HE FELL RIGHT IN MY TRAP

EDDY

It was a couple minutes after 3PM, but I was just rounding up the final review on a work document.

I had told Lola to get ready to fly by 3PM, and I knew very well she would already be waiting in the living room even after attempting to be feisty this morning.

I have the document on my screen a final look down before mailing it across.

My eyes twitched with tiredness, so I rubbed them vigorously.

The best option would have been to take a deep peaceful nap, but I had an agenda to water up.

Pushing my weight off the chair, I hurried off to the showers.

By the time I was ready to go downstairs, it was exactly 3:30PM.

Standing in front of the mirror as I knotted my tie in place, I couldn't help but think about how much Connor would react to hearing about everything.

I wasn't sure if this would be enough to push him to the extreme, but I hope it does — he needed to be taught a lesson that would put his back in his place.

Deep down, I don't give a bloody care about what happens to Lola. Today was for Connor, and I had learnt over the last few days that Connor's biggest weakness was Lola. I didn't expect him to be terribly stupid, but here we are.

I giggled lightly at the drama that awaited me as I climbed slowly down the stairs.

My eyes fell on Lola first, slumped into a sofa, luggages packed and ready. I smiled to myself.

But the time I descended fully, my eyes rested on Connor. He was sitting on the other side of the sitting room with his eyes shamelessly feasting on Lola, totally lost on time and his environment, he was too late to look away by the time he noticed I joined them.

"Pathetic," I muttered, turning to Lola.

"Let's go. Time is already far spent," I said, making my way towards the door without any reluctance.

"Eddy...," Lola's voice came alive with an energy I was very familiar with — the Connor energy.

I expected him to speak next and he did.

"Don't you think you're taking this too far?" his voice was low, and threatening as much.

I stopped in my tracks. He should have stuck to his lane from the very beginning.

"What?" I looked from Lola, body propped up from the chair like she couldn't decide on whether to stand or remain sitting, then Connor who was standing tall and ready, staring hard like I was an intruder he had never seen.

"I beg your pardon, Connor?" I repeated, staring back, hoping he goes his hardest.

He exhaled, his shoulders dropping like he was doing everything to hold himself back from bouncing as hard as he had planned.

Come on, bring it on, well-wisher!

"Why would you even do that? It's as unbelievable as it sounds." 

I could sense the tension rising in his voice.

"Connor, I don't understand what we are doing here," I spoke as softly as I could, just to make sure I got in touch with that part of him that hated me being calm in situations I could react to otherwise.

"Did Lola...," my eyes moved to where Lola still sat, hands clasped together in patient hope, "...that she has a problem with getting her body worked on overseas?"

My gaze returned to Connor whose expression was terribly distorted, the worst I had ever seen him with me.

Some crazy a** guy. 

He was supposed to be my best friend.

Rage boiled hard in my stomach, I had to bite down on my teeth to keep myself from exploding, at least, for the sake of following the initial plan I had about dealing with Connor.

"C'mon Eddy! You know exactly what you're doing. Trying to punish her for my offence. You should go heads on with me if you need to. Leave Lola out of it."

An unavoidable smirk formed against my lips.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Connor Millow. I thought you were looking out for my wife," I replied, bracing myself quickly for his next words.

Grabbing his forehead in a way that made me believe he got my message clearly, he took a couple steps backwards.

"I understand. I probably don't have any business with the way you run your family, but I am looking out for you here."

"You're looking out for me and not my wife?" I attacked before he had the opportunity to defend himself.

"Eddy!" Lola's voice rang out from somewhere behind me.

"Would you like to have her instead?" I asked, the rage breaking through my thoughts.

"Eddy. Please, stop!" Lola's voice came again, shaky and pleading, forcing me to look in her direction, but not with the intention to pity her.

"What do you think, Connor? Fair deal?" I continued, neglecting his glaring eyes that threatened me to cut it out.

"Take a good look at her," I allowed my gaze to trail down Lola as she stood between the both of us, helpless, and even more, miserable.

"She is no different from the size of every other person in the house out together, and that doesn't bother her."

I heard Lola sniffle a sob.

"I care about you so much to transfer such a baggage, but it seems you want to try managing it. So, it can be yours. I will call my lawyer. We can..."

"Eddison Langford! Are you out of your mind?" Connor's voice vibrated off the walls,his shoulders squaring angrily.

"How else do you want me to describe your constant unprecedented concern for my wife?" I fired back.

"I am not...," he made to speak, but I came at him again.

"I think you should try to be truthful to yourself, at least. Sit with your thoughts and be clear on what you'd rather want to happen. I am always open for negotiations."

In his eyes, I could see the battle between his real desires and the pain of having to deny it at the whim of me daring him to.

He went totally speechless, which wasn't really a surprise.

I knew Connor was gone for Lola, and that I had him for as long as I wanted for that.

Turning to Lola, I widened my gaze in her face, tilting my head to the side like to say "What are you going to do now?"

I watched her lips tremble, her expression turning completely pale.

I allowed the smile of victory that arose from my chest spread across my face as the tears broke away from her efforts, streaming down her face unhindered.

"Excuse me," she stuttered, running up the stairs.

"Be careful. Running like that can be more dangerous than pole dancing for you," I beckoned.

My gaze returned to Connor.

As we stared down hard on each other, I thought about how I knew from the start that this journey wouldn't happen. I was aimed at Connor and he fell right in my trap.