Chapter 4 Right or wrong

Chapter 4

Right or wrong

The days following our encounter with Vivian were tense. Even when I tried to focus on other things, the memory of her cold smile and veiled threats stayed with me, making it impossible to ignore her presence. Mark and I fell into a quiet routine, each of us pretending that everything was normal, though we both knew better.

One morning, as I sat in the living room, sipping a cup of tea, Mark walked in with a serious expression. He had been on a business call, his voice low and controlled, as though he were trying to keep me from hearing the details. But from the look on his face, I knew something was wrong.

"Flora," he began, taking a seat beside me, "there's something I need to tell you."

I put my cup down, bracing myself. "What's going on?"

Mark hesitated, his gaze shifting to the window as if gathering his thoughts. "Vivian has been digging around, asking questions about you. She's trying to find out as much as she can. From what I've gathered, she's intent on making things difficult for us."

The news didn't surprise me, but it left a heavy feeling in my chest. "Why is she so determined to interfere?" I asked, genuinely curious. "She could move on, focus on her own life."

Mark's jaw tightened, and his eyes met mine with a mixture of frustration and resignation. "Vivian thrives on control. She hates the idea of someone else having any influence over me, and as long as you're by my side, she'll see you as a threat."

The words hung in the air between us, making the situation painfully clear. Vivian wasn't going to back down, and she wasn't going to let us continue this arrangement peacefully.

"What do we do?" I asked, feeling the weight of her interference bearing down on us.

"We stand our ground," Mark replied, his voice firm. "I'm not going to let her manipulate or intimidate us. She doesn't get to dictate my life anymore."

His determination gave me strength, and I found myself nodding. I wasn't about to let Vivian scare me away either. If she wanted to intimidate us, she'd have to try harder.

---

That evening, Mark suggested that we go out for dinner. "A change of scenery might do us both some good," he said, his tone lighter than it had been all day. "Let's get our minds off this...situation, even if just for a little while."

I agreed, grateful for the chance to unwind. We chose a quiet restaurant downtown, one that had a cozy, intimate atmosphere with soft lighting and gentle music. As we were seated, I found myself relaxing, the weight of recent events fading, at least for the moment.

We talked about everything except Vivian, sharing stories, laughing, and enjoying the meal. I almost felt like a different person-a version of myself untouched by past troubles. For the first time in days, I felt genuinely happy.

But that happiness was short-lived.

Just as we were finishing our meal, I noticed a familiar figure entering the restaurant. My heart sank as I recognized Vivian, dressed elegantly in a dark dress that seemed to command attention. She spotted us almost immediately, a smile flickering across her lips as she made her way over to our table.

"Mark, Flora," she greeted smoothly, her voice as polished as ever. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Mark's expression tightened, though he remained composed. "Vivian," he replied, his voice steady. "What brings you here?"

"Oh, just dinner," she said lightly, though her eyes never left us. "It's such a small world, isn't it? Running into you like this."

I forced myself to maintain eye contact, unwilling to give her the satisfaction of seeing me falter. "Yes, very small," I replied, keeping my tone polite but distant.

Vivian's gaze shifted to me, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "Flora, I hope you're adjusting well. This world can be...demanding, especially for someone who's new to it."

Her words were laced with a subtle condescension that made it clear she saw me as an outsider, someone who didn't belong. But I refused to let her get under my skin.

"I'm adapting just fine," I replied with a calm smile. "Thanks for your concern."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by my response. I could see the gears turning in her mind, as if she were reevaluating me, trying to decide if I was a real threat.

"Well, I'm sure you'll do your best," she said smoothly, her gaze flicking to Mark. "Just remember, Mark, that not everyone is cut out for this lifestyle. Some people find it...overwhelming."

Mark's expression was unreadable, but there was a coolness in his eyes that made it clear he wasn't buying into her thinly veiled insults. "Vivian, I appreciate your concern, but Flora and I are doing just fine. There's no need for...warnings."

Vivian's smile faded, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Of course. I'm just looking out for you, as always."

Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving a trail of tension in her wake. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding, feeling a strange mix of anger and relief.

"She really doesn't know when to give up, does she?" I muttered, unable to hide my frustration.

Mark placed a reassuring hand on mine. "She thrives on control. But don't let her get to you, Flora. She's playing her games, hoping to provoke a reaction. The best thing we can do is ignore her."

I nodded, though the encounter had left a bitter taste in my mouth. Vivian had made it clear that she wasn't going to back down, and I knew we'd need to be prepared for whatever she might do next.

---

The following days were tense. I began to notice small, unsettling signs that Vivian's presence was everywhere, like a shadow I couldn't escape. Strange calls came in at odd hours, and I received anonymous notes with cryptic, unsettling messages. One note read, *"Are you ready for the real challenge?"* Another simply said, *"Know your place."*

Each time I found one, I felt a chill, but I refused to show any fear. If this was Vivian's way of scaring me off, she would have to try harder.

One evening, Mark and I were discussing a charity event he was planning. As he explained the details, his phone buzzed with a message. He glanced at it, his expression hardening as he read.

"What's wrong?" I asked, sensing his tension.

He showed me the message, and my blood ran cold. It was from Vivian.

*"Enjoy your evening while it lasts. Some things don't end as smoothly as you'd like."*

There was a chilling finality in her words, a promise that she wasn't done with us yet. Mark clenched his jaw, a steely resolve in his eyes.

"Enough is enough," he said firmly. "She's crossing the line."

"What can we do?" I asked, feeling both frustrated and helpless. "She's been relentless, and it's only getting worse."

"I'll handle this," he replied, his voice filled with determination. "Vivian has always relied on intimidation and manipulation to get her way. But this time, she's going too far."

I didn't know what Mark had in mind, but I trusted him. He wasn't the type to let someone like Vivian push him around, and I could see that he was ready to put an end to her interference once and for all.

---

The next morning, Mark left early, telling me he had business to handle. I spent most of the day at the apartment, wondering what he planned to do. Part of me wanted to confront Vivian myself, to tell her to back off, but I knew that would only give her the reaction she wanted.

Around noon, I decided to take a walk to clear my mind. As I strolled through the nearby park, I felt a strange sense of calm, as if the fresh air was washing away the tension that had been building up inside me. I stopped by a small fountain, watching the water ripple in the sunlight, allowing myself a moment of peace.

But then, a familiar voice broke the silence.

"Flora."

I turned to find Vivian standing a few feet away, her expression cold and calculating. She had an air of confidence that made it clear she wasn't here by chance.

"Vivian," I said, keeping my tone steady. "Is there something you need?"

She took a step closer, her gaze fixed on me. "I just thought we should have a little chat, woman to woman."

I felt a surge of irritation, but I forced myself to stay calm. "There's nothing to discuss. Whatever you're trying to accomplish, it won't work."

Vivian's lips curved into a smirk, as if she found my defiance amusing. "You're naive, Flora. You think you can just walk into Mark's life and take a place that belongs to someone else?"

"I'm not taking anything that doesn't belong to me," I replied firmly. "Mark made his choice, and you need to respect that."

Her smile faded, replaced by a look of cold fury. "I don't lose, Flora. And I certainly don't lose to someone as...insignificant as you."

I felt a spark of anger at her words, but I held my ground. "Maybe it's time you learned that not everything can be controlled, Vivian. Sometimes, people make choices that don't revolve around you."

For a moment, I saw a flash of something dark in her eyes

, a glimpse of the person she truly was beneath the polished exterior. But she quickly masked it, her expression hardening.

"Enjoy your time with him while it lasts," she said, her voice laced with venom. "Because trust me, Flora, it won't last."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me alone by the fountain, her words echoing in my mind. I knew that Vivian wasn't going to stop, that this was only the beginning of her games. But I was determined not to let her win. I wasn't going to back down, no matter how far she was willing to go.

And as I walked back to the apartment, a newfound resolve filled me. If Vivian wanted a challenge, then that was exactly what she would get.