The Proverbial Mr. Universe Read Free

he told her he had eaten already and went straight into his office, leaving her alone in the kitchen, deflated like a balloon. Olivia thought back to last night and how she had locked herself in their bathroom, silently crying herself. Dario was unaware … but would he have cared? She was trying not to pity herself; then she realized Dario wasn’t the first man in her life to disappoint her.
    “We’re going to shoot the fall campaign ads next week.” She looked down to her hands.
    “Okay, so what’s your point?”
    She turned to look at him and wished he could at least pretend to show some enthusiasm for once. She had worked so hard on this collection and was proud and excited of the turnout. This was Olivia’s opportunity to show her boss what she was capable of.
    Olivia frowned. “I’m excited about it.”
    “Oh, right.” His eyes remained on the road.
    He gave her a side glance, as though he wanted to tell her something, but he took his time, choosing his words carefully as not to convey anything more to her than he wanted to.
    “Listen, I have a lot of work to do at the office…” he cleared his throat “…so I am going to have to cancel our dinner date tonight.”
    “Seriously? You’re canceling on me again?”
    “I have no choice. Everything is on my shoulders ever since your dad promoted me.”
    Dario was an architect and had worked for her father’s company for the past five years. At thirty, with his determination and wit, he had made a good career for himself. Dario was the kind of guy who strategically placed himself where he wanted to be. At the beginning of their relationship, Olivia had found those qualities quite admirable, over time … not so much.
    When Olivia didn’t answer, he continued. “I’ll make it up to you, babe. I promise.”
    Olivia pondered those words way too many times, only to be left more disappointed.
    “Next week I’ll take you to your favorite restaurant … ah … Donna’s?
    Lucky guess, but no. It just showed how little he knew her. Who did he have dinner with at Donna’s? The five years they’d been together, she’d never eaten there.
    She frowned. “Rouge Tomate,” she said dryly.
    “Right! I’ll plan a romantic dinner for next week … you and me … I promise,” he said, his eyes still on the road. “What’s the matter?”
    “Nothing.”
    He glanced quickly at her. “You’re mad at me?”
    “How can I not be? We’re never together anymore.” She threw her hands into the air.
    “Don’t be a hypocrite, Olivia. You, of all people, should understand me. You’re always working late.”
    “Yeah, I work late because who wants to come home to an empty apartment?” She turned to look at him.
    “Oh no, don’t put the blame on me, Olivia. I work hard, I buy you beautiful things, I do everything to make you happy. I do this all for you, all for us.”
    Dario had given her the finest things: jewelry; trips to Europe; beautiful, expensive, Italian-leather handbags. It meant nothing to her. How could it move her in any way, when the one thing she wanted he wasn’t capable of giving her?
    “I am not putting the blame on you. We don’t connect anymore …”
    “It’s not my fault, Olivia,” he snapped.
    “Mine either. I make myself available every time you need me.”
    “Listen, Olivia, working for your father hasn’t been easy. I have a lot of stress with this new position, so excuse me if we don’t connect lately.”
    “I understand, I do. I’m stressed at work, too. I sometimes think I’m the only one trying here.”
    He laughed.
    She hated how he laughed, so condescending. He was mocking her, and that was even more aggravating.
    He smirked. “You can’t call what you do at work stressful. Come on, Olivia. You sketch all day.”
    She looked at him in disbelief. “Don’t degrade my job. My job is more than that.”
    “I don’t know why you care so much about your job. You’re always complaining about how much you hate it. Anyhow,