Mandy dashed through the shopping centre, arms loaded with bags, weaving past people on the escalator. She cursed under her breath at her useless boyfriend, James, who didn’t even own a car to pick her up and save her the hassle of lugging everything home. She’d had to book a taxi through the app, and of course, it arrived far too quickly. Now she was sprinting through the mall in heels, scrambling to reach the car park.
Mandy was furious. Not only had James failed to meet her, but her expensive leather shoes were rubbing her feet raw.
“Watch where you’re going!” snapped a woman on the escalator as Mandy accidentally clipped her with a shopping bag.
“Maybe you should pay attention instead of gawking!” Mandy shot back without looking.
“Rude!” the woman spat, but Mandy couldn’t care less.
She burst through the mall doors, only then remembering to check the taxi number. Too late—the driver had already cancelled. The fare had nearly doubled. Mandy angrily closed the app, shoved her phone into her pocket, and spotted an empty bench. She dumped her bags onto it and flopped down, yanking off one of the stupid, uncomfortable shoes.
“Bloody hell! Everything’s against me today!” she muttered, shoving a shopping bag in frustration. It toppled over, spilling its receipt onto the bench.
Mandy leaned back and closed her eyes. Lately, it felt like the universe had it in for her…
***
Mandy had always believed she deserved the best. If it was a phone, it had to be the latest model. If it was a manicure or hair colour, only the top salon would do. Shoes? Only the finest quality. She applied the same standards to men—yet somehow, she kept ending up with losers. Instead of wealthy, handsome, intelligent suitors, she wound up with men who were old, fat, bald, dim, broke, or lazy. She’d been picky for years. Still, no one measured up.
“You’ll end up alone if you keep this up,” her mum sometimes warned. “A man’s worth isn’t in his looks or his wallet—it’s in his actions.”
“And am I supposed to admire his actions in the dark?” Mandy countered. “Besides, those grand gestures don’t come cheap.”
Her mum didn’t have an answer for that. Mandy was sharp-tongued, always ready with a comeback. You’d think she’d trained in wit, though in reality, she worked as a receptionist at a restaurant. That job, three years ago, was where it all started. Or rather, where her delusions took root. She’d watched wealthy men wine and dine glamorous women in furs and decided, *Why not me? I deserve that life too.*
But life had other plans. Rich men never looked her way. Something about her—maybe her small-town accent, her average education, her modest background—gave her away. Mandy dreamed of a fiancé with prestige, a high-ranking job, a luxury car, bespoke suits.
Years passed, men came and went, but her ideal never appeared. Eventually, she settled for James, a bank clerk four years older, with a steady but unremarkable salary. He was ordinary—light brown hair, grey eyes, average height, neither fit nor unfit. He did own a spacious two-bed flat (mortgaged, of course). But no car—James insisted public transport was more practical in the city.
He was kind, though persistent. He courted Mandy relentlessly—flowers at work, dinners, dates. After three months, worn down by her mother’s nagging, she gave in.
*”He’s a good man! Dotes on you, loves you—what more do you want? A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,”* her mother had said.
Mandy agreed grudgingly. Truthfully, life with James wasn’t bad. He was attentive, paid for her whims, took her abroad (though never five-star, always economy). He cooked, brought her coffee in bed, let her shop with friends. And he was serious—ready to propose.
Nearly a year passed. Mandy got used to him. But she never stopped dreaming. And she never hesitated to complain to friends about how James fell short. Though… really, she had little to complain about…
***
“Why is everything against me?” Mandy groaned, eyes closed.
A deep voice chuckled near her ear. “I’m not against you. In fact, I’d say you’re in very good company.”
Mandy startled, eyes flying open. Behind the bench stood Andrew. Years ago, back in college, he’d tried to ask her out—only for her to humiliate him in front of her friends.
For a moment, she didn’t recognise him. The scrawny, acne-riddled student was gone—replaced by a handsome brunet with a sharp haircut, stubble, broad shoulders, and a leather biker jacket.
“Blimey,” Mandy gasped. “You—you look different.”
“Long time no see,” Andrew grinned. “I recognised you straight away. What’s wrong? Sitting here, one shoe off, looking miserable?”
Awkwardly, Mandy explained her disastrous day (leaving out James, of course).
Andrew smirked. “Let me give you a lift. My car’s just there.”
She followed his gaze—a sleek black Range Rover gleamed nearby. Mandy nodded eagerly, rubbing her sore foot for effect. Within minutes, Andrew helped her into the passenger seat, stowed her bags, and took off toward her address.
“So,” Mandy purred, “care to share your secret? How’d the scrawny college boy turn into *this*?”
“Luck and the right connections,” Andrew shrugged. “But if you really want details, maybe over coffee? There’s a nice place nearby.”
Mandy’s mind raced. The shy boy from college was gone—replaced by this confident, wealthy man who was clearly interested.
“Absolutely,” she agreed. “I skipped lunch anyway.”
Half an hour later, they sat in a cosy café. Andrew explained dropping out, retraining in IT, landing a lead role in an AI project, then founding his own tech firm.
“You’re incredible,” Mandy gushed. “I always knew you had potential.”
Andrew smirked. “What about you? Married yet?”
Mandy shook her head quickly. Right now, James—still stuck in the same bank job—seemed pitiful compared to Andrew.
Over food, Andrew boasted about high-profile clients, holidays in the Maldives, expensive hobbies. Mandy listened, entranced. *This* was the man she deserved.
After paying, Andrew stood. “Shame to end this so soon.”
“My whole day’s free,” Mandy said quickly. “No need to rush.”
“Brilliant,” he grinned. “Fancy the cinema?”
She’d have gone anywhere to keep him around.
They spent the evening laughing, strolling after the film, flirting. Andrew hinted he hadn’t dated in ages.
When James texted, Mandy lied—*Just at a mate’s*. As the April night turned chilly, Andrew suggested coffee in the car to warm up. Mandy agreed.
Inside, he pulled her close, kissed her. She melted, dizzy with desire, letting things go.
“That was amazing,” she murmured later, fixing her lipstick as the car sped through the night. “When will I see you again?”
“I’ll call you,” Andrew said, parking outside her flat.
They kissed goodbye. Mandy floated inside, head swimming with excitement, guilt, and revived dreams.
The next day, she told James it was over—she’d never loved him, she’d met someone better. He clenched his jaw.
“If your mind’s made up, nothing I say will change it.”
“*Nothing*,” Mandy snapped, packing. “You’re not what I want.”
Hurt but proud, James let her leave. He knew—she hadn’t been at a friend’s.
Mandy returned to her mum’s, triumphant. Her mother disapproved—but reasoning with Mandy was impossible.
Days passed. A week. No call. Mandy dialled Andrew herself. The phone rang out.
“Odd,” she muttered. “Wrong number?”
She scoured social media—and froze.
Photos of Andrew with an unfamiliar woman. Two toddlers. Family holidays, park outings, dinner parties.
“But—he said he was single!” Mandy’s hands shook.
No tricks—this was his wife. His *kids*.
She called again. This time, he answered.
*”Andrew? Why haven’t you called?”* Her voice cracked. *”I thought we—you’re MARRIED?”*
*”Thought what, Mandy?”* He laughed. *”We had fun. That’s all.”*
*”I’ll tell your wife!”* she seethed.
*”Go ahead.”* His voice turned mocking. *”Got proof?”*
Mandy hung up, sickened. Andrew had used her. Returning to James was impossible—he’d never take her back now.
She threw her phone onto the bed and sobbed. Her dream life had slapped herNow, with her pride in tatters and no one to blame but herself, Mandy realised too late that the life she’d chased was nothing more than a glittering illusion, and the man she’d tossed aside had been the real treasure all along.
