Chapter 42: The Art of Deceit
Shiela sauntered into the upscale restaurant, her eyes scanning the room for her prey. His name was George, a wealthy businessman who had fallen for her charm and flirtatious behavior during their last encounter. He was just another man, another unsuspecting victim of her antics.
As she spotted him at a corner table, her lips curled into a seductive smile. George was not particularly handsome, but he was loaded, and that was all that mattered to her. He was her ticket to a night of fine dining and, hopefully, a new purse to add to her collection.
“George, darling,” she cooed, sliding into the plush seat across from him. “I hope you didn’t wait long.”
George shook his head, returning her smile with one of his own.
“Not at all, Shiela,” he replied, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her. “You look stunning.”
Shiela batted her eyelashes at him.
“Why, thank you, George. You’re too kind.”
As the evening progressed, Shiela played her cards perfectly. She flirted with George, laughed at his jokes, clung to his arm, and showered him with compliments. She made him feel special, desired, important. It was a game she had played many times before, and she was good at it.
When George excused himself to use the restroom, Shiela’s eyes immediately fell on a woman a few tables away. The woman was elegantly dressed, her outfit complemented by a designer purse that Shiela immediately coveted. It was a beautiful piece, one that would make a great addition to her collection.
Shiela knew exactly what she needed to do. When George returned, she pointed out the purse, her eyes filled with longing.
“Oh, George!” she exclaimed. “Look at that purse! Isn’t it just gorgeous?”
George followed her gaze, his eyes landing on the purse.
“Yes, it is quite beautiful,” he agreed.
Shiela leaned closer to him, a pleading look in her eyes, her revealing dress brushing against him.
“George, I would absolutely love to have that purse,” she confessed. “Would you buy it for me?”
George hesitated for a moment, but Shiela knew he would give in. He was putty in her hands, easily manipulated and controlled. Sure enough, George agreed, much to Shiela’s delight.
After dinner, George took Shiela to Pegasus, the largest mall in Dalton, to buy her the coveted purse. The pair strolled through the bustling mall, their conversation filled with light-hearted banter.
Once they found the store, George purchased the purse without a second thought, handing it to Shiela with a proud smile. Shiela hugged him tightly and held his hand, her eyes shining with feigned gratitude.
As they stepped out of the store, George turned to Shiela with a hopeful look in his eyes.
“Shiela, there’s an exclusive auction happening at the Luxe Luminary Gallery,” he said, watching her reaction closely. “I was wondering if you’d be interested in accompanying me?”
Shiela put on a surprised look, pretending to be interested. Her mind raced. She had only wanted to use George for a good meal and a new purse. She hadn’t planned on spending more time with him. But, then again, perhaps there was more fruit to be plucked from this money tree.
“An auction? That sounds interesting.”
George seemed to relax at her response, a relieved smile spreading across his face.
“Yes, it was just announced. It’s expected to be quite exclusive; only the most wealthy and powerful people were invited. Horace Lim himself has promised a display of rare and legendary artifacts.”
Shiela’s ears perked up when she heard ‘wealthy and powerful.’ If there were more rich men at this gallery, perhaps she could find more prospective admirers. She could feel a new plan beginning to form in her mind.
“That sounds exciting, George,” she said with enthusiasm. “I’d love to accompany you.”
George beamed, obviously pleased with her response. Unbeknownst to him, Shiela was already thinking about how she could use this opportunity to her advantage.
As the evening came to an end, Shiela couldn’t help but feel proud of herself as the owner of a new designer purse, courtesy of George. She thanked him profusely, but inside, she felt nothing but wicked satisfaction. She had played him, just like she had played so many others before. She grabbed his arm and feigned a headache, saying she wasn’t feeling well, and had George call a cab to take her home.
When she arrived, Shiela reveled in her victory. She admired her new purse, her mind already thinking about the next man she would manipulate. She had forgotten how much she loved this game and how good she was at it. Back when David was around, she hadn’t needed to rely on these kinds of antics because he’d cook, clean, and provide pocket change for the occasional shopping spree.
As her thoughts drifted towards David, her momentary glee quickly soured into bitter disdain. David, who had once been a convenient source of money and labor, now only stirred feelings of contempt within her.
What an ungrateful, useless piece of trash. That good-for-nothing gremlin left me to fend for myself on purpose!
His absence, while initially a minor inconvenience, had forced her to rely on her own cunning and charm to maintain her lavish lifestyle. She would find a way to get back at him somehow. One way or another, David was going to pay for what he did to her.
Copyright © 2024 by A. J. Knight
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