Enchanted Nightfall: Falling for Destiny

Quintessa’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. “Jerome, who are you on the phone with? I better not be that annoying girlfriend of yours. Didn’t you say she doesn’t hold a candle to a single strand of my hair? That once you had me, you’d kick her to the curb? Why bother with her? Come on over and let’s live it up!”

With a playful sprint, Quintessa dashed a few steps ahead, swung open the car door, and hopped into the passenger seat before Jerome could catch up.

Manny hit the gas and the car shot forward.

Quintessa rolled down the window, waved mockingly at Jerome, then flashed the ultimate gesture of contempt the middle finger. No need to hide her disdain now.

Let them make a scene. Let Miranda hassle Jerome until he can’t stand it any longer.

Miranda’s call was actually a stroke of luck for Quintessa, which spared her from having to concoct her own escape plan. Everything was falling into place.

Jerome squinted, watching Quintessa’s car disappear in the distance. The opportunity to be with her had slipped through his fingers once again.

On the other end of the line, Miranda was still sobbing and causing a commotion, Jerome felt nothing but disgust and irritation at the sound of her voice.

“It’s late; I’m going to bed,” he said coldly.

“Jerome, are you going to sleep with that tramp? How could you do this to me? You can’t touch another woman. If you do, I’ll make you regret it.” Miranda’s voice was hysterical over the phone.

Impatience and loathing spread across Jerome’s face. “I already have, Miranda. Let’s break up. I’m done.”

Yes, he was done.

Without Quintessa, he could still muster some pretense of patience for Miranda.

But with Quintessa back, he couldn’t bear to even glance at Miranda.

Miranda’s voice shook uncontrollably. “Jay, what did you say?”

“We’re through! No room for negotiation. That’s it.” Jerome declared without hesitation before he ended the call, and turned off his phone.

Staring at the exit of the underground parking lot, he wondered why Quintessa had left so easily without getting the answer she wanted. She wasn’t one to back down, unless she had another scheme up her sleeve.

Quintessa could be cold–hearted and frightening, but even knowing that, he couldn’t help himself. He was intrigued to see what she would pull next.

Manny sped out of the underground parking, merging onto the highway. Quintessa asked, “Did you get clear shots?”

Handing over the camera, Manny assured her. “All set, take a look.”

Quintessa flipped through the photos. They basically all showed her from behind, and even in some photos that captured her side profile, her face was obscured by her hair. But Jerome was another story; his face was clearly visible in every shot.

Each photo showed them locked in an intimate embrace, and from certain angles, they even appeared to be kissing. The evidence was incriminating.

Quintessa was pleased. “Once I’m rolling in dough, I’ll throw in a bonus for you.”

18:23 Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Her visit to Jerome was solely to ‘put on a show.‘ She didn’t expect him to be blinded by desire and actually agree to her requests.

Manny chuckled, “Thanks, Quinn.”

“Just remember, not a word of this to anyone.”

Manny patted his chest, “You got it. My lips are sealed.”

After dropping Quintessa off at her apartment and watching her safely inside, Manny drove away.