THAT WILL TEACH HER

Isis watched Barry as he ate their dinner of creamy pasta. He enjoyed the meal with enthusiasm, savoring every bite, while she could only pick at her plate. Her stomach felt knotted with nerves, and the soothing classical music playing softly in the background did little to ease her tension. She had dressed up for him tonight, hoping to make an impression. But Barry hadn't even glanced at her outfit, let alone said anything about how she looked.

"Wow, this food tastes amazing," he said with a satisfied grin, speaking through mouthfuls of pasta. He barely paused as he devoured the meal, clearly enjoying himself.

Isis forced a small smile, watching him with mixed feelings. She felt a flicker of hope when he finally asked, "Aren't you hungry?"

"Yes, I am," she replied quickly, relieved that he had noticed her lack of appetite. At least he was paying some attention to her, she thought.

He nodded and returned to his plate, eating with the same eagerness. Isis tried to focus on her food, but her mind wandered. The evening wasn't going the way she had imagined. She had expected something more—perhaps a heartfelt conversation, or at least a compliment on her appearance. But Barry seemed more interested in the pasta than in her.

As she sat there, her thoughts shifted to the proposal. The idea of taking the next big step with him had weighed heavily on her mind. Was she truly ready to commit to Barry? Was he the right person for her? Were the thoughts that ran through her mind.

Isis watched him closely, searching for answers in his actions. He looked comfortable, unaware of the emotional storm raging inside her. The questions in her heart grew louder, drowning out the music.

"I need some air," she thought suddenly, feeling overwhelmed. Her mind was made up—she needed a moment alone to think clearly,

"Can you excuse me for a second?" She asked softly, pushing her chair back.

Barry looked up from his plate, his fork halfway to his mouth. "Why? Is something wrong?"

She forced a smile, shaking her head quickly. "Oh no, not at all. I just feel a little suffocated in this dress. I need to step outside for some fresh air."

Barry glanced at her dress, He shrugged and nodded. "Okay, that's fine. Just don't take too long. You know I hate sitting here all by myself."

Isis smiled "I'll be back before you know it." She walked around the table, bent down, and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Barry barely reacted, more interested in finishing his meal.

She walked toward the exit door, feeling both relieved and anxious. As soon as she stepped outside, the noise of the busy street greeted her. Cars honked, tires screeched, and engines roared as vehicles sped by. the sounds were too loud.

The cool evening breeze brushed against her bare skin, making her shiver. The dress she had on wasn't doing much to keep her warm. Wrapping her arms around her body, she walked briskly down the side of the building, seeking a quieter spot.

Feeling her nerves settle slightly, she decided to take another look at the ring. Her mind was still battling with doubt, and seeing the ring again might help her make sense of her emotions. She opened her purse, reaching inside to find the small box. As she rummaged through her bag, lost in thought, she continued walking without paying attention to her surroundings.

Suddenly, she bumped into someone, and the impact made her gasp. Her purse slipped from her hand and hit the ground with a soft thud, spilling some of its contents.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Ethan exclaimed, quickly, his hands flew to the ground, quickly picking up the fallen items from her purse. His face showed a mix of concern and guilt as he gathered everything, including the small box containing the engagement ring. He held it all out to her, his expression softening into an apologetic smile.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," Ethan said, handing her the purse.

Isis took the bag from him, her eyes narrowing as she stared at his face. The moment she recognized him, her irritation flared up.

"You again?!" she blurted out, her voice filled with disbelief.

Ethan froze, confused by her sudden outburst. He looked at her carefully, trying to make sense of her reaction. "Excuse me?"

"You really have a knack for bumping into people, don't you?" Isis said with a scornful laugh. Her arms folded across her chest, her posture radiating annoyance.

"Ma'am, I think you've got the wrong person," Ethan replied, still puzzled. His brows furrowed as he tried to figure out what she meant.

Isis's expression hardened. "Oh, I don't forget faces. And I certainly don't forget rude brats like you." Her tone dripped with sarcasm.

Ethan blinked in surprise. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was she crazy? His eyes swept over her figure, taking in her red dress and poised demeanor. She didn't look insane, but her words made him question her sanity.

"Queens Couture. The parking lot," Isis said, her voice steady as she unfolded her arms. "Have you forgotten?"

Ethan's eyes widened as recognition dawned on him. Suddenly, he remembered where he had seen her before. The memory of their previous encounter came rushing back—the day he had accidentally bumped into her at a parking lot at Queens Couture.

But she looked so different now, with the makeover and the dress she wore, no wonder he was unable to recognize her sooner.

Isis glared at him, her frustration mounting. "Wait a minute," she said, suspicion creeping into her voice. "Have you been following me?"

Ethan burst into laughter at her accusation. He couldn't believe how absurd she sounded. "Seriously? You think I've been following you?"

Isis folded her arms again, her expression hardening further. "Why else would you keep showing up in my life?"

Ethan shook his head, still laughing. "I have better things to do than follow someone as blind as you."

"What?" Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me." Ethan crossed his arms, mirroring her stance. "If you weren't so blind, you wouldn't keep bumping into people."

she scoffed, her anger bubbling over. "Who the hell do you think you are, calling me blind? You're the one who keeps running into me!"

Ethan smirked. "Maybe you're just in my way."

"Unbelievable." She shook her head, disgusted. "You know what? I don't have time for this nonsense. I refuse to waste my energy arguing with someone like you."

With that, she turned on her heel, intending to walk past him and end the conversation. But before she could get far, Ethan grabbed her arm gently but firmly, stopping her in her tracks.

"Wait," he said, his tone more serious now. His grip on her arm wasn't harsh, but it was enough to make her pause.

"Let go of me!" Isis cried, her voice filled with panic and anger as she struggled to free herself from his grip.

Ethan tightened his hold, his frustration boiling over. "You know, I've had enough of women like you," he said coldly, his eyes narrowing. "So condescending, so full of themselves. Acting like the world revolves around them."

Isis stared at him in shock, speechless at his outburst.

"On a normal day," Ethan continued, his tone laced with disdain, "I wouldn't even want to have a conversation with someone like you. You're not even attractive, to say the least." He glanced at her dress with a sneer. "This little outfit? It's just a charade. I'm sure you dressed like this to ensnare men into your trap."

her jaw dropped in disbelief. "Huh?" she gasped, stunned by his words.

Ethan leaned in closer, his expression filled with arrogance. "Yes, of course. You needed attention, didn't you? That's why you dressed like this—to make men look at you, to lure them in."

He suddenly dragged her closer, closing the gap between them. Their bodies pressed together, and she could feel her heart beating in her chest. His eyes bore into hers, and she could sense his smug satisfaction.

"Let me go," Isis said through gritted teeth, her voice trembling with both anger and fear.

Ethan smiled, his lips curving into a smirk. "Don't lie. You want it," he whispered, his voice dripping with mockery. His gaze flickered down to her lips as he leaned in, his face mere inches from hers.

Her eyes widened in horror as she saw his lips moving closer to hers. Her mind raced, and she knew she couldn't let this happen. Summoning every ounce of strength she had, she pushed him away with all her might. At the same time, her hand flew up, delivering a sharp, stinging slap across his cheek.

Ethan staggered backward, his hand flying to his cheek where her palm had landed. He looked at her in shock, his smirk wiped away.

"Don't you ever try that again!" She shouted, her voice trembling with rage. Her eyes burned with fury as she glared at him.

Without waiting for a response, she spun around and stormed back towards the entrance. Her heels clicked against the pavement.

Ethan stood frozen, still holding his cheek where she had slapped him. The sting lingered, but instead of anger, a slow smile spread across his face. He chuckled softly, shaking his head in disbelief.

"That will teach her," he muttered to himself, amused by the outcome. The slap still burned, but something about her fiery reaction intrigued him.