II. Betrayal

I had never been dumped before given Brad was my first boyfriend. And ever since the day we had been together, I had this vision in my head that we’re going to grow old together.

Cheesy, I know.

Guess when you trust someone too much, you tend to think of those things to the point that you unconsciously let that person rule your world. 

And I admit, through the years we've been together I became too dependent on him.

Though our relationship was not rainbows and unicorns it never crossed my mind that this day would come. And that hurt more than he knows.

My pinky finger suddenly twitched as I stared at them so perfect together. It might be my insecurities talking but as I look at Brad, protectively standing beside Stella, he would no doubt make a perfect husband and a father. 

And if I just have half the guts other women who caught their man cheating have, the mall security would have been dragging me out of the shop by now. Yay.

Obviously, that was just my anger talking.

“How long have you been sleeping together?” I ask in a calm voice, the kind of calm that would have made the storm put to shame.

“Elle,” Brad called my name like a prayer—a plea. My knees wobbled at the familiarity of it. I knew deep inside we’re over but I also knew that the moment he takes my side, I would welcome him with open arms. 

And as a woman with unique talent, I tend to act the opposite of what I feel and so I laughed but the sounds come out maniacal. Then like a deranged woman, my glare swept to the woman possessively holding Brad's arm.

“You want him?” I asked, taking off the engagement ring from my finger. 

“Take it!” I screamed, throwing the ring on her.

“It's yours! He's yours!” The world fell silent as everyone's attention was focused solely on us. I might be the most organized and well-planned person always keeping her calm, never act impulsively but guess everyone has their limit.

And that includes me.

But Stella didn't even react.

“You think you've won? Huh? Watch me, how I would ruin you, Bradley Miller.” I hissed, my eyes never leaving their dumbfounded faces.

Yeah, I'm pretty good at acting the part of a crazed woman.

His body was rigid, face hard while his hand was wrapped around Stella’s torso. Then I saw it, the coldness in his eyes as he looked at me. I knew it was always there, hidden but always there. I always brush it off,  thinking it was just Brad being Brad. Apparently, I was wrong.

The way he looks at Stella was different. It was warm and full of affection. Not on me, for some reason, I didn't know and was too scared to find out.

A month after his romantic beach proposal I saw this another side of him. He was always shutting me down and the way he talked to me becomes colder like he was just forcing himself to live with me. It’s like he’s putting a face—a façade maybe but I always shrugged it off, thinking it was due to his stressful day at work. And then, he got better wearing it that even I, got used to it. 

“That's enough, Elle!” He roared.

Brad never raises his voice on me. He might be cold and distant sometimes but he never screams at me.

“Brad,” I crooked out. And even though my voice cracked at the end, I can’t bring myself to cry and mourn for what I had lost. Perhaps it was from the shock or maybe deep inside I’m still in denial. Most probably all of the above. 

He looked at me mournfully. “I'm sorry,” He said. Presumably, realizing that he's only making the situation so much worse. 

“Well, don't you think it's too late for that?” I asked snippily.

His mouth opened and then close again just as Stella’s other hand latched on his arm, claiming what she thought is hers. The act didn't escape me and our spectators.

 

Perhaps she's right, Brad was never mine, to begin with. 

What a b*tch, rubbing it in my face.

I stared at them, masking the hurt and pain I feel inside. And if they could see beyond the rack they’ll see without a doubt that I’m barely hanging on the thin thread of control. 

I tightly clutched the rack in front of me, praying that it was strong enough to prevent myself from pitifully crumbling on the floor. 

“What are you doing here?” 

I chuckled. “I thought of surprising you on our wedding night, never thought that I would be the one getting a whiplash.” I spat, injecting enough venom in my voice to hide the wound Brad’s betrayal caused me. At least outside, I look strong. 

To be honest, I wanted to be strong, physically and emotionally but looking at them, so perfect, being strong was not at the top of my priority list, escaping with my dignity intact and my face dry is.

“Elizabeth, we're just—” but I cut her off before I cower away before I run and hide and before she could see the crack slowly crawling on my strong façade. 

“Miss Robinson I know you’re a smart woman but you’re stepping out of the boundary coveting my soon-to-be husband.” I sound desperate even in my ears.

I don’t know but looking at them now, I felt like my whole well-planned life was washing away under my feet.

“Shut up, Elle.” I briefly closed my eyes. The small part of me that believed that we could still salvage our relationship, the fact that he’s defending her not me has slaughtered it.

“Brad, what have you done? I thought you told her.” She threw a disapproving glance at Brad. Then like they have telepathically come to a decision, Brad nodded his head at her before looking back at me.  

Have you ever felt that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach? Like your subconscious was telling you that there’s a pit after hitting rock bottom? That’s what I felt the moment Stella’s eyes met mine. 

It’s instant

Like a lightning bolt hitting you out on a sunny day. 

No indication

No pretenses

No hiding

It’s out in the open. And it only spelled disaster. 

“Tell me what?” And even if you’re not ready, it’s going to hit you, leaving you into a shuddering mess. 

“I’m pregnant, Elle.” Straight to the point. She didn’t even blink, pause or waver. My breath hitched as I stared at them with so much contempt. 

“Is it Brad’s?” I asked though I knew the answer.

“Yes.”

I briefly closed my eyes, internally counting, willing for them to disappear when I open my eyes. 

‘Just was I few more seconds. And please, please be just a cruel trick of my overactive imagination.’ I internally chanted.

For a moment I let myself hope. 

But then, I guess I’m not that lucky. 

“You got to be kidding me?!” A familiar screeched sounded behind me. I don't even know if would be happy seeing my best friend, Arya, or sad that my worst nightmare was actually a reality. 

•••

The look on their faces could have killed me.

And so I ran.

Because there's no better way to escape reality but to run away from it. The sound of heels hitting the tiled floor reached my ears, and so I pumped faster.

“Elle!”

Arya

“Elizabeth! You better stop or I swear you'll see stars without looking at the sky!” Came a gasping shout from my friend.

I stopped.

Who wouldn't be? When Arya issued a threat on you, you better believe that there's no hint of joke on it.

And I waited.

When we're finally standing toe to toe I was immediately engulfed in a huge comforting embrace.

“I'm sorry, I'm late.” She mumbled as she gently stroke my hair.

“I–I just don't know what else to do!” I whined hugging her tightly.

“Well, the first thing you shouldn't do is run. Physically and mentally. Don't shut me out, babe. I'm always here for you.” she said breaking our embrace.

“What should I do now?”

“You cancel the wedding and stop the preparation,” she answered, face serious.

“No! I mean without Brad I am nothing. No offense R but you know I depended so much on him.”

“Hey! I may not be always available for you but you know I always have your back, Elle.” Arya was always traveling. It's part of the job of being a model. Usually, she'd go from one place to another without a breather. 

Well, as long as she's happy at what she does, we're always at her back, supporting her.

Ashamed, I murmured an apology. That was uncalled for. 

“I'm sorry,” I whispered.

“Do you think Anna knew?” Anna was Brad's older sister and Arya's twin brother, Gustavo's secretary. The thought that she might know about Brad's affair and kept it from us was a knife in my back.

“I don't think so.” She shrugged her shoulder, guiding me into her car.

“What if she did?”

“Well, we'll never know her side unless 

Gus and Anna's plane landed safely back here.” 

“Where are they anyway?”

“Don't ask me, father can't even contact him,” She pressed her thumb on the fingerprint sensor of her car, bringing it to life.

She looked at me, a devilish smirked so alike with her brother flashing. “But I have a suspicion.” 

“Twin telepathy?” she shook he head.

“Woman's intuition.” Arya boasted, nodding.

“No freaking way!”

“Yes, way.”

“What about Chef Leo? I thought she finally moved in with him the other day.” I asked, genuinely curious.

“That's the thing. Gustavo flies Anna out of the country on the same day that she was supposed to move out at her apartment.”

I smiled faintly at my friend, thankful that she came when I'm about to collapse from emotional turmoil. She saved me from the suffocating emotions trapped in my chest.

And for a short while, she successfully drives my mind away from those painful memories.

But reality is reality and I have to face it sometime.

•••