Maya
I am enjoying a swim in the ocean as Conrad makes us lunch. I did tell him I would make it, but he insisted I go and enjoy the sea since we leave in a few hours. I have had a good time here this weekend. I will miss being in a little world of just the two of us and being able to swim in the ocean. I hate we need to go back to reality.
I come out of the water to head back inside. I may take another swim after lunch. I head towards the house, but before I get inside.
“Hello, again.”
Bridget!
I put a fake smile on and turned to look at her, “Hello again, Bridget.”
“Sorry, I forgot your name.” she laughs.
It was such a fake laugh. I can’t stop from rolling my eyes.
“Really? Pretending you forgot my name? You know my name.” I say.
She shrugs, “What if I do?”
“What do you want Bridget?” I sigh and run my fingers through my wet hair.
She strolls over and stops in front of me, “You know you and Conrad won’t last, right?”
Oh, here we go. I can imagine where this is going.
“Bridget, seriously, what is your problem? You and Conrad broke up years ago. What is your game?” I question and cross my arms over my chest.
“I don’t have a problem. I am telling the truth.”
“You have no idea what you are talking about. Conrad and I are happy.”
I say each word with confidence because it is true.
“Yes, I do. I can tell by looking at you you don’t come from the same world as he does. You two will never work. Conrad shouldn’t be with someone like you. I am not saying all of this to be cruel. I am just being honest.” She says.
How does she even know that? When she first saw me, I was in a pretty dress at a fancy restaurant. Maybe it is just obvious to everyone I don’t belong in a world like Conrad’s and Bridget’s.
“Who should he be with, you, by any chance?” I snap.
“Yes. I am more suited to him than you. His family have already accepted me. I come from the same world as him. You and him together will not end well.”
God, this woman has no shame! I wonder if she has always been like this or if seeing her ex with another woman has made her go this way.
“You can’t have him. He is mine. He doesn’t want you anymore. He isn’t interested in you at all. So back the hell off before you embarrass yourself, Bridget.” I hiss.
I am not going to stand here and put up with her crap.
“Oh, sweetie, you don’t know me at all. I always get what I want. My parents and Conrad’s always wanted us to get married. They would happily help me win him back. Conrad and I have known one another for a long time. We were in a relationship for a long time. We have History: you and he barely even know each other. You can’t compete with me.” she laughs.
I laugh sarcastically, “Yeah, good luck with that. Conrad is mine, and you aren’t taking him from me. You can try but will fail. Stay the hell away and grow up.”
I don’t even let her say anything else and head inside. I hate confrontation and drama, but it is like when she showed up, something snapped in me. My protective instincts kicked in over Conrad. I have never had someone who I needed to fight for.
“This isn’t over, Mia.” She calls after me.
I ignore her and head inside. I groan in frustration.
“Everything okay, angel?” Conrad asks concerned.
“I just had a nice little conversation with your ex.”
“By the look on your face, it didn’t go well. What happened?” he asks.
“She has decided I am not good enough for you and wants you back,” I reply with gritted teeth.
“What? She said that?”
Conrad seems genuinely surprised.
“Yes. She said she will get help from her parents and yours if she needs.”
His surprise turned to annoyance, “No, she doesn’t get to say those things to you. I am going to go and talk to her.” he hisses.
I reach for him, “Don’t she isn’t worth it. Just leave it.” I plead.
We don’t have long left here, and I refuse to let her ruin our last few hours here. There is enough drama going on back in the city; I would rather not have it here, too.
“You know none of that is true, right? I wouldn’t do that to you. I don’t want her. I only want you. You are who makes me happy.” He says and pulls me to his chest.
I snake my arms around his neck, “I know, you don’t need to tell me.” I reply and kiss him softly.
“I am sorry, sweetheart. I don’t know what has happened to her. Bridget didn’t used to be like that.” He sighs.
“Has she seen you be with anyone else since you broke up?” I ask.
“No.”
“That is why then. She saw you with me and decided she didn’t like it or me. Seeing you with someone made her want you again. Who broke up with whom?”
“It was a mutual thing. She was ready for more, marriage and kids. I wasn’t, so we decided to end it.” he replies.
“Something she is regretting now, it would seem.” I sigh.
“It doesn’t matter anyway. I am happy with you. She will just need to deal with it and get over it. Even if she does go to my parents, they will be told the same. I am not interested, and I am happy with someone else.” He states firmly.
“I have a feeling she may start being around more,” I say honestly.
“She can do whatever she wants. It won’t change anything.”
Conrad reaches down and kisses me. I smile against his lips and happily kiss back.
“Anyway, let’s not let her ruin the rest of our day.” I insist.
He nods, stealing one last kiss, and we settle down for lunch. He has made us cheese and onion panini with a side salad. It looks delicious. We take it out on the balcony to eat.
“I wish we could stay here longer,” he says as we tuck in.
“Me too!”
“We can come back again soon.” He smiles.
I nod, “I would like that. I think I am ready to return to my apartment when we get back.” I say softly.
“Are you sure? I don’t mind you staying with me a little longer.”
I couldn’t work out if it was sadness or concern in his voice.
“I think it is time. I can’t keep hiding and running from my past, Conrad.”
I reach over and take his hand in mine.
He sighs, “Okay if that is what you want, but please promise me if anything happens or you start to feel uneasy, you will come back and stay with me?”
“I promise,” I reply and kiss him.
He squeezes my hand, “Thank you.”
I hope nothing happens again because I have already taken up so much of his time and space. I am sure he needs some time to himself, even if he would never admit it.