Chapter 7
1577 Words
Melia’s Point of View
It has been a week since Michael told me he was going out of town for business and I won’t be able to reach him. It has also been a week since his wedding to Monica.
I still can’t believe that he would do this to me.. But I was there... There is no denying what he did.
I haven't hear from him once in the last week, until about twenty minutes ago. I got a text asking if I was awake. He told me that he was back in town and that he wants to call me. He ended the text, by telling my how much he missed me and that he loves me.
Words that once made my heart leap with joy now leave a bitter taste in my mouth.
The audacity of this man... I think to myself as I continue working.
My phone suddenly starts to ring next to me and I glance at it. The name pops up on the screen.
Micheal...
Of course it is...
I roll my eyes, silence my phone and continue working.
The phone begins to vibrate and I reach out, flipping it over and it stops.
The light catches my ring and I slowly bring my hand back, my fingers absent mindedly beginning to play with the ring Alex gave me.
It has also been a week since I got married to my closest friend... At times I still can't believe that I actually said yes to this, but I wasn't going to be left holding the bag.
I can't wait to see Micheal and Monica's faces when they realize I am not heartbroken by what they did. That I am married too...
My phone starts vibrating on the table again. I sigh and pick up.
“What do you want, Michael?”
There is a short pause on his end.
“Lia. Finally. I was starting to think you were ignoring me.”
He says, and I almost gag at the sweetness in his voice.
“I was.”
I say flatly, and he chuckles awkwardly.
“Come on, don’t be like that. I just got back, and I wanted to hear your voice.”
He says and I scoff.
“Well, now you heard it. Congratulations.”
“Lia… Don’t be angry, okay? I missed you.”
He says softly, trying to coax me. I stare at myself in the laptop screen, shaking my head.
“Oh really? Did you now?”
“Of course I did.”
He says quickly.
“What type of question is that? You know how things have been. I had to go away for a bit, and sort some business out.”
“Right... Business.”
I say dryly, continuing to work.
"Why are you still being like this?"
"Like what?"
I ask and he sighs.
“Okay, can we not do this on the phone, please? Let’s have dinner tonight. I will come pick you up.”
“I can’t.”
I say, still typing.
“Why not?”
“Because I am busy, Micheal.”
The is another pause.
“You are too busy to see me?”
“Yup... Pretty much.”
I say and he lets out another sigh.
“Alright, fine. How about I bring takeout to your place instead? You can’t say no to that.”
He suggests. I hesitate for a second, before a smile tugs at the corners of my mouth.
“Fine. But just dinner.”
“That is all I want.”
He says quickly.
“Just a nice dinner.”
“Sure...”
I mutter, and hang up before he can say anything else.
---------------------------------
Two hours later, there is a knock at my door. I slowly make my way over, and I take a deep breath before opening it up.
Michael stands there, smiling at me, holding up two paper bags.
“I brought Thai, your favorite.”
He says and I nod.
“Thank you.”
I say, stepping aside to let him in.
He walks in, looking around the room.
“You look… great.”
“Thank you.”
I say flatly again. He sets the food down on the table and he turns to me, a wide smile on his face.
“I really did miss you, Lia.”
I fold my arms in front of my chest.
“Uh-huh.”
I say. He frowns slightly.
“What is with the tone?”
He asks and I shrug.
“Nothing. Go ahead, unpack the food.”
He opens the boxes, glancing up at me nervously.
“You are still mad at me, aren’t you?”
He asks and I arch my brow at him.
“I wonder why.”
He sighs, stepping closer to me.
“Lia, look, I know why you are angry with me. I was gone longer than I said, and I didn’t call you. I know I should have, and I am sorry that I didn't. But I can make it up to you.”
“Oh... Can you, now?”
I ask, raising a brow.
“Yes, I can.”
He says confidently, taking another step closer to me.
“How about this, we take that trip you have always wanted to go on? To the Maldives. Just the two of us. Sun, sand, peace. Doesn’t that sound great?”
I blink, pretending to think about his offer. Then I let out a small laugh.
“Oh really? That sounds amazing.”
He smiles at me, clearly relieved.
“Yeah? You’d like that?”
“Of course.”
I say sweetly, nodding my head.
“Just imagine it. You, me, and our spouses, all enjoying the beach together.”
His smile falters.
“What?”
He asks.
“Our spouses.”
I repeat innocently.
“You can bring Monica, and I will bring Alex.”
He blinks a few times.
“Wait… what are you talking about?”
He asks hesitantly and I arch a brow at him.
“Oh, I am sure you heard me, Micheal.”
He laughs nervously.
“Melia, I think there has been some kind of misunderstanding.”
“Oh, sure there was. You know I thought so to...”
I say, smiling tightly.
“That was until I saw you marry Monica."
"What?"
He says hoarsely.
"I was there, didn't you see me? It really was such a lovely ceremony. Great vows. Very touching.”
His face drains of color.
“You were there?”
He repeats and I nod my head.
“I was, yes. Your lovely bride invited me last minute.”
I say calmly.
“I had a front row view to the whole thing. Congratulations, by the way.”
“Lia, it is not what you think... I can explain.”
I shake my head.
“I am sure you can, but you can save it. I don’t care.”
He steps closer to me.
“Please, just let me explain...”
“I told you I don’t want your explanation.”
“You don’t understand... She means nothing to me, this marriage means nothing to me. I just had to marry her for our families. But I love you, we can still be together..."
He tries but I shake my head.
“No.”
I cut him off, my voice firm.
“Are you even listening to yourself right now? You don’t understand, Michael. There is no way for us to still be together. I am done. I have moved on.”
He frowns at me.
“Moved on?”
“Yes.”
“With who?”
He asks, narrowing his eyes me. I walk to my desk, open the drawer, and pull out a folded piece of paper.
“Here.”
I say, handing it to him.
He takes it, confused.
“What is this?”
“Read it.”
I say, folding my arms in front of my chest. His eyes skim over the page. His lips move as he reads aloud.
“Certificate of Marriage…”
His eyes widen.
“You married Alex? My Alex?”
I shrug, giving him a bright smile.
“Yeah, but I think you mean my Alex. You know, he was there, I was there… it just kind of happened.”
“Unbelievable.”
He mutters, his voice rising.
“You married him out of spite?”
“No, Michael.”
I say sweetly.
“I married him because unlike some people, he doesn’t make promises that he can’t keep.”
His jaw clenches.
“You are trying to hurt me.”
“Oh, trust me.”
I say, picking up a piece of chicken.
“That part is just a bonus.”
He stares at me for a few seconds, his face turning red, his breathing uneven. Then he slams the paper down on the table.
“This isn’t over.”
He hisses at me and I arch a brow at him.
“Oh, it really is.”
I say calmly, shrugging again with a small smile.
He glares at me for a few more seconds before storm towards the door, muttering under his breath, and slamming it shut behind him.
The room falls quiet again. I sit down, take a bite of the now-cold Thai food, and smile faintly to myself.
“Welcome home, Michael.”
I whisper to myself with a small smirk.
- Writer
