Giovanni’s Desires

NICOLE "Golden Star Bakery," I said to the taxi driver as I settled in his taxi. It's the night of my wedding anniversary, and I've looked forward to this day, more than anyone. It's been over a year since I chose to be with him and I don't regret it. "Can you drive a little fast Mr?" I commented. Some minutes later, we reached Golden Star Bakery. I told the taxi driver to wait as I needed to pick up my cake before heading home. I felt bad already because I was sure Felix had been waiting for almost half an hour. I did call him earlier to tell him that I'd be late but I still felt bad because we both looked forward to this night. "Congratulations on your anniversary," Martha, the baker, said to me with a smile on her face as I collected the cake from her hand. "Thank you," I replied before heading out. "Lexington Apartment," I informed the taxi driver as I settled back in the car. I heaved a sigh of relief as I looked forward to this beautiful night. "We are here ma'am." The taxi driver informed me. A smile crept on my face. "How much?" "Seventy dollars." He replied. I dug into my purse to make money. As I took out a hundred-dollar note, my eyes went out through the front mirror and I saw someone familiar. "Felix?" It was more like a question as I wondered if he was the one. He was the one and he seemed to be In haste. What happened? I thought as I watched him enter the taxi. "Uhm... can you trail that taxi for me?" I said. The taxi man didn't question and ignited his car immediately, going after the taxi. I tried calling Felix's phone to ask him where he was going as I was worried. Something felt unusual and I've never seen him in that state before. His phone was switched off so I couldn't reach him. I just hoped all was fine as I followed behind him. The more the taxi man drove, the more the road became familiar and I wondered if nothing bad had happened to my best friend because this road led to her house. Felix came out of the taxi and ran off while I hastily paid the taxi driver his money intending to catch up with Felix. I wanted to call out his name as I went after him but he walked faster than I almost lost his figure. Just when I reached for the elevator, the elevator was long gone and so I had to wait for it to come back. I just hope all is well with Olivia. I decided to go through my phone to see if she sent a text or anything but there was nothing. The elevator opened that moment and I stepped in. I suddenly felt the knot in my stomach tighten for a reason I didn't understand. I held onto the cake in my hand, my heart beating fast as the elevator kept moving. I didn't understand why I was worried. Was Olivia in danger? The elevator reached my destination, and I stepped out, making my way towards Olivia's apartment. The closer I got, the more I walked fast, and the more I heard voices. I wondered where that could be coming from but that wasn't my priority so I ignored it. The sound became more clear. I could hear voices, familiar voices, and the minute I reached Olivia's apartment, I halted on my track. Her front door wasn't closed properly, and I could hear her shout. "f**k you so much James! You are nothing but a liar!" I heard her say. James? Who's that? I thought to myself. As much as I wanted to go in and know what was happening, I didn't move from where I stood. "Calm down Livy. I already explained to you didn't I?" I heard Felix's voice and I wondered how many people were in there with them because Olivia mentioned the name James. "Explain what? It's been a year James and you are still with that ugly red-haired woman!" She chided. I felt my mouth go dry as I wondered what was going on. Red-haired woman? Who was she talking about? I wondered because my hair is red. "It isn't my fault. You asked me to do whatever it takes to take it all and that's what I've been doing. You know I don't love her and you are the only one I love so why are you making it so difficult?" I heard Felix say. Why does Olivia keep mentioning James but Felix is the one replying to her? It made me confused. Who and what were they talking about? "And it's taking too long! How do I know you won't end up falling for her? I mean you are being so nice to her. It's exhausting," she complained. "You know that's impossible. I can't ever fall in love with Nicole. I can't even stand her," Felix replied. I felt my heart clench in shock. I couldn't believe what I just heard and it made me wonder. "Then just end things with her. It's not like we are benefitting anything from her. The only reason you approached her was because you wanted to seduce her, marry her, and get her inheritance but that seems impossible now because it's been over a year since her parents disowned her and they won't be reaching out to her anymore." Olivia remarked, and that was when it all dawned on me. "Patience, Olivia. You are the only one I love. You are the love of my life. There is no other woman but you. I don't love Nicole. The only reason I married her was because of her inheritance, and that's it," Felix replied. "You have just a month. If in a month her parents don't reach out, then she's useless to us. I can't do this anymore," Nicole said. I began to shake from where I stood from the shocking revelation. A drop of tears slipped down my cheek. Felix was using me but I didn't want to believe that. I shook my head in denial. With the little courage I had in me, I opened the door of the apartment, and that only made it worse. Felix and Olivia were already kissing. The cake I held slipped from my hand, creating a loud sound. Felix and Olivia pulled back from each other. Shock masked their face the moment they saw me. Behold, the man I've been married to for over a year and the woman whom I considered my best friend. "Ni...Nicole," Felix called in surprise. "Wow," I uttered, barely hearing my voice. "James? Is Felix even your name?" My breath hitch in my throat from the burning sensation in my chest. "It's not what you think it is," Felix tried to explain but Olivia pulled him back. "How... how could..." I trailed off too hurt to even know what to say. "It's not what you think it is baby. There's..." "Don't call me that," I chided, cutting him off and feeling disgusted by the endearment. "You are supposed to be my best friend," I turned to face Olivia but she didn't have a bit of remorse in her. She folded her arms across her chest. "Best friend? I never considered you that. I simply approached you with an intention. You are useless anyways," she remarked, shattering my already shattered heart into tiny pieces. "Nicole I can..." "You might want to stop doing that James. It's not like you care about her anyway so let her go. She found out so that's good for us. It's going to make it easy," Olivia interjected. Tears streamed down my cheek from the harsh reality. "You said you loved me, Felix. You..." my voice broke from from immense pain and betrayal I felt. "Tell me that was a lie," I demanded, wanting him to look into my eyes. "Answer me!" I screamed. "Say something!" I cried out. "Go on, James. Tell her just what she wants you to say. Tell her who it is that you love," Olivia remarked. "I never loved you, Nicole. Olivia is the one I love and will ever love," he replied, and I gasped for air from the heartbreak.