CHAPTER.3
1326 Words
CHAPTER 3
EMMA
I pushed him away when it looked like I had,had enough and shot him a glare. Even if he had missed me,he should be mindful of how close he came to me; I'm no longer his wife.
A lot hasn't changed in New York, but a lot has changed in Carlos's life. He looked even better and more handsome; he now had a convoy of cars and escorts moving around with him.
“Even if you are a fan of his, you should learn to restrict yourself in public!”
A feminine voice said as she walked out of the mall. Brushing past him, I raised my gaze to meet hers again, and my heart sank deep into my stomach.
Something tightened in my chest, and the burning fire of rage ignited within me as I watched Carlos turn and kiss her cheek, his hands resting precariously low on the bare back of the same woman he had cheated on me with. I watched his finger play with the fabric of her dress.
“Emma? This is my fiancée, Colette,” he introduced.
Turning back to the woman, he smiled. “Babe, meet my ex-wife, Emma.”
What? I mean, what the f**k? He was really making an introduction to the same woman I was sure knew me too well.
The sneaky b***h pursed her lips into one of the fakest smiles I've ever seen. She stretched out her hand for a handshake. “Hello, I'm Colette.”
“What brings you back to New York? Looks like you're just coming from the airport.”
“Excuse me?” I ignored her handshake. “Can't I be here? Or am I not allowed to come back to my hometown?”
Colette was a beautiful woman, even if I hated to admit it, but I was just surprised Carlos was settling for her; I mean, she wasn't even his type. Colette is partially a white woman who didn't grow up around the hood. I'm sure she grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth. She had such a fine face but a flat butt, and I know damn well how much Carlos loved some ass.
She laughed innocently and quickly apologized. “Oh my god, Emma, I didn't mean it that way. I was just shocked to see you back in New York. But nevertheless, you came back just at the right time.”
She leaned in closely to Carlos and added, “Right, honey?”
“We will be having the launch of our sole headquarters in New York, and we’ll also be doing our wedding during this Christmas holiday.”
A wide grin spread across her lips as she said that.
“I will surely send you a private invite since you're back home,” she added.
“Okay, if that's all, I’ll be on my way now,” I said with a smug smile and quickly headed back to my cab. Tears welled up in my eyes, and my shoulders slumped. I didn't really know why I felt this way, but the corners of my lips formed a deep frown as I held back tears so the driver wouldn't ask what the problem was.
I hated the way she towered over me like she was already his wife.
I gave my all to that man. I gave half of myself to watch his dream blossom; I gave him all of my mother's trust funds. I'm the one who should be by his side, not some low-ranking side piece!
“Ma'am, do you know that man?” The driver snapped me from my thoughts.
“Uh, um, not really. Is there a problem?”
His lips curved into a smile. “His story is just so graceful. Everyone in this city loves him so much. I mean, how many people could turn into a billionaire in two years? He achieved his dreams alone, with no one by his side.”
He continued to praise him. “Though I heard he used to be married to some woman back then, and she never believed in his dreams. I wonder how she feels right now.” He paused and laughed while turning to look at me, and I quickly forced a smile as well.
I might have acted like I didn't care, but it hurts.
Carlos just keeps lying. He is constantly lying. Why?
What have I not done for him?
There is a feeling in my stomach that twists in agony. It’s a feeling of regret.
Not the kind of regret that I missed out on Carlos. No, I would never feel that. I just feel the need to make him understand something called vengeance. Since he wouldn't even dare to give me credit for believing in him and kickstarting his dreams, perhaps I should take everything from him, right?
“His ex-wife missed out on something big. In the last interview, he said his ex-wife wanted a rich boy, so she fled.”
“And now, just two years later, he is the most eligible bachelor in town. Ironic, isn’t it?”
Left him for someone rich? I almost gasped in shock at such comments.
Since I left for Spain, I have not dated anyone else even if I have the opportunities.
Where exactly did I fail? I mean, I defied my family and married Carlos.My sisters didn't even attend our wedding,I took care of all the bills, down to his underwear. He barely paid any bills at all.
And my seven million dollars? A sinister grin crept onto my face.
I dragged my bags closer and took out one of my pre-made drinks. I downed a gulp, trying to control my emotions that were running rampant. Having my ex-husband's fanboy drive me was enough torment for the day, especially after seeing Colette tower over me like she was really his wife.
Minutes later, we arrived at the resort where my sister had rented a space for her anniversary, and I quickly alighted from the cab. I paid him in full but didn’t tip him a few dollars since he was Carlos's fanboy.
As I walked in, my eyes scanned the crowd for my sister, but then they fell on Leo. There he was, holding a banner over his head that read: "Welcome back, Emma!"
I smiled and walked up to him despite the crowd.
“Welcome back, Emma,” he greeted with a smile.
“You look…”
He interrupted playfully, “Hot, right?”
I just laughed. “Who the hell told you I was coming back today?”
“I have my ways.” He winked at me as his bodyguards collected my bags.
“So you decided to show up after all these years?” The handsome blonde pressed his lips together and released a sigh. He is the heir to the Halls family, one of the prominent families in New York City. They were born into tech.
“It’s not like that, Leo,” I shrugged. “I’ve just been so busy with work.”
He rolled his eyes and added, “You have changed.”
I smiled, flipped my hair back, and removed my sunglasses. “Of course, I can't be the same old Emma they have always known.” I chuckled, and I was sure Leo understood whom I was referring to.
Yes, he ought to know since he had a crazy crush on me when we were in college. When I ended up marrying Carlos, he and Carlos stopped being friends—and they even turned into arch-enemies when Carlos started chasing his tech career, posing a threat to the Halls family.
Maybe it was time to make things right with Leo and make Carlos feel that heart-wrenching pain I felt in the past when everything was taken away from me. I'd really love to see his face when I take it all.
- Writer
