MARRY ME NOW

It took almost a minute before I turned back to look at him. For a second, I thought it was only my imagination. Sober Austin hates me so why’d drunk Austin ask me to stay?

Just let him know he’s drunk. “Look, Austin. You’re drunk, go to bed, if you keep drinking like this you’d have a huge hangout by morning.” I said. He ignored me and took another bottle of alcohol from a table and opened it.

He took a gulp before looking back at me. He raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you care?” He asked. I looked at him confusedly. “All you’ve ever done is hurt me.” He completed.

Hurt him? When have I ever hurt him? He’s always been the one hurting me, bullying and calling me names. I wanted to snap at him, but it’d be useless. He’s probably not going to remember by morning. I want him to remember.

“Hurt you? When have I ever hurt you, that should be said the other way round.”

He chuckled. “No, it was said the right way, Tessa. You’re hurting me. A girl has never hurt me the way you do.” He said with a sudden glare thrown at me. I felt attacked. I didn’t like the way he said the girl.

What should I say? I’ve never been this lost in my entire life. “I..” I could say anything. To say I was dumbfounded was an understatement. “H-how did I hurt you?” The question came to my brain and my mouth spat it out immediately.

He took another gulp, rolling his eyes. He stood up from whatever he sat down on and stumbled to where I stood. I was going to take a step back but he held my two arms and technically yank me back. I glared.

How dare he hold me this way?

“Hey, my eyes are up here.” He said. I wasn’t looking at his eyes, my eyes were down. I didn’t want to look at those eyes. I hate to admit it, but his eyes have become one of my weaknesses.

“Let go of me.” I hissed. Why? I feel he’s only going to let go of me if he sees that I’m angry. My hope was shattered when he held me tighter and closer.

“You asked a question,” he said. “Look at me.” He said.

“No.”

He held my jaw and made me look up at him. If he wasn’t holding me up, I’d have fallen in the sight of those eyes. “Now.. was that so bad?” He asked.

My breath hitched. “I see you’re now unto my brother,” He suddenly said. Oh, what was he talking about now? Another opportunity to call me a slut?

“And then you ask how you hurt me?” He said. I could never understand this man. “What do you mean?”

“What I meant was, it hurts seeing you all flirty with other men.” He said rolling his eyes, like the dumbest person would’ve gotten it. I blinked.

Did he just say it hurts seeing me with other guys? Why would that hurt him? I’m not his girlfriend! Or fiancee! He should be telling this to his fiancee. You can’t tell me she’s never talked to another guy.

“You’re drunk, Austin, you don’t know what you’re saying.”

“You know, you gotta believe a drunk man’s word.” He slurred. It’s a good thing that he wouldn’t be able to remember this by morning. A very good thing. I wouldn’t be able to handle the embarrassment if he did.

“Okay, I get it now, so let go of me.” I said.

“No. I like us this way.” He whispered.

Jesus. This man is engaged. Engaged to a mean lady, I don’t want her on my back. I felt his eyes on my lips. I was staring at his too… It looks plump and inviting.

Tessa, look away.

Don’t! Do not spoil the wonderful moment!

[Author’s Note: *insert slow romantic song*]

His face got closer to mine. Mine was also moving towards his, ignoring the pleas of my brain. I suddenly couldn’t control my body. He let go of me immediately after our lips touched. I wrapped my arms around his neck, his hands go around my waist.

The kiss deepened in seconds. It felt like I was in the skies, floating. It became rough, but it was only for a second as an annoying voice screamed.

“What’s going on here?!” It was Loren. I quickly let go of him and stepped back. She looked between me and Austin for a few seconds before her eyes settled on me. Her eyes held hatred and disgust.

“You, you slut!” She sneered and walked up to me, she raised her hand at me, just when I thought she was going to hit me.. “Loren!” Austin called holding her by the arm she was going to hit me with.

She snatched her hand back after a minute. “Austin! You’re going to defend her now? How could you do this? How could you fall into her trap?! She’s a slu -”

“Stop this, Loren and she’s not a slut, I’ve heard enough of you…” I didn’t get what he was saying but did he just defend me? Like, he just said I’m not a slut.

“Austin, can’t you see? This was all her plan all along! She’s a gold digger! Austin, you have to listen to me…” She reached out to him but he stepped back. She gritted her teeth so hard that I could hear it.

“So, what does this mean? It’s over? No, it’s not Austin, I love you so much, I won’t let a cheap slut like her ruin our relationship!” She said to Austin, then came in front of my face.

“This would be your last warning, Tessa. Stay a -” she cut herself off when we heard a few steps coming towards this way. A few seconds later Austin’s mom and dad stood there.

Loren immediately burst out crying. Wow. I looked at Austin, who just rolled his eyes like he saw that coming. “Mother! What I’ve been saying all along came to pass! She’s a slut mother, I got here and caught her kissing him, and now, he’s siding her!” She cried.

“Is this true, Austin?” His father asked. Oh god. I’ve gotten myself into a huge mess. What was I thinking? How could I? We could always say no, right?

“Yes,” Austin replied firmly. His dad looked at him unbelievably and Loren cried harder.

“Son, you know you’re engaged! Why’d you done that? I thought you were better than that.” That obviously got Austin angry. I was low-key glad they were not on me, right now.

“I never had a choice of who I was getting engaged to. if she’s not okay with it, then cut off the engagement.” He said with a scowl. Well there you go, and I was wondering why he didn’t show affection to her.

“No!” Loren quickly said. “I mean, it’s okay. I won’t let a thing like that ruin our relationship, but she needs to stay away from him, father, she’s a slut, a manipulator…”

“She didn’t seduce me, I was the one who kissed her,” Austin added.

“She responded!” Loren snapped.

“Is this true, Tessa,” Carla asked. I bet she’s going to hate me after this, I can’t keep on making enemies… My head dropped low. I was embarrassed and nervous at the same time.

She took my silence as a yes as she sighed before saying “I thought you were better, Tessa. Why’d you done a thing like that? Taking advantage of a drunk man.” She sounds angry. I’ve gotten so used to her being nice that I doubt she’s the one who just said that.

I shook my head no. “Mom-”

“Let me finish, Austin!” She snapped. “You’ve shown who you really are. I would have thrown you out of my house if it wasn’t this late. First thing tomorrow, I want you out of my house and do not go back to my son’s office, you’re fired, okay?” She said. She turned around and walked away, Loren trailed behind her, clinging unto her, crying, and Austin’s dad trailed behind them.

Tears threatened to fall out my eyes. I could tell my face was already red. This is all my fault! Just what was I thinking?! “Tessa..” I heard Austin. Walk away. Don’t cause more drama. And I did just that, I walked away.

I went back to the room I was in. I shouldn’t have left. What had happened could have been prevented. I cried out as the tears became uncontrollable.

I fall to the bed and cried into the pillow. Hours passed like minutes and before I knew it, it was daybreak. I quickly stood up from the bed and went around the bed to wake up Anne.

After a little effort, I woke her up. Should we take a bath? It won’t be okay, especially since the owner of the house seems to hate me now. But, I’ve always thought Anne to brush her teeth, and take her bath early in the morning.

Just do it quickly. And that’s what I did. We changed into the clothes of yesterday which wasn’t dirty. I called Jake to come to pick us up.

I packed my stuff before we got out of the room. But there stood a visitor – Loren. She smiled at me.

“Oh, there you are! Good morning! I was wondering when you’d leave.” She said. I am going to follow my instinct to ignore her. I tried to walk away but she held my arm.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Uh uh uh, not so fast, sweetie. You see, well… I wanted to thank you… Because of you, my marriage to Austin is closer. Closer than you can ever imagine, isn’t that fantastic?” She said. I could tell she was trying to get a reaction from me.

Well, jokes on her, she’s not getting any. I smiled at her. “Congratulations. I’m glad I contributed to your happiness.” I said. She frowned.

That obviously wasn’t what she was expecting. I’m trying to convince myself I’m happy for her, but no, I wasn’t. Isn’t it weird to be crushing on someone’s else fiance? Well, it is, but this fiance doesn’t like his fiancee. So yeah.

“Aren’t you jealous? I know you are. Don’t pretend.” She said arrogantly. She’s so pathetic. I hate her. “No, no. Not at all, I’m happy for you, really.” I said with a smile. she didn’t think she was the only one who could act right?

“Ugh! You whore! You think I’d believe you?” She asked. I never thought she would. “I know what you’re up to, I’d just quit it if I were you, you’d not like the outcome!” She said giving me the warning finger. I wasn’t planning on anything. As pathetic as it sounds, I was planning on going to my house and crying my eyes out. Because of what happened last night.

I ignored her. My attempt to walk away failed again as she grabbed me from behind by the hair. I winced from the pain. She pushed me unexpectedly resulting in me falling. “Leave my mommy alone!” I heard Anne cry.

“Your mommy is a slut you hear me? A whore you bastard!” She pushed Anne to the ground. Jesus Christ. I stood up from the floor and walked to Loren. I pushed her to the floor and she fell with a thud.

How dare she push my child and then call her a bastard. I took Anne away from the floor. She was sobbing lowly. I rocked her. I heard Loren crying. Wait, Crying?

I looked towards her to see Carla next to her. Oh, that’s why. She’s creating another scene. “Oh my God! What happened to you?!”

“Mother… T-Tessa was threatening to, to..” She cried harder.

“To what?”

“She threatened to destroy my womb mother. She said… She said she’d have someone poison me without me knowing of it… I confronted her and she hit me and then she pushed me to the floor… She wants to destroy your grandchildren, mother…” She cried.

Oh, God. She’s getting me in more trouble. “I didn’t say-” Carla cuts me off.

“Didn’t I ask you to leave by morning?! Why are you still here?! I see you want trouble, right?” Carla asked.

“She’s-” A slap on my face cut me off. It took me 2minutes to realize I had been slapped.

“How dare you give a threat like that?!” Carla sneered.

“I didn’t, I swear to God!” I cried. She wasn’t believing me. Not after what happened last night. She looked at me with disgust.

“Now, I want you out of this house, before I have you thrown out.” She said. My phone dinged. I peeped at the screen. A message from Jake. ‘Hey, I’m outside

At the corner, I could see a devilish smirk playing on Loren’s face. “Come.” I grabbed Anne’s arm and walked out.

With humiliation.

.

.

.

…..