Ex-mate, I Don't Want You Anymore

Mary stood in the doorway, radiant in a pristine white dress. Her smile faltered for an instant when she saw me, but she swiftly recovered. "Oh, Cynthia's here too," she said,

“I’m sorry, I didn’t see you”. Her voice dripped with fake sweetness.

Mary's smile faltered when she turned to me, lacking the warmth she showed Alvin. Her expression seemed forced, so I remained silent. Alvin, misinterpreting the tension, scolded, "Can't you knock before entering? You can’t just barge in". He didn’t sound angry or mad but more like he was helpless

I almost scoffed at his words, what’s the use of knocking? And how did she know we were here if he hadn’t told her? At first I had expected him to ask her how she knew we were here but the way he asked if she couldn't knock told me everything I needed to know.

“I’m sorry, I will pay attention next time”. She smiled brightly at him as she moved forward.

Next time? I almost laughed, well technically now, whenever Alvin and I are having lunch or dinner or probably on a date which is for two people. Mary would show up unannounced, faking innocence and saying she was just passing by and saw us.

“Cynthia, can I have lunch with you two? I just finished my class and I am really hungry right? You don’t mind right?”. She asked, facing me with a smile. That was her common excuse, always hungry. Mary is still in college, which I’m pretty sure Alvin is the one financing her and yet she still collects allowance from me.

Without awaiting my response or even giving me time to respond, Alvin gestured to the spread. "Help yourself, order more if you'd like." Mary settled beside him, her smile radiant.

"You've already ordered all my favorites, thank you. You’re the best!”. She responded, picking up the spoon excitedly.

Alvin's face momentarily froze, his eyes darting involuntarily to mine. The brief flicker of unease betrayed his otherwise composed demeanor. He cleaned his throat as he shifted uneasily in his seat. Mary seems to have got it as she bit her lips and looked at Alvin before both of them glanced back at me, wanting for a reaction.

My emotions remained unchanged and my expression was calm. Not giving him the reaction he expected, I gestured towards Mary.

“Order more if you want, I’m sure Alvin can afford it”. I said.

Alvin's face relaxed, his eyes filled with gentle concern. "Cynthia, what would you like? If you want something, just order it”.

Alvin handed me the menu, but I waved it off, my smile strained. "I stumbled upon something nauseating earlier. Food's the last thing on my mind." Alvin's expression turned concerned. "What happened?".

"I've got a friend going through a tough time," I said, feigning nonchalance. "Her boyfriend cheated on her, eating her cooking every day while seeing someone else. At first she didn’t mind them, thinking they were just colleagues and nothing else.

“Until things went out of hand, the boyfriend and his mistress even went as far as trying to poison her”. I shook my head.

“Today, she had surgery for stomach erosion. She sent me a graphic photo... It was gruesome." My smile masked my anger. "People like that deserve to rot, and burn in hell for eternity, don't you think, Alvin?"