Love's Counterattack: From Wrong to Right

He seemed like the perfect companion, but behind my back, my little "puppy" was betraying me. He even slept with other women in my villa. So, I turned to the embrace of an older man instead. I sold the Rolex I bought for my little "puppy" and used the money to buy a Hermès leather collar for my actual dog.

——

The clock struck midnight, the elegant hall filled with murmurs of business conversations and clinking glasses. The air was heavy with the scent of expensive cologne, blending with the soft jazz that floated from the live band in the corner. I stood alone, my hand gripping a slim champagne flute, dressed in a thin, silk evening gown that shimmered under the dim lights. My mind wandered as I stared out the large windows at the city skyline glowing beneath the starless night.

Suddenly, the soft buzz of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts. I glanced down to see a message from Kai. My heart skipped a beat, as it always did when I saw his name.

Kai: [Alycia, next week I have to attend a high school classmate's wedding. He asked me to be his groomsman ages ago and I really can't back out this time, no matter what.]

A small smile tugged at my lips. Before I could respond, another message followed.

Kai: [And, Alycia, can I borrow your Porsche 911 to drive? You know how it is when old friends haven't seen each other for years—there's always some competition. You wouldn't want your boyfriend to be looked down upon, right? Sob, sob.]

Attached to his last message was a sad emoji. My fingers hovered over the screen for a second before I sighed, shaking my head fondly.

Me: [Alright, alright, I can't say no to you. But Kai, let's set a few ground rules first. At the wedding, I don't want you having any physical contact with other girls. You know I'm a bit of a purist when it comes to relationships.]

I hit send, wondering how he'd charm his way out of this one. Almost immediately, his response popped up.

Kai: [Don't worry. You know what kind of person I am. Besides, haven't I already been yours for a long time? The kind of person you control completely... even in bed...]

His words dripped sweetness, each one wrapping around my heart like honey. I couldn't help but blush. Kai Carter, my little puppy. We had been together for five years and in all that time, his playful demeanor has never failed to brighten my life. He's seven years younger than me, but his youthful energy had always felt like a breath of fresh air, reinvigorating parts of me. I've never been one to consider marriage seriously, but with Kai, the thought has crossed my mind more than once.

Still, for all his charm, he had a way of being... evasive, hiding little things, trying to be clever, like a puppy who's stolen a shoe and thought he could get away with it.

By the time the party ended, it was past 2 AM. The heavens had opened up and a torrential downpour soaked the city. My colleagues had all left in their chauffeured cars, leaving me stranded under the marble portico of the lavish venue. My driver was off tonight and every attempt to hail a ride had been fruitless due to the storm. I stared helplessly at my phone, the rain reflecting the tiredness that had settled in my bones.

With no other option, I called Kai. The phone rang and rang, my heart sinking with each passing second. When he finally picked up, his voice was muffled by loud music in the background.

"Kai, where are you? The party's over here and I can't get a ride. I need you to come pick me up," I said, my voice tight with frustration.

"Uh, Alycia... what are you saying... the signal's bad here... I can't hear you... I'm out having fun right now. I'll call you back when I get home... Love you, Alycia... Mwah, mwah!"

Before I could respond, the line went dead. I stared at the screen, my hand frozen midair as the busy tone echoed in my ear. The club music I had heard in the background replayed in my head, each beat pounding against my patience. I pressed my hand to my forehead, letting out a weary sigh.

"He's just being a kid," I whispered to myself. "I guess I can't expect too much from him."

But deep down, it stung. Kai's habit of vanishing when I needed him most was all too familiar. He would disappear into his own world, only to resurface with profuse apologies the next day, promising it wouldn't happen again. But it always did.

With no ride in sight, I slipped off my high heels—delicate lambskin soles, no match for the rain—and began walking barefoot through the storm. The cold rain pelted against my skin, soaking my thin evening gown until it clung to me like a heavy weight. The chill seeped into my bones as I trudged through the puddles, my feet aching with every step.

The city lights blurred in the rain. Cars sped by, splashing water onto the sidewalk. I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself, trying to stave off the cold. For a brief moment, I let myself think about what life might be like if Kai were different. If, for once, he put me first when I needed him. My thoughts wandered to marriage—something I never thought I'd seriously consider—and how it seemed further out of reach with each passing day.

Just as I was about to lose hope, a sleek black BMW rolled up beside me. The window lowered slowly, revealing a familiar face. My heart stopped for a moment, my breath catching in my throat.

It was Oscar Morris, my ex-husband.

His dark eyes softened with concern as they met mine and for a brief second, I felt the world slow down. The rain continued to fall, but it was as if everything around us had faded into the background.

"Do you need help, Miss?" His voice was as deep and gentlemanly as ever, tinged with the same calm authority that once made me fall for him.

I blinked, trying to process the shock. Of all the nights, of all the people... Oscar. What was he doing here?