The Past

She ran out hurt with tears brimming out her eyes. She could not believe what she saw. 'How could he.. '. She felt betrayed. The way she saw 'them' together was making her sore. 'No no maybe I'm mistaken.. Eric wouldn't do that right.. ? Even if he hates me.. he wouldn't go that far right?' She tried her best to convince herself making up a million excuses but deep down she knew it was the truth. He was having an illicit relationship with his so called assistant. She just couldn't believe it.

"Can you fucking move? I'm not in the mood." He sighed pushing Camila away. He had fucked up. He knew that. He saw Adrienne rushing out crying, through the door. 'Why did I drink so much!' 'Of all places it had to be today. Dammit!' He was ready to leave for home when he saw Camila on front seat waiting for him. She was reluctant to move so he gave up and brought her along which was a bad fucking idea. He thought she would behave but no. He thought too much. Camila had him drink more tonight with motive. She's an obsessive women. She wasn't very fond of girls around him, he knew that and let his guard down. He should have known. 'But why the hell do I care.. ? Sooner or later she had to see it. Wouldn't it be wonderful if she would distance herself from me. Isn't that what I need, to make her life miserable. Then why the hell am I feeling hurt!?'

"Eric~ What are thinking babe."

"Get out."

"what.. what do you mean. I came here for you!"

"Did I request?" he looked sharply which made her gulp.

"I.. Um no."

"Then get the hell out!"

"Argh! What's wrong with you today!" Horrified she rose up from the bed to leave.

He sighed out loud standing up for a bath. Why should he care when he had sworn to make her life pathetic yet, here he goes feeling dejected. He knew she had feelings for him. She was in love with him. He would be stupid if he hadn't noticed when she was being so obvious. He had known 'em all and he somehow liked the thought but never admitted digging his heels in. He came out of his shower to see a box on the bedside table. He went close and took it to open - witnessing the sparkly whites flashing - illuminating its beauty. It was a gift for Adrienne which he had failed to deliver. He dropped the dangles into the drawer as it seemed of no use now. She wouldn't need it anymore. Especially from a cheating husband. He shook his head, climbing on top, dozing off to his dreams.

**************************

She woke up to her head pounding. Side effect of the breakdowns she had the day before. She couldn't remember when she had drifted off to sleep with all the sobs which had been hard to cease. She walked downstairs after getting ready, towards the dinning hall. She stiffened seeing Eric approach - detaining herself from sitting down. He stopped her midway as she moved to leave, to enquire.

"Where you going? Sit down and have breakfast."

"I'm not hungry. I have to go, it's late."

"It's not even eight and you wanna leave? You got plenty of time to have food, go after you eat. Now follow me."

"I said I wanna go!" She pulled away from Eric's grip yelling. "I.. I'm sorry. I'm not at all hungry as I had 'my stomach' full yesterday.. I gotta go, bye." She rushed past Eric - towards the entryway getting inside the vehicle which drove her to the institute. He stood petrified by her sudden change. It was the first time she had refused and ignored his gaze. Her sudden change was terrifying him. But as always he let go - carrying on.

"I'm in."

"What!?" Both screamed, glancing at Adrienne.

"Hm? You guys don't want me to?"

"Of-f course we would! Leah and I would love to have you there but.. "

"But what?"

"well.. You know.. It's at night and you need your hubby's permission and I don't know if he would, thinking about what happened that day at the club.. "

"It's fine he'll understand." 'He will have to'. They were scared and worried by her sudden change of behavior. She had been acting up ever since the morning. Getting annoyed for no peculiar reason, out of nowhere which shook the whole class, being new to such. She was mad. Mad on Eric. Everything and everyone got on her nerves fueling her rage. She sensed her inner self whimper but restrained to let out. She could handle it. Into the library she gone permitting her legs to wander. Finding a book appropriate for the mood she placed herself on a chair nearby.

"Hey.. " Turning back she saw him moving towards the chair beside. 'Why is it always the library!'

"Please don't disturb. I'm super annoyed."

"Oh! Okay. " Shutting himself down - careful not to make a noise, sat silently taking his own out. He was well aware about her current state from those years. He noticed the thriller series on her hand. 'So she's here to release her anguish I see.. ' She hated thriller so much and would only read it if she's having a bad day. She got that from Mr Alex, her father. It was a well known fact which seemed weird to others but charming to him. Michael had always admired her for anything and everything she did. He chuckled watching her scrunch her brows as she read the lines but not for long as he saw her stare making him clear his throats.

"So I-"

"Where had you been these years?"

"Um, was hiding from you? It was clear that you would hate to see me around after that day so I stayed away."

"What about today?" 'Whoa Adrienne chill. Can't you be a bit sweet'. Her inner self spoke making her regret. "Well, I mean, you know like-"

"It's our last year so I thought at least a goodbye would do. We won't be seeing each other anymore."

She smiled having him relax. "You know I never actually hated you even that time. Tried my best, would not lie, but failed. I used to miss you all day and night. You never left my mind even for a minute. I had loved you that much. Had been waiting ever since you left in hope of you coming back, saying it was all a lie that you would never leave me like that. But I was wrong, of course. You did leave. Forever.. " Adrienne spoke remincing the past.

"Adrie-"

"It's okay Michael. You don't have to apologize, It won't change anything anyways. I had already forgiven you long back." He found his heart thumbing out loud, enough for him to hear as he stared with tears.

He had regretted them all. He always had - throughout his life. He never should have met her. Never proposed or made her his. He regretted everything. Their meeting, their love and the days they spend together. They were doomed to part from the very beginning. Knowing them all he still reached out. Reached out for her love, pulling her towards him restraining her from getting away for his own selfish needs. He never wanted a breakup. He was reluctant to break her or hurt her. He knew long ago that his life was meaningless without her in it. He hardly passed those years. Never wanted to leave. Leave her alone to grieve, hurting her more. He had no choice. No choice but to obey as the puppet he always was for them to use. From the day he was born, he became one. They were never a family. You can't call them that if they have no emotions or feelings for their own children right? They were blinded with power and wealth. Used their own sons as slaves to kill, to gain and to achieve what they needed. He had a horrible past which made him cold and empty. His life was aimless and dark. Until that day. The day he met Adrienne. Which took a new turn in his life. It changed everything.