When Exes Tell You What To Do, How Hard Do You Listen?
Day of 146 The Andie Chronicles
Stepping inside the halls of Yugen Dining, GG's assessment of this place came to mind. She was right, undeniably. Any two lovers would find their way to each other under the sultry ambience.
Filled with a golden light, accented by carefully placed under lights against gold architecture, the restaurant felt like it was light only candles.
The chairs were either adorned in red or black velvet material. Towering over the bar was a dripping chandelier, the tendrils of crystal baubles falling into a diamond-shaped tip.
Against the back wall, every beautiful bottle of spirits sat dignified, like men sitting in parliament. Quiet and purposeful.
Of course, I wanted to sit at the bar and be amongst the people, but I was quickly ushered into the private dining space.
Lined with golden sheers and accented by its own bar and cellar, this room seemed too intimate for a meeting with a colleague or staff member.
Or whatever the fuck I was to my ex.
Douglas hadn’t arrived yet. Here he was telling me not to be late. The hypocrisy wasn't lost on me.
The waiter asked me if I would like a drink, and I opted for water.
“Can you put it in a vodka glass to make it look alcoholic? And when I say the same again, you will do the water switch?”
The young man nodded.
I wanted a drink, boy I needed a drink, but I couldn’t let my guard down with my ex.
It was another twenty minutes before Douglas arrived. He sat down, took his blazer off and placed it on the chair beside me. “In case you get cold,” he said.
As he made himself comfortable, I pulled a notebook and pen from my handbag. “I’m ready, Mr Gallo. What did you want to meet about?”
I didn’t ask this as a joke, though it was clear Douglas thought it was as he laughed. “Put that away.”
“No,” I clucked, refusing to budge. “You scheduled a meeting and that’s how I’m treating this.”
He sighed, audibly and equally unapologetically.
“Alright, if you’re going to be like that. Put this in your notebook. Stop. Making. Things. Harder. For. My. Friends.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Look, you need to understand your place so people don't have to tell you your place. GG had to tell you about the dress code. James had to tell you about the vision. I had to tell you a clearly dumb idea was a dumb idea. You’re embarrassing yourself. And you should know it before you do it.”
The tears immediately began to well. I felt I had gotten a few things wrong in the office, but embarrassing my friends?
Me?
I was the one doing the wrong things?
All I felt, all day, every day, as they were humiliating me.
Their constant need to put me in my place, putting other people before me or not defending me when they know they should have. Sophia in the meeting the other day came to mind. GG and the jeans also entered my thoughts.
And it was all my fault?
Douglas continued to stare at me.
“What else have I got wrong, lately?”
“You let your business go. That’s a pretty big cock up if you ask me.”
You’re reading The Andie Chronicles, the 2023 romance-fiction series from the 1 Lovelock Drive (1LD) universe.
By the way, this all started when Andie turned thirty-five, and her then-boyfriend didn’t call her.
Or the day after that.
Or the day after that, too.
Everything started to unravel when her BFFs got into bed with her ex, too… ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
Just a moment! 1 Lovelock Drive is a reader-supported publication (I can’t do this without you!). If you love what you read, and want to receive the next instalment and support my work, consider becoming a subscriber!
A little lost on what’s happening at 1 Lovelock Drive?
Well, you see, Andie’s break-up started back in February and so much has happened since then. These stories will help you catch right up! xx
