Misery of Forbidden Love

Totally Broken

SAMANTHA

    "This way Miss," a man in a black suit said, gesturing to me to enter the already opened golden elevator door.

    "Thank you," I said politely. Even though I was on the verge of anger, I didn't forget to show courtesy to people who weren't part of my problem, especially if they were addressing me in a kind manner.

    I entered the lift then the black suit guy followed. His expression is dull, making it difficult for me to read him. I wonder if he knew the guy from last night, the one who broke the door of my apartment. My former apartment, I mean.

    Talking about my apartment, I need to find a place to stay after I return the money to Viola and look for a new job.

    "Ugh..." I grumble inwardly.

    "May I borrow your key card?" The man startled me. 

    Drawn from my thoughts, I placed the key card on his palm that was waiting.

    He pressed the "PH" button and tapped the key card on the small black square above it.

    My heart began pounding hard in my chest the moment the elevator door slid close.

    I'm not sure about this feeling. I'm nervous but not because of seeing Viola. I think I'm worried about bumping into Steven while I'm here. I'm not yet ready to face him right now, especially after what he did, leaving me alone under the cruelty of her mom and the fact that he didn't bother to contact me after that. He's such an asshole!

    Remembering that tragic night made me want to break his high bridged nose. To ruin that perfect face of his. 

    "Are you okay, Miss?" the guy asked. I noticed his eyes were looking at my hand. Only then did I realize that I was clenching my fist.

    I relaxed my hand, "I'm okay," I replied, then the elevator dings.

    My jaw slackened once the door opened. A bright, vast futuristic-style lobby welcomed me.

    A fancy white seven-seaters U-shaped sectional couch that lies on top of a luxury-looking light gray carpet filled the middle of the lobby—accented with a modern square glass and mirror coffee table.

    "Miss Bartley?" A professional-looking beautiful young woman appeared in front of the elevator, wearing an all-white suit.

    "Yes," I said while stepping out of the elevator.

    "Follow me, please." She smiled at me warmly. I feel like I just entered a five-star hotel welcomed by the hotel's well-trained staff. At least Viola's staff wasn't scary as she is. That's a relief and also surprising. 

    Honestly, I thought I'd be thrown out when I stepped foot in the building but unexpectedly, I received warm treatment from their staff. 

    I followed her lead as she walked towards a frosted glass door, and when she opened it widely, the bones in my legs melted.

    "Miss Bartley!" The woman said in panic and grabbed my arm to keep me from falling.

    No words could escape my mouth from the scene in front of me.

    Behind a glass office desk at the end of the spacious room, a tall woman with a slender body was attached to Steve through their lips while his hands rested on her tiny waist.

    My eyes were burning. Tears are threatening to come out. I want to cry, but if I do, it implies that I am a total loser.

    I straightened my body again, regaining my composure and putting on a confident facade.

    I can't show Steve my actual face. I have to show him how strong I am even though I am totally broken inside.

    Now it's clear that everything he told me was a lie and it was so stupid of me to believe him!

    I took a deep breath and took a step with my head up high. If having me was part of your game as a man, sorry to tell you, but I won't give you the satisfaction of winning. I will never show you how hurt I am, Steven Langerfield.

    First step, second step, and on my third step, Viola stood up in my path.

    "Samantha!" she said. Clearly and loudly.

    "Yes, it's me," I said in a loud voice as well while looking at Viola straight in the eyes. From the corner of my vision, I caught Steve yanking his body away from the woman.

    This scenario made me sick! Steve was making out with someone in his mom's presence. This side of Steve never crossed my mind, for he was a fine gentleman whenever we were together. But this side of him that I newly discovered? I find it really disgusting!

    Lost in thoughts, Viola spoke, snatching my attention, "I thought I made myself clear. What are you doing here? Do you need more money?" Viola jeered.

    I parted my lips to answer, but Steve beat me to it. "What are you talking about, mom?"

    Steve strode in front of me and looked straight into my eyes. "What money?"

    I looked straight back into him.

    I couldn't deny the pained expression in his eyes, and there's also longing. It seemed like his eyes were trying to tell me something, but I couldn't understand the message.

    No! I shouldn't allow these enticing grayish-blue eyes of his to hypnotize me again. He insulted me too much, just like his mom! I shouldn't believe any kind of body language which shows regret or tells me that he wants me. Don't you dare fall for it, Samantha! Don't!

    I tore my gaze from Steve and shoved my hand inside my bag.

    "I'm here to return your money, not to ask for more," I told Viola firmly and pressed the bundle against her chest.

    "Your wealth is no match to my value," I added and let go of the money.

    The cash just fell on the ground since Viola didn't move a muscle on either of her limbs, but she managed to move her facial muscles to offer me a sarcastic grin.

    "Oh my... I can't believe that a gold digger like you has the audacity to speak highly of herself. A garbage like you..."

    "Mom, stop it!" Steve's fierce voice surprised me. Is he going to defend me?

    "Steven, it's not nice to raise your voice on your mother because of someone not important." The woman who I now know said and tangled her arm around Steve's arm.

    Who wouldn't know Elvira Hansley? A spoiled rich b***h who's trying hard to be a big shot in Hollywood. All her movies flapped because she didn't have the talent but her father, the CEO and founder of Hansley Food Corporation, kept giving a budget to the production company to produce her film. I won't be surprised if, one day, all their wealth will be thrown away by Elvira's stupid fantasy of becoming a big star!

    I used to feel sorry for her awful acting because people kept on laughing at her, but now, she's number three on my hit list, especially since I've seen how perfect she looks beside Steve.

    They are both good-looking—both tall. They both belong to the same society, and most of all, they have Viola's blessing.

    I was starting to feel small in front of these three towers, but when I heard Steve's response to Elvira, my courage came back.

    "Stay out of this, Elvira. This is none of your business." Steve roughly removed his arm from Elvira's hold. I was shocked by his action, and it confused me too. Why is Steve treating her like this? They were just kissing earlier.

    "This is her business, my dear son since the two of you are getting married soon." Viola's statement was like a bucket of ice water poured on me. Was he engaged the whole time we were together?

    The information is overwhelming! I can't put on this facade any longer. The amount of pain in my heart is too much to bear.

    Without saying a word, I stormed out of the office and made a beeline to the elevator. 

    "Sam, wait!" Steve grabbed my arm and turned my body around to face him. My heart almost melted when our eyes met. He's looking at me the same way he was looking at me for the past six months, full of love and devotion.

    "Sam..."

    "If you're smart, you will let her go," Viola cut him off. Her deep threatening voice that overpowered Steve's voice raised the hair on the back of my neck.

    Her tone surely scared me, but what will Steve do this time? He's still holding me, and his eyes are still boring into mine. Will he fight for me this time?

    I held his stare to search for an answer, hoping that his tender gaze would remain and provide me the answer I was looking for. 

    A weight seemed to press on my chest when I felt Steve's hold slackened and veered his attention somewhere else.

    I couldn't believe that he had done it again! He toyed with my feelings again and gave me false hope.

    I hate him! I hate him so much!

    As bitterness swelled in my guts, my palm found his cheek. The sound of the thundering slap echoed throughout the entire room.

    "Oh my God!" I heard Elvira gasp.

    "You're a liar and a coward!" I spat every word through gritted teeth. I don't give a damn if his mom and that b***h are present. All I care about is to let him feel the agony that's filling my heart.

    Still, at the brim of my anger, Viola grabbed my cheeks with one hand and forcefully turned my face in her direction.

    "How dare you slap my son?!" Viola squeezed my cheeks with great force. I could feel her long nails digging into my flesh, making the skin sting. 

    It hurts, yet this physical pain was nothing compared to the pain brought by my wounded heart.

    I slapped Viola's hand away from my face. "Get your filthy hand off my face!" I snarled.

    Viola's eyes widened, and she lifted her hand in the air. "You filthy savage woman!"

    Viola swung her hand, but Steve caught her wrist before her palm could land on my face.

    "Just leave Sam," Steve muttered without looking at me. His voice was as cold as ice.

    The tears I was trying hard to keep from falling finally found their way out.

    His statement was as sharp as a knife cutting my heart in half.

    I wanted to shower Steve with harsh words, but they just stayed in my throat, choking me. So without saying a single word, I stormed out of the office and rushed to the elevator. Luckily, the lift and the guy in the black suit are still here as if he was instructed to wait for me.

    "Please. Get me out of here," I told the guy the second I entered the lift.

    He used his key card to operate the elevator and pressed "G," no question asked.

    I kept my head down to hide my miserable features. Even though I wiped my tears so many times, it just kept on flowing, watering the seed of sorrow, making it grow.

    My silent tears became a bit loud, being trapped in this small space. The more I held my sob, the louder my sniffle sounded, but I couldn't care much. I'm in deep agony so let it be.

    After a while of weeping, the lift finally stopped moving and dinged open.

    "Thank you," I told the guy and hurried out.

    As soon as I escaped the lion's den, I looked up in the sky, which is now covered with dark clouds, and breathed in the refreshing air of the outside world. I find the smell of the air mixed with car fumes more pleasant than the smell of the perfume filling that office.

    However, the pleasant feeling didn't last long. The gloomy sky made the burden in my heart worse. And not for long, the grim atmosphere shed its tears. 

    Why does the sky have to sympathize with me?

    I closed my eyes and allowed the tears of the sky to blend with mine. Somehow I find it comforting, knowing that nature is on my side. But I made a huge mistake by closing my eyes. Everything that happened to Steve and me from last night until today replayed the minute I shut my eyes.

    My eyes snapped open, and I ran under the rain without knowing where to go.

    I kept running and running until I ended up tumbling down the alleyway.

    My body suddenly lost its strength, and all I could do with the bit of resilience left in me was to curl my body into a ball and seek solace on the wet solid ground.