Zoey p. o. v
I woke up this morning feeling energetic. I couldn’t sleep all night. I was anxious and restless thinking if Marco would find out my plan to leave.
Or if his mother had told him. As much as I’d love to stay here with him, and reconcile our past. I have my dignity to keep intact, I won’t allow myself to be a push over. I’ve had enough of that during my teen days, but now I am an adult and I should be responsible for my actions.
It is around nine in the morning, Marco must have gone to the office by now. So I’m just waiting for Aunt Ava. I am ready to go. Dress in my clothes, the ones I wore when I was forcefully brought here.
A knock came on the door.
“Zoey, are you there?” Aunt Ava’s voice sounded from the other side.
“Yes, coming,” I yelled back, picking up my bag and making my way to the door.
“Good morning ma.” I greeted her the moment we came face to face.
“Good morning dear, how was your night?” She replied with her contagious smile.
“It was good.” I nodded at her, smiling. She cupped my face in her hands.
“Are you ready to leave now? Why don’t you have breakfast first,” She suggested. I would love to but, no can do it.
“No, I’m fine.” I politely declined.
“Are you sure?” She insisted, but I nodded.
“Okay, if you say so.” We were quiet for a while as we made our way down the stairs. “You know, you can leave by yourself, right?” She broke the silence.
I shook my head in denial.
“If I could, I wouldn’t have bothered you. I tried leaving yesterday but his guards won’t let me.” I informed her, and she wasn’t surprised.
As I said earlier, she had a similar situation as mine in her younger days. So I assume she has been in this kind of situation before.
“fair enough.” She nodded. “You don’t have to worry, I didn’t tell anyone about this.” She reassured me while I nodded thanks to her.
I avoid getting attached to these people because I might have to distance myself from them later on. We reached the front door, I opened it and she stepped out first, while I followed behind.
Immediately, the guards saw us, or me in particular. They blocked our way, standing as a blockage in front of us and denying us to make any more steps.
Oh really? I thought with his mom, it would be different. Am I a prisoner here? I’m not going to tolerate such absurdity and allow anyone to treat me otherwise.
“You do not want to get on my dark side, do you?” She fumed.
“But….”
“Step down.” She interrupted the guy who was trying to explain themselves. Her entire demeanor had changed to a new level. The dark side she tries to hide under her lovely smiles, kicks in.
“Yes, Donna.” The guards immediately stepped aside with their heads bowed. She turned to me smiling warmly, her sweet and lovely self was back on.
“Let’s go.” She held my hand and dragged me along. There’s a car that I assumed was always on standby in front of the house. She entered before I did and the car broke into the driveway.
I breathe in relief when we successfully pass the gate.
The ride is a silent one, thick with tension. It is uncomfortable, no doubt, but I don’t want to do anything about it. I could feel that she had something to say or rather wanted to say something but was holding back.
I know for a fact that whatever she has to say must be related to Marco and myself, hence the reluctance.
I released a shaking breath when the driver pulled up in front of my house. I was about to alight the car but Aunt Ava took my arms.
“Please wait, I want to have a word with you.” She pleaded. Even if I don’t want to associate myself with family anymore, I should listen to what she has to say for the last time at least.
I relaxed back into my seat and nodded for her to continue. She started at the driver, silently telling him to leave us alone.
When the driver was out, she sighed and brought her gaze to mine.
“First of all, I’m sorry for the pain Marco caused you all these years. And no, I’m not telling you to forgive him or anything, you are an adult and you can make your own decisions as well.” She hesitated, taking a huge gulp of air before she continued.
“It was foolish of him to do that in the first place, but amidst all that, I think it’s best if you make whatever you have decided clear to Marco. I’m not in any way happy about how you guys are going to end your relationship, but it is best to let him know of your decision so that he can stop bothering you.” She explained.
End our relationship? What relationship? The one that already ended years ago? How come they didn’t notice we ended years ago?
Anyway, I’m not going to correct or explain anything, it’s left for them to assume whatever pleases them. I’m done trying to be a good person.
I simply nodded at her and got out of the car. I am pissed, so furious. I understand she didn’t say all that to upset me, but it did. But I don’t blame her, if only Marco didn’t come back and caused an uproar in my life. She wouldn’t indirectly tell me to let her son go, he was the one that left me in the first place.
And now he’s back and they are all assuming I’ll go running into his arms once again. And when that didn’t happen, I was told to set him free.
As I was holding him captive.
I shook my head, putting all these thoughts away. I’m about to start a new life and that is all I will be thinking about.
“New life begins,” I said to myself, taking a deep breath and pushing the door open.
Little did I know that the new life I hoped for was out of the window, the minute I opened the door.
“Welcome.” He greets them, comfortably sitting on the single-sitter couch. His demeanor was imposing and terrifying, his thick legs were spread apart as his feet stood firmly on the ground.
His arms were on the armrest, while he leaned on the chair with his eyes closed. This position is that of those typical mafia bosses in those movies.
I stared wide-eyed at him. I did use my keys to open the door, right? Then how did he find his way inside without tearing the door down?
“How did you get in? And why did you break into my apartment? I could call the cops on you.” I hissed, getting over my shock.
This is breaking in, right?
“I heard you were coming, so here I am to welcome you.” He opened his eyes, and they pierced into mine.
“That does not answer my question, Marco.” I replied, waiting for his response.
But the idiot didn’t say anything, he was just observing me, much to my annoyance. Since he wants to ignore me, then two can play that game. I went further, entering the kitchen to look for something that would serve as breakfast.
I mentally groaned when I heard the sound of heavy footsteps behind me. I turned around to confront him, only to run into him.
How close was he behind me? His hand went around me to support me from falling, and immediately I got my foot stable. I detached myself from him, creating a decent distance between us.
“What do you want from me?” I almost yelled, almost.
“Did I not warn you not to speak to me in that tone? I did, didn’t I?” He took a massive step forward, trying to close the distance between us.
“I won’t if you stop bothering me.” But I was having none of it. I took a couple of steps back to maintain the distance. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, calming himself.
“I want you back home when I get off work, don’t tempt me or….”
“Or what? You forcefully take me there? And you think that will earn you my forgiveness and acceptance?” I laughed sarcastically.
This guy must be dreaming if he thinks he can just stroll back into my life as he pleases.
“Marco, look, in case you don’t notice. I’m not the little naive girl you left behind. Wake up and see how different things are now,” I scoffed.
I think I just lost my appetite, we should just address this issue as per his mom’s advice.
“Marco, let’s face the truth, we broke up six years ago.” That’s not right. “Wait, let me rephrase that, you broke up with me six years ago. So whatever we had ended six years ago, please stop pretending as if everything is fine with us because it’s not.”
It was silent between us. When he didn’t say anything, I continued.
“You came back a few days ago unexpectedly, and all you’ve been doing since then is trying to control my life. What am I? A game? Remember what you told me the day you left me? You said I was too naive for your world and I couldn’t keep up with it, and that I can only slow you that. You left me with a bitter memory and you only came to change from the boy I knew to a different person. A control freak” At this point I was barely holding back myself.
I wanted to cry. I told myself not especially because of Marco again, but at the moment that is what I wanted to do.
“You should have gotten my mom involved.” Was what left his mouth. I was dumbfounded. Of all the things I said, that was what he had to say.
It is hopeless between us.
“At least, she knows when to stop pushing.” I retorted, facing away, I am fuming. Too livid that I might punch him in the face.
“What do I do to earn your forgiveness?” His tone was blunt. I can’t tell if he wanted to earn it or for the sake of it.
“Nothing, just leave me and stay out of my life for good.” I breathed tiredly.
“That’s not possible, you are mine. My wife, which means I can’t stay out of your life, I will always be a part of your life.” He affirmed.
Wife? What’s with him and this wife’s stuff? I should make myself clear today.
“I. Am. Not. Your. Wife.” I emphasized every word.
“You are and you can’t deny it.” He growled.
“I said I’m not, stop forcing it on me. I don’t remember us getting married, so you can’t impose that on me.” I opposed.
“Soon enough I will bring you the evidence, but not right now.” He insisted. I rolled my eyes, inwardly.
“I’d love to see that day. But till then, I want a break from you, like space.” I negotiated.
“Space? How long will that take?” I was surprised when he didn’t put up a fight.
“I don’t know, maybe forever?” I spouted out what just came to my mind and I almost regretted it when he nodded and strode away.
However, this was all for the best. I tried convincing myself.