Partners' quarrel

Mariana

Dinner went more smoothly after I returned from the bathroom and I avoided Ethan's gaze for the most part, to avoid thinking about what had happened between us a few minutes ago.

But Ethan was all the time trying to exchange a look with me, but I didn't feel ready to face him yet and spent all the time talking to Amelia and Luciana, which managed to make the next few hours in that restaurant more bearable.

And as if the tense atmosphere between Ethan and me wasn't enough, I still had my other problem, which was making me extremely uncomfortable with his insistent gaze, but I didn't intend to draw even more attention than I already had with Arthur's arrival and I held on until the end of the dinner that I considered to be the longest of my entire life.

What gave me the strength to resist was the certainty that, at some point, this martyrdom had to come to an end, which it did, to my utter relief, and when Ethan called me to leave, I was truly overjoyed.

I said goodbye to the two couples with great excitement, mainly because I liked the wives a lot because surprisingly, they had been very nice and were interested in my exclusive models.

I hoped to have won two customers, at least something good came out of that terrible dinner, where I met Arthur again, a person I did not want to have any contact with, after what happened between us.

The farewell between us and Arthur was something quite embarrassing, especially in the face of the two men, something that certainly aroused the curiosity of the other members of the group, who, as a mere matter of politeness, did not comment on anything, at least not that night and even less in front of us.

We were already in front of the restaurant, the valet giving the car keys to Ethan when I feel a hand grip my wrist and a shiver of horror go through my whole body.

"I need to talk to you, Mariana. " Arthur says, looking at me in a tormented way and managing to make me truly uncomfortable.

I had sung victory too soon and Arthur had something important to tell me, or at least that's what I believed, seeing the way he looked clearly distressed.

" I can't imagine what you have to talk to my girlfriend about, Arthur. " was Ethan's harsh, cold voice answering before me.

Arthur shifted his gaze from me to his partner and seemed not at all pleased with his interference.

" Are you two dating?" he asks, sounding genuinely surprised

"I don't understand why you are so surprised, after all, what is your problem? "Ethan presses him

"We met last week and you were with Bruna!"

I almost smiled at the total cluelessness, not only of politeness but of danger, as Arthur didn't seem to know his partner very well.

"And you were married to Gisele. "I imagine that your wife, as well as I, would not like to know that you are here harassing my girlfriend in this way.

That was a threat and only an idiot would have missed it, and I am sure Arthur is no fool.

But hearing Ethan refer to Arthur's wife stirred something in my chest and it was painful, after all, she was the one responsible for the way things happened between us and I didn't like to remember those facts.

"Gisele and I are separated. " Arthur explains " And I see no reason why I shouldn't have a conversation with Mari."

" If you don't see it, I can introduce you right now."

I looked from one to the other, simply dumbfounded at the grotesque attitude of the two grown men, and as far as I am aware they were friends and partners in various ventures.

" I just want to exchange a few words with Mari " Arthur insists " Is it forbidden to talk to her now that you are together?"

" I am going to drop Mariana off at home now. " Ethan speaks with great irritation, seeming to dislike the way his friend is addressing me " You look for her another time."

I was also not liking at all the way the two men were talking as if I wasn't there, just listening to them decide my fate, whether I was going to talk to one or go home with the other, which is completely absurd.

"Just because you're Mari's boyfriend doesn't give you the right to dictate her wishes, Ethan. That's just ridiculous!"

I agreed with Arthur, but neither did I intend to talk to him, at least not that night.

I looked around and saw that a cab was approaching where we were standing, the three of us standing on the sidewalk of the fancy restaurant, and I didn't even think twice before taking a few steps and waving to the driver.

I get into the back seat of the vehicle, without even looking back, and after greeting the taxi driver, I give him my home address, laying my head on the backrest and closing my eyes, as I let out a long sigh of relief.

Let them get along, for I would not stay to see how this circus would end.

But not even a full minute goes by before my cell phone starts vibrating insistently, and even without looking at the display, I was sure it was Ethan, after all, he is not a man to give up easily.

But I didn't answer and I didn't intend to, because I could already imagine very well what he would say and I'm not at all interested in hearing it.

Before long a message comes and I can only smile, even though I know I should be very angry.

Ethan: You can't wait!

Mariana: I'm looking forward to the terrible punishment...