Chapter 5
440words
As I headed toward the exit after work, a screaming red Ferrari sat parked at the curb.
I was hunched over my phone, texting James.
Lost in my screen, I felt someone deliberately slam into my shoulder.
My phone nearly went flying.
Thank God for quick reflexes—that phone was my lifeline.
I looked up to find Vanessa smirking beside the sports car like she owned it.
"Oh my, what a coincidence, Sophie! Is your boyfriend picking you up too?"
"But you live way out in the boonies, don't you? Well, enjoy your long commute, sweetie."
With that, she slid into the leather seat, giving me a saccharine wave.
I watched them peel out, swallowing a scream of frustration.
All I could do was stomp over to James's beat-up electric scooter.
James had the kind of build that turned heads—broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist.
Having someone who actually loved me waiting after work took some of the sting away.
"Friend of yours?" James glanced back at me.
"Mortal enemy," I growled through clenched teeth, then motioned for him to drive.
The sunset bathed the city in crimson as we rode. I wrapped my arms around James's waist, pressing my cheek against his warm back.
It felt like home.
But what felt even better was—
Spotting that flashy Ferrari trapped in gridlock traffic.
Vanessa looked ready to explode inside her luxury cage.
Feeling deliciously petty, I leaned out despite the biting cold.
I waved cheerfully—
"Enjoying the view? Toodles!"
I savored the sight of Vanessa's face contorting with rage as we zipped past.
The knot in my chest instantly dissolved.
Perched on that rickety scooter, replaying Vanessa's furious expression...
I nearly fell off laughing.
James instinctively slowed down, probably worried I'd tumble off mid-giggle.
"Careful there, wild child. I'd hate to scrape you off the pavement."
His voice drifted back to me on the wind.
I watched the blur of pedestrians rushing past on either side.
"James, you know what?"
He didn't answer, but I knew he was listening.
"If I could, I'd become filthy rich in this lifetime! I'd claw my way to the top and watch all those snobs eat my dust."
My fingers dug into his jacket as I spoke.
"But I hate those fake rich people too—all that pretentious bullshit makes me sick."
The scooter jerked to a halt, sending me crashing into his back.
I rubbed my throbbing nose and glared at him.
"What the hell was that for?"
He turned to look at me, his expression unreadable.
"Sorry. Just got lost in thought for a second."
...
