Chapter 18
Kaylee
Olivia took us to The Golden Fork, one of the most expensive and luxurious restaurants in New York–always packed to the brim like a glass of overpriced champagne.
It was the kind of place with gold–rimmed glasses, violin music floating in the air, and waiters who acted like royalty serving royalty. A reservation here was practically myth. You’d have to sell your soul–or marry rich. Naturally, Olivia had found her way in.
“Oh my God, this is beautiful!” I gushed, eyes wide, pretending to be thrilled while the sparkle in my voice rang just false enough. “I’ve always wanted to come hereee.”
But not with her. Definitely not with her.
“It took me a couple of days to get this reservation, but Sebastian made it happen,” she added, rolling her eyes like Sebastian was the human equivalent of a paper cut.
We got to the table, and the servers didn’t waste a second. Like clockwork, they began rolling out the food–steam wafting from the dishes like edible perfume. My eyes flicked sideways to Olivia, her face glowing with excitement like this was her damn wedding day.
sometimes wonder if Olivia is really who she claims to be. She could be mean to everyone else, but with me, always an angel. That was why I couldn’t believe she was a good person. We were all pretenders.
Everyone had secrets–and I would use hers to shatter her.
“You’re going to love the seared foie gras here. It’s heavenly,” she said, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand with a smile.
“Wait, you’ve been here before? This isn’t your first time?” I asked, brows raised, honestly stunned.
Because this was the same Olivia who swore we’d try everything new together. And this place was brand spanking new–still trending, still fresh.
“Yes,” she replied. “I’m pretty sure it’s been more than three times.” She let out a soft laugh–and I mirrored it, though my fist curled tight under the table, nails digging into my palm. Irritation bloomed under my skin like a slow–burning fire.
“But Liv, you said we would come together, remember?” My voice was light, sweet… poison–laced honey.
“I know, I know. I’m sorry. But you’re always so busy, and I was bored… so I found a way to pass the time.”
“You call coming to the most expensive restaurant in town a way to pass time?”
When I’ve been trying to get a reservation for Philip and me for months? My smile didn’t wayer, but inside, I was screaming.
“Please don’t be mad at me–pretty please,” she cooed, lips curled into a pout that might make others melt but only made me want to smack it off her face.
I immediately forced a smile. “Of course I’m… not mad at all.”
“Okay, so we have some catching up to do! Over the last couple of weeks, I saw you on the cover for Jênaz magazine—you slayed!”
I pushed my hair back, smoothed a non–existent crease in my skirt, and sat up straighter, Performance mode: activated.
“It’s been going great, you know. Liv, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.”
I always have to praise the almighty Olivia, feed her monstrous ego like tossing raw meat to a lion. Gotta keep her feeling important.
“I would do anything for you, Kaylee. It’s no big deal.” She winked, but there–just for a breath–something flickered behind her eyes. A strange light. Cold. Sharp. Gone in a blink.
My smile froze. What the hell was that?
I decided to let it go as she kept talking, her words droning on like an annoying podcast. I picked at my food, lifting each bite like it was a performance. This place had a reputation, and I wasn’t about to look uncultured. But Olivia? She ate like she was in a food fight—zero elegance, zero shame. It was annoying.
How could someone eat like this in public? If she wasn’t my so–called best friend, I’d have dragged her out by her hair.
“Do you like your food?” she asked between mouthfuls.
“Yes, it’s so delicious,” I replied, leaning in close enough for her to feel my breath. A mischievous smile tugged at my lips. “I have a surprise tor you,” I whispered.
Chapter 18
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“What?” she asked, perking up instantly like a toddler hearing ‘ice cream.‘
“Look at the entrance,” I said, voice low and dripping with intent.
She arched a brow, clearly confused but curious, and turned her head slowly toward the entrance.
There he was–looking disgustingly charming, elegant, and smug as ever. He was wrapped in a smart suit that looked custom–tailored to stroke his ego. Blond hair slicked back like a prince at a gala. The man looked gorgeous…and he knew it.
I’d always hated that they were both blonds.
Olivia practically squealed, her voice climbing to that glass–shattering octave only she could reach. Her dearest Philip stood at the door with his hands tucked in his pockets like he owned the damn place.
The effect Philip had on Olivia couldn’t be explained by science. She wasn’t just in love–she was obsessed. Deliriously obsessed. With the same man who would gladly ruin her and Sebastian for a thrill.
A smirk slid across my lips. I waved him over like he was mine. Because he was. He could fake whatever he wanted with her, but I owned him.
He made his way to our table, calm and calculated, took the seat next to her, and like the traitor he was, wrapped his arms around her. Kissed her. She blushed and tucked her face into his chest like some helpless schoolgirl instead.
I smiled, because that’s what I was supposed to do–even though my heart clenched like it had just been sucker–punched. I knew he was acting, but damn if it didn’t still sting.
Under the table, I felt his leg brush against mine. My pulse jumped.
When Olivia finally stopped hanging onto him like a cheap coat, she looked up and giggled as she swatted his hand away playfully.
I gave a deliberate cough. “Enough, you two.”
“I can’t believe you called him!” she said, eyes wide with glee. “You should be at work, silly,” she added, tapping him.
“I know, baby, but I needed to see you. I miss you every second of every day.”
Really? I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes. The cheesiness was unbearable.
“Really?” she cooed, kissing his cheek again.
But his eyes–those traitorous, guilty eyes–flicked to mine. Why wasn’t she kissing him like usual? She’d usually try to tongue him at the table by now.
“I’m officially jealous,” I said with a forced grin, ignoring the twitch in my jaw.
“Don’t worry, Kaylee. You’ll find someone soon,” he replied, flashing me a fake smile laced with guilt.
I held back a snort. He really was a good actor.
“Well guys, I have to use the ladies room,” Olivia said, wiping her mouth with her napkin like a lady, as if we all forgot the way she just devoured her plate like a starving orphan
She walked off, and the moment she disappeared around the corner, I leaned into Philip.
“Did you bring it?” I whispered, voice cold, sharp, hungry.
“Of course I did.” He pulled a small bottle from his pocket–clear liquid swirling like liquid death.
“Are you sure you know how to use this stuff?”
“Of course I do, baby,” I said, lips curving into a grin that could’ve sliced glass.
She thought I invited him for her? Ha. I wasn’t that generous.
I poured a bit of the liquid into Olivia’s glass, then slipped the rest into my purse with the same grace I’d use to apply lipstick.
“What exactly is this stuff, Kaylee? I hope it’s not going to kill her.”
As much as I’d love her dead…. not yet. Patience is a virtue–even in murder.
“It’s just poison,” I said sweetly. “But the kind that slowly eats away at her organs, little by little. I want her to suffer.”
I smiled so wide my cheeks throbbed. Pure satisfaction.
Chapter 18
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“I’ll be adding this to her drinks. It’ll start killing her from the inside. She’ll never see it coming.”
“How sure are you this is going to work? You said ‘a little, but the amount you added to her drink was half the bottle!” he whispered harshly, eyes darting.
His concern irked me.
“Wait, don’t tell me you’re starting to care about that girl. Or worse
-do you love her?”
“Of course I don’t! I just don’t want anything that could get us in trouble. I don’t want this to lead back to us.”
I cupped his face, soft smile curling my lips. “Oh, darling, you’re cute when you worry. But leave this to me. I know exactly what I’m doing.”
“I love you, Kaylee. And soon, we’re going to have everything we deserve.”
His words melted me. That delicious, loving man was mine. Sucks to be you, Olivia.
“I love you too,” I whispered back.
We just sat there, eyes locked, tension hot and thick. The only thing stopping us from tearing into each other was the stupid table between us …and the fact that we weren’t animals. Barely.
I spotted Olivia walking back.
We quickly shifted, pretending to be two innocent darlings caught in casual conversation.
“So, what did I miss?” she asked, sliding into her seat like nothing was off.
“We… uh… nothing much, really.”
I watched her lift the wine glass and gulp the drink like it was the last water on Earth. No hesitation. No questions.
I’d expected to coax her into it–expected resistance.
But nope.
All I had to do… was sit back, relax, and watch her drink her way to death.
Slowly, but surely.
P
