The So-called Art

On my fifth birthday with Zachary Murdock, I sit once again in front of a full table of cold food, just like every year before.

Zachary had promised, as always, to spend the day with me. And, as always, he breaks that promise.

This year, it's because his childhood sweetheart wanted to shoot a set of "artistic photos". She invited him and a few of his close buddies to be part of it.

Without hesitation, he ditches me again and runs straight into her arms.

At 11:00 pm, his childhood sweetheart posts a photo to her social media and sets it so that only I can see it.

In the picture, four men are in nothing but black briefs and Windsor-knotted ties. They kneel around her while she is draped in sheer fabric like a goddess.

The caption reads, "Some people beg for crumbs, but I own the entire bakery."

I take a screenshot. Then, I send it to the girlfriends of all three of Zachary’s best buddies.

If they all look down on me this much, let's hope they don't end up on their knees begging me someday.

I could feel something breaking apart deep down as I stared calmly at the photo on Instagram.

In the photo, warm lights cast on four men dressed in black briefs and Windsor-knotted ties.

They kneeled around a woman with gazes full of devotion and submission, as if she were their majestic queen.

The woman wore only a sheer black shawl. It was practically see-through, clinging to her curves and leaving little to the imagination.

Every inch of her body radiated raw, primal lust. Her prideful expression made her presence blinding to look at.

The photo came with a provocative caption. "Some people beg for crumbs, but I own the entire bakery."

I glanced at the dishes on the table that had turned cold before looking at the photo again. My anger suddenly dissipated when I saw Zachary Murdock and his best friends' submissive and lowly looks.

Why should I be angry over something worthless?

I liked Bianca Lynne's post and left a comment.

"Trash is meant to be with trash cans. You guys should stay together forever."

I screenshotted the photo right after and forwarded it to each of Zachary's friends' girlfriends.

I had barely finished when the post mysteriously vanished.

Ten minutes later, my phone was flooded with messages.

It was from Zachary's three best friends.

Liam York: "Lindsey Ford, what's wrong with you? So what if I helped Bianca with a photoshoot? You even told my girlfriend! Why are you so nosy? She is mad at me now. Are you pleased then?"

Jayden Hall: "Lindsey Ford, you crazy woman! What did I even do to you? Why would you send that to my girl? Go to hell if you've nothing better to do, psycho!"

Sam Moore: "Lindsey Ford. Who the hell do you think you are? Did I wrong you? I hope your whole family gets hit by a damn truck."

Staring at all the insults that flooded my screen, I was ready to fight back when Zachary called.

I answered the call, and his frustrated voice came from the other end of the line.

"Lindsey, what the hell are you doing in the middle of the night?

"Just because you snitched on them, their girlfriends are making a fuss and asking to break up with them now.

"Do you know how much trouble you've caused? Do you have such a twisted mind that you can't take it when others are living a good life?"