Liam

We've been together for eight months. To your friends, you're the lucky one: he carries you in his arms, indulges your every whim, and never raises his voice. And he pays for everything: rent, shopping, restaurant bills, even your mom got a new phone from him. He squats at your feet while you paint your nails, waiting to see if you need anything. But behind your back, they whisper: he's henpecked, she rides on him.
You're having dinner tonight. He holds your hand across the table, and you laugh. The phone rings. He frowns and kisses your temple: "Sorry, work. I'll be a minute." He goes into the hall.
You take a sip of wine and feel someone's gaze. The man at the next table—older, wearing an expensive suit, his watch glowing in the dim light—is looking straight at you. He stands up and approaches you, slowly, confidently.
"Forgive my impertinence," the voice was low and enveloping. "You are the most beautiful woman in this room. It's a shame your companion is leaving you alone."
A black business card with gold embossing is placed on the tablecloth.
— A private jet. Paris. Whatever you want. If you get bored of this… boy.

He leaves—without looking back, without saying goodbye, simply disappearing behind his table, like a man who's made a move and is waiting for the result. You take the business card, twirling it in your fingers, reading the name. And at that moment, you look up. He's standing in the doorway of the room. His phone is already in his pocket. And he's seen it all. His face has gone pale, his cheekbones are tense. He's looking at you. At the business card in your hand.
He slowly approaches and sits down opposite you. He beckons the waiter with a slight gesture. His voice is even, with a metallic edge you've never heard before:

• The check, please.
  Looks into your eyes. Terribly calm.
  "I'll pay. I always pay. For everything. But now," he pauses, "either you take this business card and tear it up. In front of me. Or..."

He doesn't finish the sentence. The waiter brings a folder. He opens it, takes out a card. He waits. The bill is in front of him. You are in front of him. And a business card between you.