BENEATH THE SURFACE

SHATTERED ILLUSIONS

TATIANA

Dorian hasn’t said a word to me since we left the house instead his eyes were glued to his phone and I was certain he was angry.

I knew I shouldn’t have asked why Jenny was coming on the trip with us. I should have just shut up instead of asking unnecessary questions.

I lowered my head feeling guilty; He’d probably forgive me for being rude if I stayed quiet for the rest of the ride.

Suddenly, my phone rings and I fumble with my purse, my fingers shaking as I tried to grab it. Dorian glanced at me briefly and I smiled but he looked back at his phone immediately.

“Hello?” I said quietly,

“Tatiana Morales?” the voice on the other end asked.

“Yes, Doctor Luke” I answered, sitting upright wondering if something bad has happened to my mom.

“It’s your mom,” the doctor started.

“She really needs to have the surgery now. If we push it back any longer, the cancer sac is going to burst, and she might not survive.” He said seriously.

My breath caught in my throat and I swallowed. “No…but you said she could have the surgery in a months time last week?” I asked my voice trembling.

“Yeah but it deteriorated faster than we imagined, and she needs immediate surgery,”

“What can I do?” I asked confused but trying my best to stay rational.

“You need to make the payment today,” the doctor said firmly. “If you wait till tomorrow…she might die.”

I nodded wiping my eyes and hung up droping my phone. I kept pushing the surgery back because I didn’t have enough money to pay for it but now I couldn’t push back any longer.

I couldn’t let my mom die, she was the only family I had that cared about me. She was the only reason I worked so hard and endured everything but I didn’t have the money.

“Dorian,” I called reaching for his arm

I know I shouldn’t but right now I had no choice he was the person who could help me now.

“Please…,” I whispered, in a small voice.

He jerked his arm away immediately, barely looking at my face. “What?” he asked, still looking at his phone.

“Please, I need your help right now,” I said, swallowing every bit of pride I had left. This was my mother’s life, I had no choice.

He sighed looking up from his phone finally. “Help with what?”

I hesitated, but there was no time to waste. “My mom… the cancer is spreading faster than they expected, she needs surgery immediately. The doctor said she might not survive if she doesn’t get operated on today.” I said.

“What has that got to do with me, am I a doctor?” He asked

“Please… could you lend me the money for the surgery? I promise to pay you back.” I said wiping the tears that was starting to fall.

“Tatiana, you’re really shameless, you must really think I’m some sort of charity organization that just hands out money to the less privileged.” he barked annoyed.

I flinched but quickly nodded. “I…I’m sorry,” I said, my voice breaking. “I shouldn’t have asked, I just…didn’t know who to ask.”

He scoffed and leaned back in his seat. “I’m not trying to be mean but I am a businessman not a loan company you know right. You should really learn to work harder, Tatiana.

Look at your sister Jenny, she’s smart that’s why she’s the one inheriting the family business.” He said shaking his head in disappointment.

His words stung but I didn’t argue because he was right. I was really pathetic and was nothing more than a liability to him but he still loved me.

“I…I have some savings, I just need to complete it” I whispered. “If you could give me fifteen thousand dollars, I…”

“Well, I can’t let her die since she’s your mom, I’ll give you ten thousand dollars,” he cut in.

I couldn’t believe my ears and sobbed loudly. “Thank you, thank you so much.” I screamed tearfully.

“I’m giving it to you as a loan; I’m sure this is the only way for you to learn money management. After our wedding, you will work as an employee in my company and pay it off,” he continued.

I nodded eagerly, hanging on to every word and blushing when he mentioned our wedding.

“I understand,” I said quickly, my heart soaring. He was lending me money because he loved me and wanted to save my mom.

He sent the money and I quickly sent it to the hospital together with the three thousand dollars I had in savings. The treatment could start and I would find a way to get the rest later.

I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “Thank you, Dorian, thank you so much, you don’t know how much this means to me.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he muttered, waving me off. “Just don’t bother me about it again.” He said.

He was such an angel and I always annoyed him but despite how angry he was, he loved me. He might not always show it, but deep down, he cared.

The car slowed as we arrived at the airport. The driver pulled up in front of the terminal, and Dorian immediately got out. I hurried to grab my bag and followed him, my heart racing.

The flight from Texas to Houston was quiet. He worked on his MacBook while Jenny slept.

I had nothing to do but watch Dorian. I admired how sexy he was his sharp jawline, the way his lips pressed together when he was focused, the way his sleeves were rolled up, exposing his strong forearms. Everything about him was perfect and he was mine.

When we landed, a chauffeur was already waiting to take us to the hotel. It was Maison Hotels; the most luxurious hotel in America. Dorian had booked the most expensive suite for us while Jenny was in another room.

“This is beautiful,” I said once we were in our room. I sat on the king-sized soft bed feeling drained from the emotional stress from earlier.

“Yeah, I knew you’d like it,” he said and I smiled. He was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, loosening his tie and I watched him for a moment before going to wrap my arms around his waist resting my head on his back.

“Babe, I’m so sorry for earlier,” I started, my voice soft. He turned around, gently pulling away. He stared at my lips for a brief second and I puckered it waiting for his kiss but his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen picking the call.

“Excuse me,” he said smoothly as he answered the call. “Hello?” He said turning his back to me.

I watched him and waited. “I’ll be there now,” he said. I frowned wondering where he was going to. He ended the call and grabbed his suit jacket.

“I have to go,” he said, slipping his tie off completely. “ I have a business meeting right now.”

I blink in confusion following him “Business meeting? But I thought…” I started to say but stop. I didn’t want to get him angry with my stupid questions again.

“Don’t wait up for me,” he continued giving me a peck. “You should sleep if you’re tired.”

“I’ll wait up for you,” I said softly before the door closed.

I stood there for a moment, staring at the door missing him already.

I took a long shower and scrolled through my phone but I soon got bored and hungry so I decided to tour the hotel.

I left my room walking down the hallway towards the elevator when I pass Jenny’s room. Her door was slightly open, and I heard laughter then soft moans. That freak I smiled walking past when I stopped.

“Mmmh…babe so good a deep voice murmured.

“Do you like it?” He asked and my stomach clenched.

I took a step back, my heart pounding. Was I imagining things? Slowly, I walked back to Jenny’s door, my hands trembling as I held the doorknob debating with myself if I should open it.

“f**k Dorian,” this is so good.

Dorian? It must be a mistake or another person, my Dorian was at a business meeting and he was loyal to me. Curiousity got the better of me, and before I could stop myself, I pushed the door open slightly wider walking inside.

My heart stilled at the sight; Dorian was in bed with Jenny f*****g her and they were going at it like depraved animals.