Bound By Lies

Three~

CARMEN’S POV

“What the hell?!” I said and stared at his outstretched hand and face-stunned .

“Are you confused or do you need glasses to see clearly?”

He smiled at me sweetly as if I had just complimented him.

“ I understand you are mad at me for taking this relationship too far. I’m sorry my love.” He said so softly that it sounded so true.

I searched for the right thing to say but words failed me. I was totally shocked to utter a word to this stranger calling me his lover.

“ Carmen?,” I heard Aaron’s voice. Disbelief was evident on his face as his eyes narrowed and his eyebrow lowered at Carl’s words.

“ Aaron, he's lying. I’m just seeing this douchebag for the first time.” I explained, trying to withhold the tears that were already gathering in my eyes.

“ Oh hi Aaron, thank you for being a cover for us. We needed a veil for our relationship, thanks for being there man,” Carl said smoothly with a smile I was beginning to hate.

How could he act so cool while ruining other people’s lives?

“ Listen, if this is some sort of prank, I will appreciate it if you stop right this moment,” I said, staring at Carl.

Maybe it was a prank. Maybe both Trish and Carl are trying to play a fast one on us. I looked around for any hidden cameras but met with a hundred pairs of eyes, all staring at me.

What is happening? I was speechless for a while. I thought my brain had shut down to take a rest and I was left on my own.

“ A cover huh?”Aaron c****d his eyebrow in question at me.

I couldn’t believe he was already buying Carl’s expensive lies.

“ Carmen Crawford!!”Trish yelled, her voice shutting everyone up.

I turned to look at her as she marched towards us, holding the bottom of her dress for way movement. My eyes caught a glimpse of Barbara. It looked like she was having a hard time breathing. The color from her face drained.

I turned to look at Carl, who was looking at me like an interesting piece of art he just discovered. His scrutinizing state held a deeper mystery. I was going to interrogate him and show everyone he was lying.

Okay. Let’s assume what you are saying is true, then where did we meet? When is my birthday? What is my favorite food? Color? Allergies? Do I love coffee or juice? Do I love cookies? Spring or summer…”

“ You!” Trish's loud voice cut me off and immediately she stole the spotlight- not like I was complaining. Her perfectly styled hair was already disheveled, and her makeup wasn’t helping her situation.

Black tears streamed down her cheeks and the corner of her eyes was smudged with wet mascara.

But I couldn’t blame her for looking like a Zombie.

How did I even get involved in this mess? I only came because I saw this as an opportunity to taste different types of Intercontinental cuisines.

“ Trish, I swear he’s lying,” I tried to explain.

“ Carmen, there’s nothing to be afraid of. We can’t keep it a secret anymore.” Carl’s soft voice came from beside me.

“ Hide what?! I don’t f*****g know you!” I yelled at his face.

“ Really? Because I’m starting to believe this is all true.” I was surprised that it had come from Aaron.

“ Aaron, you have known me for a long time. Do you believe what this man is saying?” I asked Aaron.

“ Yes.”

Wow! What a straightforward answer.

I froze for a moment. Hearing his reply, those three letters were like bullets shot straight into my heart. It hurts so much because I felt as if I handed him a gun to protect me but instead, he shot me right in the face with the same gun I trusted him to protect me with.

“ This is not the first time you had an affair with a married man Carmen, I thought you closed that chapter of your life,” Aaron said, looking disappointed.

My face went pale instantly, I could hear a few people murmuring.

How can he bring up the past in such a situation?

I was so confused and my senses were taking forever to analyze the situation. I turned to Aaron, trying to pound some senses into him. How could he give in to Carl's lies so easily?

“ Aaron…”

“ Maybe he’s the reason we don’t go past kissing. I always thought it was because of your parents, but now, I see the real reason. I always knew you were hiding something.” He said, stepping away from me like I carried a contagious disease.

“ Are you for real? You are an i***t if you believe a word that left his mouth.” I shot back at Aaron, it was disappointing that he believed Carl.

“ Am I, Carmen? Given your history, we both know what you are capable of. I’m out of here.” He glared at Carl before walking away.

Wow, he was using my past mistake against me.

“ So what now?

Are you breaking?” I held back my tears, I needed to hear him say it.

“Were we ever in a relationship? I was just a diversion, remember?” The pain and resentment in his voice made my eyes burn, but I refused to cry.

I bit down on my wobbling lip, holding back my tears. There was an awkward silence in the hall, I could feel everybody’s eye on me. It was just like I was on the world's biggest stage and everyone was waiting for me to give an outstanding performance.

“ Well that was easy, I figured it would be hard for you to tell him the truth. Carl said behind me.

I turned around to face him. At that moment, I wanted nothing but for him to drop dead. I clenched my fist, hoping he could feel the waves of my anger radiating from my body. My blood was boiling.

What is this asshole up to and why me?

“ Why are you doing this?” I fought to keep my tears at bay as I spoke.

“ You should calm down babe, it’s not good for the baby if you are angry,” he said with a worried tone, his blue eyes looking at me like he adored me.

“ What f*****g baby Carl?” I screamed.

“ Babe, I know you are scared everybody knows about us now, but don’t worry, I promise to be by your side.” He said, trying to touch me but I moved back. My face twitched with rage.

God!!! He’s such a good actor, but why is he eating his talent on me?

“Who would have thought that this innocent-looking little cousin of my best friend was this vile?” Trish squeaked.

I turned to look at her but immediately wished I hadn’t, “ Trish…”

“Is this why you were always avoiding me because you were sleeping with my boyfriend?” Trish cut me off with her killer eyes.

“ No!!!” I snapped, someone had to believe this was all a lie.

“ I’m sorry Trish, I wish I had told you earlier,” Carl said with a tone that could convince anyone that this was true and real.

“ You just ruined my life Carl,” Trish said in a very sad tone.

“ And you,” she turned and faced me before she continued speaking,

“ I hope you have a miscarriage and die in the process.” she laughed out at me with a burning stare, storming out of the event while crying.

Well that was harsh, and I hope you trip on your heels and smash your face on the ground to the point that no one recognizes you, I wanted to yell after her but stopped myself.

I understood her anger but why should I be the only one to blame? My only crime was attending the engagement.

Trish's parents stood up and walked towards us. Her mother was already in tears… I felt so guilty like it was my fault.

“Mrs Ronald” I tried to explain but kept my mouth when her husband shot me a cold glare.

They both walked out quietly and I guess it was not a pre-wedding drama; it was real after all.

“ Are you happy now?” I turned to Carl with eyes of tears but kept a straight face.

“ Yeah, I'm glad we finally get to tell everyone about us and we don't need to hide anymore,” he said with a soft smile that made his stupid eyes sparkle with mischief.

This is indeed hilarious, I thought.

I turned my head to look at everyone in the church, they were all staring at me like they wanted me to admit everything was true.

Some were smiling while others gave me a look of contempt.

My eyes stopped moving when they landed on my cousin Barbara, noticing her hands were fisted by the side, our eyes locked and right there I felt I had found my savior.

Barbara could prove to everyone that Carl was lying, she has known me for her whole life, and we shared every secret. She knew this was a lie.

She started walking towards us in her Louboutin T-strap pumps that clicked on the marble floor, and I smiled. At least I have someone to save me from whatever this lunatic and as up to.

I pulled away from his side as she got closer but she wasn't smiling, I guess it was because of Carl.

Kick his ass Barbara, show him that nobody dares mess up with your kid sister.

My shoulders relaxed with hope as she stopped right in front of me, but what happened next got me stunned,

I didn't see it coming as I opened my eyes wide in shock.