Chapter 78: The Truth
1195words
I went out with Mr. Nathan two days later. We sat on a bench along the street at night, watching people moving to and fro. The sky was studded with twinkling stars, and the night street was beautiful with kaleidoscopic lights. The atmosphere was cool, and the weather was pleasant. It didn't seem like it would rain soon. My head was on his shoulder, and his hand slid around my waist, making me gasp.
'Get used to my touch, Scarlett. Stop getting scared," he said.
'I'm not scared," I defended, lifting my head from his shoulder and looking into his eyes.
'What?" he asked.
'Do you have a girlfriend?" I asked.
'Why would I want you if I had a girlfriend?" he said, and I nodded in agreement.
'That's right. So, any ex? Or exes?"
'Why are you suddenly interested in my love life?"
'Just answer the question," I said.
He nodded. 'I had; lots of them," he said. My stomach churned. What was I expecting? I have an ex too. And he bloody knows Angelo took advantage of me, yet he wants me.
'So, why did you break up with them?"
'I didn't break up with anyone. We were never in a serious relationship, so there was nothing to break," he said and chuckled. 'I want to hide no secrets from you, okay? But I hope this doesn't make you loathe me."
'Loathe you? What did you do with them?" I asked, looking confused.
'We just had sex, nothing more," he admitted. My stomach twisted as I immediately imagined him in the arms of another woman. But again, he must have imagined me in the arms of other men, yet he still loves me.
'So, you are saying you were a Casanova?" I tilted my head.
'Maybe," he affirmed, and I gasped. 'It's not what you think, okay? The truth is, I had a reckless lifestyle in the US. I went clubbing, gambled, and dated girls. I hated my life for many reasons. First, my parents wanted me to study a course I hated—business administration. And secondly, I had to do it in the States even though I wanted to return to the Philippines. I kept many ugly friends because I wanted my parents to regret their actions, but I ended up regretting it."
I sighed, patting him on the shoulder. 'I love the fact that you are truthful," I smiled.
'Thanks for not getting mad at me."
'Why would I? I also have my past, you know?" I rested my head on his shoulder.
'Do you want something? Ice cream? Snacks?"
'Yeah, I will go get it with your card," I said, raising my head from his shoulder. 'Don't worry, I won't spend much."
'You can spend as much as you want," he said, handing me his credit card and telling me the pin.
'What if I disappear with this card and withdraw all your money? Aren't you afraid of that?" I asked, standing up.
'Go ahead. Do whatever you like," he said, and I chuckled, spinning on my heels and walking across to the opposite shop.
'Stop what you are doing, Felicity," I saw Nathan pulling away from one psychopath who was trying to kiss him.
'You used to like this so much," she cooed, showing off her big boobs.
'Bitch!" I gritted my teeth, dumping the bag I was holding and rushing down to them. 'Don't touch him!" I yanked at her hair, pulling her up from the bench.
'Let me go," she cried out.
'Let her go, Scarlett," Nathan said.
'Don't touch me!" I jerked my hand from him. 'You should learn to keep your hands to yourself," I told the lady, pushing her back. She landed on her butt, a loud cry escaping her lips. She grunted, standing up.
'Fuck you, bitch!" she spat. I strode to pull her hair again, and she scampered off.
'It's okay," Nathan said, holding my hand.
'It's not okay!" I snapped, pulling my hand away from him. 'I will kill anyone that tries to go near you, Nathan. Tell them to stay away!" I groaned, my chest heaving, and I dropped on the bench, folding my hands and sulking. He squatted beside me, sweeping back my hair.
'Did you just display jealousy?" he asked, sounding amused.
'I am not jealous!" I groaned.
He sat beside me. 'Then, tell me why you got angry that another woman was touching me. What do you call that?"
'Who the hell is she in the first place? One of your exes?"
'Yeah."
'You should have allowed me to strangle her."
'I love you more, sweetheart," he said, pulling me closer and stroking my hair.
'I don't love you," I whispered.
'I know."
Present.
I was done narrating my story. 'I promised to kill any woman that goes close to him, Gabriel. But when the woman turned out to be my best friend, I didn't know how to handle the pain, and I left," I sobbed, tears falling down my cheeks.
'I understand how you feel," he said, pulling me closer to console me. 'You loved him all these years, regardless of what he did. You just have to try to forget the painful memories. From what you said, he loves you just as much, but you already know he couldn't go against his parents, so it's partially his fault. Forgive him completely, okay?"
'I don't want to go back to my past anymore, Gabriel," I said, pulling away and wiping my tears. 'Nathan can do whatever he wants with his life. I don't care anymore."
'Stop lying to your heart, Scarlett. You want him as much as he wants you."
'Stop defending him!" I snapped. 'I thought you said you love me, so why are you taking sides with my ex?"
'I am not taking sides; I just want you to be happy," he said.
'At the expense of you hurting?"
'I can handle it," he said.
'Let him be the one to handle it, not you," I declared.
Kristine came into my room after Gabriel left. She was ready to go back to Juan. She couldn't contain the idea of keeping his baby from him for so long.
'Are you sure about this?" I asked.
'I have thought about it thoroughly," she said with a sad smile. 'I wonder what he is up to now. We used to sit and chat at this hour when we first got married. I don't know why he changed suddenly, but regardless, I have forgiven him, and I hope he doesn't return to hitting me again."
'If he tries anything, let me know, okay? I will punish him over and over again," I said, and she smiled, moving closer to me.
'I love you, sis," she said, hugging me.
'I love you more," I smiled, pulling her closer into me.
If not for Nathan nagging me, my life would have been peaceful. Moreover, it has been up to three weeks since I felt the effect of Desirella. Could it be gone? Could the pain be gone forever? The idea of living without begging men for sex is exhilarating.
