Chapter 11
The next day, she started her vacation.
Latrina slept until twelve.
She didn’t get up to wash up, but checked her car’s location first instead. Sure enough, the car was taken for
maintenance.
Her schedule today was simple. She would only please her.
She slipped on high heels that she rarely wore, along with a sexy, tight dress. The outfit made her perfect figure look even more flawless.
She was good–looking, with a delicate face and flawless skin. Her blonde hair lent her an air of nobility.
She stood before the full–length mirror, studying herself.
At 5 feet 5 inches, she was almost as high as Eduardo with her heels on.
So she’d naturally given up wearing heels, afraid of making Eduardo look shorter beside her. Now, though, it didn’t matter. She could wear whatever she wanted.
She couldn’t help laughing at herself. She’d been slow to realize one thing: she couldn’t be herself around
Eduardo.
After getting herself ready, she grabbed her bag, but spotted Gerhart’s jacket on the sofa.
She forgot to return it again.
After a moment’s hesitation, she slung it casually over her wrist and headed out.
She got her nails done, had her straight blonde hair styled into waves, put on nice makeup at the salon, and went on a shopping spree.
Finally, she visited a custom clothing store. That was an aged private tailor shop. Usually, one had to make reservations. This time, she wondered if she’d be kept waiting for months, even half a year.
‘Hello, I’d like to order a shirt.” Latrina handed the jacket in her hand to the clerk.
Hello, miss. What can I do for you?” The young clerk greeted her warmly.
This was my boyfriend’s suit, but I don’t know his shirt size. Could you make a shirt to match it?” Latrina stated her request.
She tore two of his shirts, so she had to return him at least one shirt.
But he liked black so much. She’d order a white one instead,
She didn’t want to be in his debt.
The clerk took the suit jacket, examining it carefully. Her eyes lingered on the label:“G.C.”
Hesitant to jump to conclusions, she spoke gently to Latrina, “I’ll need to check with the tailor. Could you wait here a moment? I’ll be right back.”
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“Sure, thank you.” Latrina sat on a nearby couch, waiting patiently.
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The clerk took the garment to the back of the store, handing it to a grey–bearded old man. She explained the situation, flipping the jacket to show the label.
The old man, Richard Crowley, glanced at Latrina through the partition, adjusting his glasses.
“She said it’s for her boyfriend? Are you sure?” He sounded surprised.
“Yes, Sir Crowley,” the clerk replied with a faint smirk.
“Tell her to come in.” Richard glanced at Latrina, who was looking around.
The clerk said something to Latrina, who followed her gesture and saw a grey–bearded man looking her
She nodded in acknowledgment, picked up her bag, and walked toward the yard in her high heels.
She crossed the yard, followed a quiet path, and stepped inside with a graceful stride.
Her figure was perfectly proportioned, with a ideal waist–to–hip ratio.
Others nearby, there for custom fittings, couldn’t help but cast approving glances her way.
“Hello, sir,” Latrina greeted Richard in a sweet voice.
Richard nodded faintly.“Miss, you’re ordering clothes for your boyfriend?”
way.
Latrina smiled.“Boyfriend” was just a fabrication.“Yes. What’s the issue? Can’t you make a shirt from the suit
alone?”
Richard pressed his lips together, twisting his bread. “Why not bring him here? It would be simpler.”
‘I didn’t want him to know I ruined his shirt. I thought I’d have a new one made, but all I have is his jacket.”
‘Ruined it…” Richard smiled faintly.
‘Can you make it?” she asked.
‘All right, let’s add each other on WhatsApp. I’ll message you once it’s ready.”
Richard pulled out his phone, and they exchanged contacts.
‘What should I call you, miss?”
‘Glover. My last name’s Glover.” She didn’t elaborate.
‘Sure. Go home. We’ll be in touch.”
Latrina paused, surprised.“No deposit needed?”
“Not necessary.” He picked up the suit jacket beside him and handed it back to Latrina.
“Oh…” It was the first time she’d encountered a custom order without a deposit.
“Aren’t you going to measure it again?” she pressed.
“No need. I can tell the size just by looking. Don’t you worry, girl.” He grinned. Just then, his phone rang.
Latrina didn’t disturb him further. She nodded as Richard answered the call, then left.
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To avoid confusion, she sent him a message on WhatsApp:“Note: white.”
Carrying a bunch of shopping bags, Latrina came back to her rental place after 7
p.m.
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She checked her phone, which she’d ignored all day.
Eduardo had sent a string of flirty messages. She read them but didn’t reply.
At the same time, Sonya had messaged her, hoping Latrina would come to her engagement party next Wednesday.
She thought, “Hmph, those two scumbags, finally making it official.”
Latrina stared at the words, her eyes misting over.
“Don’t cry, don’t cry!” She bit back the tears, murmuring.
She cursed in her heart, “They cheated so openly, and now want me to witness their big day? How shameless!”
Then she replied, “Congrats! Who’s your fiancé? So sudden–you never said a word.”
Latrina wanted to clap back, but Sonya didn’t answer her question.
You know him, too. You’ll find out then.”
Of course, she knew…
But Eduardo was still hiding like a coward. He was too afraid to be honest with Latrina, choosing instead to keep stringing her along.
What a bastard!
Latrina wiped away her tears, then switched on the car’s camera.
Sure enough. There sat Eduardo and Sonya, right in her car!
She laughed, cranked up her phone’s volume, set it on the kitchen shelf, then turned to make herself a salad.
Their argument blared through the speaker. Eduardo was telling Sonya to abort the baby, but Sonya refused.
Eduardo admitted they were just friends with benefits, using each other, but claimed he had real feelings for Latrina. He said he wouldn’t marry Sonya, nor would he attend the engagement party.
Latrína was taken aback, almost fooled into thinking Eduardo’s feelings for her were real.
She scoffed, suddenly losing her appetite, and pushed the salad aside.
Glancing around the rental she’d just signed a year’s lease on, she sighed.
It was time to move.
She knew Eduardo would agree to marry Sonya. And she knew he wouldn’t let her go easily. Eduardo’s love for her was cheap.
Latrina didn’t want to play their game anymore. She would let the two jerks have each other.
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The next day, Eduardo returned the car and headed straight to Latrina’s rental. He walked in, and his eyes landed on a man’s suit jacket draped over the sofa. “Trina, this jacket is…” Eduardo set the car keys on the table.
He knew the coat was expensive, but Latrina wasn’t the type to chase after that.
He’d always admired Latrina, her beauty, her wit, that natural charm of hers.
Manu
“As you can see, I’m seeing someone else. Let’s break up.” Latrina got straight to the point, leaving no room for idle chat. That was always her way.
Eduardo froze.“Trina…”
He wondered if Sonya was the reason, but hesitated to ask.
‘Anything else? If not, you can leave.”
Latrina didn’t even look at him.
You found out something, didn’t you? That’s why you’re making up this excuse to brush me off, to humiliate me!” Eduardo’s eyes flushed red.
Latrina kept her head down, packing her things, silent.
Eduardo snapped. He grabbed her wrist, forcing her to stop.
But when he pulled Latrina up, he saw her eyes were red too.
What did I find out?” she shot back, yanking her hand free. “Don’t touch me. You’re disgusting!”
Eduardo stood there.“So, you knew everything?”
Yeah! Letting you go means letting myself go too. Let’s just… let each other alone. I don’t want to see you gain!”
Latrina’s eyes were empty, expressionless.
They fell silent for a long time.
Leave. At least keep some dignity.” Latrina turned, walked back to her room, closed the door, and lay on the sed, crying softly.
Eduardo felt his world fall apart!
< Chapter 12
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
