Chapter 38: The Confrontation
1296words
'You are joking," he chuckled.
'I bet the Reyes didn't give birth to a dumbass who can't read simple text. I acquired your debt, Nathan, and it's overdue. I'm not patient enough for delays anymore. You have two weeks," I declared and stood up.
'You can't do this, Scarlett. What's wrong with you? You put me in this mess, so why are you making it worse?" he said, standing up too.
'Am I to blame for your company's lack of trustworthiness? Pay up, Nathan, and we won't have a problem. Or, pack out of my house. Your choice. Have a horrible day," I said, walking out, ignoring his calls.
'This is bullshit!" he snapped, slamming his hand on the desk, clutching the paper. I winked at him as the elevator doors closed.
'Shall we, ma'am?" Gabriel's voice suddenly rang in my ears as I neared my car. I spun around and saw him leaning against another car.
'Gabriel?" I whispered, and he vanished.
Realizing I was hallucinating, I took a deep breath as tears filled my eyes. I climbed into my car and moved off before making the call I had in mind.
'It's been a while, boss," a thick voice answered on the other end.
'I have a job for you, but wait for my go-ahead before you carry it out," I said.
'As you wish, boss. Who is the target?" he asked, sounding drunk.
'Not a person. I want you to burn down Reyes Legacy Jewels. I don't care how you do it, but it must be clean. No one should die," I instructed.
'When do you want it done? Tonight?"
'Not tonight. I will give you the signal soon. Just be ready," I said, hanging up.
Suddenly, a car swerved into my path, forcing me to slam on the brakes. I lunged forward; if not for my seatbelt, I would have been thrown through the windshield. I quickly reached into my bag, grabbing my handgun, just as Nathan stepped out of the car, looking like he was going to murder someone. And that person would be me, but before he succeeds, he would receive a bullet from me.
He banged on my car door. I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.
'We need to talk!" he shouted. 'Now!"
'We have nothing to talk about, Nathan. Move your car," I said coolly.
'I said we need to talk, Scarlett."
'Incessant son of a bitch," I muttered under my breath. 'Get in," I unlocked the passenger door. He strode around and got in.
'We need to end this madness once and for all," he started.
I put my gun away and looked at him. 'What madness?" I asked sarcastically.
'What do you really want from me? Be honest for once. Stop with the ruining-my-life crap," he said, his voice cold yet soft.
'I want you to suffer, Nathan," I said, staring him in the eyes. 'I want you to feel the pain I felt when you left me. I want you to be tortured, to beg for death that won't come," I said, each word dripping with bitterness. My heart raced, and tears welled up as old wounds reopened.
'Over what?" His cold words pierced my heart, leaving scars. 'Are you the first person to be heartbroken, Scarlett? Are you the first to have a failed relationship? Besides, why are you so hung up on me? I wasn't the first to break your heart. What about Juan? He cheated on you with your sister, but you think me choosing your friend over you is worse?"
I chuckled. 'Do you want to know what happened to Juan?" I asked. He remained silent. 'I killed him," I said, watching his eyes narrow.
'How could you be so heartless, Scarlett? You are not the woman I fell in love with."
'Because you killed her," I whispered, wiping my tears. 'You destroyed the woman you loved and created a monster. You made me like this, Nathan, so why are you complaining?"
Without another word, he reached for my face, his thumb brushing my cheek. I leaned into his touch, my stomach fluttering. As our eyes locked, the weight of the pain I had been carrying seemed to lift. For a moment, I felt free, and I wished things hadn't gotten so bad. He leaned in and kissed me, sending a shiver down my spine. I didn't want it to stop. I didn't want to remember anything. I just wanted to be in his arms, just the two of us. But the past can't be erased, and I couldn't forget what he did.
I closed my eyes as the kiss deepened, my back pressing against the car door. My fingers tangled in his hair, giving him a gentle massage. Everything was going smoothly until the image of Gabriel's death and the sound of the gunshot shattered my thoughts.
'Let me go!" I shoved him away suddenly, surprising us both. 'You murdered Gabriel!" I shouted, my chest heaving, fists clenched.
'Can you stop saying that? You know me, Scarlett. I can get angry sometimes, but I don't kill people. Why would I kill your bodyguard?"
'He is my friend!" I screamed.
'Was," he corrected.
'That's because you took him away from me!" I sobbed. 'You killed Gabriel because I burned down your warehouse. I hate you, Nathan. I hate you!" I buried my face in my hands, crying uncontrollably.
'I didn't, Scarlett. I would never kill anyone, least of all your bodyguard," he said softly.
I looked up. 'His name was Gabriel! And you think I will trust you after everything you have put me through? Never. Besides, you think I'm capable of killing someone, so why shouldn't I think the same of you?"
'I never said you killed anyone; you said that yourself."
'And you believe it because you have forgotten everything about me in nine years while I still remember it all. I'm the victim, yet I'm still suffering the consequences. Why aren't you suffering?"
'You think I'm not?" he shot back. 'I loved you more than you can imagine, Scarlett. Letting you go was the hardest and most painful thing I have ever done. I never stopped thinking about you. I even mistreated Ever because I blamed her for losing you. All these years, I never stopped loving you. So, why do I deserve this?"
'If you never forgot about me, you wouldn't have been married Everleigh when I returned. I was your bridesmaid, Nathan! I watched you put a ring on her finger, I watched you kiss her, and you think that didn't drive me crazy?"
'Then let's start over," he pleaded. 'Everleigh wants a divorce. I will sign it, and when I do, I want you back, Scarlett. Please."
My sobbing turned into a chuckle, then laughter.
'What's so funny?"
'You think I still love you enough to start over with you?" I snapped, wiping away the tears. 'I don't care if you get divorced or renew your vows. All I know is, I will make you suffer. Both of you. Now, get out of my car before I do something we will both regret."
'Why can't you just let go of the past, Scarlett? Let me make it right. I can't change what I have done, but I can give us a future. Please," he said, his voice soft and sincere.
'Too late. Get lost!" I said, starting the car.
'Scarlett, please—"
'Get out, Nathan!" I shouted, gripping the steering wheel. Without another word, he stepped out of the car. I watched him walk away, and the tears came back. The pain just won't let go. I'm trying to forget, but the past keeps chasing me, haunting me like a ghost.
