6| Monica

LISA

The moment Brian’s car turned the corner and Adrian disappeared from sight, I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.

Brian glanced at me.

“Are you okay?”

I snorted. “Oh please. After slapping him twice? I feel great.” I said which I wish my uneasiness would be noticeable.

Brian chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re unbelievable.”

“I know,” I said, leaning back. “But did you see his face? He looked like someone stole his last brain cell.”

Brian laughed harder this time. “Lisa, he looked like he got hit by a bus. A very angry, very petite bus.”

I grinned. “A Lisa-shaped one.”

We both fell into a fit of laughter.

When the laughter settled, Brian asked, “What restaurant did you want to go to again?”

I pulled my phone out. “This one,” I said, showing him the screen. “ ‘Mira’s Garden.’ I found it online. They have really good reviews.”

“Done,” he said, taking a turn. “I’ll drop you off and then go to the hospital. Emergency surgery.. the doctor meant to do it isn’t available.. I’ll have to do it myself.”

“Okay. And Brian?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks… for today. For not asking questions.”

He gave a small smile. “You looked like you needed backup. And I don’t mind being your backup.”

His words warmed something inside me which made me smile.

A few minutes later, we pulled up in front of the restaurant.

Brian leaned over a little. “Enjoy your lunch. Text me if you need anything.”

“I will and take a hot coffee later on okey,” I said, opening the door. “And don’t worry. No more slapping people today.”

“Good,” he said. “We don’t have bail money.” He chuckled.

I laughed as I stepped out on the almost faded snow. “Go. Before you’re late.”

He drove off and I walked into the restaurant, happy… relaxed… even a little proud of myself. Yess.

**INSIDE THE RESTAURANT**

The place smelled of butter, warm bread, and fresh herbs. It was really my kind of comfort… Seems a have a favorite restaurant now. I sure hope their food tastes like the reviews I saw.

I picked a table by the window and had barely sat down when I heard a voice I hoped I’d never hear again.

“Well, well… look who we have here.”

My entire body tensed.

Monica…..

She walked toward my table like she owned the entire place, which I found annoying.

My jaw clenched. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Oh relax,” she said, sliding into the seat across from me without permission. “I come here all the time. It’s my favorite restaurant.”

My stomach twisted.

It was my favorite restaurant… her presence might make me hate this place.. But I can’t give up what I love all because of this whore.

I folded my arms. “Get up. Leave.”

She laughed as if I told her a joke.

“Lisa, please. It’s not my fault you’re still obsessed with Adrian.”

I slammed my hand on the table, making two people nearby look over.

“Obsessed? You stole my husband.”

She raised a brow. “Stole? Sweetheart, I’ve been dating Adrian for five years.”

My heart dropped.

My vision blurred for a second and realization hit me again.

Monica leaned closer, lowering her voice but still smiling like a witch in a kids’ storybook.

“You married *my* boyfriend. I didn’t steal anything. You were the snatcher.”

The word hit me like a slap like it did when she told me the day she forced me to sign the divorce papers.

Snatcher.

My throat tightened as more people turned to watch the scene.

I shook my head, voice cracking. “Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what… He’s the one who couldn’t leave me. Even after marrying you.”

A few soft gasps from nearby tables.

Heat crawled up my neck, in Shame. Anger and Confusion.

I couldn’t breathe properly.

I grabbed my bag and stood up so fast the chair made a loud scraping sound.

People stared.

Monica smiled sweeter. “Run along, Lisa.”

I didn’t answer.

I just walked out, pushing the door open and stepping into the cold air, my chest tight and my eyes burning.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

I didn’t want to cry.

I didn’t want to give her that satisfaction.

I walked around the corner and leaned against the wall, forcing my breathing to calm.

Should I call Brian…

No. Brian can’t know about this.

This meeting was an accident.

He already had too much to deal with.

I wasn’t adding this mess on top of it.

I wiped my eyes quickly, straightened my jacket, and forced myself to walk away.

I wasn’t going to break down.

Never.

BRIAN

I got home late, later than I’d promised.

The surgery took longer, the patient needed more work, and by the time I parked in front of the villa, all I wanted was a hot shower and maybe sleep for the next ten hours.

But the moment I stepped inside…

I saw her on the couch.

Lisa.

Sitting on the couch, curled up like a little girl. staring at nothing.

Her shoulders were small… tense… and her eyes were red, like she’d been rubbing them.

Have she been crying?

I dropped my keys on the table.

“Lisa?”

She blinked, then forced a weak smile.

I can’t buy that.

“Hey. You’re back.”

“Don’t do that,” I said gently.

She frowned. “Do what?”

“That fake smile.” I walked closer. “Talk to me. What happened?”

She shook her head instantly. “Nothing. Really.”

“Lisa..”

“I said nothing, Brian.” Her voice was small but firm.

I paused.

She didn’t want to talk.

Fine. I can’t force her anyways.. it may make her feel worse.

Then I’d do something else.

“Okay,” I said quietly. “Then I’ll just stay with you.”

Her eyes flicked up at me for a second.. maybe surprised, almost grateful, but she looked away quickly.

I didn’t push further.

Instead, I headed to the kitchen and started pulling things out snacks, popcorn, fruit, chocolate, anything that looked edible. I tired to see her peeking over the back of the couch.

“What are you doing?”

I shrugged. “Saving a sad human from emotional collapse.”

A tiny smile tugged her lips. “Who’s collapsing?”

“You. Obviously.”

“I am not collapsing.”

“Sure,” I said. “And I’m not exhausted enough to faint.”

She huffed. “Brian…”

“Movie night,” I announced dramatically. “No arguments. Sit back. Relax and don’t think.”

She stared at me like she wanted to refuse… then sighed and nodded.

“Fine. Just… nothing scary.”

I smirked. “Romantic comedy it is.”

She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t say romance!”

“Too late.”

**************

We both ended up sitting on the couch…

At opposite ends.

Like we were strangers who just happened to choose the same furniture.

She hugged a pillow. I crossed my arms.

It was ridiculous.

After ten minutes of the movie, I could feel the awkward distance like a physical wall.

She sneaked a glance at me.

I sneaked a glance at her.

Then she shifted a little closer.

Just a little.

So I shifted too.

Just a little.

Two minutes later, we were closer again.

By the twenty-minute mark we had somehow… magically… ended up sitting in the middle of the couch. Seems we both noticed the awkward distance we had at first.

But then our arms brushed.

Her knee touched my thigh lightly.

And suddenly I became aware of something else.

Her cold breath.

Right on my skin.

Specifically…

“My chest is freezing,” I muttered, rubbing it. “Why is your breath so cold?”

She shrieked softly. “Why is your chest even out in this weather?! Where is your shirt?!”

I looked down.

Oh.

Right.

I’d come out of the shower earlier and… forgot to actually wear a shirt.

Oops.

“It’s my house,” I said defensively. “Why can’t I exist without fabric?”

She blinked. “Brian, it’s winter.”

“And you’re breathing ice on me.”

“That’s your own fault for having your chest outside.”

“Well stop breathing on me!”

“I’m not breathing on purpose!”

We both stared at each other.

Then out of nowhere we burst into laughter.

Her laughter was softer, but definitely real.

And in that moment, watching her laugh even though she tried so hard to hide her sadness earlier…

“ Ohh he is entering her room from the window” I said pointing at the television as her gaze met the television now.