In This Love

Chapter 7

When I went to my room. I expected someone to barge in there and yell at me for bring a b***h. But unfortunately, no one came. I simply put my cane away, grabbed my phone from the night stand and dialed the number I wanted to. The held the phone next to my ear and waited for the person to pick up. I frowned when I heard the operator sending me to the voice mail. His voice said "Hey. It's Ridge. I know you miss me " he chuckled a bit " I'm probably busy at the moment. If you have something important to tell me. Just text. I'll talk to you later - bye!" I smiled at his voice but unsettling feeling set in my stomach. I felt worried about him not answering my phone. 

I exited the phone app and opened the airplane app. I thanked hod that I remembered hid flight number. I quickly typed into the space given. And waited for it to locate his flight.  A green blip showed up. I sighed with relief when I noticed that his plane with still in the air. 

I threw my phone onto the bed and grabbed the laptop I brought with me. I had unpacked most of my things last night. So, my laptop was out too.

I loaded Netflix on it and waited for it to get me "The Office" and played one of my favourite episodes and laid on my back watching it.

❤

"I can't believe you left so early!" I exclaimed at Sarah. She left with her boyfriend Ryan for a week. For their "stress relief vacation" to Amsterdam. 

"Ryan told me about it on your wedding. He told me that he had already made the reservations for our trip. I couldn't say no to him. This place is so amazing and romantic! I think he's going to propose" she whispered the last part with full excitement.

Situations like these made me want to envy others. Right now, I envied her the most. Finding someone on a flight to Paris by accident, going on a date with them to Eiffel tower, being in an amazing relationship for almost two years, having a best friend in you boyfriend and now hopes of getting a proposal from them. While I on the other hand, married the man I can't stand because I wanted to be the "prefect daughter". Even it is for a year but I still hate myself for making this desicion.

"That's great! I hope he proposes. We'll have so much fun at your wedding!" I showed excitement in my voice even though I felt exact opposite.

I suddenly heard a thud outside of my room. I went silent. Is someone breaking in?

"Sarah - I - uh - I gotta go" I said with urgency when I heard another one. It was night time and I think that Rhys and his bimbo had left. 

"What's wrong?" She panicked. I couldn't help but feel the same chaotic feeling too that I always loathed. Fear.

"I think someone is breaking in. I have to go check it out. Rhys is not home - I guess. I'll call you in a minute. If I die" I chuckled at myself "then make sure Rhys Holt regrets it" without hearing her reply I hung up. I always do that to Sarah. Always hanging up without hearing her reply.

I took my cane that was lying in the middle of the bed. My feet met the cold wooden floor. Adrenaline rushed in my veins like blood. I gripped the door knob and twisted it. It creaked open and I peeked outside. The corridor was clear. 

I gasped when I heard another thud. It was coming from the living room.

The view from the ramp didn't show the view of the living room. I walked with timid steps so that so sound from me was made.

When finally coming to the the kitchen. The voices were very much clear. 

Sounds of heavy breathing and moans made me gasp. I peaked a little and the scene that was disclosed made my cheeks burn with embarrassment.

It was Rhys and Nora mushed next to each other next to a wall. This arms gripped her waist as they were practically eating each other's face out. I wanted to throw up.

What was the point? Was this his petty revenge? Or just an insatiable hunger for pleasure. That he couldn't control. Was he trying to prove a point? Did he want me to know my place? That it didn't matter to him whatever I thought or his parents thought or anyone thought?

My foot slipped on something velvety making my lose my balance. I tired to grab onto something to stop my inevitable fall. But I had no luck. Not only I fell but my hand met with a bowl filled with marbles. That crashed next to me as marbles scattered into million directions. The crash and my thud made both of them go still like a statue.

I didn't dare look up at them. I did not have the power or the audacity to look at them dead in the eye and pretend not to be affected by their actions.

I took a deep breath and looked up. Thier breathings were uneven too. Rhys stepped away from Nora with his gritted teeth. 

Suddenly I left a piercing pain in my left hand. It caused my to hiss at the sudden burn. My eyes looked at the new cut I got in my hand. Immediately, I thanked God that it wasn't my left hand. Or else I wouldn't be able to work properly. I used the velvety cloth next to me that caused me to slip in the first place and I noticed it was Nora's cardigan. 

Nora was wearing her shirt again and Rhys did the same. 

I took the cardigan and put one end of it between my teeth as I ripped it to make a band aid. The sound of the cloth ripping echoed into the living room. Causing their heads to turn against me.

Nora's eyes blazed "You b***h! Do you have any idea how expensive that is?" She marched towards me with heavy footsteps.

I was still sitting on the floor in the mess of marbles and glass. 

My eyes went to Rhys and locked into his - so that he would know that I wasn't affected by any of this - he just stood there with his arms folded. His smirk made me hurt on the inside a little.

So he was doing all of this to make me hurt - after all.

"Yeah I know it's expensive. Cashmere right?" I tired to humor my way out of this but she wasn't buying it.

"You worthless piece of s**t! I don't understand how Rhys's parents chose you to be his wife -  who is talentless, uncultured and on top of it all unsophisticated. While I on the other hand am the best thing that can ever happen to them. I think I know now why your real mother threw you away-" my eyes shot up at her statement. I gritted my teeth. 

How does she know that I'm adopted? 

I looked at Rhys who had a looked that showed that even he knew that Nora was crossing a line.

"That's because you are a burden. A burden that his now on my poor Rhys's shoulders" my eyes were burning now from the unleashed tears. I wasn't going to cry because I was hurt. These tears had pure fury in their teardrop shape.

"Nora stop!" Rhys raised his voice now. 

If I had the ability to get myself up I would have ran to my room long time ago. But I was stuck.

"Oh no please let her speak Rhys Holt. Since she is your rant listener. She will speak when she thinks that you are hopeless when is comes to a burden like me. She is right though. Maybe I was a burden to my mother" I reached to grip onto the wall and pushed myself up. I held the ripped cardigan close to me " Then this burden was shifted onto my adopted parents shoulders" I walked past them to sit onto the couch. I let out a sigh as I ran my hands on my face, on to my eyes and then to my hair.

"And now I'm your burden for a year. I'm am the cuff that is strapped onto your leg. You feel imprisoned even though it has been two days. I thought men had the ability to endure pain. I guess - you are weaker than women. Who put up with everybody's bullshit and still manage to smile" now I looked up at them with a weak smile.

Nora's head hung low with shame as she from time to time put her hands on her shoulder.

While Rhys had regret and guilt cemented onto his face.

I continued "But who am I to say such things? Right? I'm nobody. I don't have an opinion. Just like the time I did not have any opinion when they asked me to marry you" I chuckled at my helplessness.

"Oh please do continue all of this" I pointed at both of them "I'll just pretend that I didn't see anything. And won't tell anyone anything. But remember, I won't save your a*s if your parents find out about this. I'm sure it will affect your future - badly" I laid my back onto the couch. And turned my face away from them.

I examined the cut on my hand. It was small the bleeding had stopped. It will take it a couple of days to heal. 

I heard footsteps retreating bur still I didn't turn.

I heard Nora say "I'm sorry - I crossed the line. I should have respected your desicion on ending our relationship. It won't happen again. I promise" I was truly, utterly, surprised at her words.

Wow! My little speech did affect her after all.

Women like her? Saying that they won't crawl into the bed with their longtime lover on such a short notice? It's a miracle.

Rhys wanted to end their relationship. He didn't want to be with her. But she persisted.

This revelation didn't change the anger and hurt I had for him in my heart.

"I'm sorry. I said too much" she said to me "You can keep the cardigan" I laughed out loud at her words.

I turned towards her "You think that your sudden attitude is going to make him believe that you are a better person now? Wow! The FBI should use your manipulation tactics. Miss Roberts. People don't change just like that" I snapped my fingers "it takes years to become a woman like me and a woman like you" Rhys stopped me from saying more.

"She's apologising. Let it go" his voice was hard and deep. Dominating.

I held my hands up in a sarcastic gesture "Oh?" What kind of a hypocrite he is! 

"Nora, leave" he turned towards her when he realised my stubbornness.

Nora simply nodded and walked like a lost little b***h gathering her stuff and left.

Rhys stood in the middle of the room - lost in his thoughts. He cursed under his breath and marched off to his room.

What a night!