*Jason*
I had been in Sarah’s house for the past two weeks. There seems to be no progress in finding Lucia. One afternoon, I walked around my room after receiving a call that they were tracking a girl who looked like Lucia. I hoped and prayed in my heart that it shouldn’t be just a look alike. I wanted to see Lucia. I wanted to hold her in my hands one more time, kiss her lips, and have her beneath me. I wanted to do a lot of things for her.
Sarah had been a good host. She spent most of her evening with me, and after embarrassing herself the first day I came, she had refused to touch alcohol. Steve, on the other hand, had refused to come see me. I could count the number of times I had seen him in one hand. He seemed to be avoiding me for reasons best known to him, and I could only conclude that it was because he was feeling guilty about losing Lucia. And I wouldn’t lie that I didn’t hold him responsible for it in my heart.
I walked to the table and picked up my phone.
No text. No calls. What the hell? I was anxiously waiting for a text. I wondered if I should replace the men looking for her or hire more men. More hands would be able to find Lucia faster. Just as I was thinking about what to do, my phone rang, and I quickly answered the call. Hoping it would be the news, I wanted to hear that they had found Lucia; I answered the call.
“Did you find her?” I asked coldly.
“Yes, boss. We just found her.” I felt my chest tighten, and I could only conclude that it was out of happiness. Send me her location immediately.” A burst of energy surged within me as I picked up my jacket at the side and hurried out of the room.
I walked down the stairs. I was on the last step when my phone died. Sarah was nowhere in sight for me to share the news with. She would be surprised when I walked into the house with Lucia behind me. I smiled just thinking about it.
Lucia was by a lake. I drove there as fast as I could. She was about to leave when she saw me walking towards her and she stood. I was glad she was waiting for me. I knew she would be able to tell if it was me although I was putting on a face cap. I couldn’t hide my joy. Soon. The girl I loved will be in my hands again.
I stopped in front of her.
“Who are you?” She asked. I knew she was trying to pull my legs. Maybe she was angry that I couldn’t find her earlier. Well, it wasn’t my fault. I would take my time to explain that to her when we are alone later on. “Lucia,”. I called softly, taking a step closer. While she took a step back. I moved my hands to my head and removed the face cap.
“Lucia, it’s me.”
Her eyes widened as if she couldn’t believe her eyes, and soon it was replaced with a sharp glare. Hate consumed her, and I could only raise a brow. This wasn’t how I imagined our meeting to be. She was supposed to be excited and hug me. Not frown, or glare with hateful eyes. I took a step forward, and she took one back. I squinted my eyes.
“What. Do. You. Want? She asked me. Her voice was sharp. She looked different. This wasn’t the same Lucia that I had hugged and kissed before giving her to Steve. “Is there any way I can help you? If not, get the hell out of my way.” She said.
“What? Lucia. It’s me, Jason,” I said, reminding her of myself in case she forgot.
“So…?” She asked, raising a brow. “What if it’s Jason? Should I be running around or jumping and shouting? What the hell do you expect from me?” She sounded furious.
I guess she was more angry at me than I thought. I could only blame myself.
“Lucia, I understand how you are feeling; well, the thing is, I…” I tried to grab her hands, but she moved them. No. Something was wrong. No matter how angry Lucia had been in the past, she would never push me away like this or treat me this cold. “What’s wrong? I’m sorry I took so long… I’m sorry about everything. I know you must be angry at me, but I promise. I can explain.” I said.
She lets out a small laugh. Her eyes moved around before settling on me.
“Fine. Where do you intend to start your explanation? From selling me off to those men? Or to send Sarah to finish me off. Or no,” she paused as if she was thinking deeply, “or is it from when you cheated on me with Sarah or when you used me? Where the hell do you want to start your explanation from?” Her eyes were red.
I couldn’t quite understand her. What does she mean by what she was saying? I was lost. “So tell me, Jason, I do deserve an explanation. Tell me. Where do you intend to? No…” she shook her head. ” Maybe I don’t want your explanation. All I want is for you to get the hell out of my sight. I don’t ever want to see your face. You can’t ruin my life and come back as you please. Or don’t tell me you are here to finish me off. What will you do to get rid of me this time? Push me into the lake?”
Okay… she wasn’t making any sense.
“What do you mean, Lucia? What is this you are saying about selling you and cheating on you with Sarah? Holy shit Lucia where the hell did you hear that from?” I was confused.
“What? Do you want to stoop as low as denying everything? Come on, Jason, that is what I least expected from you.”
“I don’t understand what you are saying, Lucia; make me understand. What do you mean?” I asked.
“You sold me. You pretended to send me to your friend, but in truth, you were tired of me and sold me off, and I thought you were trying to protect me. How foolish must I have looked to you,” she said. I sensed the pain in her eyes, and my heart hurt. The last thing I wanted was to put her in pain.
“Wait. Calm down, Lucia, and hear me out.” I tried to plead, but she refused.
“No. You shut up and let me speak.” Lucia had changed. I couldn’t find the timid Lucia who would always hide behind me. All I could see was a bold and strong woman who could step on top of the world, and there was nothing anyone could do about it. “And then you sent Sarah to kill me. You don’t know how much I hate you and wish to kill you right now. You have no idea, you son of a bitch.”
“I didn’t send Sarah to do anything, and I didn’t sell you off. I don’t know where you heard this shit from, but please hear me out, Lucia.” I pleaded, holding her hands. She tried to push me off, but I refused. “Please hear me out.” I wasn’t going to stop pleading, and I won’t leave this place without trying to explain myself first.
“Fine. Get your filthy hands off me first,” she commanded, and I let go of her. She took two steps back, but I didn’t take any forward. I understood that she didn’t want me around her.
“I didn’t sell you. I gave you to Steve, hoping you would be safe with Sarah. Then I heard they had lost you and had been trying to find you. They didn’t progress, and I had been worried, but I had to wait and finish off my uncle before I came to look for you myself. I didn’t want anyone to harm you when I brought you back, and I have fulfilled that desire. I decided to end my uncle’s life. He is gone, and now we can finally return home and love each other without fear.” I tried to explain.
She scoffed.
“Don’t tell me you think I’m stupid enough to believe what you just said, Jason. I ain’t. Sarah likes you. What proof do you have that you never cheated on me with her? She told me everything the day she had two men to sleep with me and burn the house to the ground with me in it. But fortunately, I survived.” She paused while I tried to make sense of everything she was saying. “What more proof do I need? A girl in love would do anything, and Sarah was ready to do anything.”
“But that doesn’t prove I wanted the same thing. What I wanted was different. Please believe me. Sarah deceived me, too. I would never sell you. I don’t like Sarah. I have always seen her as a friend.” I said.
I cursed myself for believing Sarah. I mentally kicked myself for trusting her enough to give Lucia to her. Honestly, I’ve always felt she likes me. I was aware of all her emotions, but I pushed the thought away, not knowing I was breeding the end of me and my relationship with Lucia and that Sarah would try to take Lucia’s life.
“Please Lucia, believe me. And I’m sorry for all you’ve been through. Forgive me, please. We can start all over again. I am willing to go back and start all over with you again. You know I love you.” I said, taking a step forward.
The last thing I wanted was to end my relationship with Lucia. I loved her and wanted her by my side. I wasn’t going to give up on us. Never.
“Jason. I’ve moved on with my life. I can’t tell you I believe what you said or have forgiven you, but please move on with your life, too,” she said
I shook my head. Never. I wasn’t giving her up.
A life without Lucia.
“I don’t care if you cheated. I am in love with someone else and…”
“No. That’s not true. You are mine, Lucia. And no one else is ever going to have you. I am not giving you to anyone.” My heart broke when I thought about another man standing close to Lucia. No one was worthy of her but me.
“Well, it seems you may take a while to get back to reality as you’ve been living a dream for some time. Well, I hope we don’t cross parts again. Goodbye, Jason.” She said.
She walked past me. I wanted to stop her, but I stood rooted to the ground. Lucia.
“Lucia,” I called her name under my breath. I finally found my strength and turned to go after her. But it was too late. She had stepped into her car and drove off.
I closed my eyes, pushing back the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes.
My heart was torn into pieces as I watched her car drive off. I couldn’t imagine a life without Lucia. I just couldn’t think of it. I took a step back, turning around. If all she said about being sold and almost killed and about Sarah lying about me cheating on her was true, then Sarah was in for this big time.
I wasn’t giving up on Lucia.
I would find her and make sure she comes back to me. But for now. I should speak with Sarah. She had a lot of explaining to do. It started to connect. Why did they never found her. Why she always gave excuses, and why she didn’t want me to come?
They had not searched for her because they thought she had died. Well, it would be better to hear from the horse’s mouth. I walked to my car, stepped in, and drove off. My heart was filled with anger.