Chapter 31
Tessy’s POV
I couldn’t hear what everyone was saying anymore. Eddy’s words kept playing in my head non-stop. Did he really say that to the crowd? What if Anthony sees it? Won’t he be angry?
Oh, come on Tessy, you need to stop bothering yourself with someone who doesn’t give a damn about you. Anthony just used me, and I fell for his charms. Silly me!!! He cheated on me for heaven’s sake, and what Eddy did was not a crime. Also, it’s the truth. Our engagement is taking place on the 25th of this month, so I should be used to it.
“Are you okay?” He tapped me, bringing me back to reality, and I asked, “What?”
“What are you thinking about? Are you sure you are okay?” His eyes showed how worried he was about me.
“Yes, I am fine, you don’t have to worry!!” I assured him.
“Please don’t hide anything from me.” He requested politely, and I nodded my head in approval.
“Thank you so much for earlier.”
“You don’t have to thank me, okay? Lastly, I didn’t know my betrothed was already popular. I had to search for the video. I am super proud of you!!” He complimented me, and I thanked him, “Thank you so much, Eddy.”
“You are welcome. I feel happy knowing you will be my wife someday!!” He said to me, but I didn’t even reply because I had never thought of him as my husband-to-be someday. I am just fulfilling some paperwork that was signed without my consent by my parents.
He made advances to kiss me, but I just couldn’t. “I am sorry Eddy, can you take me home?”
“Okay, but are you upset with me?”
“Not at all, I just want to go home and rest. I had a stressful day. I hope you understand!!”
“Sure, I will take you home, no rush.” He replied, but his eyes told me how disappointed he was. But it wasn’t his fault, I came to him because I was angry at Anthony. I used him to escape reality at that time, and I am guilty of making him feel this way. I will never forgive him, never!!!
The drive to my place took forever, silence between Eddy and me. It felt so awkward and when I got home, I thanked him for the ride and headed to my apartment only to be stopped by Sophia again. What’s her deal??
“Hey, neighbor!! I didn’t know you were out with your boyfriend!” She winked at me.
“Can you please just stop, I am not in the mood now!!” I was blunt and I believe she got the hint and left me all by myself as I headed to my room.
I locked the door behind me, the soft click echoing through the silence. The world outside receded, and reality crashed down on me like a tidal wave. I crumpled to the ground, my body wracked with sobs.
Tears streamed down my face, a relentless torrent of grief and betrayal. Thinking about everything Anthony did for me, I found nothing but his lies, his deception, his heartlessness.
“Why?” I wailed, my voice shattered. “How could you, Anthony?”
The pain was suffocating, a heavy weight crushing my chest. I thought we shared something real, something true. But it was all a lie.
I remembered the laughter, the romantic outing, the surprises, the promises. All fabricated, all a ruse to manipulate me but deep down I still didn’t want to believe he didn’t really love me.
His silence was the most devastating blow. No call, no message, no explanation. If he could just call and give an excuse, I would be glad…
I buried my face in my hands, tears soaking my palms. My heart felt shattered, irreparable.
“How could you do this to me, Anthony?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
The room seemed to darken as if the shadows themselves were closing in on me.
At that moment, I felt utterly alone, abandoned by the one person I trusted.
My body shook with convulsive sobs, my soul crying out for answers that might never come.
The tears flowed, a river of sorrow, as I mourned the loss of our relationship, of my trust, of my heart.
Time lost all meaning as I wept, lost in a sea of despair, with no anchor to hold onto.
At the end of the day, I became exhausted and my tears subsided, leaving behind a hollow ache that seemed to echo through every cell of my body.
I lay there, broken, shattered, and lost, wondering if I would ever find my way back to myself again.
I exited my apartment and stumbled into the dimly lit bar, neon signs blurring together like a kaleidoscope. The bartender’s sympathetic gaze followed me as I collapsed onto a stool, my body trembling.
“Whiskey. Make it a double,” I slurred, my voice cracking with unshed tears.
The bartender poured the drink, his expression softening. “You okay, sweetheart?”
I nodded, lying. My heart was shattered, every piece piercing my soul.
I downed the whiskey in one gulp, feeling the burn course through my veins like liquid fire. Another. And another.
Tears streamed down my face, mixing with the whiskey’s warmth. My body shook, sobs racking my chest.
How could Anthony do this to me? Deceive me, betray me, and then disappear?
The room spun, colors bleeding together. I laughed hysterically, swaying on my stool.
The bartender watched with concern, but I waved him off, my hand flailing wildly.
“I’m fine,” I lied, my voice barely audible.
My phone slipped from my grasp, clattering on the counter. I stared at it, blurry vision focusing on the screen.
A name flashed in my mind, a number etched in my memory. My heart ached, longing for comfort.
I dialed, my fingers stumbling over the keypad.
The phone rang, and I waited, my heart pounding.
A low, smooth voice answered.
“Hey…” I slurred, my words barely intelligible.
I grabbed another drink and the voice said to me, “Tessy? Is that you?”
My eyes drooped, and I nodded, forgetting the phone wasn’t a video call.
The voice spoke again, softer, more urgent.
“Tessy, where are you?”
I mumbled an address, unsure if I got it right. “Get more drinks if you are going to come!!” I yelled in excitement…
The voice promised to be there soon.
I dropped the phone, darkness closing in.
Everything went black.
When I came to, I was in a stranger’s arms, being guided out of the bar.
“Hey handsome, I am pretty right? You won’t cheat on me!!!…” I laughed and I kept saying crazy things to the person.
The face above me was a blur but those eyes… I can bet I have seen them somewhere before…
His gentle hand grasped my elbow, steadying me.
“Whoa, easy there,” He was so caring but I ended up laughing like a crazy lady, “You are so caring!!” I changed my voice…
I turned to look at his face, he was like the sun, too bright meaning he must be handsome.
“One more drink!!” I escaped from him and grabbed the last bottle on the table. I emptied it but he came and took it from me and the barman asked for payment. I am certain he paid for me but I was too drunk to even know how much my bill was.
I broke free, swaying to an imaginary beat immediately after we stepped out of the bar.
“I’m dancing!” I screamed and I could hear the music playing in my head. He chuckled, trying to corral me.
“Let’s get you home, okay?”
I resisted, singing loudly.
“I will survive!”
My hips swiveled, attempting a drunken twerk.
His eyes widened, amusement dancing in them.”Tessy, please stop.”
“You can’t stop me!” I yelled and cussed him…
In a moment of bravado, I grabbed his face and planted a sloppy kiss.
“I command you to love me!”
His eyes flashed surprise, but he gently pried me off.
“That’s enough. You’re drunk. I’m taking you home.”
He swept me into his arms, carrying me with ease.
I kicked and giggled.
“No! I want to dance! You let me go, I command it..”
My head spun, and the world blurred as he forced me into his car using the seatbelt…
*
*
I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. My head pounded, a relentless drumbeat that threatened to split my skull. My mouth felt dry, my tongue sticky.
Where… am I? How did I end up here??
I panicked, my heart racing as I scanned the unfamiliar room.
Cream-colored walls, elegant furniture, and a massive window with curtains billowing in the breeze.
Nothing looked familiar to me and it was scary…
Memories fragmented, like shattered glass. I was so sad that I had to go to the bar, had a lot of drinks, and got drunk, but I can’t even remember what took place later on, the more I try, the more my head aches…
Oh God!!!!!
I sat up, too quickly. The room spun, and I clutched my head.
I felt nauseous all of a sudden.
My mind was blank and I had to glance around the room, searching for clues.
A glass of water on the nightstand caught my attention.
I grabbed it, downing the contents in one gulp.
The cool liquid soothed my parched throat.
But my questions remained unanswered.
Suddenly, I felt a surge of fear. What if I was in danger? What if I was kidnapped by Viper?? Or the mask guy?? The thought of it made fear consume me…
What if I didn’t know this person?
I had to get out of there. I shivered in fear and had my hopes up after seeing a door, I thought of escaping…
I swung my legs over the bed.
But a sharp pain shot through my head and I couldn’t feel my legs anymore it was as if I was paralyzed, maybe I should call for help but I couldn’t find my phone, oh no… I am doomed…
The door creaked open. Fear gripped me, suffocating me. He was going to kill me, the nightmares flashed in my mind, I was going crazy already. My heart was racing non-stop, I tried to breathe, but my lungs refused. A face emerged from the shadows, holding a tea cup and wearing a smile, my eyes almost popped out seeing who he was, and my jaw dropped saying, “You!!”
“Good morning Tessy, you are finally awake, thank goodness, I was so worried…”
TBC..