Water under the bridge
(Dean)
I pocket my phone as I send out the message to Ashley.
I don't care what she thinks or anyone else for that matter, it was silly of me to have succumbed to mom's pressure and tricks, by agreeing to date Ashley in the first place.
Or perhaps, it was my desperate attempt to clear the air about the fuss of me still being hung up on Bella. Maybe I still am, I just can't admit it.
But I shouldn't be, she cheated on me, she deceived me.
And yet there's no single day in the last past four years that I haven't thought about her.
What we had was beautiful, how could she throw all of that away?
They say time heals all wounds but why can't I relate to that phrase? Because it's been four freaking years and it still doesn't make it hurt any less.
I'm still angry, too angry at her and then at myself for still harboring this feelings.
It's crazy, I'm crazy, aren't I?
I turn to Ethan, wanting a distraction.
"Do you care for a drink?" I ask my best friend, Ethan as he plopped onto the couch.
"Yes, please." He says, his tone's off a bit.
I go over to pour us a drink.
"Here," I mutter, handing his glass over to him.
"Thanks, man." Ethan replies, taking a quick sip.
I gauge his expression closely and I can tell something's wrong, something I'm quite aware of.
"Have you found her?" I ask, giving him a curious look.
It's almost unbelievable to see Ethan fussing over a woman. Something he's never done before, it's usually the other way round.
Who's this woman that has my best friend on chokehold? Even I would love to see her.
Ethan shakes his head slightly. "Nah. It's been years and I still can't." He replies frustratingly, taking a longer sip and then he continues. "It's like the universe is against our path crossing again."
"Don't overthink it. You will someday,"
"Ever heard of karma?" He asks me.
I just stare at him.
"I guess this is it for me." Ethan chuckles painfully. "I've been an asshole to pretty much every woman I've come across and then I see just this one I'm really into and I can't find her," Ethan retorts.
"Karma is a bitch, bro." I mutter, sipping my drink gently.
He huffs. "I know. Now, enough about me, what's up with you and Ashley. You keep giving excuses for not showing up and yet here you are, drinking with me. Don't you even think it's time you end things with her, and when are you going to tell her you're aware of her dirty little secret?" Ethan faced me with a quizzical look.
I take a deep breath, this time I relax back into the couch, taking a gentle sip.
"Nah, not now, just want to see how long she'd pretend for."
"Well, as far as I can work out, she's never going to come out clean, if she could stoop to that level? Then I'm sure there maybe more,"
"And when mom talks about how ideal she is for a daughter in-law. I can't help but be amused,"
"That's typical of Judy and Elena. They'd both give anything to see you both are married as quickly as possible,"
I laugh a little. "Me and marriage are like fire and water, never going down that road again,"
"Never say never, bruh."
"I mean it. I've tried that once, and where did it leave me, with betrayal?"
Ethan hesitates a little. "I don't know, Dean. I just have a strange feeling about everything that happened between you and Bella," he has that serious look when he says this, like he just doesn't get it himself.
But to me, it was crystal clear, otherwise why would she sign the divorce papers so quickly?
I had to go over and over the divorce papers to be sure Mom and Aunt Elena weren't playing any of their tricks again.
But there it was, her signature, boldly written.
And then, she couriered her wedding ring back to me, that did it for me.
The mere thought of it makes my blood boil, I just feel like I've been used, all because of love.
"Let the past remain in the past, Ethan. It's all water under the bridge now. I don't care about Bella anymore, and I definitely do not appreciate her name being mentioned around here," I seethe.
"Sure, you don't." Ethan says sarcastically.
In response, I eye him carefully but I don't argue that. "How's work?" I ask, I'm deliberately trying to change the topic.
"I see what you did there. Well, work's been hectic, the paperworks are no jokes," he replies with a shrug.
"I can't talk, bruh. Brenco has just signed a partnership deal with a reliable company abroad, whose looking to expanding here. I'm considering inviting the CEO to the elite's party coming up soon, Brenco's hosting."
Ethan gives what I've just said a little bit of a thought. "That'd work. I mean, having a great working relationship is crucial,"
I nod. "True but we won't be working directly together, my assistant, Humphrey will be handling that part, I have other projects at hand. Let's just say it's my way of celebrating our new partnership,"
"There's that too, and even better, you won't be working long hours," Ethan observes.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, cutting through our chatter.
"Hold that thought," I tell Ethan as I pull my phone out to take a look,
It's mom.
I hesitate a little, considering if I should or shouldn't take it. The thing is, I've been avoiding mom's calls lately, as well as Aunt Elena.
They're always in my business and arguing with them makes me sick to the pit of my stomach.
I kinda get why they're overprotective of my choice in a life partner but trying to control my life this way isn't on.
And their choice? Ashley?
Oh, they don't know half of it.
Reluctantly, I picked the call. Here goes nothing.
"Hi, Mom."
"Well, finally my son decides to take my calls. I'm almost certain you wouldn't," she says, her tone not missing the sarcasm.
"I did, didn't I?"
"Good thing you did. I spoke with Attorney George earlier," she says, cutting to the heart of the matter.
Of, course you did, I mutter under my breath.
"Why are you holding on to that failed marriage, Dean? That silly girl cheated on you, used you and didn't even have a second thought leaving you," Mom spat, her voice rising in a pitch. "Sign those papers for fuck's sake and let's get this over and done with!" She fumes.
I chuckle, not sure why. "The last time I checked, that's my personal life, Mom. Why can't you stay out of it?" There's a long pause from her end.
"Not when it involves you moving forward, I'm afraid I can't," she replies and paused. "And Ashley's been holding out for you for far too long. How the hell do you intend marrying her if you aren't officially divorced from that bitch?"
"Sorry what?" I scoff, despite myself. "Okay, let me point this out. I'm never getting married, not to anyone and definitely not to Ashley, don't push it." I stated, my voice firm, firmer than it has been in a while.
"Huh?" Mom exclaims, shock evident in her voice.
"You heard it right, Mom. Once the elite's party is done, I'm cutting all ties with Ashley, she's not all that you paint her out to be. Just let me be, Mom and extend my message to Aunt Elena,"
"She doesn't have to. I'm right here," Aunt Elena's voice wafted into my ears. Undoubtedly so, the call's on speaker.
"Great, you both stay out of my personal life,"