EPISODE FIFTEEN.
They didn’t see me enter. Stefano wasn’t reacting to it, He didn’t rebuff her or told her to move.
How could Stefano be this cruel to me?
Even if he doesn’t like me, Why did he call me here to witness what he’s doing?
“Stef.”I call. I was already close to tears, I hated this emotional part of me. I cried easily and gets easily affected by things.
He sigh the moment he saw me. Nora was bouncing on him, moaning loudly as if she was making extra effort to taunt me.
“I will meet you in your room.”He say in a harsh tone to me.
Tears rolled down my eyes immediately, I couldn’t stop them from flowing. My chest tightens in pain as I leave the room.
I’m really unlucky, I shouldn’t have made myself a sacrifice. Knowing well that I’m already falling for him annoys me so much.
I ran to my room and locked myself in for the rest of the day.
STEFANO.
“Get your lame body off me, Bitch.”I cursed angrily the moment Hazel left the room.
I push Nora off my body and drag the duvet off mine.
She misunderstood the whole scenario, I wasn’t even undressed. Why should I be having sex with Nora knowing well that I called her myself into the room?
“What the fuck were you trying to do? You knew she will misunderstood us!”I yell.
“And what difference does that make? You don’t like her.”
“That doesn’t mean I should disrespect her.”
“You’re talking about respect now? You never respected me.”She scoffed at me getting off the floor.
“Respect? I was done with you over a year ago. Why can’t you move on? I told you well before we ventured into the whole shitty stuff that personal feelings aren’t allowed.”
“And personally feelings is allowed in this your fucked up marriage? You don’t even have sex with her.”
“She’s not my type. I would probably fuck her because of my own personal pleasure. I don’t want to hurt her.”
“Wow. I’m impressed. That lady must have something on you. Maybe that’s why you still considered her as your woman.”She huffs, pushing her hair back.
“Get your clothes back on and leave my house. I don’t want to see you around me.”I warned her clearly before leaving the room.
I sat on the rooftop till night fell smoking and drinking. Everything is so messed up and tiring.
This marriage is stressing the hell outta me. It didn’t go as planned. I didn’t know the lady I’m getting married to would be so pure and vulnerable. I feel so damn guilty for my actions and the words I say to her.
I shouldn’t have opted in for this marriage. I should have just released the fucker she called a father and let them go.
I can’t send her back to her parents or back to Mom’s house again. She’s stuck with me. In this shitty world of mine.
I return to the house very late at night. Hazel wasn’t in sight. She’s probably in her room sulking up.
I stood in front of her room for minutes, contemplating maybe I should go inside or let her misunderstand me.
The latter won, I stepped into my room using the passcode since it’s locked from inside.
She’s on her bed, Her legs hugged to her chest, crying.
Fuck. Has she been crying since?
“It’s not what you think.”I mutter walking closer to her.
“I didn’t demand an explanation. I’m not important to you.”
“Yes. You’re not important to me but I don’t want you to have the conception that I will stoop so low to hurt you in that manner. I didn’t call you to my room to let you witness that. She came the moment I dropped the call and started acting funny.”
“I don’t care.”
“Then stop crying.”
“It’s none of your business.”
“I know.”
“Then, leave.”
“You’re making me feel guilty for God’s sake! Why should I be explaining myself to you because of the misconception you had about me!”I yelled at her angrily.
She moved slowly to the other side of the bed, already scared of me.
Fuck. I really hate raising my voice at her. She gets scared anytime I do that.
“You’re not remorseful for what you did. And yes, I don’t believe you. Will you be happy if you see Luca being naked on top of me and I keep insisting that we did nothing just the same way you claimed? You won’t believe me.”
“Don’t drag Luca into this.”I snap.
I really hate it when she brings Luca up in our conversation. She shouldn’t be mentioning any man’s name in my presence.
“She body shamed me. She called me lots of names because of my body yet I didn’t report to you because I don’t want to ruin your friendship. How did you expect me to feel seeing what was going on between you?”
“I don’t care about what you feel. I’m not concerned with that. We didn’t have sex. That’s what I came here to explain to you.”I say to her in a final tone and walk out of the room.
And that was how it went on.
A month. Two months. Three months.
We stopped talking. She’s more reserved to herself now. She hardly talks to me or asks me anything.
Hazel lost a lot of weight in the past month, I knew she hasn’t been working out but the marriage was draining the hell out of her.
I wasn’t enjoying it either, it was so stuffy and boring.
I prefer working my ass off than staying in the house I found solace in because of this woman.
I go on business trips without telling her and come back days later just to see a small smile on her face as if she’s been waiting for me.
But she won’t talk. She won’t say anything to me.
I feel so guilty.
Tonight, I’m going to end the marriage. I don’t want her to be confined with me anymore, She should go live her own life without minding mine.
“Let’s talk.”I mutter.
She nod softly and pack the plates on the dining before joining me in the living room.
Her collarbone was more visible, Her face became thinner and stressed.
Her neat hair was now packed roughly giving her a messy look.
Shit. I caused this.
“Are you okay?”I ask in a softer tone.
Hazel was surprised to see me ask such a question. She stared at me in an amused manner and interlocked her fingers together nervously.
“No.”She mutters simply.
“We can end the marriage if you want to. I don’t want to keep you in this anymore.”
“I don’t want to.”She said briefly and made to leave the room but I grabbed her hands immediately.
Why’s she so stubborn?
“You like it here?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I get to see you.”
“Is that all?”I asked in surprise.
Why’s she so fucking honest and pure?
“Yes.”
“Hazel…”
“Don’t stop me or blame me. I know you don’t like me but you don’t have to be worried about my upkeep or anything. I’m really fine.”
“You’re free to end this marriage if you want to.”I repeats, trying to change her mind.
“I don’t want to. I will go to your mom and spend two days with her.”
“Fine. You can go.”
“Thank you.”
“We are having the family get together this weekend. We will be going to Rome. Get prepared.”I mumble before letting go of her hands.
She nodded simply and went to her room.