Chapter 23: Reese

“I have been using you all along.”

Dropping the engagement ring to the floor, my knees buckled as I fought to balance myself at the memory flashing back right before my eyes. This wasn’t the engagement ring he bought for me or anyone else—it was the same ring I used to propose to him. Gathering my wits, I fought back a sob as I took the ring and threw it across the room in horror. Not wanting to lay eyes on it again for the horrid memories that awakened within me. Once I did, I grabbed the necessary papers and got the hell out. I made sure to lock my parents’ room before heading to mine in a hurry, sweating profusely as I slammed the door shut.

I should’ve known. Cedric Dixon isn’t what he says he is! He has been fooling me since then, I should have his head for making me look like an idiot—

You promised not to hurt him!

Why are you still in my head?!

Banging a fist against my forehead, I winced when pain erupted around the area. I cursed my idiocy while packing the items into a bag. There was one way to find out the truth, and it was to confront Cedric Dixon. No more fun and games, no more hiding. I must confront him that my memories have returned and that he is going to jail one way or another.

After what he has done, he needs to rot behind bars!

We’re not as innocent as you think! Turn back now or face the consequences—

“Today will be the last day where he gets to toy with me! Mark my words. He has messed with the McKenzies for a long time, and now… he has to pay for his sins!” Screaming out of fury at the onslaught of images appearing like a film, I gritted my teeth as I put on a coat and went down the stairs. Bent on making Cedric’s life as miserable as I was back then. Even as I walked down the stairs, the memories began flooding back non-stop. The dam has broken and let loose all emotions that I never realized I had within me.

“You were… using me?” I echoed blankly, devoid of life. There was something wrong—it couldn’t be true. There was no way Cedric Dixon has been using me. He loves me! He said so himself multiple times when we were together or simply passing away the hours in comfortable silence. He cared for me as if we were already married and never spoke ill of me. He worshipped the very ground I walked on and I, too, did the same. So, why was he telling me he has been using me the entire time? This was all wrong—is this a nightmare I couldn’t wake up in? God, let me get out of here!

Cedric heaved a sigh. “I didn’t want to tell you until I was certain your parents wouldn’t be an obstacle in the way. They have been supporting us as you did for me. However, I have dreams, Reese. I wouldn’t abandon it for you nor anyone.”

“Then why are you saying the engagement ring is for Francesca—are you saying she could do a better job in making you happy than me?!”

He shook his head at how my voice raised an octave, paying no heed at the stares we received from the staff passing by or the restaurant’s other patrons. I was far too furious and confused to give a little care about them. What mattered most now was to know the reason why Cedric has been treating me like glass, then discards me the next without hesitation whether I would break or not. Perhaps this was his goal the entire time. Yet, my heart couldn’t wrap around the truth presented to me. Neither did my head.

“Francesca Richardson had a chance—not until your parents stepped in and ruined everything by taking what was supposed to be mine.” Whatever Cedric was blabbering about, I didn’t care as I stood up and clung to him. Tears ruining my makeup as I desperately tightened my grip around the man. “Let go of me, Reese. You’re only embarrassing yourself—”

“Tell me, Cedric. Tell me you have been joking the entire time—you love me, don’t you? You said you did. You said you liked me and that I was unique. I supported you in every way, so why are you casting me aside now? Have I done something to anger you? Tell me, Cedric!”

Glancing at me with an apathetic expression, he shrugged. “Nothing. You’ve been good to me for so long, Reese. But it was never enough, and I have never loved you in any form. I feel nothing for you.”

Taking the knife from the kitchen for good measure, I exited the house and decided to call up a taxi. That was when I spotted Gerard leaving his car and was about to enter the gates. His eyes landed on me, the smile he had on faltering as he approached.

“Miss McKenzie? What are you doing out here—what’s with the knife?” He held up his hands instantly when I pointed the sharp blade at him along with a glare to scare the man into submission. He was definitely terrified, sweating visibly as I then gestured at the car.

“Take me to Cedric, Gerard.”

“M-Miss McKenzie, with all due respect, but please put the knife away. Mr. Dixon is at a meeting back in the company and can’t be disturbed! So, whatever you were planning, please reconsider—” A squeak emitted from his lips as I brought the blade closer to his neck, threatening him to zip his mouth and listen. The taste of power was intoxicating, sending shivers down my spine to see such a helpless man about to do my every whim in order to live.

Just imagining Cedric in a vulnerable state might send me unending ecstasy.

“If he’s busy, then take me to his house, Gerard. That’s an order.”

“Y-yes, Miss McKenzie.”

***

“I love Cedric and I intend to marry him.” Asking for permission from the Dixons was the first thing on my list the following day. Ever since Cedric has decided to dump me and left me to cry, I dare not let him go for there was no other man like him. Let Cedric leave me for Francesca and whatever heiress he may encounter in his whole lifetime would be the biggest insult to slap me with. Desperation ran through most of my decisions, especially right now as I stood in front of Cedric’s parents whom I invited out for lunch. They were living in the northern district of Auburn City, where all the rich families were situated. It came as no surprise for Cedric’s company has reached new horizons, bringing in more money than it ever did. And it was all possible due to me. For him to leave me to bite the dust after everything I had done for him and his business felt wrong. My parents were having second thoughts on buying a house in the area, seeing that it was useless to have two houses in one city. However, I didn’t share the same sentiment for a chance to be close to Cedric was something I would take.

I had to do something so Cedric wouldn’t run off with another rich heiress. What did they have that I don’t? I’m the heiress to the Grand Hotel Mari!

“I-Is that so?” Cedric’s mother, Allison Dixon, turned to her husband, Preston, with worry and surprise. Breaking out in a soft giggle, she faced me with a sweet smile. “Dear, isn’t this a bit awkward? I mean, in this day and age, it hasn’t changed that much when it comes to these things… Women to ask for the man’s hand in marriage—”

“I know it’s probably shocking to you, but I intend to marry him with or without your blessing. I love Cedric and he loves me. His business is flourishing because of my support, and I want to continue supporting his endeavors until the day I die. So…” Meeting their eyes, I grinned. “Having your blessing would be ideal. I don’t want to upset Cedric’s parents of all people. If you’re worried that your son might fall onto the wrong hands, I assure you that I want nothing but the best for him, too.”

“But that’s just it, dear.” Allison chuckled in an attempt to ease the tension clouding above us. “You see, Cedric has never told us anything about having a girlfriend, let alone a partner. This is coming to us as a shock, specifically on the marriage part.”

“Are you sure you’re Cedric’s girlfriend?” It was Preston’s turn to ask, bewilderment clear in his crystal blue eyes that were almost the same as Cedric’s. “Not to be rude, but he didn’t exactly tell us. What more, he said he’s too young to get married. I know my son and he wouldn’t just jump into a relationship, let alone get married so easily.”

At the protests and inquiries, the negative emotion brewing inside has accumulated silently as I listened to their doubts. Why couldn’t they just accept the fact that I am their son’s girlfriend? Why can’t they just smile and give their blessing? What was there to doubt upon?

WHY WON’T THEY ACCEPT ME?!

“Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, not to be fucking rude as well, but why can’t you just shut up, listen well and say that you’re happy for us?”

“M-Miss McKenzie, we’re here…” Gerard stammered as the vehicle stopped in front of Cedric’s grand home—the house where his parents used to live until they left for Greece, prompting him to turn it into a bachelor’s pad. No wonder I didn’t recognize it.

Lowering the knife that I had kept in my hands the entire ride in case the man tried to call the police or alert other authorities, I got out of the car first then threatened him to come along. Gerard grumbled about how he isn’t paid enough to go through dangerous situations as he walked in front of me, opening the door and letting me into his employer’s home.

As soon as we were inside, I grabbed the nearest vase and smashed it into the driver’s head with his back faced to me. Gerard fell to the ground with a loud thump and groan, greeting the unconscious world in a matter of seconds. Biting back a hiss when my injured hand felt strained, I composed myself before climbing up the stairs. Heading for his bedroom with the intent of finding out what was behind the door he told me was off limits.

“How dare you threaten my parents? Have you gone mad?”

Chuckling at Cedric’s furious tone, I shook my head. “Threaten? I asked them nicely, Cedric. How could they twist the truth?! I’m your girlfriend. Of course, I want them to feel comfortable, but they were a bit difficult to handle.”

Slamming his hands on the desk, he snarled. “Twist the truth? They’re scared shitless! You told them that if they didn’t agree to whatever absurd request you had, you would kill them. Do you think I’d let you do that?”

“Don’t be so dramatic, Cedric. I didn’t say I was going to kill them if they didn’t give us their blessing. Naturally, I don’t want any ill feelings between our family when we do get married. But they were confused and everything! I had to do something—”

His hands grabbed me by the shoulders, shaking me as he yelled. “You and I are nothing! Who gave you the right to do that? No, anyone who is levelheaded won’t threaten their lover’s family! Have you gone mad?” The office was empty of employees or clients as he wanted to meet with me alone. It excited me to be invited to his company, hoping that he will reconsider dumping me for Francesca. But I guess I placed my hopes up too high as he scolded me. “You were never like this from the start. What happened to the Reese McKenzie I knew? Why are you doing this?”

“Don’t you understand?! It’s because I love you! But you abandon me the second you found out my parents bought the hotel from the Richardsons! Why are you doing this, then? If you want the hotel, you could have a share if you marry me! Why must you go and propose to Francesca instead?!”

Standing in front of the door he forbade me to enter, I put my bag down and prepared myself for the worst on whatever may be hiding behind it. It was irrational to have such a fear when the room behind the door might have the answers to all my questions. Yet, I still couldn’t shake the awful feeling that settled in me even as I took a hold of the knob. Swallowing my hesitations, I turned the knob. Hearing it click, I pulled slowly as the objects inside came to view.

What greeted me first was the horrid pictures of Francesca with burns on her face. The other photos were of the car crash and of me on the hospital bed wrapped in bandages. However, what made my skin crawl and elicit an amused laugh were thousands of pictures of me hanging in every given space. Pictures of me smiling, posing and some were even blurry. Countless ones were taken in secrecy while the rest were from afar.

“Cedric, you told me you didn’t care for me… So, what’s with these photos? Have you been stalking me before the accident?”

“You burned Francesca’s face? Why would you do that! You’re insane!” Cedric roared, pushing me off of him as I tumbled to the ground with a bitter laugh. “What more do you want to take from the Richardsons before you’ll stop? You took their hotel and burned their daughter’s face. Are you not afraid of the law?”

“Why are you so concerned about that bitch?” I scoffed at his angry expression. “Don’t tell me you love her? Based on my information, you were only flirting with her to marry the idiot and then have the hotel all for yourself! So, what difference will it make if you married me? Why must you piss me off and refuse?”

Humiliated at the rejection after proposing to him in the hotel, I couldn’t save my face anymore. Anger and dejection coursed through my veins as I demanded him to see me at the gardens.

Taken aback by my questions, Cedric sighed. “You don’t understand, Reese. I’ve told you a million times that I don’t love you. Francesca was an easy woman to fool, and you are dangerous. I can’t marry someone like me… You remind me so much of myself before all this money ever came into my life. Desperate and cunning. I can’t live a life like that…” Fixing his tie, he then composed himself. “You’ve ruined your own chances, Reese. You took things too far when you could’ve just waited… But you wouldn’t sit still even for a moment, and that is the end of it. I can’t love you anymore, Reese. Goodbye.”

“Why don’t you love me?!”

“Reese.”

I spun around to face Cedric Dixon standing by the doorway, astonishment in the look of his eyes as I grinned at him sweetly.

Everything has become clear.

“Welcome home, my dear Cedric. Did you miss me?”