Left at the Altar

Four days in the hospital gave me plenty of time to imagine James' face when I destroyed him.

Now I sat across from Davon in his small apartment, wrapped in one of his oversized hoodies because I had nothing left of my own, not even clothes. I cradled the warm mug of coffee in my hands, needing the warmth.

“I think I know how we can get back at James.” I said getting straight to the point. “When we were together, I remember him talking about making a bid for this huge construction project. He said and I quote, ‘If I get that deal, it’s going to change my life’, so I know it’s a big deal. James was also asking me for money for it. I guess that’s why he took all I had.”

"Meaning he's going all out with everything he has to secure the deal. That's great. We just have to get some money for a higher bid, draft a business proposal and then win at the auction. We'll crush his spirit first before destroying him in the eyes of the public." Davon replied, leaning forward with intensity in his eyes.

My stomach twisted.

"The auction's in two days though. I'm not sure where we're even going to be able to get a huge amount of money for it. Maybe the auction is a dud and we need to find another way to get back at James." I concluded, my eyes settling on my mug.

“How do we actually pull this off?” I asked, reluctantly looking pointedly at him.

Davon did say he had made arrangements after I woke up and I was willing to hear them, especially after he chose to say nothing while I was at the hospital.

Davon sank deeper into his love seat and pursed his lips before talking.

"Okay so don't freak out but first I managed to get some money to help with the supposed plan." He started, interlocking his fingers.

"How much?"

I raised a brow at him and took a sip of my coffee just for me to almost choke to death when I heard the amount he said.

"About three hundred thousand dollars." He said with a shrug.

I set my mug down hard on the glass tabletop and shouted.

"Tell me you did not take out a loan for this Davon. Are you insane?"

Three hundred thousand from the guy who used to steal my fries because he "couldn't afford lunch"? It was either he was a secret millionaire or he just took out a huge freaking loan for me and I was not having that.

"Woah, I didn't take out a loan. Well, not entirely. Calm down." He tried to calm me down with his hands raised up in mock surrender. "I had a trust fund. You know I didn't have a dad in college…"

"Yeah," I reluctantly replied, wondering where this was going.

"My dad came back after twenty years. Died six months later. Left me everything." His jaw tightened. "I've been using the money there to make some investments for my future so I just withdrew it all and also took out a small loan."

"You what?!" I screamed even more, catching him off guard.

I wasn't sure if it was the fact that he had that amount of money saved up and didn't tell me or the fact that his dead dad showed up in his life and he still didn't tell me! I crossed my hands and glared at him, not sure of which to be angry at him for right now.

"I can't accept that and return the loan." I scolded him, my throat tightening. "What happens if we lose and then you can't get back your money or worse you lose it all like me?"

"That won't happen. If you lose the bet then I'll get the money back and return the loan. It's a win-win situation, see?" He said, still trying to convince me.

I sighed and turned away from him, the gears in my head turning for a while before I caved a bit.

"And what if I win the bid? What happens then? How do we get the money back?"

"Then we'll win the rights and payment to carry out the project. Win win."

Davon smirked my way, making me frown and pick up my mug.

"Fine. We'll do this on one condition. If it goes south then I'll pay you back every cent. Deal?"

"Scarlett…" Davon muttered but I wasn't hearing any of it.

"Deal?" I reiterated, my voice leaving no room for argument.

"Okay," He sighed, taking the hint.

"I also have something up my sleeve but that'll be a surprise." He added, perking up.

"Davon," I drawled out his name but he shook his head, adamant about it.

"Just wait and see. I'm pretty sure you're going to love it." He said with excitement before glancing at me from head to toe. "But first we'll have to get you some new clothes."

"I don't…"

"It's non-negotiable. We can't have your first appearance in public not be jaw dropping especially when we're going to cause some problems." Davon's voice went firm but gentle.

"When you walk into that auction, I want James to see exactly what he lost. So, tomorrow morning we're going shopping and I don't want to hear any back talk about it."

He stood up and walked to his room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

My reflection stared back at me from the black screen of his TV. Borrowed clothes. Borrowed apartment. Borrowed money.

I had lost it all. It was a harsh truth but in two days, I'd face James again. In public. With cameras. With witnesses.

My hands tightened around the mug.

And this time, I wouldn't be the one thrown out and disgraced. He would.