COURTNEY’S POV.
Racing along the traffic-packed streets, flowers clutched in my fingers, fully bloomed like the ones in my chest, consuming the space as they stretched their pink roses around, ready to ensnare my heart further— for the love of my life.
“6, 8, 2, 4.”
I punched in the code to his apartment, and walked in.
“Kent! I got the flowers I would like you to give to me when you propose to the public. It's a rare…” I was saying, brushing my black hair back from my face, but stopped when I looked at Kent, sweating buckets on the sofa, with only his boxers on.
Weird.
“Why did you come?” He asked, his voice strained, and I blushed at his unease, perching on his lap, with my arms round his neck.
“To check on you, of course. And how are the properties I signed over to you? Have you started on the boutique? I seriously can't wait for it to be the only business I handle.” I said, bouncing playfully on him, as my roses slipped to the floor.
“No.” Kent reached out, as I bent to retrieve them, but I was too fast. “Don't worry. I got this.” I teased— until I froze.
There, under the coffee table, cowered a naked lady.
Screaming, I jolted to my feet, nearly tripping over.
“What the hell!?” I lashed out.
Kent got up, and shook his head in resignation.
“Come out, Lacey.” He called, and a Blondie came out, with blue eyes as deep as the ocean. I couldn't understand.
“What is this? What is she doing? Why is she here? Why are you both naked? What the hell have you both been doing?” I demanded, feeling the twist of rage boil slowly in my belly.
“I think it's time you know now. There's no reason to keep hiding it from you anymore. You're of no use to me now, so since you're aware, you can exit my life. Do you know how hard it has been…” Kent said.
“What are you saying? What happens to our marriage, and the properties… wait, who is she?”
“My wife, who will manage our properties together with me.”
I landed a deafening slap on his firm cheek. “My properties?”
He shoved me hard, and I crashed into the sofa.
“Security!” He shouted, and men came pouring out from corners of the house.
Kent hugged Lacey, and they both stared at me. I was so confused.
Men grabbed my weak arms in a strong lock that I could not twist out of.
“What are you doing? Let me go! Kent! We're getting married next month. You're to propose to me this…”
“Don't you get it? This… this was all planned! Are you that dumb? Why would anyone love you?” He asked, and my bones went limp. The men dragged me out like a sack of potatoes, and left me on the streets.
Like a beggar, I sat on the streets till the sun peaked high, burning mercilessness onto my fair skin. My gray eyes stayed dry, but my heart splintered, each shard grinding against me like glass crushed beneath a hammer.
All of me was sinking down as the extreme weight of everything I'd discovered dragged me, fighting to consume me, and leave me twisted helplessly. Finally, when the sun went down, I began to wander my way back to my house, thinking hard.
What would be my next step? What could I actually do?
The traffic lights switched colors, and my feet tapped slowly onto the road, crossing.
However, I suddenly stopped, feeling my heart crush afresh, as the tears finally made their entrance. What just happened in the last few hours? People walked past me, glancing at me, and then screams suddenly erupted, as everyone scattered, rushing to get off the road.
Turning to the side, a mad car defying all traffic rules sped like a bolt of lightning, and before my brain could shock my feet into movement, I'd felt the hit like a huge force, knocking me out of existence.
Blank, Quiet… the world was.
No pain.
