Page 13 of All Your Lies (All or Nothing #2)
ten
Alexa
T he following morning, I wake up with aches in my muscles as I stretch. I open my eyes and sit up with a jolt.
Last night hammers into my brain with every devious memory on repeat. My eyes go straight to the slider, which now sits closed.
Was it a dream? Because if so, wow.
This has been by far one of the most eventful weekends I’ve had since leaving college, which was an impulse decision, but one I have yet to regret. Although my dad was hesitant about my choice to leave, he understood my reasons, which tipped the scales and made it easier.
I’m sure my mom influenced his decision.
They’ve always been inseparable, and my dad has yet to tell her no.
I fell under the same category the second I was born.
My dad can be scary and a true hard-ass, but he’s always treated my mom and me like queens.
Perhaps it’s due to my status as an only child and his being surrounded by girls. Two to one. He never stood a chance.
Still, I made a deal with him. I’d continue to accompany him to meetings to learn the ins and outs of the business and keep up with the books.
A job I was given after finding discrepancies in the ledgers my dad’s accountant allegedly missed when I was sixteen.
I’ll never forget that day in his office.
I was going through the spreadsheets to familiarize myself with the companies we own and where our money goes when I realized the math wasn’t adding up.
I checked it four times before I informed my dad, and within three hours, I witnessed the gruesome scene as my dad mercilessly tortured and killed his long-standing accountant, who had embezzled over five hundred thousand dollars from our businesses throughout the years.
Though it was a rough day, it was also one of the best I’ve had since the fateful night I was almost killed.
It was the first time I felt a glimmer of my worth to the organization, and the look of pride and respect on my dad’s face was everything I had hoped to have.
It was like a craving, and I strive to continue to make him proud.
That leads to my next issue. The impending arranged marriage, or rather, lack thereof.
My future was always set in stone, and I accepted my fate a long time ago.
I knew I would take my dad’s place, and an arranged marriage was mandatory.
Now, I have no clue what will happen, or who I will have to marry.
Although Dad said it will be a cold day in hell before I marry Marco after he cheated on me.
It’s baffling how time shows you someone’s true colors. I built Marco up so high in my head after the kiss in college. It felt like a pressure lifted off my shoulders. I believed him to be everything I ever wanted and someone I could be happy with.
But as I look back, it’s almost like a stranger looking into someone else’s life. There were signs I’d missed while wearing my rose-colored glasses, such as the less-than-thrilled expressions he sent my way over the years, or the subtle ways he showed me he wasn’t interested.
When I learned he was my intended, my dad told me he had known for quite some time.
I can reflect now and find moments of Marco’s almost hatred toward the idea of it or, rather, of me.
Probably both. From me being cold and him refusing to give me his jacket, only for Gage to give me his, to him dismissing me on the night of the dance, I now consider a black night.
The night Gage was ripped away and never said goodbye.
Many times, I’ve wondered what it would have been like to end up with Gage. If he would have never gone away, if he would have been mine.
As I matured, the way I felt about him altered, and my childhood adoration gave way to more complex feelings.
He was my best friend in so many ways, but often someone I would think about at night.
His touches appeared more intimate to me, his hugs longer than usual, and his looks would set me ablaze from the inside out.
I would always hold his burning gaze like a war for who would avert their eyes first, and the gazes always lasted a little too long for just friends.
It started small. First, it was recognizing how good he smelled, then it was the contoured lines of his Apollo’s belt that led to his swim trunks.
It was then I realized it was transforming into something more.
I never said anything because I was worried it would ruin our closeness.
Then the game room incident happened. I remember noticing every time he looked my way. It was just us in the dark, listening to a new playlist he made for me. The lyrics hit differently than they ever had.
The selection of songs was for a lover, not a friend.
I felt his hand move closer to mine. The time it took was agonizing. He wasn’t even touching me, but I could still feel him. Once his hand rested on mine and rubbed, I got a strange sensation in my core I can now deduct as arousal.
The moment our foreheads touched, I felt like I was one with him, imagining all these different scenarios of what we could be.
I let the feelings blossom in my chest, knowing he felt something for me, too.
The barely there kiss set my world on fire.
Only for the lights to be flipped on and reality to set in. A couple of days later, I was told I’d be marrying Marco.
From that day forward, I shoved all thoughts of Gage from my mind because it wasn’t right, and it wasn’t fair to his brother. I threw him back into the friend’s-only category, and it’s where he stayed.
And I suppose that’s where he will always remain, especially after learning he’s returned but lacks the desire to find me.
I fall back onto my pillow, too lazy to get up, only to hear something bump against my headboard. I glance upward and noticed a necklace with an Atocha Emerald at its end. Quickly, I jump up to retrieve it.
This necklace isn’t mine, but the resemblance to the one I lost in college is remarkable. I was so devastated when I couldn’t find it. It was a birthday present from my Nonna before she passed away. She was very much into stones; it was the last gift she ever gave me.
I still remember her saying the emerald is known as the stone of successful love. Not in my case, unfortunately.
My fingers run over the grooves and ridges I can almost swear were on the one I lost.
As I take it off the poster of my bed, I see a small tag toward the clasp engraved with a date: 11.25.23 . How odd. I inspect it, but the date isn’t ringing a bell, especially since it’s dated not too far into the future. A little less than two months or so.
I shrug and put it on anyway before grabbing my phone. Messages galore greet me.
Unknown
I see you’ve found my gift. A token of appreciation for how you came on my fingers so sweetly last night.
The color drains from my face. It wasn’t a dream.
I check the sliding glass door that’s locked before heading to the front, which is also locked.
Alexa
How the hell did you get in?
Unknown
No thank you? I have to say, your manners are terrible. First, a free dinner, and now a necklace with no appreciation? You’re going to hurt my feelings, baby.
He paid for the dinner I had with Jenna... I should have known. I’m such an idiot.
A sharp pain blossoms behind my eyes, the prelude to a migraine, and I press my fingers to my temples, attempting to soothe the agonizing pulse.
All thanks to this faceless, nameless stranger whose presence is both comforting and unsettling.
I ought to be ashamed for allowing a stranger to touch me repeatedly, as this is unlike my typical behavior, but I’m not.
I preserved my purity for a man who deceived me and was unfaithful.
While I’m not actively seeking more, the absence of the arranged marriage makes it easier to let go and see what happens.
Jenna would be pleased with the turn of events, but I don’t dare tell her. I would never hear the end of it.
Alexa
The restraining order is happening.
Unknown
We’ve already been over this, baby. You didn’t seem too upset last night.
This fucking guy. I’m at a loss for words because I truly enjoyed last night. There must be something wrong with me.
I try a new tactic.
Alexa
Why me? I’m sure there are many girls at your disposal to stalk and bother.
Unknown
None of them holds any value to me besides you.
Alexa
I’m a possession to you?
Unknown
You’re everything to me. I couldn’t categorize you as just one thing.
Okay, not what I expected him to say, considering his usual crude words and sexual innuendos.
Uknown
Have dinner with me on Wednesday night.
Alexa
No.
Unknown
Okay, so I’ll come back into your house tonight. Say, when you’re asleep again, then start where I left things. That sounds much better than eating, anyway... Well, I guess I’ll still be eating, and you will be too when I shove my cock down your throat and make you drink my cum.
My eyes bulge out of my head as a tingle finds its way into my stomach. Holy fucking shit. I’m so out of my league here.
Alexa
Fine, where and when?
Unknown
I knew you’d come around, baby. My driver will pick you up at six.
Alexa
*middle finger emoji
Unknown
Oh, piccolo angello, your wish is my command. I’ve been dreaming about plunging into your depths for a lifetime.
Unknown
But... I’m going to need you to beg.
Alexa
NOT A CHANCE IN HELL