Right In Front Of Me
983 Words
Chapter 19
“She’s nothing to me, nobody important,” Derek said flatly before turning and striding toward the door.
“Really?” I called after him, louder than I intended.
He paused, glanced back briefly. “See you later.” And then the door shut behind him.
I turned to my mother, my chest tightening. “Please… you need to talk to me. What is going on between them?”
“Ask Derek yourself,” she replied, her tone clipped, dismissive.
I exhaled sharply and started toward the door.
“Lio darling, we’ll be heading home soon,” she added.
“Sure,” I forced out, a strained smile on my lips as I stepped out.
There was only one person who could give me the truth: Trisha.
I made my way to my office, my thoughts spiraling. The moment I pushed the door open, my steps faltered.
My eyes widened as I saw Trisha seated comfortably in my chair… my seat, like she owned it.
I walked in slowly and she didn’t even acknowledge me.
I stopped in front of the desk and cleared my throat, announcing my presence since I apparently wasn’t worth noticing.
“Oh! You’re back. My bad,” she said casually, finally looking up as she adjusted herself in the chair.
“What’s the meaning of this?” I demanded, my voice sharp.
“Meaning of what?” she shot back, rising to her feet, her jaw tightening. “You stood there like a statue while Derek and your mother humiliated me, to the point of nearly getting me fired.”
“Maybe if you did your job properly and minded the business that pays you, none of that would’ve happened,” I snapped before I could stop myself.
A slow smile spread across her lips.
“You’re right…” she said softly, nodding. Then her expression shifted. “I should’ve done my job better… maybe I should’ve told your mother everything.”
My heart skipped.
“And about minding my business…” she continued, stepping closer, her eyes gleaming with something dangerous. “Derek is my business.”
My brows furrowed. “How exactly is Derek your business?”
Her lips curved.
“He hasn’t told you?” she murmured, almost amused. Then, louder, more deliberate: “I thought he would reveal this himself, but it's fine. Derek and I were lovers, not just lovers, we were inseparable and completely obsessed with each other.”
My chest tightened.
Why would I agree to marry a man with a past like that, with her?
“And I’m willing to bet,” she continued, closing the distance between us, “he didn’t tell you that I was his first love.”
My breath stilled.
Her voice dropped to a whisper near my ear.
“And first love…” she said, almost gently, “…never truly fades.”
My blood ran cold.
She straightened, her gaze dragging over me with open disdain. “No matter how hard you try, Derek could never…” she paused, a faint smirk forming, “…fall for someone like you.”
I forced a smile, even though it felt like my insides were collapsing.
The same Derek who had asked me to marry him.
“Move,” I said coldly.
She hesitated, irritation flashing across her face, before stepping aside and walking out.
I took my seat, my movements stiff as the door clicked shut behind her.
“Crazy b***h,” I muttered under my breath, barely holding myself together.
I shouldn’t care… I shouldn’t care that Derek once loved her… but for reasons I couldn’t explain… I did.
“How could he?” I whispered, grabbing my phone and dialing his number.
He picked up almost immediately.
“Hey, Liora.” His voice was soft, it almost calmed me… but not completely.
“Derek, why didn’t you tell me you were in a relationship with my assistant, Trisha?” I demanded.
“I told you she’s nothing to me.”
“Don’t say that!” My voice rose. “You should’ve told me she was your lover; your first love…” I exhaled sharply. “And possibly the mother of your daughter, Aurora.”
“I can explain…”
“So it’s true,” I cut in, my voice shaking. “You’re nothing but…” I stopped myself before the words escaped and ended the call.
“Ahh…” I groaned, pressing both hands to my face.
He clearly wasn’t who I thought he was, so why did I trust him?
I leaned forward, resting my arms on the desk.
“Of course, I don’t like him,” I muttered, as if convincing myself.
Then suddenly, a thought hit me as I straightened, raising a finger slightly.
“Why would my mother want me with Derek if he isn’t a good man?”
That didn’t make sense.
She hadn’t explained anything about Derek and Trisha… that wasn’t like her. She always wanted me happy, she wouldn’t knowingly push me into something this complicated… Would she?
I grabbed a few files, pretending to work, trying to distract myself, but it wasn’t working.
“No,” I said firmly, standing up. “She has to explain everything.”
I headed for the door and pulled it open… only to freeze as Derek stood right in front of me.
“I can explain,” he said.
My jaw tightened as I folded my arms. “Explain what exactly? I asked you earlier, but you seem to enjoy keeping me in suspense.”
“I’ll tell you everything,” he said.
And just then, Trisha walked up beside him.
“Let’s stop this little game of hide and seek,” she said smoothly, reaching for his hand… and he didn’t pull away.
My eyes widened as my breath caught.
For a moment… I forgot how to breathe.
- Writer
