Chapter 7
The air conditioner in the academic affairs office buzzed as Sienna slid the withdrawal form across the glass window.
Steam rose from the dean’s insulated cup. “You really want to quit. school? Your advisor said you’re the most promising one in this group.”
Just as Sienna was about to speak, the sound of high heels echoed down. the terrazzo corridor.
Tracy leaned against the doorframe with a stack of documents in her arms. “Mr. Lipton, the guest professor’s contract needs your signature.”
Sienna quickly used the form to cover her face and headed to the restroom.
In her panic, she rushed into a stall, high heels following closely behind.
As she turned the wooden door, she caught a glimpse of Tracy untying her silk scarf and touching up her makeup.
Like a deliberate display, a trail of hickey marks adorned her pale neck- like crushed cherries in the snow.
Tracy’s phone lit up.
The contact name “Lewis” was reflected in the mirror.
Tracy’s pearl–manicured finger swiped to answer. “I’m at your alma mater… What? The admin building parking lot?”
She suddenly lowered her voice. “You even pulled threads out of the hotel carpet last night…
Her voice ended like a hook dipped in honey.
Sienna’s thumb trembled above her phone, which now felt like a splinter driven under her nail.
“Someone’s with you?”
Lewis‘ voice crackled with static. “Come with me tonight to try on engagement rings? The jewelry store just got a new batch of pink diamonds.”
Sienna’s nails dug into her palm.
Last week he said he had an international conference–turns out he was taking Tracy to get her ring size measured.
She suddenly remembered last year at the mall, when she clung to the window looking at couple rings, and he tousled her hair, laughing. “What’s the rush? Wait until you graduate.”
“You’re so annoying!”
Tracy raised an eyebrow at the mirror. “Didn’t we agree to keep this a
secret?”
The hickeys on her neck rose and fell with her swallowing. “By the way, there’s a weirdo in the admin building restroom staring at me.”
The sound of a car door closing came through the phone. “Stay right there, I’m coming.”
Sienna abruptly pressed the flush button.
As the tank roared, the withdrawal form was torn in two, then smoothed flat again.
She glanced at the mirror one last time–Tracy was adjusting the lace
10%
11:130
strap of her lingerie in her compact mirror.
Sienna only dared to step out after Tracy left,
The emergency exit at the end of the hallway glowed green.
Sienna counted the steps as she ran down, canvas shoes echoing through the fire escape.
As she rounded the corner on the second floor, she heard familiar footsteps below.
“You’re here?!”
Lewis‘ scarf brushed the back of her hand. “Did you see Tracy? It’s her first time visiting our campus…
He suddenly paused, eyes falling on the document folder in her hand.
Sienna tucked a loose strand behind her ear. “I’m here to withdraw.”
She stared at the lipstick stain on his scarf–YSL Slim No. 214.
The same color Tracy had just touched.
“Ridiculous!”
- up.
Lewis reached for the folder. “Is it just because I didn’t answer your call the other day? Why are you throwing a tantrum
His cuff brushed the web of her thumb. Sienna stepped back, the application form scattering like snowflakes. She bent down to pick them up. “Mr. Mcclure!”
Tracy’s baby voice floated down from upstairs. “I can’t find the parking card… ”
Chapter 7
Lewis paused as he reached for his wallet.
Sienna suddenly noticed a hidden slot in his wallet containing a Polaroid -Tracy holding a coffee cup at Mont Blanc, wearing the couple’s gloves Sienna had gifted him.
“Go on.”
Sienna stuffed the last half of the withdrawal form into the trash can. “Your princess is waiting.”
With that, she walked away without looking back.
***
Drizzle began falling outside the glass doors.
Sienna pulled up the hood of her hoodie, hearing hurried footsteps behind her.
Tracy caught up, holding a black umbrella, the Chrome Hearts cross hanging from its handle. “Ms. Winters, you left your phone in the
restroom.”
As the lock screen lit up, Sienna saw a priority push notification.
Lewis had updated his Instagram two minutes ago–Tracy wearing a diamond ring, captioned, “Seven–year Promise.”
The rain grew heavier.
Sienna wiped her face and shoved the phone into the back pocket of her jeans.
At the bus stop, the digital billboard looped a diamond ring commercial- the model’s neck bore hickeys identical to Tracy’s.
Chapter 7
As the No. 71 bus splashed into the station, she glimpsed Lewis‘ Maybach pulling out of the parking lot and the woman in the passenger seat
munching on the cookies she had baked yesterday.
