Page 99 of Game of Revenge
“Are you really going to marry him?”
The question took me by surprise.
“Don’t we have bigger things to worry about?” I asked, defensive.
“Answer me,” he demanded.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” I said, trying to pass by him to get out of the room. It suddenly felt like it was collapsing on us.
“Stop walking away from me,” he grunted as he grabbed my arm to keep me there.
“Why do you care? Aren’t YOU also getting married? I owe you no explanation about my relationship with George. None!”
“Amelia, that’s what I've been trying to tell you,” he said in a grave voice. “I’m not marrying Elena. It’s all a lie.”
“Really? Ugh, how can you say that? You gave her a ring! Doesn’t that mean you changed your mind about being with her?”
“No, no, it doesn't. You know she was helping me with Richard, with the plan. You know that. When I met Richard months ago, she was with me, and we played the relationship game so I could seem less…suspicious. And yes, eventually I told him we were engaged. He helped me buy the ring. I needed him to feel like I trusted him. I needed him to feel like we were bonding. He was flattered enough to even offer to host an engagement party. This was all calculated, Amelia. We are not engaged.” Alejandro looked disgusted by his words.
I removed my arm from his hand, my heart pounding, reason muddled by pain and jealousy.
“You got engaged. You have a past with her. I can't believe this means nothing.”
“Might I remind you, Amelia, you are also wearing another man’s ring around your finger right now? A man you also have a past with?” he pointed out as he grabbed my left arm, holding it to emphasize the ring under the light.
“Does that mean you love him? Hmm? Does that mean you already forgot about us, how I made you come, how you screamed my name?”
“Stop it,” I pleaded as I felt my throat closing up.
“Tell me, muñeca,” he continued, taking no pity on me, “because as far as I am concerned, no matter whose ring you are fucking wearing on your finger, you are mine,” he growled as his nostrils flared, his jawline straight. “We are both faking it, but we both know how we feel about each other. Don't deny it.”
I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. But I found the courage to use my free hand to grab the bag of diamonds from my purse and put it in his hand. He looked shocked, as if he didn’t think I would have actually gone through with it. His jaw clenched, and he closed his eyes as he put the bag in his pocket.
“Don’t do this. Please.” His plea felt like an arrow though my heart.
“You have to go. You got what you wanted,” I added with a broken voice. “Your nightmare is over.”
I could not hold the tears in any longer. Alejandro pulled me toward him before I could escape. His arms wrapped around my waist as his mouth met mine, desperate, passionate, forcing my lips to part, demanding that I let him in. I fought the kiss the best I could, pushing and punching him, but he was not budging, getting dangerously close to breaking the few walls I had left to protect my heart.
I calmed down, caving in to his desire, becoming clay in his hands. I kissed him back, burying my fingers in his hair, taking all he had to offer, kissing him as if this was the last time. We both stopped to catch some air, our hearts pounding out of our chests.
My tears were taking over again as I pushed him away. He had the diamonds. It was over. I had to get away.
I left the room like the devil was behind me—and he was. I could hear him following me. The pursuit came to a halt when I almost ran into Martha, who was looking at the two of us with an extremely confused look on her face.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, looking protectively at my distorted face.
“Nothing, Nana. I have to go. If they ask for me, say I left. Give this to George,'' I said as I removed that stupid ring off my finger. “And don’t let anyone follow me,” I said as I continued my way out of sight.
I did not turn around to see what was going on. I headed to the patio, knowing it was the quickest way to the garage. I focused on slowing my pace down, not wanting to raise any suspicions from the guards, one of whom was staring at me with interest. I grabbed my cell phone and pretended to answer a call.
“Okay, now I can hear you better. I must have a poor signal inside of the house for some reason.”
I pretended to walk like someone who was a little inebriated would and laughed to my heart’s content, as if I was partaking in the funniest conversation of my life. The guard dismissed me as I continued my ruse until I got to my white Audi. Whatever happened to Richard, this car was under my name, and it would remain mine. I was still shaking, but I was feeding on the adrenaline rush as I turned the car on and drove away from my childhood house, I hoped for the last time.
On the way, I stopped at a grocery store and bought a lot of comfort food and wine. When I checked into the Airbnb apartment, I opened the wine and chugged straight from the bottle. My heart was aching, and I couldn’t stop the tears, but the wine would eventually help me pass out. I already had a few missed calls from Alejandro, George, and Martha.
I simply turned the phone off as I waited for the alcohol to flow through my veins and take the pain away. Iris, Chloe, and Keisha were just a few minutes away if I needed them. I wasn’t alone. Despite George and Richard, I did have people who cared for me, and that was priceless.