"Let's break up, Rhea,"
Rhea spat out the water in her mouth, wiping her lips as she stared at Victor.
She put on a forced, awkward smile as she shook her head. "What kind of a joke is that, Victor?"
"It's not a joke, Rhea. I've never been more serious in my life. I don't want you anymore," Victor said flatly, his eyes cold.
Rhea struggled to swallow as she sat up straight, her hands gripping the edge of their table.
"What do you mean you don't want me anymore? Did I do something wrong? Saying you want to break up… it feels extreme, please."
Victor scoffed, his jaw tight and eyes blazing golden with pain. "Doesn't it feel extreme that you've never once… wet for me since over a year we have been together?"
Rhea closed her eyes and ran her fingers through her hair, frustration bubbling over. "How many times do I have to tell you, Victor? It's a health issue. It doesn't mean I don't love you."
"It does mean!" Victor snapped, slamming his hand on the table. The sound echoed, startling Rhea and drawing quick, wary glances from the people nearby before they returned to their own business.
"What foreplay have I not given you, Rhea?" he pressed, leaning closer across the table.
Rhea's lips pressed into a thin line. She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes, shame and frustration churning inside her
"No, tell me. At first, I thought maybe I wasn't doing enough, that it was me. But then I went out… met two different girls. You should have seen the way they were dripping for me, and I hadn't even touched them," Victor said, his voice sharp, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
Rhea's chest tightened. She struggled to breathe, staring at him in disbelief. Surely, she had misheard. Or maybe he had misspoken.
"Are you… saying you cheated on me, Victor?" Her voice was low and broken, barely more than a whisper.
"Yes, I did!" he snapped. "I cannot be with a girl who doesn't want me. I cannot stay with a girl who will never wet for me," he said, enunciating each word with cruel clarity.
Rhea's heart sank. "So… you're breaking up with me because of that?" she asked softly, hoping he would laugh, hoping this was some cruel joke.
Victor did not. Instead he sprang to his feet, his expression hard, leaving her frozen in shock.
"Yes! That's more than enough to break up with you. I'm done," he snapped, grabbing his phone and car keys before spinning on his heel.
"Victor! Victor!" Rhea called after him, but he didn't stop. Not to even spare her another glance.
"Who breaks up with their girlfriend because she can't wet for them?!" Rhea shouted, her voice cracking, drawing the attention of everyone around. Heat surged up her neck as she wished the ground would open and swallow her whole.
She buried her face in her palms, trying desperately not to sob.
Just then, her phone buzzed loudly on the table. She blinked, quickly opening her eyes and snatching it up, thinking it was Victor calling back but it was her mother.
She sniffed and composed herself, forcing a small smile before sliding the answer icon.
"Mamma," she said as soon as the call connected.
"Where are you, baby? I told you I'd be back tonight. Why aren't you home yet?" her mother asked.
"Oh my goodness! I completely forgot, Mom," Rhea exclaimed as she stood up at once, grabbing her bag and car keys. She rushed out. "I'm so sorry. I'll be home in a jiffy," she added, sprinting toward her car parked in front of the pub.
"Okay, baby. And don't forget that I have a surprise for you," her mother said cheerily.
Rhea paused with her hand on the doorknob. "What surprise?" she asked, curiosity pricking her.
"You'll see for yourself," her mother replied, and the line went dead.
Shrugging, Rhea pulled the door open and climbed into her car, dropping her bag onto the passenger seat. She quickly dialed Victor's number, hoping he would pick up. It rang and rang but no answer.
Rhea let out a long sigh, tossed the phone aside, and started the engine. She shifted into reverse and pulled out of the parking lot, her mind racing.
— — — — —
"Nia, your place is downright amazin'. I swear I ain't ever laid eyes on chandeliers this tall." Adrian said, his gaze sweeping over the elegant interiors as he trailed behind her.
"Here, take these to my room," she instructed, handing her bags to the two servants. They bowed politely and carried them away.
Adrian's eyes landed on a massive painting of a mountain on the wall, and he paused. Nia walked over beside him.
"My daughter bought that last year. She thought it suited this space better than her room," Nia said softly, watching him take in the artwork.
Adrian couldn't hide his admiration. "It's real beautiful," he murmured, studying every detail.
Nia placed a hand lightly on his back. "Now, go have a bath and change into clean clothes. My daughter will be back soon."
He nodded, a faint cute smile tugging at his lips, and followed the servant upstairs.
"Mom!"
Nia's face lit up into a broad smile at the sound of her daughter's voice echoing from the hallway.
She hurried down the small stairs in the living room, and soon Rhea came into view, tossing her bag carelessly onto a nearby couch before leaping into her mother's arms.
"I missed you so much, Mamma," Rhea murmured, peppering Nia's face with kisses.
Nia laughed, her voice full of joy. "I missed you too, sweetheart."
Then she lifted her hand, the sparkling diamond ring catching the light, and held it gently in front of Rhea's eyes.
"What is this, Mom?" Rhea asked, her tone sharp, the excitement in her eyes fading as disbelief took over.
"Come on, baby. I told you I got engaged last night… to Adrian," Nia said, her voice calm but proud with a soft pout on her lips.
Rhea's jaw dropped in an instant. "Adrian? The same guy you met in that village? The one who's thirteen years younger than you?" Her words trembled with disbelief.
"Don't be like that, Rhea. Please, stop it," Nia said softly, trying to soothe her daughter.
"Stop what, Mom? How can you get engaged to someone you barely know? You just met him two months ago, and now you're already engaged? Thirteen years younger, and you're seriously doing this? Have you lost your mind?" Rhea's frustration and shock boiled over, each word laced with incredulity.
Nia opened her mouth to defend herself, but before she could speak, Adrian appeared at the foot of the stairs, wrapped in a white towel, his body still dripping wet.
"Nia, I can't seem to find my suitcase in the room," he said casually, and Rhea was the first to look at him. Her heart skipped immediately, thudding painfully in her chest.
He wore nothing but the towel, leaving his chest and abs bare. Water dripped down the ridges of his muscles, tracing a path toward his groin. The sight made him radiate raw masculinity, his handsome features only adding to the effect.
"Is that… that Adrian?" Rhea whispered, her voice barely audible, quivering with disbelief and a strange fascination.