The Kiss Ass

Thea’s phone buzzed against the velvet seat cushion. For the third time that week.

She didn’t need to check the screen to know who it was.

It was Adam.

The messages were the same; predictable, at exactly 2pm, he'd send her the same message. His messages always come in when she's trying to focus on one opponent at a time.

She slid the phone from her pocket anyway, thumb hovering above his message. She had to make him think she was taking her time, putting his words into consideration when in all honesty, she already made up her mind.

Adam: Thea, consider my request one more time. All of my hard work is going down the drain. Your great grandfather would be rolling his grace. Think about it once more.

Thea’s breath caught. The words were as simple as the last message, as desperate as the one before it, and yet they carried a weight that made her throat tighten.

The pain of his betrayal still lingered, a dull ache in her chest, but it was now overshadowed by a satisfaction. She didn't respond. She didn't have to.

The silence was her weapon and she knew it would eat away at him slowly until he makes her an offer that would change everything.

“It's okay. You can leave if it's important..” Posy’s voice sliced through her distraction, laced with impatience.

Thea’s gaze met hers, a rather calm smile spreading on her lips as she watched Posy in a sequined dress that looked horrible. The lace were tight but the bodice of the dress was ill fitted.

Thea held back from laughing, if only she could convince Posy that the dress looked amazing.

“Its not. I have all day..” Thea offered, sipping sparkling water from a flute and watching Posy’s misery unfold.

Posy was flustered, she kmew exactly what Thea meant by those words and it infuritated her greatly.

“Besides…” Thea continued, her eyes scanning the rather empty room. “I’m sure you have other bridesmaids right? Where are they? Your friends?”

Posy frowned, her eyes fixed on her reflection in the mirror.

“What do you think, Ms Posy-” the stylist asked only to be cut off by a rather loud shriek.

“No, no, no! It’s not right!” Posy whined, swatting the stylist’s hands away. “It’s too much lace! It’s too… common!”

The stylist sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. Thea smirked, sipping her water in silence. She knew her presence only seemed to add to Posy’s irritation and she’s here for it..

Posy finally caught Thea’s eye and her face tightened. "What are you staring at? I told you, you don't have to be here."

Thea raised a single brow. “But I do. As your maid of honor, it’s my duty to be here and offer my support. And you're yet to answer my question. It's only fair that the rest of the bridal train is here, don't you think?”

Thea wasn't going to let this slid. Posy had friends she knew of but recently, she's learnt they fell out. How? Clara knew someone in Posy’s inner circle and this mystery person has been filling her in on all the details!

Posy clenched her fist, did Thea come here just to irritate her and intensionally get on her nerves? Why the hell is she even here?! She thought Thea hated her for what she did! Did she really forgive her?

“Its fine. I can talk to a few of my friends and they would gladly stand in for-”

“I have friends!” Posy snapped. “They know they will be my brides maids. They're just too busy to come here. I would ask why you're here too. You seem to have a lot of free time on your hands.” Posy snapped.

Thea nods with a smile. “I mean, you drugged me and made me sign off my shares of the company to you. Of course I have a shitload of free time on my hands now.”

Posy’s eyes narrowed, but before she could retort, a small bell chimed at the entrance to the room.

A woman with an elegant look walked in, a black bob framing her face. She held a small, black carrier in her arms, a familiar-looking Persian cat with narrowed emerald-green eyes peering out from it.

It was Fiona.

She pulled off her shade, a sigh of irritation escaping her as the attendants at the store hurry towards her, taking off her coat and the bag with Magnus in it.

“Where is that girl? I don't have all day to go dress shopping.” She said out loud, her voice laced woth irritation.

Her gaze finally landed on Thea and her irritation only deepened. Thea could almost feel the chill in the air, her silent judgment that was as sharp as a dagger.

She forced a smile, refusing to let those percing eyes intimidate her. The last time she saw Fiona was at the family house months back.

“It's nice to see you again..” Thea offered.

Fiona's eyes darkened, she didn't share the same sentiment in the slightest!

"You." Fiona said, her voice a low, husky growl, loaded with disdain. “I should have known you would find your way here. You always had a knack for showing up where you aren't wanted.”

Thea didn’t flinch. She simply offered a smile.

“Mrs. Sterling, I'm not one to show up irritated at the thought of being included. I’m just here doing my part as a supportive maid of honor.”

Fiona's deepened, the nerve of this girl to be so disrespectful! Her eyes flickered to Posy, she's always known the girl was foolish but asking her fiancé's ex to be her maid of honour? What is she thinking?

Posy, seizing the opportunity, scrambled off the platform, her face a mask of feigned delight. She rushed to Fiona, a sweet smile plastered on her face.

“Mother! You’re here! I’m so glad you could make it. We’re just having the worst time with these dresses. Can you believe it?”

Thea held back the nudge to scoff, Posy's desperation almost made her want to gag.

“Is there ever a time you don't have something to complain about?” Fiona asked, eyes fixed on the dress Posy had on in disdain. “And your taste-” she tuts.

Posy glanced down at her dress and waves her hand furiously in Fiona's face. “No. I was just trying this on. I'm yet to make my pick yet.”

Fiona rolls her eyes. “Sure. And Thea as your maid of honour?” Her eyes flickered over to Thea again. “Foolishness must run in the family.” She muttered.

“And greed in yours?”

The entire store went dead silent as Fiona turned to Thea, dumbfounded. “What did you say?!”

Thea stood her ground, she's not going to pretend she didn't just say the most disrespectful sentence barely two seconds ago!

Posy burts into a nervous laughter, trying to draw them away from the tension that threatened to tear the room into two.

“I'm glad you're here to dress shopping woth me, mother. I made a few new picks too..”

Posy's eyes flickered over to the duo and neither of them was ready to back down from the staring contest.

Posy reached for the cat carrier, cooing in a bid to distract the duo. She couldn't have them both going at it right now. Its only going to mirror badly on her. Not when the store attendants could clearly see what was happening..

And most importantly, she didn't want to piss Fiona off in the slightest.

“Hello, Magnus. Did you miss me?”

The cat, who had been calm, suddenly let out a low, guttural hiss. He arched his back, his fur standing on end, and glared at Posy with a look of pure loathing.

Posy flinched, her hand pulling back as if she had been burned. Fiona simply looked at her with a look of tired disappointment.

“Magnus doesn’t like anyone but me. Couldn't you tell that by now?” She asked.

Posy gave a nervous laugh. “I was just trying my luck.”

Fiona turned to Thea. “I see you still have some pride left after being disowned. Quite unexpected to say the least.”

Thea sighed. “It was a relief. I didn't have to pretend that everything was okay with Runes and I. Its a much deserved break.”

Fiona scoffed, duly surprised by how ballsy Thea was.

The attendant holding the carrier, dropped it on the floor, and without a moment’s hesitation, Magnus leaped out and walked directly towards Thea.

He rubbed his head against her leg, purring loudly, his entire body vibrating with affection.

Posy’s mouth fell open, a look of utter shock and terror on her face. She couldn’t believe it. Fiona's cat, who hated everyone, was rubbing against Thea!

“He likes you,” Fiona said, her voice a low, amused murmur. “That’s… a first. He usually hates everyone, especially… Posy.”

The last two words were a direct hit, a verbal slap that made Posy’s face drain of all color. Posy shot Thea a furious look, but Thea just smiled, a small, genuine expression on her face. She crouched down, her hand reaching out to pet the cat. He purred even louder, his eyes closing in pure bliss.

“Hey Magnus.” Thea muttered and the cat reached for her neck, wrapping arpund her like a fur coat. He was just happy to be around a real human without disgusting aura oozing from them.

Hell, he hates his owner just as much as he hates that human called Posy. Runes? Even worse!

Posy's eyes went over to Fiona who seemed imprrssed by Thea. She clenched her fist, fuming and decided to try a different tactic.

"Thea, since you're here, why don't you tell Fiona what you think of the venue? You know, the one you were supposed to help us book."

Thea’s smile didn’t falter. She knew exactly what Posy was doing but Thea had done her homework.

“The venue? Oh, the new one you’ve selected is a disaster, isn't it?” Thea said, her voice a low, casual whisper. “It’s too small for the guest list, and the acoustics are terrible. I don’t think you're getting a good deal on it, either.”

Posy’s face fell. She had no idea how Thea knew all of this. She had kept the new venue a secret from everyone. How had Thea found out?

Fiona rolled her eyes. “You switched the hall again? Is there no emd to ypur indecisiveness?”

She rolled her eyes amd walked deeper into the store, settling on the couch wile the store assistant handed her a glass of wine.

“Let’s get this over with shall we?” Fiona said, snapping her finger.

“I need to talk to you,” Posy whispered to Thea, her voice low and menacing.

Thea stood up, her hand still petting Magnus. “I’m here to help, Posy. You have nothing to worry about. I am your friend.”

Posys eyes narrowed on Thea, was this some sick twisted game she was enjoying?

“Why don’t we try on some other dresses?” the decorator asked, her voice a little too cheerful. “ We need to find the perfect dress for you. I know just the one.”

Posy looked at the decorator, her anger slowly masked with a forced smile.

She wanted to tell Thea to leave, to get out of her life, to get out of her sight, but she couldn’t. She had no choice but to follow.

Thea watched her go, a smirk dancing on her lips. She hasn't even started yet, this was just the beginning.