A Subtle Threat

"Babe!"

Simon groaned internally at the sound of her voice -- she was back to torment his life once again. Her name was Mia Brighton, his supposed 'girlfriend' who was clingy and annoying as fuck. He only slept with her once, just once at a stupid party, and she welcomed herself into his life and wasn't thinking of ever leaving. He wasn't the least bit interested in her and tried in more ways than one to make her see it, but she clearly ignored his 'red flags'.

"Babe!" She screeched again. Her voice was like nails scratching against a glass surface.

She walked into the living room, looking as elegant as ever wearing a black evening dress with brown hair left to fall down and nice gold stilletos on. She was of average height and had nice curves. Simon appreciated her beauty, which was why he had slept with her in the first place but apart from lustful feelings, no other feelings were involved.

Moreover, he knew she was after his money and name -- most women were.

Why couldn't he just tell he off? Well, he was using her to appease his parents. Ever since he turned 30, they've been nagging him about settling down and Mia's presence in his life shut them up, preventing them from going ahead with their proposed arranged marriage by claiming to love her. He would do anything to maintain the peace including putting up with her theatrics.

"Simon...you're undressed!" She sounded shocked.

Simon was watching TV while wearing shorts and a loose shirt. As far as he was concerned, he was very much dressed.

He looked at her coldly, "What do you mean?"

She gasped in disbelief, "Babe, I told you I made a reservation at that restaurant with my boss this evening!"

Oh, he had totally forgotten about that.

"I'll be out in five." He said while standing up lazily from the sofa. He could feel her stare pierce the back of his head as he walked off to go dress up for an outing he wasn't in the mood for.

***

"Babe, you need to smile and release your charm. If my boss enjoys this night and gives me a promotion, I'll treat you to something nice, okay?" Mia leaned in and placed a kiss on his cheek.

Simon scoffed internally. He was not even remotely interested in her 'something nice', he knew what it was already.

He waited for her to get down from the car knowing fully well that she would want to lock hands with him. She smiled excitedly - after locking hands with him - and they both walked into the restaurant.

Simon had been to this restaurant with Mia before and their food was really worth their rating. At least that was something he could focus on away from Mia and her boss. The place was quiet, with only the usual chatter of patrons.

"I don't think he is here yet...I will go ask about our reservation." Mia said and walked towards a waiter.

Simon's eyes sweeped over the persons present and shockingly, they landed on Natalie and the screenwriter whose name he didn't remember. The screenwriter saw him first and he waved at them while wondering what Natalie was doing with him.

He then approached them with a smirk.

"Well, well, fancy meeting you both here." He said smugly.

"Simon, it's also a surprise seeing you here. Did you come alone?" The screenwriter asked with false niceness.

"No, he came with me." Mia's voice interrupted their conversation. Simon resisted the urge to roll his eyes as she locked hands with him.

"Oh, see! You have a date." The screenwriter smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

He glanced at Natalie discreetly to see her reaction but she remained silent and expressionless.

"Babe, introduce me?" Mia released a small laugh.

"These are my co-workers, Mr...." He trailed off questioningly.

"Just Hector." The screenwriter answered.

"Okay, Hector and Natalie, this is Mia." He introduced.

Mia smiled and waved slightly, "I hope he isn't a handful..."

At that, Natalie scoffed making everyone look at her inquisitively. She ignored them.

"Um, nice meeting you both but we are going now..." Mia trailed off and began pulling him along. Simon left with her to their table and her boss -- a man in his forties -- finally came around.

"Mr. Fletcher, it is such a pleasure to meet you in person." Mia's boss greeted him happily.

Simon hadn't even sat down and he was already bored. Once again, Mia was using him for her own selfish reasons but who was he to complain? He was also doing the same to her.

They sat down and the food was served. Mia began to talk to her boss about random things that he wasn't interested in. He was more interested in what Natalie was doing laughing with Hector like they had known each other for so long.

He felt a tinge of jealousy as he secretly watched them. It was shocking and at the same time, amusing.

"Simon?"

"Huh?" Mia and her boss were watching him, as though waiting for him to say something.

"Did you ask me a question?" He inquired.

"He was asking how being an actor is going for you." Mia said with a raised eyebrow.

"It's going well, is it any better in the corporate world? Would like a switch." He said smoothly.

Mia's boss chuckled, "Ah, the corporate world isn't an easy place but..."

Simon zoned out again, his focus on Natalie and Hector. He saw the both of them stand up and go outside. From the glass view, he saw her get into a cab while Hector remained standing outside.

"I'll be right back," He excused himself from Mia and her boss, to go meet him and with all the smugness he could muster, he spoke.

"So, Natalie Freeman, huh? Interesting choice."

Hector turned to look at him and scoffed, "What is it to you that you left your girlfriend and Grandpa?"

He laughed for a long time.

"What's so funny?" He asked in confusion.

"What if I told you I wanted her? Doesn't that make me your rival?" Simon smirked mischievously.

Hector chuckled dryly, "I have heard about you...Simon Fletcher, so fucking full of himself, walking around like the king of some rich island..."

Simon stared at him amusingly.

"This is not a battle. Natalie does not like you, she told me that. Although, she didn't go into details, she said you both went to the same school and you were a narcissistic jerk. What makes you think she would be into you now? She's not the type to fawn over money and fame, I am sure you know that as well as I do." Hector continued.

"And you know that because?" Simon raised an eyebrow amusingly.

Hector remained silent.

Simon chuckled and turned to go back inside the restaurant.

"Well, we will see now, won't we?"