Chapter 21
"What's the problem? I get a bit of eye candy to show off to all the execs on the board of investors, and you get to spend the evening with an insanely rich, devilishly handsome, charming young business tycoon." He preens cockily, wiggling his eyebrows.
Charity scoffs. "Well if you find someone that actually fits that description you let me know and I'll think about it, yeah?" She tries to turn away and catch someone else's attention. Literally anyone will do right now..
"Oh come on darlin', you know you want to" he replies arrogantly, sliding his hand up her thigh.
"Don't you 'darling' me! And keep your sodding hands to yourself!" She grabs his wrist and yanks his hand away from her leg, her anger rising.
"Feisty! I like it.." leaning far too much into her personal space.
She grabs the front of his shirt in her fist, staring him down. "Yeah? Well I'll show exactly how feisty I can be in a minute if you don't sling your hook!" before she pushes him away again harshly, but he doesn't seem the slightest bit perturbed.
"Is that a promise?" He adds what he clearly thinks is a cheeky wink and swaggers towards her again.
"Ergh! Just bog off and take your naff hairdo with you will ya?!" She turns away from him again and spots Mandy sitting on her own in a booth so decides to put some physical distance between herself and the insidious prick seeing as though he's not getting the message.
He tries again as she gets up from the bar stool she's been occupying and goes to walk away from him. "Come on. Just one night. You don't know what you're missing out on - Champagne on ice, you draped in diamonds....I'll even throw in a night in a luxury suite if you're good." He winks again
Charity rolls her eyes and mutters under her breath: "Don't say I didn't warn you" as she spins herself round to face him again, using the momentum to land a solid punch across his face. He staggers backwards with the force, his hand flying up to his nose and coming back down covered in blood. His eyes go wide in shock and anger.
"You'll regret that you stupid little bitch" he manages through the blood dribbling into his mouth.
"Not a chance mate. I know your type. You think you're God's gift to women. That everyone will fall at your feet, begging to be your latest bit of fluff. Well newsflash, I'd rather shove my hand in a blender than touch you with a flippin' barge pole! Men like you make me sick. Now get out before I make even more of a mess of that face of yours!" She glares at him, her breathing ragged, and the hatred radiating from her until he finally takes the hint and slinks off towards the door with his tail between his legs and his pride more than a little bruised.
She glances around the pub and all eyes are on her. Great, just what she didn't want: an audience. She tries to ignore them and go back to her drink, hoping that they'll all do the same. Obviously that's too much like wishful thinking though.
"You feeling alright, Charity love?" Cain chirps up from across the bar
"Just dandy thanks" she retorts sarcastically
"You sure? It's just that....a few years ago you'd have been the one chasing him around trying to marry his bank account. Thought he'd be just your type.." he goads
"Shut up Cain! Unless you want your face rearranging an' all!"
Cain widens his eyes innocently and holds his hands up in mock surrender. "You can't blame me, Charity - we all know what you're like"
"Yeah, you like to think you do. You know nothing. I'm not that person any more so just keep your neb out of my business and my life!" With that she throws the last of her drink down her neck and storms out, all but crashing into someone in the doorway.
"What's going on?" Vanessa asks as she rights herself after narrowly avoiding colliding with Charity or the doorframe.
"Nothing to worry about love" Cain replies "Just Charity offending the punters as usual"