Page 78 of Game of Revenge

I realized I hadn’t given much thought to how he must have been feeling this whole time.

“Do you care?” asked Alejandro, lips pursed.

“Well, he is not responsible for Richard's sins,” I explained. “And he’s always been good to me,” I admitted.

“Good to you?” said Alejandro with a cold laugh. “That’s hardly a reason to date someone. And you dated him for, what, about two years?”

What was his problem?

“I don’t have to explain my choices to you,” I answered, my voice slightly elevated.

“You’re right. You don’t,” he said menacingly, getting closer to me, “but I am asking you anyway.”

I swallowed hard, a bit scared by the fire I saw on his face.

“He is a good man, that’s all. Richard thought he was a perfect match for me, and frankly, it didn’t matter much. He was a nice man and respected my space. That was all I needed. What do you want to hear exactly? That I was in love? What for? Why would anyone ever give another person such control over their life, their emotions?”

I felt a pinch in my heart that I didn’t quite understand.

“I see.”

He didn’t seem satisfied by my answer, his face more serious than before.

“Do you still plan on marrying him?” Why did it sound like a threat?

I didn’t know how to answer. That was always the plan. It made sense, but now clearly a lot had changed.

“It was part of the plan,” I admitted. “George and I make sense.”

“I thought you were stronger than to play it safe, Amelia. I've seen you—the real you—and you don’t strike me as the kind of woman who would be satisfied with a placid relationship.”

“How dare you!”

I was getting more and more frustrated by his comments. What did he want from me exactly? Was there even a perfect answer to those questions? My plans had been laid out for me, and I had accepted them out of convenience.

Then, Alejandro had thrown all my safeguards away and turned my life upside down in just a few months. I didn’t know what I wanted.

I knew I wanted him more than I had ever wanted anything in my life. But all those questions, they were scaring me.

I found myself wanting the comfort and predictability I had found in my relationship with George. Not this all-consuming need for someone that I didn’t even know how long I really had them for. And now what? He wanted my doubts exposed, my sorrows palpable? Why?

“What do you think is better?” I shouted, trying to deny my pain. “Someone like you? Someone who sleeps around without caring about the feelings of others? Why would I ever put myself at the mercy of someone else like that?”

Alejandro gave me a death stare that almost sent me running, but I held his gaze. This wasn’t the time to show weakness. I didn’t mean what I said, but I didn’t know how to take it back. So, I panicked and doubled down.

“Is that really what you think of me?” His eyes flashed with anger, as his jaw ticked.

“Isn’t it the truth?”

“Amelia,” he said, cornering me at his office door, “not every man is Richard. You don’t have to settle for someone just because they feel like the safe choice, the easy choice.”

Those words hit me hard. I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. How could he, with just one sentence, threaten to shatter years of self-preservation? How could I have been so transparent? I quickly moved away from him, walking as fast as I could, but he was right there on my heels, grabbing me, turning me around, forcing me to face him.

“Why are you doing this to me?!” I screamed, unable to stop the tears. “What do you want from me?”

“I am not saying I haven’t slept around. But why wouldn’t I, as long as I make things clear and am honest?”

He looked at me with eagerness in his eyes. “But with you…you…” He let out a frustrated sigh. “I want you, just you. I fucking need you more than I have ever needed anyone. Don’t you get that?” he said, grabbing my face. I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head.