Trouble in Paradise
WESTLEY
IT’D HAD BEEN bugging me for weeks, but I couldn’t ruin the things we’d already started. The story was also important to me. I knew what would happen when Austen mentioned his painting, and he made me promise to tell Clyve before the book launch, but I never imagined that day would be tonight, and I just ruined the best night of his life.
Clyve stared at me, his gaze was vicious. “Come again?”
I felt my throat choke up. I still gathered all my power to explain since I already blew the bomb right in front of his face. “It was a part of the deal. As an aspiring writer, I needed that.”
He waved his hand to cut me off. “No. You wanted it. You wanted to sell your story, including mine. That’s what is all about.”
“That’s not like that. Hear me out first.”
“What else to hear you out, Harriet? You already took their bait. You are a lot of things, but you are not stupid.” He hissed. His voice was deadly quiet. “And when are you planning on telling me?”
“I’m just waiting for the right time.”
“And when would it be? Tonight? In my bloody exhibit? Well, scratch yourself with your hypocrisy. You just shot me in the face. You ruined my night!”
“I’m so sorry.” I ignored the insult that swept over my body. It already happened, but I still wished it didn’t happen tonight.
“You are not. I thought what we had was something special, but I was wrong. I was wrong to trust you again. You used me. Jesus Christ, Harry, you are the shallowest woman I’ve ever met. Of all the things you would sell out was all about us-the only thing left that hadn’t been out to the public.”
You used me. My heart turned to ice. “I didn’t write your name.”
“People are not so damn stupid, Harriet. Let me guess, your story is entitled Sindy Kate, isn’t it?”
I nodded slowly. My heart just broke. I felt my tears rolling down my cheek as I waited for him to say another hurtful word. It didn’t take five seconds, the frightening moment just happened.
“Of course, it’s Sindy bloody Kate!” he spat out. His rage was boiling out. “I am fucking you, and that’s your story? Don’t you think that man you wrote with another name is not me?” Ouch! It hurt like hell.
“Just fucking now, huh?”
“What else is there?”
Suddenly, I felt terrified that I could even speak, and I couldn’t even look him in the eye because I was damn guilty.
“I thought that Sindy Kate’s issue is over, but I guess you love that idea. You embraced that character you created because a lot of people have sympathy for that fantasy character of yours. For bloody’s sake, Harriet. You just sold our story. I couldn’t believe I am looking at the woman I care about right now. When I thought that issue is settled, and that we could finally have a chance to be together. How could you not care about our lives, Westley? Is that the legacy you want your children to know about you? A woman who fucked herself in front of the camera, who showed her body to the viewers for a little token?”
Jesus Christ, that was way more aggravating than I thought. I lifted my gaze. The hatred on his face matched mine. “You are completely off the base, Linton!”
“Well, you are selfish!”
“I know you look at me worse than a prostitute. Go on, shove that to my freaking face, Clyve, because you are so damn self-righteous that you never made mistakes. But I can’t turn back the time. One thing you should know is I never regretted every damn time I did what I did. That’s what made me who I am today. That’s why I am still here standing despite what happened in my past life. I will do it in a heartbeat for the sake of someone I care about. I never felt ashamed of being a Sindy Kate in case you haven’t noticed.”
Maybe there was a grain of regret and trust left in him because he suddenly dropped his gaze. “Let me guess, you never experienced in a situation without a damn choice, have you? And you never have someone you care about that you wanted to risk everything to make them happy. All your life was to take orders. That’s who you are Clyve Clifford Linton. A puppet. And that’s what you should be ashamed of.”
* * *
TWO WEEKS HAD passed, and I realized I might have crossed the line. Anyhow, I couldn’t take it back. My father told me that my painting was sold for two million dollars. Well, I was happy for them. I have never heard from Clyve and Austen since then.
I agreed to meet Arella since I couldn’t make any more excuses. Now I was sitting across from hers in the coffee shop. I kept toying with the cup while she kept on explaining how Clyve felt terrible for throwing those words into my face. If I was being honest, he had the right to, besides, I should have discussed it with him first. That was what the relationship was all about.
“Do you hate him?”
I met her gaze before I shook my head. “No. It was my fault. I should’ve asked him first before I decided. I thought it was okay for him since he accepted me as who I was. I couldn’t hate him. I already have a lot of burdens to carry for a lifetime.”
“Then give him a chance, Harry.”
I sighed deeply. “How would I do that when I haven’t received a single message from Clyve since I left the exhibit?”
“He felt guilty. You know when I was in trouble with Skip, he was the first one who put a smile on my face, and I haven’t formally met him at that time, and he was also the first one to be there for me when I lost my job.”
My brow arched. “So, this is all about him, huh? You’re here to return the favor for him.”She reached out for a hand. “Of course not. I am here as your friend. I put Skip’s life at risk when I slept with him. I was just seventeen at that time. Then I met him again only to figure out he was my brother’s best friend. Do you know how hard it is for us? Skip is Skip, and I am willing to break another rule if I have to do it just to be with him. Thankfully, he did the same. True love comes only once, Harry. You will meet many people in your lifetime, but there’s only one true love, and no matter how many obstacles you cross, you both end up at the finish line together. Relationships are always scary. That’s why there are you and him to work things out together.”
“He didn’t reach out. It means to say, I am not that important to him anymore.” There were these famous words that you had not realized how much you needed him until he was no longer there. That was how I felt when I was sitting alone just right next to his door, yet, I couldn’t just knock, and he also didn’t even make an effort. “I should have been honest the whole time.”
“I made the same mistakes, Harry. For seven years, I carried that burden. It didn’t feel right. There was a time when I wanted just to scream to pull out the struggle I had, but I made my choice. Don’t do the same mistake as I did. Don’t make it longer for another seven years.”
“How did he handle it?”
She smiled sadly. “When Skip found out I was pregnant, he threw awful words at me, but he also looked devastated when he realized I was still young to get pregnant alone because I couldn’t disappoint my family.”
I looked up when tears filled my eyes that blurred my vision. “When Clyve knew I was married, there was a time when I woke up from a nightmare, and I felt I’d rather not wake up from it rather than waking up, and there was no Clyve there to comfort me.” Every time I mentioned his name, I felt like I was twisting a knife in my heart.
“It’s not too late. I am sure when Clyve reads the book, he’s gonna be proud of you. You risked your relationship with him, not for nothing-it’s to reach your dream. Skip understood him when he chose his passion than helping his brother manage their Empire. Soon, he will understand that your passion means a lot to you.”
It felt good that someone understood me even though her intention was for Clyve’s sake. Suddenly, a feeling of peace enveloped me. “Thank you. I actually need that.”
“I’m just a call away, Harry.” Relief flitted across her face.
“So, how’s he?”
Arella laughed. “Haven’t you ever thought that he might have been listening to you or watching you from a small hole, or maybe he’d been waiting for you when you get home or get out?”
“I was actually hoping I’d bumped into him every time I got home, but his apartment seemed so quiet.”
“You both are so silly. Why doesn’t any one of you just swallow your pride and makeup?”
“I was hurt, and he was, too. I apologized, but he acted as if I wasn’t sorry.”
“Sometimes, Skip and I fought over a small thing, but we ended up in the same bed, and I couldn’t sleep until I knew we were okay.”
“I hope he will give my book a chance.” All of a sudden, I felt I was being watched. The hair at the back of the head rose. I rubbed my arms, and my heartbeat raced. Even Arella noticed my discomfort.
“Harry, is that you?” I was startled by the voice behind me.
I was quicker on my feet, facing my worse enemy. “What do you want?”
“I just wanna talk to you, Harry.” Look how fate was so twisted. I couldn’t even recognize my stepmom and her loving daughter anymore. I guessed my father’s money was the only thing that made them look rich.
“I have nothing to do with you anymore. After you took everything from me, you also have to humiliate me. If you come here to apologize, forget about it. If you come here for money, I don’t have any. That’s why I’m doing my best to get a decent job despite my colorful past. You two can ask the staff there.” I pointed at the counter. “Maybe they’re looking for waitstaff. Stay out of my life before I will make your worse nightmare comes true.”