-54-The worst Lunch celebration.
"Most people who forget you in front of their loved ones can not defend themselves with words irrespective of their actions. And they shouldn't too." [Christian]
.....
Seeing the frustration in his eyes, Christian was satisfied with himself. 'Serves you right. To think you can compete with me.'
Stuart wanted to shake some sense into her. What the fuck did she do?' He watched as her husband held a glass of water. Drinking in small sips. As if he was trying to hide his smirk. He felt he was making fun of the words he said earlier. Stuart calmed down. For he knew if what the man had said was true. He will have to talk to him with the utmost respect. Because he won't get anything by dishonoring him.
"Oh. Call me Stuart Buddy. You are being too polite."
Christian noticed his change of tone. And he was proud to change his rude behavior without doing anything rash
"Okay, Stuart. Also, I hope you can call me Mindy. Mendicant is too long."
Managing a fake smile at him, Stuart agreed. "Okay, bro."
Christian smiled and asked, "So what do you do?"
"Oh, I am the owner of a publishing house. How about you?"
Although the words he said were polite, there was a tone of disdain in his voice with a sudden edge to it.
"I. I am a lead singer of my team in a club."
Stuart's expression changed drastically as he heard his words and Christian noticed it. As he said with a tinge of regret in his voice.
"Oh. You know Mindy if There is one thing that Riley hates the most in the world. It's clubs. She hates it with a passion."
The mask of confidence slipped from Christian's face as he understood the meaning of his words. He was humiliating him. 'What kind of man her best friend is? Is he that desperate. What a shame. I guess you never saw his real side. Otherwise, there was no way you can like him.'
Eventually, he understood he was doing it to get back at him. So he took a deep breath recalling how his father always taught him fake composure. His favorite tagline 'fake it till you make it.' So, He changed his mood into a positive one. And smiled a bright smile.
"I know Stuart. We had talked about it. And she had said that though she does hate clubs and pubs. But she doesn't despise people who work there. And I would like to quote her words here she had said that she believes, 'No work is menial.'"
Stuart was speechless, 'how much they talk? Do people share so many beliefs in a contractual marriage?'
Her deep gaze met his. Mindy. And she flinched. She could see the wave of disappointment in his eyes.
"Come on guys, I have set the table."
Riley sensed the strange atmosphere between them. As Stuart looked at her strangely. It was a look she had first received when she had accepted chocolates from a classmate on Valentine. A look that had confused her of what he wanted her to do? A look of dissatisfaction. That she chose to resist.
Christian spoke first, "Yes Stuart. Come let's have lunch first. We can chat about it later."
Stuart masked his unbearable emotions with a smile.
"Oh, okay. Let me just wash my hands first."
After Stuart was done, he noticed the room he was in. The room was clean and nothing seemed extraordinary except a picture. That he so badly wanted to throw away and break it into pieces. Walking forward he took it into his hands. 'A kissing picture. Riley what are you hiding from me? Was this kiss was also for the man you wanted to avoid? It would have been better if you would have married the man you hated most. At least then I will have a fair chance. I wouldn't have to feel guilty to say those mean words to him.'
He plucked out the picture cautiously from its frame. His eyes glistening with the mere thought of them kissing.
"Stuty Pooh are you done?"
He heard her calling his name and answered back.
"Yeah. Just a minute."
He stood up from the bed and walked out of the bedroom keeping the picture in his pocket. ' I will deal with this later.'
Coming out he noticed Mindy and her sitting adjacent to each other. In silence. 'It seems you are pretty much affected by my presence Mr. Struggler. Let's see how extensively time can you maintain your fake facade?'
"Oh, Georgie for a moment I thought you left."
Riley teased and pouted. Seeing her pouting he wanted to caress her cheeks. But he held the urge within him. And sat opposite them.
"I didn't Jelly bug. At least I wouldn't leave without eating your food. I am so hungry that even rats are running in my stomach."
They bickered back and forth like a couple.
Seeing their lovey-dovey interaction. Their cute nicknames for each other. Christian felt numb. It was as if he was a guest and they were the newly married couple who had invited him for the lunch. His lips sealed shut.
Although he was hungry too. Beyond the limit. Because last night he had lost the appetite due to her confession. And in the morning he was too busy to eat anything. He had survived probably 18 hours with a few cups of coffee.
Their interaction made his blood boil. His whole mind was in a mess. 'Riley is that how you wanted to celebrate my first job? I would never want to celebrate like this with you ever again.'
He refused himself to be affected by them. The memory of her in his armpit resurfaced in his mind and he clenched his fist. Hitting the cutlery on the plate. Producing a large sound that probably made her realize what she doing. Because the next moment she sat beside him quietly. And he watched the situation in front of him.
Stuart as a response did glare at him but said nothing. Not even a word.
He though turned his head to the side as his eyes focussed on her. Seeing her embarrass look made Christian felt guilty. So he chuckles, despite the heavy bad feeling inside his chest.
"Eat first honey. Otherwise, it will be cold. And I don't want our guest to say that we served him cold food." It took everything in him to say those words.
Riley eyed him, and smile. "Yeah. Sorry. Let's eat first."
Christian nods, looking at Stuart. And forwarding the first dish that was nearest to him.
"Please Have some Stuart. Riley had prepared it especially for you."
Stuart hums slightly, looking in her direction. Oddly, enough even that increased the heavy feeling inside his chest.