Daddy’s Little Pet

Stronger than lover’s love is lover’s hate. Incurable, in each, the wounds they make. – EuripidesConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

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AMANDA

Time was speedily running by, yet Robert and his date were nowhere to be seen.

What the hell was keeping them? I gripped my wine glass so tightly it almost shattered.

They were supposed to arrive an hour ago, according to my watch. The masked ball had begun already.

The evening had been busy, with wealthy socialites milling about, talking, and dining while most of the activities set aside for the ball had taken place.

Charity donations and auctions which were the party’s main event had finished. Most people in attendance were making their way to the exits. Yet still, the man of the show-or my show-was nowhere to be found.

So, where in the world were they? Had they decided to bail out? Had they decided not to attend the ball anymore?

I shook my head, attempting to clear my mind of the thoughts and questions brewing.

They couldn’t bail. They just couldn’t. If there’s one thing Robert enjoyed most, it was attending high-profile events and making his presence known in the most elegant way possible.

He would never pass up an opportunity to show off how much money he had. As a philanthropist, he’d attend this event no matter how late.

“Mother… This gentleman over here just asked you a question. Did you hear what he said?” My son Dylan asked.

I dragged my deep-rooted gaze, fixed at the closed hall’s entrance, back to where Dylan was standing, and I blinked twice.

Dylan was my date for tonight. But I’d also brought him as part of my sinister plan. This plan which involved a small family reunion at the party, and I wanted to show my son off to the sleazy woman.

I’d done some background checks on the young lady Robert was currently fucking after seeing her with him. She was a pretty decent woman who worked as a waitress.

I could tell he was trying to keep things private with her as they’d never been photographed in public together.

It occurred to me that the woman might not know how Dylan and I fit in Robert’s life, and what better time to tell her than now?

She was most likely a gold-digging bitch who was only with Robert for his money. It was now my sole responsibility to shatter every wretched dream she had.

“Mother…” Dylan called again, and I smiled before muttering, “Sorry, son. I didn’t hear you. What did you say?”

“Are you okay, Mother?” He answered my question with another, and I nodded with a roll of my eyes.

“What were you saying and….” I started, but my words trailed when suddenly the building’s giant steel doors swung open, and in walked none other than Robert and the woman-her face hidden behind a dark mask.

Very well, very well. They had finally arrived!

How appropriate. As I took a small gulp from the wine glass in my hand, I mocked with amusement, a smirk curling up my lips.

As expected, throngs of paparazzi swarmed them-Robert especially- and cameras flashing, they snapped away furiously, eager to get a photo of the new couple.

Bodyguards in dark suits were in front, attempting to flank the crowd and clear the way for the couple of the moment.

However, amidst the commotion, I watched as Robert leaned in and whispered something in the woman’s ear. Her red-stained lips widened into a cheerful grin, and my chest tightened in jealousy.

He had his hands around her waist, drawing her closer and shielding her from the cameras in a way that screamed possessiveness and ownership.

Robert was mine, for God’s sake! He…

“Is that father?” Dylan’s rough voice pierced my thoughts. With my tongue clacking, I replied, “Of course.”

“With a woman? Is she, his girlfriend?” He asked. Calling the haughty-looking woman his girlfriend made me hiss loudly.

“I suppose you could say that.” I replied succinctly, taking a sip from my glass.

“Wow. I never imagined he’d be with someone so young. This is unexpected.” He mused as the pair walked past the paparazzi and into the room, closely followed by the bodyguards.

“Indeed. I never imagined it either.” I agreed. “After all these years of being single, he decided to go public with a girl the same age as his son. Surely, he has no shame.”

“I can see it. To think, he’s been denying me access to money for the past few months, but I can see him lavishing money on the woman he’s dating. For God’s sake…” Dylan mumbled through clenched teeth, and my chest swelled with pride.

My son certainly disapproved of the new whore in his father’s arms, and this was added fortification for me.

Together, we’d put an end to this stupid relationship, and Robert would never try to pursue one again.

Robert had better accept me back into his life-regardless of anything I’ve done- or stay single.

“Please excuse me for a moment, son.” I cleared my throat as I stepped away from Dylan, and he waved me off with a shake of his hands.

His gaze remained fixed on Robert, and I smirked.

Taking advantage of Dylan’s distraction, I crept to the other side of the party, positioning myself in a quieter corner where I could clearly see Robert and his woman.

As the party progressed, I used silent moments to watch their movements. Every time Robert introduced her to one of his associates or leaned over to whisper in her ear, invisible daggers stabbed my heart.

What did Robert see in her?

She was stunning, no doubt, but she had nothing on me. I was in my late thirties and still looked better than she did. The realization hit me hard.

This woman didn’t deserve Robert at all.

My throat clogged. Taking a small sip of my wine-the third tonight-I straightened and continued to watch, every painstaking second, hurting more than the last.

Taking in her dress style, I slowly admired the pretty, emerald-green fabric adorning her milky skin. Looking up, my eyes locked on her collar, and I saw something else. Something that must’ve cost a fortune.

It was an exquisite sparkling necklace, sitting on the crook of her throat as if purposely displaying its content to everyone who looked its way.

Robert had to have bought it for her.

There was no way she could afford such expensive adornment on her meager salary at the restaurant she worked at. This was for sure.

The bitch had sunk her greedy claws in Robert. But soon, I’d get rid of her. I only needed the perfect time to strike.

After a half-hour, I noticed the bitch leaning close to Robert, and whispering something in his ears that made him frown.

I wondered what she’d told him.

Calling out to a nearby waitress, and saying some things to her, Robert handed her a tip.

I watched the bitch by his side hand him her purse. Then the woman followed the waitress away from the party-obviously going to the restroom.

“Perfect. Just perfect.” I muttered softly, a coy smile on my lips. I dropped my wine glass on a nearby tray before opening my purse and pulling out my weapons of mass destruction, as it would appear.

Printed photos of Robert and me during our recent meetings. I’d hired a skilled photographer to take the pictures without him knowing, and they’d turned out so well.

She’d know better than to stay with Robert after I showed her this picture and let her in on a few secrets. That should be enough incentive for her to leave and stay away from my son’s father. And if she didn’t get the memo? Then I’d up my antics and do worse.

Giving myself a once over and smacking my lips softly, I exited the crowded hall, feeling an adrenaline rush coursing through my veins.

Going straight to the restroom where the bitch certainly was, it struck me-the actual reason for my presence at this slimy event.

My mission here was simple. Dismantle Robert’s relationship. Send out a warning and get rid of the bitch.

If she remained stubborn, I wouldn’t hesitate to destroy her in the most heinous way possible.

Given that she was my first victim in years-the first woman Robert seemed to have taken a shine to-my sick, twisted plans to destroy her were very appealing.

I was going to take her down. Whoever the hell she was. And nobody was going to stop me. Not even Robert.