Don't Test Me.

Rowan's frown deepened as he struggled to keep his anger in check. He didn't want to blow up in front of Victoria. But Sebastian was being so obnoxiously rude, and he was clearly trying to get under Rowan's skin. He wanted to say something scathing, but he held his tongue.

Suddenly, Sebastian spoke up again. "Hey, Rowan," he said in a condescending tone. "Didn't you know that Victoria doesn't like lemonade? It gives her a sore throat. That's not very gentlemanly of you, is it?"

Rowan's eyes narrowed. He could tell that Sebastian was trying to get a rise out of him, and he wasn't going to let him have the satisfaction. "You know, Sebastian," he said, his voice level and controlled, "Victoria is a capable woman who can make her own decisions. I'm not here to coddle her."

Victoria saw the tension rising and decided to intervene. "Rowan," she said, her voice calm and soothing. "Let's just order dinner and try to enjoy ourselves, okay? I'm sure whatever we choose will be delicious."

Rowan looked at her and nodded, grateful for her presence of mind. He smiled and turned to the waiter. "We'll have the eggplant dish, please," he said, trying to ignore Sebastian's smirk. But Sebastian wasn't finished.

"She can't have eggplant, though!" he said, acting indignant. "She's allergic!"

The waiter looked confused, unsure of what to do.

Sebastian, not to be outdone, shot back, "If you don't believe me, ask her yourself!" He sounded smug, as if he knew something Rowan didn't.

Rowan looked at Victoria questioningly, silently asking her if it was true. Victoria lowered her eyes and then nodded, reluctantly admitting, "It's true. I actually don't eat eggplant."

She said it slowly, not wanting to make a big deal out of it, but she knew Sebastian was going to take it as a victory.

Rowan felt a wave of heat wash over him, the feeling going all the way to his core. His heart sank as he realized how little he knew about Victoria. All the things he thought he knew seemed to be gone.

Was it possible that she had changed so much? Or had he just been too blind to see the truth? He couldn't tell which option was worse.

Trying to hide his discomfort, he put on a brave face and said to the waiter, "Can we just order something else? What's your best dish?"

Sebastian was quick to jump in. "No, no, I'll order for Victoria," he interjected. "She loves my taste in food. Trust me, I know what she likes."

Victoria shot him a look, her eyes wide with disbelief. She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, Rowan cut her off. "It's fine, Victoria," he said, his voice firm. "Let's just enjoy our meal."

She didn't look convinced, but she relented. The waiter looked back and forth between them, clearly unsure of what to do.

"We'll both have the steak, medium rare. And a glass of your best red wine." Sebastian boastfully said, a smug smile dancing on his lips.

Victoria's patience was wearing thin. She didn't want to spend any more time with Sebastian, and she was ready for him to leave. "Can you just go, please?" she asked, her tone curt.

Rowan nodded, clearly on her side. "Yes, please do," he said, his voice firm.

"If I go, she's going with me," Sebastian said sternly.

"Are you crazy?!" Rowan yelled.

But Sebastian wasn't going to give up that easily. He turned to Rowan, a smug smile on his face. "Does Victoria know who you really are?" he asked, clearly trying to provoke a reaction.

Rowan's eyes narrowed, but he didn't say anything. Rowan's heart was pounding as Sebastian spoke. He was afraid of what might happen if Victoria found out the truth.

He looked at her, and saw the question in her eyes. She was curious to know more, and he knew that he couldn't keep this secret from her for much longer.

He turned back to Sebastian, his voice firm. "Stop it," he said, "Victoria doesn't need to know anything." He tried to sound authoritative, but his voice betrayed his fear. "Don't listen to him, Victoria," he said, trying to protect her from the truth.

But Sebastian just laughed. Sebastian's laughter was mocking and cruel. "Oh, but she does need to hear this," he said, his tone full of glee. "She needs to know the truth about her dear Rowan." He emphasized the name, almost sneering as he said it.

Rowan's face turned red with anger. "Shut up, Sebastian!" he yelled. "You don't know what you're talking about!" But Sebastian just kept laughing, enjoying Rowan's discomfort.

Victoria looked from one man to the other, confused and frightened. What was going on?

Sebastian continued to speak, his voice full of mockery. "You're right, someone did say I should leave," he said, looking directly at Rowan. "But before I do, I think I have something to say."

Rowan's heart was pounding in his chest, and he felt like he was about to explode. "What are you talking about, Sebastian?" he demanded, his voice rising in anger.

But Sebastian just grinned. "Vicky, do you remember that time when you were..."

He was interrupted by Rowan, who snapped, "No, just stop it!" He glared at Sebastian, his eyes burning with fury. "Don't talk okay, fine. Victoria go with Sebastian, I'd see you tomorrow."

Victoria: "....."

.

.

Sebastian opened the door to his car and held it open for Victoria, but she remained where she was, her arms crossed over her chest. "What was that about in there?" she demanded, her voice tight with anger. "What do you mean about Rowan? Who is he?"

But Sebastian just rolled his eyes. "That's not for you to know," he said. "None of your business." He motioned for Victoria to get into the car. "Just get in the car, OK?"

Victoria didn't budge. "I have every right to know who he is," she said. "You were the one who brought it up."

Sebastian sighed in exasperation. "Fine," he said, a hint of irritation in his voice. "I'll tell you this: Do not approach Rowan without my permission henceforth. Are we clear?"

Victoria glared at him, her eyes full of defiance. "You can't tell me what to do," she said, her tone icy. "I'll go wherever I want and talk to whoever I want."

Sebastian's jaw clenched, and he gave her a stern look. "I'm serious," he said, his voice low and threatening. "Don't test me."