Defensive stance
1306 Words
Chapter 7 Defensive stance
TEXAS, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA
AT THE CLUBHOUSE
Aside Liam being one of Carlos close friends, he had his eyes on Kiara in college even before she met Carlos. Kiara had turned him down thrice which had hurt his ego so badly and when she started going out with Carlos, he had expressed how heartbroken he felt via text message.
Liam was even present at the court on the day she divorced Carlos. She knew he would be rejoicing about the failed marriage because he had tried to warn her about Carlos.
“I love what I am seeing. You have done well for yourself, Kiara. Oh sorry…how has life been without Carlos Osvaldo? Good or bad?” He asked.
“What?” Kiara muttered.
“Since you are looking this good, I guess the money you made from the Osvaldos has been put into a good use.” He grinned widely. “So tell me are you here all dolled up this way to get another catch like Carlos Osvaldo?” His eyes did a slow crawl from her face to her cleavage.
Kiara felt insulted. She knew he was trying to mock her.
“How about we spend the night together? I have a room booked in the hotel close by.” Liam’s fingers reached out to trail her hands on the table. Kiara avoided his touch. “Come on, I won’t hit you like Carlos did. I promise to be a gentleman.” He chuckled as he raised his hands up in surrender.
Tears watered in her eyes as his words opened up an old wound that she has been trying so hard to heal from all these months.
“Speaking of Carlos…” Liam paused as she stood up from the stool.
“Water…please.” She requested. The bar tender filled up her glass with chilled water.
“The last time I heard from my dear friend, he has been having so much fun with women.” Liam took out his phone. “Don’t get me wrong, but I would like to take a picture of you and send it to him.”
Kiara snorted. “Why would you do that?”
Liam shrugged. “Just to let him know you are living fine with his money and—“ His voice trailed off after Kiara splashed the glass of water on his face.
Liam wasn’t expecting the movement. Water dropped from his face to his expensive designer top. “Why did you do this?!” He growled.
“Living off Carlos’s money? Well if that’s how you see it, I don’t care! I don’t have time to explain how I have been living my life to you! Mind your f*****g business! You p*****t!” She grabbed her bag to leave but Liam followed her and grabbed her upper arm to pull her back.
“What did you just say?” He demanded.
Kiara jerked free from his hold. She walked closer to him with her finger colliding with his solid chest. “A p*****t. Deal with it.” She gritted.
“You b***h!” Rage filled Liam and as he raised his hand to hit her face, someone held his hand back.
“You shouldn’t do that to a woman. Have some respect if she doesn’t want you.” Mateo pushed his hand away and pulled Kiara to his side.
“And who are you?” Liam snorted.
Kiara stood rigidly with a defensive stance next to Mateo. After ending things with Carlos, she had vowed that she would never let any man trample over her again. She would stand her ground and always defend herself.
“A friend.” Mateo replied.
Liam arched his eyebrows. “A friend? Or you are her new catch. No…I doubt it. I know Kiara too well, she loves rich men. Step aside, I have no business you!” Liam waved him off.
“Did you just call me broke? Do you know who I am?” Mateo groaned.
Liam ignored him but didn’t miss the chance to checking Mateo out. Everything he wore smelt riches. “Haven’t you learnt enough lesson from Carlos Osvaldo?” He chuckled.
His words felt like he had just pierced her chest with a dagger. She was beginning to regret coming to this club. If she knew her past would come calling to her, she would have stayed locked up in her apartment. Who the hell gave Liam the gut to speak to her this way? She mused. So out of fury and anger, she walked closer to him.
A devious grin played on his lips, the same one that reminded her of Carlos Osvaldo. “Did I say something wrong?” A smug look replaced the devious grin. He was probably happy that his words was getting to her.
“What?” He wriggled his brows.
She made a hit for his face. Liam’s head turned sideways and she could see the redlines of her palms on the cheeks.
“How dare you?!” Liam snarled over the loud music and this time it got everyone’s attention.
Mateo was quick to push Liam away when he tried to grab Kiara.
“Kiara!” Lila showed up with the others behind her.
“You egocentric bastard!” She pointed at him.
“Calm down…Kiara…” Mateo cautioned but was met with a punch from Liam. His friends rushed towards them as he regained his stance to face Liam again. He made a hit for his face.
“I’ll get you!” Liam groaned when two guys pinned him back from punching Mateo again. “You cheap w***e! You are just a gold digger!”
“Are you okay?” Lila asked. She noticed Kiara’s hands were shaking. Kiara jerked free from Lila’s attempt to embrace her as the security guards dragged Liam away while Mateo’s friends attended to him. A shocking look appeared on Lila’s expression at her friend’s rejection.
The tears she had been holding back streamed down her face. And without saying anything, she left the club at a close run.
“Kiara! Kiara! Kiara!” Lila followed her immediately. “Please wait!” She screamed behind her.
Kiara ran as fast as her leg could carry her even with the heels on.
“Kiara please…wait!” She heard Lila scream behind her but she didn’t stop to look back.
When Kiara was sure Lila had lost her, with tears still burning from her eyes, she pulled off her heels and sat on the lone bench.
Kiara buried her face in her palms as images of her time with Carlos Osvaldo flashed through her mind’s eye. She cried so hard, letting the tears flow uncontrollably.
After crying for long minutes and reflecting on her past, Kiara realized that there was no bus. The wristwatch in her bag that she had pulled of because it was too tight beeped 1:05 a.m. It was even too late to get any taxi.
Slowly, she began to trek as she blamed herself for everything. If she had insisted on not going to the club then all of this wouldn’t have happen. Why did Carlos Osvaldo show up again when she had decided to feel alive today?
Kiara sniffed. She would never try it again. She was doing better with her boring life. It was better to just keep being focused on the job that she loved so much.
The tears flowed again as she gave way for internal banters and it was out of her control.
It was frustrating and annoying that Carlos Osvaldo was living his best life while she was still trying to piece her broken parts together.
All she wanted was to live a peaceful life and while getting over everything that has happened.
- Writer
