3.
1761 Words
'Just gonna stand there and watch me burn,
But that’s all right because I like the way it hurts.'
—
I saw the knife first, before I felt it pierce directly through my heart. It would have been kinder of him to kill me, instead of betraying me like that, like I didn't mean anything to him ever. I could hear your vicious voice haunting me, even though I didn't seen you in years. I feel so stupid. I feel like I made a fool out of myself. I was just another fling of his. Why? Why I felt special? Why he made me feel special when he just had to move to another girl.
It felt like I was still in denial. How can I have trusted him blindly.
I don't know how I arrived back at the apartment. I don't know how I made it up to my room quietly. I don't know how I didn't stagger or worst faint. It meant I was strong. Strong enough to bare the heartbreak. I don't how but I managed to step out into the small balcony and now stood there, lost against the railings.
The clock in the room struck twelve. It was another day starting. A beginning of a new day, but what was I supposed to do? How could I move on? I just wished, right now to see Rafe one last time. I wanted to ask him, one thing, only one thing, why? Why did he this to me what he did? Was it so easy? Didn't he love me? Didn't he promise me the world?
It is like I was howling alone, on the verge of something to happen, something that can take my pain away. It hurts, so damn much, I could visibly feel the ache.
Now it felt like my guts were packed with summer dried mud and the strength just left my limbs. I couldn't do anything. I was left helpless.
Why did I even fall in love with him on the first place regardless of how he treated me. From the very start he was toxic. He was a liar. Still I trusted him, I pulled my heart out of my chest and placed it in his hands, what he did? He plunged the dagger so deep into it, it would never be able to repair. How would I live now?
I wanted out. I wanted to die.
"Val? Val what are you doing here in this cold?" I heard Amelia, before I felt her jerk me to the present.
I looked at her face, lost. She looked much more composed compared to the previous night.
"What happened to you?" She tapped my face but I was numb. Numb enough to not feel anything.
She helped me inside before settling me down on my bed.
"Come here. What happened?" She sat beside me and pushed me into her chest.
"Valenie you are scaring me please tell me what happened?" She caressed my back, tucking away the loose strands of hair behind my ear.
I didn't say anything. I just sat there unmoving in her warm embrace.
I gave him my heart for free, but that did not make it worthless. It was priceless. There was a precise difference.
Oh Rafe. What am I going to do with you?
Rafe Ale Marcello was my personal hell.
I felt my eyes glimmer with watery tears and that moment I felt as if my whole world crumbled down in front of me.
There was nothing left. He burnt me and there was nothing left of me except my ashes.
I pressed myself more into Amelia as I bitterly cried on her shoulder over the betrayal I faced.
She didn't need to have s reason to console me. She just whispered sweet nothings into my ear, and patted my back, although it didn't help me calm down, but it definitely helped me be connected with the world and reality, it didn't let me get dragged into a pit of nothingness.
That night I cried like a child in my best friend's arms.
—
"Do I really have to go Lia?" I asked frustrated. Why was she being a nuisance, I had no idea.
"Yes you have to. You have wasted enough of your time sulking." She retorted, locking eyes with me through the mirror, which was in front of me as she readied me for some function at her office.
"Whatever." I rolled my eyes. Yes I know I have sulked enough. But I don't know why, I still feel dead inside. Like there's no more to life than this.
I needed to stop being a pessimist. I needed to think things through before I lose myself to nothing. I had a family to look after.
"No I am serious. He was never worth it. You deserve so much better. You know I am very happy you're finally getting out of that phase." She swung the swirling chair around so I was facing her and she further continued. "You are a very strong girl Val. I am sure you know I will always be there for you."
I took her hand in mine. Passing her a sweet smile, I squeezed at her soft palm. "Thank you Lia. For everything." Although words weren't enough but I still wanted her to know that I was grateful to have her by my side.
"You know you don't have to thank me, that is what friends are for." She explained.
"But I want to. I don't know what I would have done without you." I looked at her in the eyes as I spoke.
She gave me her dazzling smile before clapping her hands. "Alright enough being emotional. Let's get your hair done." She was back to her cheery self. I loved that about her.
It had been a week since I found about Rafe's engagement. Although it stings in my heart, but I didn't let it get to me. If it was meant to be, I couldn't fight fate, I had to embrace it with open arms anyways.
Tonight, Amelia had a party held at her office. I was her plus one. Even though I didn't want to go but if I protested, she would have dragged me in my night suit as well.
I was wearing a simple yet elegant, navy blue, mid-thigh bodycon dress, with my hair up in a loose bun. Amelia had put on a little makeup as well, enhancing my cuts. Overall, I looked pretty.
Amelia was in a short red dress, fitting perfectly on her hourglass figure. She was gorgeous. I still couldn't understand, why was she being ditched from last two to three years. She was beautiful, tanned and had a body to die for. What was wrong then? I had no idea. I was yet to dig into this.
"The car from the office will be here anytime soon. Let's get going." Amelia spoke, as we made our way out into the living room.
_
The party was going in full swing. There were old couples mingling, young men flirting and some dancing to the slow music.
Amelia left me to greet the guests. I was sitting alone at the corner near the buffet enjoying the meal to my heart's content.
"Hey." I heard someone behind me. Looking up, I saw a young, attractive man smiling down at me.
I smiled embarrassed before pushing my plate away and cleaning my hands with a tissue.
"Hi." I meekly let out.
"Can I have a seat here?" He pointed at the vacant seat in front of me.
I eyed the chair. "Uh.. yeah sure."
He gratefully smiled before taking a seat.
"I am Nate Cross. And you..?" He trailed off, forwarding his hand for me to shake.
"Valenie, Valenie Baker." I introduced myself, with a sweet smile as I shook his warm hand.
"Valenie.." he tested my name on his tongue.
I nodded.
"So? You are here because..." He was definitely handsome also, cute. Charming and attractive, he didn't make me uncomfortable like the men at my work. It was so long I interacted with gentlemen.
"Oh well, my friend works for the corporation," I pointed at Amelia at the far corner who was talking to some men in suits.
"Oh Amelia? You're Amelia's friend?" He looked surprised.
"Yes. You know her?" My curiosity piqued up, as I straightened up and looked at him directly in his eyes.
"Yeah. We work together. I must say she's one hard working woman." I was not surprised. She was indeed a dedicated, hard working girl.
We talked and talked about our social life. He was an easy going guy, and it was not long before I was laughing at his lame jokes about the people here. He had a good sense of humour, I would give him that.
"Let's dance." He suddenly stood up and grabbed my hand before dragging me to the dance floor.
I felt free. Away from my miseries for once. I think I needed this. Someone to distract me from my haunting thoughts.
He placed both his hands on my waist as he guided me along the slow music playing in the background.
"So? Any boyfriend?" He asked leisurely.
Rafe's face flashed in front of my eyes before I shook my head and answered.
"No."
"I am shocked you are not having one. Why though?" He inquired with a raised eyebrow.
I shrugged. Scraping my wounds won't get me anywhere. It was better not to discuss anything with anyone.
"Alright." He nodded in understanding.
—
"You definitely deserve it Lia. Go for it" I patted her back. More excited than her, squealing like a child.
"Thank you." She gave me ridiculously cheesy smile.
Her another colleague asked her out for drinks and so she was going to a bar from here. Although she was nervous but I encouraged her. I wanted to see her happy.
"The driver will drop you off." She stated before I left her with Damien, her colleague.
Nate got an urgent call and so he had to leave, he apologized before we exchanged numbers and bid our goodbyes.
I was dropped home and made my way up to the apartment. I was physically exhausted. Even though I didn't drink but still I felt light headed.
Entering the apartment, I switched on the lights, before removing my heels and dropping them on a side.
Stepping inside the living room, I came to a deadly halt.
"Hello there darling."
—
what are your thoughts readers?
- Writer
