The Devil's Good Girl-Chapter 222: Doing the 2 things she hates

Months ago, whenever Marianne’s and Vincent’s gaze met, there was always temptation and desire in their eyes. The little gestures they make, the stolen stares, and the suggestive aura often led the two of them into each other’s embrace.

There might not be love in their affair, but it sure hell had something deeper than lust. There was more than the excitement, the pleasure, and the satisfaction.

When Marianne and Vincent ended their affair, Marianne didn’t expect anything from him. She didn’t need it. She already got what she wanted, and that was to keep Fil by her side without anyone fighting for her time and attention. Marianne was satisfied... but why did this feel so unpleasant?

Vincent listened to Anton’s nonsense prattling about his life and never once did he cast her another look. Marianne wasn’t even sure if she wanted to see the look in Vincent’s eyes. After all, the way he looked at her moments ago was completely different from how he would months ago. She felt as though she was nothing but a stranger to him, someone he just used for pleasure, and then threw away once he had his fun.

That wasn’t right.

Marianne didn’t need him to grovel. But she didn’t like the idea of getting affected by Vincent while he was acting indifferent. She dumped him. Not the other way around.

"Ah, shit!" Anton fished his phone and cursed. "I said I need to rest for once! Why can’t they leave me alone?!"

Anton snapped his tongue in irritation before he looked at Vincent. "I gotta take this call."

"Take your time." Vincent casually tipped his head, watching Anton walk away to a more quiet place to answer the call.

As soon as Anton left, he slowly set his eyes back to Marianne. He offered her a smile and raised his drink, which she returned with the same smile and a raise of her lady’s drink.

"How have you been, Anne?" he asked cooly. "I heard you made it in that show. It’s a little late, but congrats."

"Thanks." She nodded. "I also heard you’ve closed a lot of big deals."

"You’re keeping tabs?"

"I know a lot of business news reporters and staff. It’s inevitable to avoid hearing the Hale Construction when you keep making headlines."

Vincent chuckled in satisfaction until it formed into a teasing smirk. "What were you telling Anton before I came in here?"

"It’s none of your concern." Marianne leaned back, lifting her legs to rest on her other. Her action exposed her thigh through the slit of her skirt. "I was just messing with him,"

Her eyelids drooped, watching his eyes carefully veer to her legs. However, Vincent just let out a brief chuckle before chugging down his drink.

’Huh?’ Shallow lines appeared on top of her brow as she arched them mildly. ’Did he just... scoff at me?’

"Anne." Vincent cleared his throat, looking at her straight in the eye. "When you told me that what we have is wrong and that we shouldn’t pursue it, I admit I felt a little... abandoned. Fil left me, and then you also did."

"Vincent, I thought we were clear about that already?"

"We are." Vincent smiled peacefully. "I’m just letting you know what I felt back then, but now I am grateful you stood by that choice."

"Grateful?"

He nodded. "Yes, grateful, because now I can say you were right. What we had is nothing but a moment, but not something we both want or need for a lifetime. We both loved the thrill and everything that came along with that affair, but... it’s not enough to fill the void or complete us."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean, Fil never left me in good times or bad. She stood by my side, rooting for me from behind. If I didn’t cross the line or push her to her limits, she wouldn’t have left me," he explained. "You made me realize why I love her, why I need her, and why I was willing to wait until we got married to touch her."

His eyes and smile softened. "And if I can have another chance with her, I’ll do it right."

Marianne opened her lips but then pursed them again. Her eyes were locked with his, making her take a deep breath.

’In other words, he’s saying even if I spread my legs now, he won’t take it?’ she wondered, mentally scoffing at his hypocrisy. However, what Marianne was truly annoyed with wasn’t what he said, but the uncertainty in her heart.

Was she irked that Vincent was telling her their affair was something he could easily forget? Or was she annoyed that she should be glad to be hearing this, but she wasn’t?

"I know you don’t care much about our affair," he said with a dismissive wave. "But I just thought I should tell you this as a... thanks."

Her face twitched as she forced a smile. "You’re welcome."

"Then, should we toast?"

"Well." Marianne cleared her throat before the corner of her eyes sharpened. "Vincent, since it’s clear that you are grateful to me. Can I... talk freely?"

"Sure. Tell me what you want to say."

"You said, if you can have another chance with her, you’ll do it right," she repeated, and he nodded. "What makes you so sure you’ll have another chance?"

Vincent smirked. "I know her. She might not give me another chance, but I thought if she can’t, I should just create a door for myself, right?"

"Ah."

"Why?" he squinted his eyes, picking up the strange tone she used. "Anne, is there something wrong?"

"No, Vincent." Marianne smiled. "I just thought, what if she’s dating someone else now?"

He didn’t answer but when he did, all he said was, "Is she seeing someone new now?"

Marianne pursed her lips and shrugged. As far as Marianne knew, Fil wasn’t seeing anybody. If Fil was, she would tell her. But alas, that doesn’t matter, because her silence could be comprehended in many ways. She could easily deny anything if Vincent pointed a finger at her.

’Now... that’s more like it.’ The side of her lips briefly curled up into a vicious smirk while observing the hurt and anxiety in his eyes. ’This is what you get for doing the two things I hate the most: treating me like I amount to nothing and thinking you can crawl your way back into her life.’