A wicked Tale
A/N: As always, my mother tongue isn't English so please, no flames.
it wasn't beta
Chapter 3
Buffy greeted the receptionist Susana as she waited for a visitor badge to go up to see Riley. She tried to smile at Susana and be nice but she practically drove her nuts. Susana was one of those gossip types who couldn't keep her mouth quiet for a minute, if something happened in the office she had to spread the word, people felt sorry for her because she looked so tiny and scared most of the time, 'A little mouse' her colleagues called her.
As she registered Buffy and waited for the approval from her computer she gossiped about Nina and Angel.
"You know, I heard that Mr. O'Connor gave her a ring worth more then my house".
Buffy smiled, a little uncomfortable, she didn't like to gossip on people she hardly knew.
"They look so much in love, they look handsome together don't you think?"
"Umm…yes, sure, in love, I guess"? Buffy offered back.
"Here's your badge Buffy, see you".
Buffy took the badge quickly and went for the stairs as the doors where about to close someone entered it and pressed on the last floor.
Buffy looked at him, realizing it was Angelus O'Connor.
"Mr. O'Connor" she called him. He looked at her confused and she blushed deeply, he doesn't remember her, how embarrassing, but again why would he? She was barley high school graduated and he was a man, a very handsome powerful man who was about to marry a gorgeous blond, his age, and his class. Why would he remember her?
She felt so embarrassed but she had to say something otherwise it would be just too weird.
"I don't know if you remember me…" ho god, he is thinking, stop blushing Buff, "I am Riley Finn's fiancé."
There was a brief silent then recognition hit him and he smiled at her, thanks the powers that be "Yes right, Riley's fiancé, Bunny right?"
Her heart sank and she wanted to crawl underneath herself, "Buffy" she smiled politely, "It's Buffy".
"Yes, of course, " he smiled apologetic, "Buffy. How are you?"
"Um, fine thank you."
Another silent. God, she thought, what an awful moment, obviously he didn't want to talk to her, he does not remember her, her name and why should he? She's just a girl.
"Riley is very happy to be here" she had to do it again, what's wrong with her? Get a grip Buffy, he is a man A MAN you are a kid compare to him, he doesn't care about Riley or anything else, he's just being nice and polite. Although a small part of her was disappointed that after an hour of talking, back then at the Halloween party he didn't remember her or her name.
"I'm glad that Riley is happy here, he is a great asset to our company and I am looking forward to see his development here".
The doors opened and Buffy sighed for relieve.
Angelus presents her his hand and she shook it, "Nice meeting you Buffy" he smiled politely and walked away.
Buffy kept on blushing and thinking how stupid and childish she is all the way to Riley's office. When she approached his office she heard laughter and giggles. Opening the door slowly she revealed Riley sitting on his desk, literally on his desk and next to him set the most amazing woman she had ever seen. She was tall and curved, her hair was dark with a hint of brown in it and her eyes were the deepest blue. She looked older then Buffy, something in her mid twenties.
They looked friendly and cozy together and Buffy felt a pang in her heart. She brushed it away quickly as Riley hugged her and presented her to his company.
"Buffy, I want you to meet Lilah Morgan my colleague, Lilah, this is my fiancés Buffy Summers".
Lilah shook her hand, "Nice to meet you".
Angelus barged into the room.
"Hi Riley, sorry to interrupt, I need you for a couple of minutes. Lilah do you mind?"
She smiled at Angelus, "not at all".
As soon as they left the office Lilah turned to Buffy, "So Riley is telling me you are getting married soon".
Buffy didn't trust her, she smiled in fake sweetness, "yes we are, we're very much in love, and I can hardly wait to become Mrs. Riley Finn".
Lilah smirked at her, "How sweet, he is quit the men isn't he? So handsome and smart and his manners, any girl to choose him will be a princess".
"That's exactly how he makes me feel" Buffy added, a bit anger in her voice, Lilah had a thing for him, Buffy just knew it, the way she described him, the way her eyes drifted dreamily, like hell she will give him up for her or any other women, unless Riley thought otherwise she will fight for him.
"You know, "Lilah interrupted her thoughts, "It's the first time I feel great to work with a men like him, he so kind and dangerous I might fall for him".
"Well lucky for me he is already taken".
"I don't see a ring on that lovely finger" she bluntly remarked.
Buffy felt anger boil inside her; she was about to answer her when Riley came back.
"O.K, sweetie, let's go for lunch".
They said their goodbye to Lilah and left the office.
"She's nice ha?" Riley smiled goofy, Buffy wanted to smack him on the head.
"Yea, real angel" she smirked but Riley missed it.
"I feel great working with her"
Buffy raised her brow" those were the exact words Lilah used, how lovely".
Riley noticed then the anger in her voice; he held her close to him and swept her of her feet, she giggled as he kissed her passionately, "You are the only thing I think about beautiful".
She smiled back and warped her arms around him.
"You better".
They didn't notice the curtains in Angelus office turned slightly, or the anger reflected his face. He barked for Lilah to fucking come right now.
"What the hell are you doing?" he shouted at her.
"Exactly what you told me Angelus, I think she's jealous, I made a point showing her how I am after her men".
Angelus remembered their laughter in the hall, "it didn't look that way from where I was standing".
"Gee, sue me" she snapped.
Angelus was mere inches from her face, "Listen to me and listen carefully, if it hadn't been for me you would be dead by the hands of your ex gangster boyfriend, I bailed you, I lied for you I own you and you would pay darling. I always get what I want I want Buffy and Buffy will be mine no matter what, the only question is are you willing to help or not?" there was no asking in his voice only threats and she knew perfectly well to where those threats leading to.
"I understand perfectly well. Our plan is working, after today everything will change, you'll see".
"You better make it happen Lilah because I will not loose her because of you" he snapped, "now leave!"
Angelus phoned Gunn, "Hi, it's me, everything is ready for tonight? Good. Remember don't get to far with this, wait a couple of minutes and wear the masks "
Buffy escorted Riley to his office and went to refresh in the restroom, she closed the door behind her and a few minutes later she heard what seamed like a conversation with two women.
"Did you see them laughing and holding hands?"
"Yes, the bastard, engaged to a lovely girl and all the while fucking Lilah. He didn't bought her an engagement ring, I guess in Sunnydale you don't need this kind of commitment"
"He didn't buy her a ring?"
"No. You think he did it so he can continue to fuck Lilah?"
"I don't know, she's so hooked up on Angelus that she'll take anyone to make her forget".
"Yes, but I can't really blame her you know, Angelus is a total hotti"
"Don't forget filthy rich" the other smirked.
They laughed and left the room.
Buffy leaned on the wall, inside the small cell, her heart was beating fast and a lonely tear escaped her eyes.
'No, it can't be, they're laying, he can't…he will never…' they never did mention Riley but only a fool will ignore all this coincidence.
She needed to get away from there, to get some fresh air and think…
She didn't notice Angelus watching her as she ran away crying, a small smile crept to his face.
He couldn't have planned it better, one word to Susana and the all office were talking about it. It didn't matter that it wasn't the truth what matters is who heard it first.
He picked up his phone and dialed.
"Riley, can you please come in here? Lilah you too".
Riley and Lilah went into Angelus office. Lilah folded her arms, smiling to herself ' show time'.
Riley left Angelus office and asked for Dawn's assistant.
"Hi Dawn, I need a favor, I need you to call Buffy and tell her that we are invited to this party and…"
"Dawn" Angelus called for her, "I need you here ASAP".
"Coming Angelus. Sorry, Riley I didn't get all you said, why don't you leave a number and I'll call Buffy".
"Thanks Dawn, you're a life savor".
When Dawn finished with Angelus she went back to her desk but she didn't know of Lilah visit to the reception, or that she left her a fake number of Buffy.
"What did Riley asked?" Dawn was talking to herself remembering her asked her something about Buffy and a party. She caught Lilah passing by, "Hi Lilah".
"Yes sweetie?" Dawn wrinkled her face, she didn't like her much but she couldn't avoid her forever.
"Riley asked me to call Buffy, something about a party? Do you know anything about it?"
Score for Lilah, she smiled happily "Yes, actually I do, we are invited there but without spouse".
She left Dawn to do her work and turned smiling.
Riley was disappointed when Dawn couldn't reach Buffy, he reluctantly went alone with Lilah hoping that Buffy would surprise him.
After literally running from Riley's Office Buffy had a lot of time to think. This is an office, people talk all the time, it could be rumors, it could be very viscous rumors that someone started. She will talk to Riley, better then that she will buy him his favorite food and surprise him now. She knew he should still be working, it was almost 19:00 but Riley was a hard worker.
As she was about to turn left towards W & H she noticed Lilah coming out of the building, dressed very elegantly in a green gown followed by…HO MY GOD! Riley was there with her, he put his hand on her shoulders and helped her into the waiting car, she was telling him something and he laughed about it. Buffy felt sick, she dropped the food and ran away, she didn't know where as long as she will get away from there.
In the distance Angelus noticed it and called Gunn
"Get ready, she's there".