Chapter Four: New Things
1274 Words
“Not guilty.”
I fell immediately to the chair while Andrew raised a fist in victory. Then, he turned to me with a beautiful smile and said, “We did it.”
Yes, we did. I smiled back through full eyes as I accepted the victory. My eyes wandered through the crowd until I locked eyes with Arthur. He wore a straight face. I guess he was not satisfied with the verdict. I didn't care. He had hurt me in ways I never thought was possible during this trial, and I was not ready to forgive him.
He walked out of the courtroom after he gave a small smile.
A week later, Andrew took me out to dinner to celebrate the win at court. “We did it,” he said as we clinked our glass of wine together.
“Actually, you did it, Andrew. You have no idea how grateful I am to you. I thought my life was over.”
“Well, Darlene, we would do anything for the ones we care about.”
“Yes, we would,” I nodded in agreement. He raised his glass and took a sip.
He drove me back to my apartment and walked me to my door since I was a little tipsy.
“You are safe now Darlene, you don't have to be scared anymore,” he said as soon as we were in my apartment.
I nodded and thanked him again. He made his way to the door but stopped suddenly and turned to me. My brows furrowed when he walked up to me with a look in his green eyes I had not seen before. He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine for a few seconds. When he withdrew, he looked into my eyes like he had just found lost treasure in them. My heart beat hard against my chest as we held our gaze.
“Goodnight Darlene,” he said with a small smile and teary eyes, then he was out of the door.
I lingered for a moment as I took in what had just happened. Andrew kissed me. I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but I wanted more of him. I was out of the door of my apartment in a flash. He did not notice me walking up behind him as he leaned on his car with his two hands pressed against it.
“Andrew,” I said in a whisper.
He turned around, and his eyes pierced into mine. He walked closer to me, wrapped his arms around me, then softly pressed his lips on mine. Uncontrollable feelings surged through me as he held me in his arms.
When I opened my eyes, the rising sun had sent ray beams into my bedroom. I had a splitting headache due to the little hangover I was experiencing. The first thing I thought about was Andrew. Was it a dream? The kiss?
I got dressed while I awaited a call or a text from him. Deep down I prayed it was real. I wanted it to be. He had been so tender towards me. I had only ever loved one man, and he had turned out to be my worst nightmare. But Andrew was soft, and caring. He was protective and sweet. He was everything I wanted Arthur to be.
I stepped out onto the balcony to receive some fresh air. I closed my eyes and basked in the morning sun. I thought about reading a book or painting. Anything to while away the time until I heard from Andrew. I was excited and scared at the same time. And I liked it.
Then, like an answered prayer, my phone rang. I ran to it with ecstasy in my veins.
“Hello,” he said, in a cool voice.
“Hey, good morning.”
I could tell that he smiled, “Darlene, how are you doing today?”
My doorbell rang, so I walked to the door. “I am doing fine. How are you?”
The bell rang again, so I hurried. “I’m good, thank you. I just wanted to thank you for last night. I had a great time…and I was hoping I could see you again… maybe tonight?”
“Well, that sounds lovely,” I said while opening the door. I let out a gasp and attempted to close the door immediately, but he pushed back the door and let himself in.
“Darlene?”
I moved backwards with the phone still in my ear and stumbled on some furniture while he walked closer to me.
“Darlene, is everything okay?” Andrew asked worriedly.
“He’s here..”
“Who is?”
“Arthur.”
He looked like he had been drunk for two days straight, but his handsome features were still evident. His blue eyes pierced into mine, then he gave a short, empty laugh and said, “Who are you talking to?”
“Darlene, I am on my way,” Andrew said. I ended the call and dropped my phone, choosing not to be afraid of him.
“Who were you talking to, Darlene?”
“None of your business,” I said, coldly.
“Well, you are right about that,” he said, then took a seat.
“What are you doing here?”
He laughed, “Can’t I drop in on an old friend?”
“You shouldn't be here.”
“I can go wherever the hell I want, Darlene.” he buried his face in his palms. I had thought he had fallen asleep but his head propped back up suddenly and his eyes were filled with tears.
“Arthur.”
“You did this. You ruined both of our lives. Thanks to you, I have no inheritance, our family is at war. And all for what? For your ridiculous desire for some fairytale romance.”
My heart dropped into my stomach. “Stop.”
“I lost my son! You couldn't bear a child for 5 years, then I finally got a son, and you got him killed. You are so selfish and deluded.”
Tears filled my eyes rapidly as I studied him. “I had nothing to do with the attack on Angela. Deep down, you know that. I have loved you all my life. I gave up so much for you. Too much and you treated me like garbage.”
“Oh! Get over yourself please,” he said and got up from the chair.
“We were best friends, Arthur!” My eyes turned red. “Best friends. It should have been easy. You knew it was bound to happen. You knew we’d get married at some point, but you chose to be cruel.”
“We were best friends forced into a marriage. How did you think it was going to turn out?”
I let out a sigh and ran my fingers through my thick hair. “I wasn’t forced. I would have wanted you either way.”
He continued, “I didn't want to get married. I wanted to travel and explore and be an architect. Hell! I was good at it. I never asked for you or the company or wealth and… God! I hate the attention that comes with fame. You know that. I wanted none of this.”
The weight of his words were heavy on my heart. “I am sorry.” We stood in heart-wrenching silence. “For what it is worth, I… loved you, Arthur.”
He sighed and bowed his head. “So did I.”
- Writer
