Chapter 6: A Worthless Nobody
Vivienne leaned forward, her tone teasing but earnest. “If you’re really done with him, Rebecca, I might just make a move on Alistair. Fair game, right?” Her words stoked the irritation simmering in Rebecca’s chest. With a dismissive smirk, Rebecca shot back, “Vivienne, since when did your taste sink so low? You’re not seriously into Alistair, are you? He’s got no degree, no background… He’s a complete loser. What exactly do you see in him?”
Vivienne’s eyes flashed with defiance. “Rebecca, you’ve been so busy picking apart his flaws that you’ve missed what makes him special. Sure, he doesn’t come from money, but not everyone gets a lucky break. But no education? Come on, Rebecca, don’t you feel a little guilty saying that? If it weren’t for you, he wouldn’t have missed his SATs. I remember he was a stellar student back in high school.” Vivienne and Rebecca had been classmates, and though Alistair moved in different circles, his reputation as an academic star had reached even their privileged clique.
Rebecca let out a derisive huff, a flicker of unease crossing her eyes before her usual haughty mask snapped back into place. Vivienne pressed on, undeterred. “He’s good-looking, thoughtful, steady, and he knows how to take care of people.”
Rebecca rolled her eyes, cutting her off. “Oh, please, spare me. He’s not half as perfect as you’re making him out to be.”
Vivienne arched a brow. “Isn’t he? If he wasn’t so meticulous in looking after you and Daniel, do you honestly think you’d have kept him around for six years? I know you, Rebecca. You used him to get under Rick’s skin, but if he wasn’t pulling his weight, you’d have ditched him ages ago.”
Rebecca fell silent, her lips tightening. She had no comeback. After a long pause, she muttered defensively, “It wasn’t about that. I paid off his dad’s two-million-dollar debt. He owed me. If I’d let him off the hook early, I’d have been shortchanged.”
Vivienne shook her head, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “You got a steal, Rebecca. Forget two million dollars. I’d shell out five to find a guy who’d care for me the way Alistair did for you and Daniel for six years.”
Anne, quick to jump to Rebecca’s defense, scoffed, “Vivienne, whose side are you on? Why are you hyping up this guy? He’s a schemer, plain and simple. A smooth-talking charmer who’s got you wrapped around his finger.”
Vivienne sighed, unfazed. She knew she was speaking the truth, and that was enough. Trying to steer the conversation elsewhere, she glanced at her watch. “It’s getting late, Rebecca. Aren’t you picking up Danny? Alistair’s probably not handling that anymore, right?”
Rebecca’s lips curved into a sweet, almost smug smile. “Rick’s got it. He said he wants to bond with Danny, you know, build that father-son connection.”
Anne let out an exaggerated “Wow!” her eyes sparkling with envy. “What a catch! Oh, and I saw your post. Rick made you guys breakfast? That’s the goal! You two are so adorable it hurts. I’m dying to find a love like that someday.”
Rebecca flashed a practiced, boastful grin, but deep down, she was silently begging Richard to stop making breakfast. She loved him, no question, but his cooking? It was barely edible. Alistair had spoiled her. His meals were always just right, and now, anything less felt like a letdown.
A sudden wariness crept over her. She began to suspect that Alistair’s earnest, obedient façade had just been a cover. Maybe he’d honed his cooking skills on purpose, making himself indispensable to trap her. Rebecca steeled herself. She’d break that habit of relying on Alistair, no matter what.
It slipped her mind that when Alistair first started, his dishes were simple, unpolished. Back then, if something wasn’t to her taste, she’d hurl the plate at him, berating him until he pored over cookbooks, perfecting every recipe to meet her exacting standards.
Anne leaned in, her voice conspiratorial. “Rebecca, you need to watch out for that Alistair. He might’ve left quietly, but I bet he’s playing the long game. Mark my words, he’ll come crawling back, stirring up trouble between you and Rick.”
Rebecca snorted, her tone icy, “Let him try.”
Vivienne piped up, her voice casual but pointed. “Hey, Rebecca, mind sharing Alistair’s number?”
Rebecca’s hand froze mid-reach for her bag. She forced a nonchalant tone. “What, you’re actually serious? Vivienne, he’s not what you think. He’s a fake. Trust me, don’t waste your time on him.”
Vivienne grinned, half-teasing. “Why, you jealous?”
Rebecca scoffed, tossing her hair. “Jealous? Of him? Please, he’s not worth my time.” Despite her words, a knot of discomfort twisted in her chest. She couldn’t pinpoint why she was so rattled. From the moment Vivienne brought up Alistair, a restless unease had taken hold. When Vivienne asked for his number, that unease swelled into something she couldn’t ignore.
She tried to convince herself that it was just a concern for her lifelong friend. Vivienne is too good for someone as duplicitous as Alistair, and I don’t want her to fall for his facade.
She pulled out her phone and noticed five missed calls. She’d accidentally silenced it and hadn’t noticed. Three of them were from the same unfamiliar number. It was Maggie, from the kindergarten. However, since Alistair always handled Daniel’s school matters, Rebecca had never dealt with the staff or saved their numbers.
She ignored the unknown calls, but the last two missed calls made her mood shift in an unexpected way. They were from Alistair. She couldn’t fathom why he’d called. Her first thought was that, after leaving her, he’d realized he couldn’t survive in the cutthroat world alone. He must’ve realized he can’t make it out there on his own. Now he’s trying to crawl back, hoping I’ll throw him a bone. The idea soothed her frayed nerves, a smug satisfaction settling in.
She stared at “Alistair” on her screen for a couple of seconds, picturing him pacing anxiously when she didn’t pick up.
Anne peeked over, spotting the missed calls. “Told you to keep an eye on him! Look at that. He’s barely gone, and he’s already trying to worm his way back! Bet he’s got a sob story ready to tug at your heartstrings. Rebecca, don’t feel sorry for him. Show him any kindness, and he’ll cling to you like a leech.” She shot Vivienne a smug glance as if her suspicions about Alistair were proven.
Vivienne, ever the voice of reason, offered a different take. “Maybe it’s not what we’re assuming. He could have a legitimate reason for calling.”
Anne laughed, shaking her head in mock pity. “Oh, Vivienne, my parents always told me to learn from your smarts, but you’re not exactly shining here. Can’t you see Alistair’s a master manipulator? Everyone says guys can’t resist a femme fatale, but flip the script, and it’s the same deal. How’d you fall for his act? I just don’t get it.”
Vivienne didn’t take the bait. With a playful smile, she fired back, “You calling him a schemer is just your own theory. I don’t see him that way. But hey, that’s just my opinion.”
Anne huffed, clearly riled. To prove her point, she turned to Rebecca. “Call him back, Rebecca. Let’s see what game he’s playing.” As she spoke, she shot Vivienne a smug glance, absolutely convinced that she’d be proven right.
Suddenly, a theory clicked in Rebecca’s mind. Those three calls from the unknown number? They have to be Alistair, too. He must’ve called from his phone, gotten no answer, and then used another number to pester me. Five calls? What’s he so desperate about?