The One Addicted(95)

“Lu, I’m off to the ladies, fancy joining me?”

“Sounds good.” I lean into Seb, who is chatting with some of the guys who’d worked with him on the construction of the West wing of The Jannah. “I’ll be back in a mo, baby. Abs and I are going to touch up our make-up.”

His squeeze of my behind is enough of an ‘OK’ for me and Abby and I weave our way between the dancers and guests out of the grand ballroom.

Abs heads into one of the cubicles, whilst I place my clutch on the marble washstand and rummage for my lippy. I’m reapplying it when something catches my eye in the mirror, as a flash of gold and black enters the room. Surely not. If I’d ever been in doubt, the whining shrill tone clarifies that my eyes are not deceiving me.

Toni!

“Lucheea.” She heads over to the sink to my left, unclicks her bag and begins to apply lip liner, all the while watching me in the mirror ahead. “Well, isn’t it a small world?”

Deep breaths.

“Isn’t it.”

Keep calm.

“Bet you’re surprised to see me tonight - aren’t you?”

“Not really.”

Hell yes!

“Hmmm. That surprises me but you always were a bit slow on the uptake.”

WTF? I chew my inner lip to stop retaliating. Let her have her minute and then kill her with kindness babe, its the best way and will drive her potty.

“Are you enjoying the party, Toni?”

“Oh yes. Talk about living the high life. It’s everything I ever dreamed of. What I deserve. And you? You are here with Sebastian right?”

“I am.”

“Oh. Still hanging on then? I wasn’t sure if he’d be with his girlfriend but if you’re happy to be his bit on the side, good on you. He really is delicious, so I don’t blame you clinging to his ankles.”

Don’t bite. Don’t let her win. She’s sooo NOT worth it!

“No comeback? Ooh, it really is still a sensitive subject but I did warn you that Seb bores easily, didn’t I? That’s why rather than just fire me, he secured me a position with one of his most affluent business colleagues Architecturual firms - you know, to keep me nearby for when you and he have finished your little ‘proposition’. Surely the month is nearly up by now? He’ll come sniffing soon and I’ll be waiting with open… legs.” She blows me a heavily glossed kiss, having completed refreshing her lipstick, followed by a seedy smile that I’m itching to wipe of her smug face with my fist!

Before I can answer, the door behind us unlocks and out clatters Abby, who now joins us at the basins. I watch Toni’s face and she has the decency to blush at the realisation of a witness to her cattiness but it is fleeting and is promptly replaced by a shrewd narrowing of her ice blue eyes. They practically shrivel up when she hears Abby’s greeting.

“Gosh, didn’t think they allowed pro’s in the hotel, Lu, unless they’re snuck up through the back entrance. Maybe she got in from that club Barracuda?”

I love you, Abby.

“How rude! I’ll have you know this dress is Dolce and Gabanna!”

We both review her zebra black and gold skintight hologram halter-neck dress and with raised brows Abby nods. “Is that what the guy in the souk market told you? More like Dulce & Gabanana, love.”

Toni, recognising she can’t win two against one, washes her hands and dries them dramatically, one at a time, all the while pouting at me in the mirror, watching and assessing me in a manner I can only remember my headmistress ever doing.

“It’s good to have such a great friend, Lucia - you’ll need it when you’re crying yourself to sleep because Sebastian has gone onto his next conquest. Andy is great for … well… all this…” her red manicured nails claw at the air “…but he’s not a patch on Seb and I know that Seb misses me. He’ll realise it soon enough. You’re far too… mumsy… for him and the amount he travels, you can’t know what he’s doing every second - or who for that matter.”

“Right, that’s enough bitch - let’s move it along before I give you two black eyes to match that black heart of yours. What is your problem?” Abby’s voice is laced with menace.

“My problem is, her. She took what was mine - what I’d worked six months for. What I deserve!”

“You’ve a screw loose love - Seb is in love with Lu and you just need to deal with it or you’ll have me to answer to.”

“I can fight my own battles, Abs. Thank you but she really is not worth it.”

“I know that, Lu but she’s bloody mental?”