Chapter 20 — Love is Evil

Love is evil. Contrary to the millions who believe love is pure and kind, it is never the case for me. Intoxicating and obsessive, love has its flaws. The love that is too little, dwindles. Love that is too much is seen as incriminating, causing anyone who is bitten by it to do drastic things. People often ask what the correct amount of love is to give and what real love is. Love has no forms nor color—it comes in different shapes and sizes depending on the person. I’ve seen the love for money, for fame, and glory. The love for revenge and other nefarious deeds. Upon seeing these, do you think love is still pure?

But what makes it so dangerous is how it slips past cracks and barriers, weaseling its way into the hearts of unsuspecting individuals. The coldhearted learns to be generous, the ignorant to care, and for the apathetic ones to learn how to love again. It is the biggest and most dangerous weapon anyone can have, breaking barriers and tearing down walls—love is truly a treacherous thing.

“Reese! Hold on…”

“Oh fuck, there’s a lot of blood…”

“M-must call an ambulance…”

“Reese?”

Cedric’s voice was muffled, then clear. Far and suddenly nearby. My head felt like a drum being pounded constantly, making everything hurt. Nothing made sense as I saw blurry lights above me, an unknown place accompanied by muffled voices and the familiar sound of a siren.

“Reese…”

“Mother, I think I’m in love.”

“In love?” My father repeated my statement, eyes wide and staring at me incredulously across the room. The confession shocking him to the point he forgot about the television. The evening was still young and gathering at the living room has always been our pastime, doing whatever we wanted. In the McKenzie family home, my mother usually scrolls through her phone and messaging her friends while my father watches the news. I, on the other hand, sat down on the living room couch and drank wine. Evenings like this were meant for exchanging information and who was our new clients.

Ever since I came back home and was told of the new job my parents came up with, I immediately wanted to try it out for myself. Surprisingly, rich people were eager to find out secrets and use them against their fellow upper-class socialites for one-upping those who wronged them in any way. Apparently, it was my mother’s idea after eavesdropping on two wives whispering amongst themselves about a scandalous affair. She then sold the information to the poor woman’s husband who didn’t have any idea his wife has been cheating on him for three years since their marriage.

Mother earned millions in one day to keep it a secret in other for the press not to taint his family’s image. Needless to say, my parents have decided to go down this path. And seeing how money can buy out secrets that can kill, I would be stupid not to jump into the bandwagon.

But today was different from all the other days in a way that delighted me. After the party yesterday, I found the handsome young man’s face infecting my mind—he was all I could think of. All that I could see was his tantalizing features and his gorgeous smile. It made me want to see him again and again.

Cedric Dixon, the man of my dreams has finally come, and I intend to have him.

So, upon arriving at the conclusion of having romantic feelings all in one day, I gushed to my parents firsthand after dinner that led up to this moment. “Yes, Dad. I’m in love with someone. We met at the party yesterday, and I believe it was love at first sight! Aren’t you happy for me?” My father turned down the television volume, averting his full attention to me with a stunned expression. “He is really nice and acted like a gentleman compared to the guys I met in my old college.”

“My dear, what are you talking about? You only met the man yesterday, didn’t you?” He shook his head while clicking his tongue. I felt my smile falter at his disapproving gaze. “Reese, you can’t rush love. Besides, you don’t even know the person all too well! What if he was merely there to steal young girls’ hearts. Perhaps you’re his first victim!”

“Dad, you’re being dramatic!”

“And you are a bit naïve, Reese.” Dad shot back, chuckling at my frown. “Honestly, who is this young fellow? Have we heard about this man?”

Nodding smugly, I grinned. “Maybe. His name is Cedric Dixon, and he owns his own company.” Turning to my mother, I stifled a giggle. “Doesn’t he sound reliable?”

Father, threatened by the chance of having another man in my life other than him, faces her with an equally pleading look that almost matched mine. “Honey, tell your daughter she shouldn’t be falling in love with strangers. Aren’t you afraid she might end up in the wrong hands?”

I pouted. “He’s handsome and nice, what’s wrong with that? And we talked and had fun. I plan to see him again.” Narrowing my eyes at my father, I crossed my arms in defiance. “And there’s nothing you can do about it, Dad. I love him and I want to marry him.”

“Honey—”

“Don’t act so childish with your daughter, Nicholas. You’re not a good influence.” Glancing up from her phone, she narrowed her blue eyes at my father, whose mouth was immediately shut. Just before I could celebrate my own victory, she then turned to me with a reprimanding glare. “I didn’t raise you to be disrespectful, young lady. After all those etiquette lessons you took from that expensive tutor, I expect you to act like a well-mannered woman.”

“Y-yes, Mom…”

“And this… man. Cedric Dixon? Cedric Dixon…” Mother’s lips spoke the name twice, testing to see if she liked the sound of it or even heard of such a man. I waited in silent trepidation, hoping she might approve or at least leave me alone to pick out the man I want to date. Since rising up society’s social ladder, my parents have decided to act like the other rich families and trying to act the part—forcing me along with it. However, I never complained because it was what my mother wanted. She made all this possible, and she was going to see to it we were going to live in the fast lane for the rest of our lives.

“Yes, his name is Cedric.” I softly mumbled, rubbing my arm. “His company is new, so you probably haven’t heard a lot about it. But I see his potential, he might become big here in Auburn City.”

Mother hummed along with my explanation, typing something on her phone then read whatever came up on the screen. My guess was she did a search on Cedric Dixon, reading whatever article came up. “So, this is the man you like? I’m impressed with how good-looking he is, I’ll give him that. Will probably become a famous model if he ever pursued that career path.”

“You think so, too? I knew you’d understand me, Mom. I was blown away by his appearance and what’s even better, he has a great personality to match it!” Excitement bubbling out of my lips, I rambled on and on about how Cedric was the ideal man. My father was silent in the whole ordeal, but I can still catch him sneaking glances at us with disappointment in his eyes. I don’t blame him for feeling suddenly melancholic—I’ve never expressed having romantic feelings for anyone since then. As a father, he had every right to worry. “So, what do you think, Mom?”

“I think it wouldn’t hurt for you to get close to him.” She finally responded, setting her phone down to smile at me lightly. “You choose whom you want to love, Reese. It is your life, at the end of the day. As long as he doesn’t hurt you nor try to sabotage us, dating him is all right. But,” she suddenly added, making my celebratory cheer to be cut short. “You have to make sure he doesn’t have any hidden agenda.”

Nodding multiple times, I drew a cross above my chest. “I swear, Mom. All he knows is our services. Once we’re dating, I’m sure it’ll be of great advantage to him. He doesn’t seem to be the type to cause trouble!”

Dad, on the other side of the spectrum, did not like how Mom gave me permission. Shooting her a worried glance, he sighed. “Katelyn, are you sure?”

“I’m sure, Nicholas.” Mom sighed, ignoring my beaming smile as I got up from the couch. “It’s what she wants. Besides, this Cedric fellow seems legitimate, and not a scammer. The last thing I want is for us to be humiliated by a con artist who states he’s a millionaire. Let her do what she wants.”

Their conversation faded as I climbed up the stairs, getting ready for tomorrow morning. Cedric Dixon’s company wasn’t hard to find, its address was posted on their official website online along with their company email. Yet, I wasn’t going to call ahead unless I wanted to spoil the surprise I had for him.

The following morning, I was greeted with immense annoyance and disappointment as I got there—to only be told that Cedric was out. He wasn’t returning anytime soon as his small team told me. The overpowering scent of sweat and what seemed to be coffee wafted around the room, making me leave immediately. His company was located on the fourth floor in a cheap building where other small businesses were renting.

Having no other plans, I went straight to the Grand Mari Hotel in hopes of meeting a client or learning new information. The Grand Mari Hotel was the den for all socialites here in Auburn City, making it the number one hotel in the whole area. Anyone who worked here has sworn absolute secrecy and dedicated service to its guests—but it didn’t mean they weren’t capable of dancing to a tune dangled with a prize.

“Good morning, Miss McKenzie.” Hattie, one of the hotel staff I grew fond of due to her unrelenting kindness, grinned as I approached the dining area. The usual patrons were here, drinking coffee and tea to welcome the day after a drunken night. One of the women drinking at the corner still wore an evening dress under her thick coat, desperately hiding her shame. “What can I get for you?”

“Take a freshly brewed coffee to my table. I’ll be back from the restroom.”

“Of course, Miss McKenzie.”

The trip to the restroom was short, merely checking my appearance before I stayed there in the dining hall waiting for anything interesting to happen. I have to look my absolute best all the time. Upon exiting the restroom, a familiar figure moved past me and down the hall. The bright lock of blond hair catching my eye along with his sharp suit. It was Cedric Dixon running down the hallway as if it depended on his life.

My own feet began moving on their own, wanting to catch up to the man of my fantasies. The desire to talk to him growing more and more as I closed the distance between him and me. But as soon as he turned to a corner, I stopped short as I realized where I was.

Isn’t this the hallway that leads to the office?

“Mr. Dixon, I never thought you’d be such a gentleman!” Francesca Richardson’s voice grated my eardrums as she giggled. Her fake laugh has always been more bearable than her real one, which was high-pitched and squeaky. “You didn’t have to run all the way to the restaurant to get me a glass of water. What if you slipped and fell? My parents might have to pay for your broken leg or arm.”

Clutching my purse close to my pounding heart, I peeked through to see what they were doing. And true to what I heard, Francesca was smiling up at Cedric Dixon, smitten by his obvious charms. Mouth unable to form any words as I watched in stunned silence at what was unfolding right before me.

Didn’t I tell him not to engage with Francesca? And what is he doing here in the Grand Mari Hotel? I know we didn’t make any plans of meeting up, but…

“It would be an honor, Miss Richardson.” Cedric grinned, bowing his head slightly at the gushing woman. Anyone could see Cedric was quite a charmer and had the looks to swindle your heart away. But I wasn’t prepared for Francesca, of all people, to fall for him. Nor prepared my heart at the scene playing out.

Still, I merely brushed it off with a small smile as I straightened my back and approached them. The hotel heiress was the first to notice me, an annoyed expression etched on her face as I smiled sweetly. “Hello, Francesca. Long time, no see, right?” Facing Cedric, who merely grinned at me in recognition, I giggled. “Good morning, Mr. Dixon. I’ve been looking for you everywhere! If I knew you’d be here at the hotel, I wouldn’t have gone to your company.”

“Wait, you two know each other?” Francesca’s jaw dropped when both of us nodded. Shaking her head in astonishment, she scoffed at Cedric. “Any man who is friends with Reese is an enemy of mine.” Clicking her tongue, she lifted her chin. “So wasteful… You were pretty handsome, too.”

“Don’t be mean to him, Francesca. He didn’t do anything wrong other than surrounding himself with the right crow. After all, business-minded people should stick together than to band with helpless ones.” Suppressing a laugh at the woman’s frustration, I shrugged coyly. “Perhaps, once you do own the hotel, maybe you can prove your worth then. Oh wait, that won’t do! It’s your parents who made it possible after all.”

Francesca stomped her heel on the tiled floor, lips in a thin line. “You’re so haughty, Reese. But I shall never forget that you were once a peasant like the others. Your whole family are social climbers! Good for nothings who would sell lies to earn a quick buck.”

Not fazed in the slightest bit, I rolled my eyes. “Is that the best insult you could do? No wonder your father wished he had a son.”

“Why you—”

“Whoa!” Cedric was instantly between us, holding his hands up and using his body to separate me from Francesca. “Whoa, ladies. There’s no need to be fighting, especially under broad daylight! Your parents wouldn’t like to see you two fighting, correct?” I was sure I resembled a tomato the moment he took hold of my hand, smiling apologetically at the heiress as he pulled me along with him. “I’m sorry, Miss Richardson… But I must attend to Miss McKenzie first. We got along well at the party last time; you see. She and I have lots to catch up with.”

“B-but Cedric—”

“Goodbye.” He bid her farewell, oblivious to the look of victory all over my face as we walked out hand in hand.

Cedric is mine and only mine.

Everything went so well that I was beginning to think he and I were soulmates. Close to becoming official lovers and ending up at the altar, ready to swear our vows to one another…

But that wasn’t the case for Cedric and me. Our love story wasn’t a fairytale and certainly didn’t have a happy ending.

“Reese!” Relief was evident in Cedric’s voice as I cracked my eyes open, the first thing I saw was a blinding light. Then, pain bloomed around my head and left arm. “You’re awake—thank goodness!”