6: Condescending

"We're done!" Luke told Regina in a controlled firm tone.

"You're lying!" she yelled.

"What more do you want from me? I told you... I am done. Whatever we shared in the past is over," he uttered calmly.

"I love you, Luke--- I always do," Regina said.

Luke ran his fingers through his front hair in irritation.

"Look! We both know that's not true. You just wanted me as your token boyfriend, someone you can show off to your friends and fans," he said.

Startled by his statement, for a moment, she was unable to speak.

But, she quickly recovered from her shock, raised her chin up to meet his eyes, and replied, "So you married her to get back at me?"

"Nope. I married her because I love her," he replied.

"No! You're joking. You're choosing that peasant over me? You can't be serious!" she yelled and laughed sarcastically.

"Regina, please don't make a scene here," Luke said, noticing prying eyes around them. They sat at the far corner of the restaurant where few people were present, but with her crescendoing voice, they surely were attracting attention from other tables.

Earlier that day, Regina asked him for a lunch date. He was about to refuse when he remembered what Owen told him a week ago, so he took it as a chance to set things straight.

To her delight, Luke asked her to meet him in front of his office--- the Higasi Empire, a 35-floor commercial building at the heart of Mevious city. But her happiness was short-lived as he took her to a restaurant just across his building, not to the place she was fantasizing earlier. Knowing that if she complained, her chance of being with him might fly away again, she just pretended to be fine with it.

But... when Luke made clear of his intentions at that time, she snapped. 'NO' was never in her vocabulary, a never forgotten condescending egoistic person's attitude.

"I don't care! I want them to know what you lose for choosing that bitch!" Regina cried in anger. Luke lost it.

"Regina! Call her BITCH again and you'll regret it!" he said equalling her madness.

Realizing that he wasn't fooling around, she grabbed her bag and stood up harshly.

"Fine! She wins this time, but I will not rest until you come back to me," she whispered in his ears before storming off leaving Luke under people's scrutiny. He couldn't blame them completely. Regina was a supermodel and actress adored by millions. Hearing them gossip, he paid the bill.

Then, out of the blue...

"Luke!" Regina cried in a lunatic mode.

SPLASH!!!

Before he knew it, his shirt was soaking in a vintage red wine.

"What the---!" he yelled, surprised by her action.

"That's for dumping me, MOTHERFUCKER!" she screamed before throwing the wine glass on the floor. People gasped. Some were taking videos of the whole incident. Then, to save her ass, she threw her finest acting skills on the table--- she wept while hugging him tightly.

"Luke... please... don't leave me like this. Life is empty without you. Please... I am begging you," she said. It was a smart move. Some costumers were crying with her, touched by her impeccable acting prowess. Some looked at him with mockery. Luke knew at the moment that he was in deep shit, so he dragged her out of the restaurant to avoid any further humiliation.

The damage had been done as the incident proliferated on youtube--- hence became a headline in the evening news and morning newspapers--- REGINA AND LUKE SPLIT OVER A MYSTERY WOMAN, REGINA: BETRAYED BY BF, WHO IS THE BITCH!, and so on.

"Whoah! She's nasty," Shane exclaimed after drinking his beer. The FabFour gathered in Luke's office as soon as the three guys heard his distressed voice over the phone earlier.

"I told you to stop fooling around with women before. Did you listen?" Brad scolded, holding his growing beard as he leaned on the sofa.

Luke rolled his eyes.

"Yes, dad! I'm sorry for not heeding your words," Luke replied. "You sound--- old!"

He teased Brad for talking like an old man. After the chaos he's been through, he finally started socializing with his brothers--- to their delight.

"Hesh!" Brad said throwing his shoe at him. Luke squeaked like a woman. The Mcknights chuckled while Brad just shook his head.

"Anyway, it's really nice to see you back, Brad!" Owen uttered.

"How's your vacation?" Shane asked.

"It was boring--- and none of your business," Brad answered casually.

They looked at him with mischievous smiles on their faces.

"What?" Brad asked, shrugging his shoulders.

"Did you and Helena---?" they teased.

"Keep your mouths shut or I'll shut them for you!" Brad yelled making them laugh out loud.

Meanwhile, in Isla del Fuego, Arabella was feeling uneasy while watching the videos of Luke and Regina on the evening news.

"Who do you think is the mystery woman who stole Regina's boyfriend?" one female anchor asked her co- broadcasters: an authoritative old man, Roger--- probably in his 60s and a middle-aged woman, Sarah, with a stern look.

"The question is... who would dump such a perfect woman? I mean... she looks absolutely elegant not to mention her kindness," Sarah commented.

"I agree, Sarah. I have worked with her many times in charitable works and I have never heard her complain," Roger added.

Arabella couldn't take her growing apprehension. She turned off the TV.

"Shit! What sort of situation did I dive into?" she muttered as she walked to and fro in their living room.

"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" she cried, hitting her head with her palm.

When Luke asked her to pretend as his wife in exchange for Saraknib's brighter future, she didn't really hesitate much. She was dazzled by the money and a promise of a better life for her son.

"Why do you want me to be your pretend wife?" she asked with her voice full of curiosity.

"I want to get away from my ex-girlfriend," he said nonchalantly, to her amusement.

"Hmmm. Is she that tough to ditch? I mean, you're rich and powerful. You can just use your power to get rid of her," she teased.

"Huh! Easy for you to say. Look, you don't know how lunatic she is. Besides, I won't be asking for your help if it's that easy, would I?" he replied sardonically.

She nodded.

She wasn't sure why but she just agreed without even asking who his ex-girlfriend was.

And now, she's reaping the fruit of her stupidity.