby customers. Just then, Tiffany's phone beeped twice, and she paused her sobbing to check her message. The moment she saw the message, her entire expression shifted.

The tears vanished as a sinister grin spread across her lips.

"I slept with a man, and so? Our sex has always been boring. I had to fake orgasms a million times with you because you lack the ability to please me.

What's a woman without a man? Only a dick can make me feel like a real woman, not Avery's fingers and tongue.

You have no idea how much I dislike seeing you naked. I hate performing oral sex on you; it repulses me to the point of nausea. I hate fingering you. I hate it when you have an orgasm. I hate kissing you.

You're not even that attractive. Every single aspect of you disappoints me. You disappoint me. Even your body shape irritates me. You should be grateful your mom wants to set you up with a man.

Do yourself a favor and get plastic surgery if you want to keep him. Oh wait... you're broke now and can't afford it. Too bad for you," Tiffany smirked.

Avery was taken aback. Did she hear Tiffany correctly? Is this the same Tiffany she made love with yesterday? No way.

"Tiffany, is everything alright? Is the stress from your family getting to you?" Avery asked, her voice trembling as she fought back tears. It was hard to believe that her Tiffany could speak so harshly.

But Tiffany scoffed.

"Family? What a joke. I meant every word I said. This relationship is a dumpster fire, and I was only using you," she declared, rising from her seat.

"I can't believe you're speaking to me like this," Avery cried.

"You're no better than toxic garbage. Go get a damn life!" Tiffany spat, leaving the coffee shop and leaving behind a stunned Avery.

Avery sat there, crying her heart out, struggling to breathe through the sobs. Many eyes were on her, but she didn't care. She had never felt this betrayed in her entire life, not even the day her mom kicked her out of the company.

A waiter tapped her shoulder and handed her a tissue.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry, but the other customers are complaining," the waiter said politely and Avery understood the message.

"I'm sorry," she sobbed, leaving the coffee shop.

Tears streamed down her face as she walked down the street when a car honked at her from the side. "I'm not in your way!" she yelled, drawing attention from onlookers.

The car parked, and a man emerged from the driver's seat.