𝟏𝟑- 𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Tension.

❂

ARIA'S POV;

THE room was dimly lit with candles. Classical music engulfed the restaurant entirely— though it wasn't loud enough to interfere with conversations.

The seats of the establishment were forest green, ridged benches that were heavily cushioned. I leaned my head back against the pillow-like chairs for the hundredth time tonight.

The dinner was smooth and I wouldn't have thought it to be anything less.

Kiera's a sweetheart.

She treated me with the utmost respect.

Her laughing face was illuminated by the slender candle that sat in between us, its light flickering back and forth.

"It's not that funny." I announced, nudging her shin with the front of my heel.

Kiera wheezed once more, causing the corner of my lips to slightly twitch up.

She'd been laughing for a good five minutes straight.

She had ordered a plate of oysters as an appetizer and offered me one. I was clueless to what the seafood was— haven't tasted it but heard of it from others— so I took a gamble and tried it.

My reaction was immediate.

I had frowned and chased the vile taste down with water, my dislike for the food very prominent.

If I wasn't in such a fine restaurant, the oyster wouldn't have even been swallowed.

I was extremely generous with my response.

"You can't truly think they're that bad." Kiera stated, her laugh growing exhausted.

I could only shrug my shoulders.

Before the brunette could speak on the topic once more, our main course meals were sat in front of us. My plate was professionally prepared with mashed potatoes, asparagus, and lamp chops.

I thanked the server with a smile, straightening my posture to prepare for my meal.

Kiera had simply ordered a plate of pumpkin ravioli. Her thought process was to "save room for dessert".

Halfway through our meal and conversation about Kiera's next trip with her family, I excused myself to the bathroom.

The amount of water that I consumed was catching up to me all too quickly.

"You sure you don't want me to come with?" Kiera tilted her head at me curiously.

I laughed, sliding out of the booth, "What? You want to wipe my vagina for me?"

Kiera eyed me up and down, "Well if you're offering."

"It wasn't an invitation." I narrowed my eyes at her, slightly pushing her shoulder as I walked away, "I'll be quick."

Out of habit, I flashed respective smiles to anyone that I made eye contact with on my way to the women's room. It was secluded in the far back of the restaurant and held a total of five stalls. Though there seemed to be no one occupying any of the available spaces, I still chose the one furthest from the entrance.

I did my business and washed my hands, tidying up my makeup and hair as I stared at my reflection.

The trip to the bathroom was as promised, quick.

That was until I ran into the last person I expected to be here.

"Looks like you're having fun."

I looked up from my purse as I was in the middle of putting away my lip combo materials.

There she was. . . Memphis.

All in her powerful, elegant fashion.

Her posture was bold as ever, poised and calculated. The curls atop her head were defined and maintained as they always seemed to be. Her lips were glossed over with a natural liner and lip shine, perfectly balancing the bare face look she strived for. Her ring-clad fingers were tucked into the pockets of her dress pants, the material satin and black.

I chose to ignore her cleavage that was on display, shamelessly peeking from underneath the matching suit jacket.

"What do you want?" I scoffed, turning around to face her.

Her lips quirked up into a taunting smirk, "Are we back on speaking terms?"

I raised an eyebrow while crossing my arms, "What's there to speak about?"

The taller woman laughed lowly, biting the inner skin of her cheek as she stepped closer to my smaller frame.

Her presence was so very demanding. She didn't need to do as much as open her mouth for everyone to recognize the influence she held.

It was all in her confident stance.

She didn't stop advancing towards me until her body was nearly pushed against my own.

The air was tight between the two of us: our tension at an altitude exceeding sky-level.

My bathroom break had officially been more than just the speedy trip that I guaranteed it to be.

"You've been very avoidant with me, fleur. I'm starting to miss your sarcasm." Memphis mumbled, settling her arms on either side of me.

I hummed, "That's a shame. I don't miss a damn thing about you."

I watched as her lips formed a more noticeable smile, her bloodshot eyes bright with risk.

The brunette couldn't stay sober even if it was necessary.

"When'd you get to be so vicious?" she questioned lowly, subconsciously pressing her body closer to mine.

"The moment you practically forced whatever this is on me." I seethed with narrowed eyes, "Quick tip: If you want to interest a woman, don't make them unwillingly sign a contract."

She tilted her head in false innocence, "Unwillingly? I vividly remember the way need swirled through those pretty eyes of yours."

I was quick with my response, "After you'd just choked the shit out of me? Yeah, sure."

She ignored my response, "You seem to be using the money well." the brunette pointed out, observing my being from head to toe, "Though. . . I hate to see you so dressed up for someone else."

"I have a life outside of the club— a life outside of you." I spoke sure of myself.

"Yet you seem to love my hands on your body." she countered back, dipping her head lower due to our height difference.

I scoffed, "It's my job to seduce, asshole."

"For it to just be your job, you surely forgot about that entire 'no touching' rule during our first session together." Memphis stated matter-of-factly.

She wasn't completely wrong.

That Saturday night that we met, I was undoubtedly feeling her. I found her attractive and fully let it show during the lap dance I gave her. I used my own hands to guide hers over my body, trailing them from underneath my breasts to the base of my ass.

That was all though.

I didn't take it further than a few touches.

"That was before I found out how psychotic you are." I whispered harshly, raising my hands to push her away from me.

She barely budged when I shoved her.

"You haven't seen me psycho yet, beautiful." she assured, smoothing my hair over my shoulder before backing away.

I rolled my eyes and made the move to exit the bathroom but her raspy voice made me hesitate.

"Do they know that you belong to me?"

It was obvious that the 'they' that she referred to was Kiera, the person that I was currently on a date with. The realization made my hands clench into fists.

I exhaled, suppressing the urge to start an argument with her.

Memphis knew what she was doing— attempting to play mind games with me. Nothing about our situation was normal. Telling Kiera about it would destroy any progress that our relationship has developed.

But then again, was lying any better?

I left the bathroom with her behind, allowing the gears in my head to work themselves dry as I thought about our conversation.

Was I being unfair to Kiera?

❂