Thea
“Thea, come with me. I want you to see something.” My mum had said when she took me away from my seat. I had thought she was taking me to her table where Alfred was as well but instead she was leading me in another direction and I got concerned.
“Where are you taking me to mum?” I asked getting really uncomfortable as we walked the hall way in a bit of a haste. She had stopped and carressed my cheek, peering warmly into my eyes, almost making me feel too safe with her.
“Just come. You trust me don’t you?” That sounded suspicious but I nodded and followed. I chose to go with the little percentage of my mind that trusted her. I followed my mum without further questioning but I felt it in my gut that I wouldn’t like whatever was to come. We took the elevator and got to the last floor. The door opened and the view of the rooftop graced my eyes. It was nice but nothing compared to the rooftop where Angel and I had our first date. Thinking about Angel now made my heart skip but in worry then my eyes caught sight of a man standing by the edge on the lookout. I gasped and my heart started racing as I saw Alfred standing there. I looked at my mum feeling so disappointed. What exactly was her plan bringing me here?
“Mum?” I questioned. She wore an apologetic look but it didn’t sway my annoyance.
“Just speak with him at least. If you don’t want to continue the conversation you can leave but just hear him out.” She said and let out a sigh then she smiled. “I’m glad you two know each other. ” She said and I could tell that she meant it.
I worried that Angel could feel restless, what if he found out that I was here with the man I told him not to worry about all because I was trying to please my mum. I couldn’t even air my concern about Angel to her because she wouldn’t care.
I looked at Alfred, I was angry that he must have put my mum up to this but I decided to do what my mum wanted even though I had no plans of staying long with him. My mum left and I was alone with Alfred. I joined him on the lookout. He had held his hand out to me but I didn’t take it.
“You put my mum up to this.” I accused him and his lips curved into a weak smile admitting I was right.
“I’m sorry Thea, it was the only way I could talk to you.” He said.
“Now I’m here. You should start talking.” I said impatiently.
“I know you’re mad at me for doing this but can we at least talk without any grudges.” He pleaded. I hesitated but then answered him.
“Fine.”
He smiled then his eyes trailed quickly from my head to toe, scanning my attire, his eyes full of admiration.
“Let me start by saying that you look absolutely stunning.” My heart leaped at the compliment. I knew he meant it.
“Thank you.” I said. His smile broadened.
“I knew we were going to meet again Thea. I just never expected my business partners were your parents.”
“Scott is my stepdad.” I corrected and his eyes twitched.
“Oh ….”
“Angel is his son.”
“What?” His shock was unhidden, his eyes revealing the many questions bubbling in his mind.
“Our story is complicated and long but yes as you’ve already guessed, I’m in love with my step-brother and we are in a relationship.” I said bluntly. He looks like he can’t take the words I said but calms down with a deep breath.
“I guess that worked for you guys.” His voice was low but strained, almost like he was finding the words hard to say.
“The bond Angel and I have is not something that can be broken easily. We’ve been through so much more than you can think of.” I continued, hoping it will sink into his mind and he’d leave me alone. Alfred chuckles softly but I knew my confession didn’t sit well with him.
“I’m not trying to steal you from anyone Thea. I’m not trying to break up your relationship with anyone but I’d like you to know just how I feel about you Thea.”
“Telling me what I already figured out is not a good Idea.” I said.
“It won’t stop you from loving Angel so you shouldn’t be scared of hearing it.”
“I’m just not interested.” I was blunt and he took a pause as if to think of a better approach to speak with me.
“Remember we agreed to not hold anything against each other.”
“I’m not holding anything against you Alfred.”
“Fine. Would you listen without getting defensive?” He pleaded and my heart softened to his request.
“Go ahead.” I spoke softly. He sighed and resumed talking.
“I came to this town to start my life anew, not one day passed that I didn’t think about you Thea. I may have a child and may have been divorced because of my love for you but the way I feel about you never changed.” Again, I felt guilty. His perfect family was ruined by the both of us. I wasn’t going to take the blame alone. If he were a faithful husband to begin with, he wouldn’t have any business at the strip club. Moreso, have the opportunity to fall in love with a stripper.
“I swear that the moment I saw you that day, My whole life felt like it was starting to have a meaning. I felt hopeful and now I can’t believe you’re standing in front of me.” He said stepping closer to me. “I do not believe this is a coincidence Thea.”
“It still doesn’t change anything Alfred. If I’m the reason your family is broken how could you still want to have something to do with me?” I asked, genuinely confused as to why he wouldn’t chose to stay away from me and save his relationship with his family.
“I’m in love with you Thea. I never felt this way with Claire even though she had my child, besides she was the one who filed for divorce. I was willing to work things out for the sake of our child after I couldn’t find you.” My wrinkled into a frown hearing him spill the words so easily.
“So you were going to stay with her because you couldn’t find me? So what if I never left?”
“I know you’d hate to hear this but I want to be honest with you. I would have filed for the divorce without any hesitation.”
“What?” My jaw was fallen in shock. How could he say that?
“That’s the truth.”
“You don’t even care about how that affected your son?”
“When he grows up he’d understand.”
“No child will understand you betraying their mum in such a cruel way Alfred.” I said through gritted teeth. I was trying hard to hold my annoyance. He didn’t even care about his child.
“I don’t mean to get you angry Thea.”
“You should get back with your family.” I said not letting him finish.
“And make Claire suffer knowing my heart belonged to someone else?” I was speechless for a moment. He was right in a way but I couldn’t help but think him heartless. He may have fallen out of love for Claire but as my mum used to say while I was growing up, just because you don’t feel the attraction to your partner in that season it doesn’t mean that the love is gone. If you’re willing to work things out, the spark will return. Although there were exceptional cases especially when one’s partner becomes abusive.
“Nothing is ever going to happen between us.” I said when I found my voice again
“Can we at least be friends?” He said, his voice sounded desperate.
“If you were Angel would you want me being friends with you?” He doesn’t answer. “There, you have your answer.” I said.
“Thea….”
“I don’t think there’s much we can talk about,
I’d like to join the party now. I hope you have a wonderful time.” I turn my back at him knowing I had just shattered his heart but at that moment I didn’t care. He didn’t care about how much he broke Claire and even his son. Why was he wasting time pursuing someone who didn’t love him?
As I walked towards the door it suddenly opened. I startled but recalled myself. I thought it had to be my mum but when the figure appeared from behind the elevator. I was frozen to the spot.
It was Angel. How did he know?”