Chapter 95 Julia
"He's going to use you and kick you out just like every other girl in his life! Has he told you about Julia? They've been together for years, and he just ditched her like trash. What makes you better than her?" Anna growls.
The name twists something deep inside me. He hasn't mentioned Julia. But should I really be listening to these bitches? Are they just trying to make me jealous? I really wouldn't be surprised if there was a Julia... But he left so I wouldn't even be a fleeting thought in his mind.
My heart sinks. How much do I really know about Rick and those lost years? I know the man has changed and he's nothing like the little prick he used to be... But is he keeping secrets from me? Is he going to hurt me?
"If you two have nothing to order, please leave my shop before I call the cops," Hailey steps in.
And thank God for that. I want to go cry right now. Don't ask me why. It's not like I expect Rick to come clean about every single girl from his past... But if he really was with someone else for years... That's not a one night stand. That's a serious relationship.
Had he been planning on marrying her? Was my ring intended for her? I look down at my beautiful diamond and let doubt slip into my mind.
I watch in stunned silence as Anna and Stephanie storm out of the flower shop, my mind going a million miles a minute.
"Don't let those two get into your head, dear. I've seen that man and the way he looks at you. And they aren't wearing his ring! Only you!" Hailey states looking me in the eye.
I give a strained smile and nod my head.
The rest of the day goes by in a blur. I can't remember a damn thing that I made, or sold, or who I spoke to. All I know is motion and movement. Trying to keep busy while my mind tries to sabotage what I have with Rick.
I finally push through the mansion doors around 6:30, which is new for me. I get off at 6 almost like a normal person. Hailey insisted I get off at 5, but I was too nervous to go home yet. My stomach was twisted in knots and my mind was racing with fear.
The moment I'm through the door, Rick has me in his arms and is kissing me like I mean something. He wouldn't do this if it weren't real, right?
He pulls back and looks down at my face. "Little dancer, what's wrong?" he asks immediately. I can see the panic behind his eyes. Why is he scared? Did he do something wrong? Or is he just worried about me?
"Anna and Stephanie showed up at the shop this morning," I swallow.
His body suddenly stiffens, and his eyes harden. He grinds his teeth. "What the hell did they want?" he snarls.
"They told me I was trash and that you would throw me away just like Julia," I swallow hard. I didn't mean to let the name slip out, and it sounded bitter on my tongue, but it just did.
"Julia?" He asks, completely shocked. "Baby, I don't know what they said, but Julia and I were never serious," he insists, cupping my face, forcing me to look up into his eyes. They look honest and a little hurt. But what if it's all a lie?
"They said you were together for years. That sounds pretty serious to me, Rick!" I sob. "Why didn't you tell me about her if she was nothing?"
"Shh, baby. She was..." he sighs looking defeated. "I guess you would call us friends with benefits. I didn't love her. I just went to see her when I was lonely. She could never replace what I feel for you."
I blink my tears away. "I'm not sure that makes it any better," I whisper. "Are you going to throw me away too?"
"NO! NEVER! You are it, little dancer. You are the one I have been waiting for," he growls, pulling me into his arms, like he is begging me to believe him.
"Well, I hope so, because I don't want to be kicked out yet," Liv giggles behind us. "I really like living here... Braxton is really impressed with the place."
"Liv, you need to dump Braxton! He's bad news!" I groan. When will this kid ever learn? The last thing I need is for Braxton to steal something that belongs to Rick and have him blame it on me, and get my ass kicked out.
"Olivia, I don't want that boy in my house," Rick ordered. "I know you guys are dating, but you will have to meet somewhere else. Do you understand me?"
Liv huffs in annoyance. "Fine, but then you will have to entertain me, Ricky," she flirts, skipping right up to him and reaching for his arm, but he pulls away, wrapping me tighter to him.
"Olivia, you are too young for me. I'm marrying your sister, and you will be my little sister. Your behavior will need to change!" Rick grumbles, still not releasing me from his grasp. "And I want you to change your attitude toward your sister. If you don't, I'll have you as our new made and you can clean the toilets!"
Olivia's face dropped. "Why would you do that to me Ricky?" she whines.
"To teach you to appreciate hard work, and to show you what you've put your sister through! I don't know if you know what love is, but I love her, and until you learn how I feel for her, you have no clue what she means to me and how pissed I am at you for treating her like shit!" he growls, pulling me upstairs into his room.