Chapter 94 Regret
Aiden
I still couldn’t believe Elsie was gone. I picked up a bottle of scotch in the bar racks, unscrewed the lid, and it opened with a pop.
I raised it to my lips, turned it up, and took a huge swig.
She looked happy in the beach house. I almost thought everything was finally going to go back to normal but I was wrong. Behind her smile, was a hidden pain and resentment she didn’t let anyone see.
I wish I had told her how I felt. I wish I kissed her and told her just how much she mattered. Now she is gone, and might never come back, unless of course, she decides to.
I gulped the drink down, the smoky, spicy heat swamping my senses, burning all the way down into my gut. I was so angry at myself, angry at my brothers too, because we hurt her. All we did ever since Elsie came into our house was, taunt and bully her.
We used her for our pleasures whenever we wished, and even though she gave in, we never once asked her if it was what she wanted.
What if she was just fucking us to please us, to keep her job…
Fuck it! The bottle was half empty before I gave up, slamming it down on the counter so hard that for a minute, I thought it might break.
Lena strolled in casually, half smiling. She dropped her bag on the counter and slide on a stool.
“Drinking so early?” She asked, glaring at me in a way that made my blood boil. “That’s such an irresponsible thing to do so early in the morning.”
“Bitch, what do you want?” I spat, containing my rage at being called irresponsible. “If you have nothing to say, get lost.”
She smirked, rolling her eyes nonchalantly. She didn’t respect me. Not that I said ever meant something to her. She was too fucking assertive, always wanting things to go her way.
“I won’t allow your words get to me, not today, Aiden Lancaster.” She said, smiling broadly, a smile that looked fake, just like everything on her face. “Let’s say, I’m in a good mood and I want it to stay that way.”
“Your makeup is terrible.” I pushed her to break her. “It made you look like an embalmed corpse.”
The smile on her face faded slightly, but she quickly lit up again, masking her rage.
“Thanks for the compliment, dear fiancé.” She said, her lashes fluttering. “I’m glad you like it.”
“No I don’t.” I continued, “ I hate it, in the same way I hate those ridiculous fake lashes you are wearing that look like a mini handfan.”
She blinked, swallowing hard the rage I could feel boiling inside of her. “If you are done Aiden, I’d like to tell you why I’m here.” She took a deep calming breath. “Let’s get married.”
I picked up the scotch bottle I'd given up on again and opened it to take an even bigger gulp, hoping the chill that follows after hotness would help me keep my cool.
Lena continued, her voice calmer now, almost emotional. She could have fooled me if I didn’t know her, “I am tired of these half-assed relationships with you. I want to settle down. I’ve talked to my dad, and he thinks it’s a good idea. Since that bitch is out of the way, let’s finally make this official. Let’s stop wasting time and just… settle down.”
Bitch? She called Elsie a bitch and if that didn’t hit a nerve that’d make me forget the bottle in my hand on her head, I’d be lying.
My jaw tightened, and when I spoke, it was cold, unflinching. “I don’t want to marry you. I will never marry you.”
Her face fell for the briefest second, just enough for me to see it, but she quickly masked it with disbelief. “What do you mean, you will never marry me?” she asked, incredulous, hopping down the stool, she walked around the counter, stepping closer. “After everything, after the way we’ve been—after all the time we’ve spent—this is how you respond?”
I laughed, but it was hollow, sharp, cruel even, and I didn’t bother softening it. “I mean exactly that, Lena. I don’t want to be married to anyone, and I sure as hell don’t want to be married to you. I’m done. I’m finished. Don’t make me explain why. There is no reason you will ever convince me. I will not do this, and no one, not even your father nor mine, will make me change my mind.”
Her hand shot out instinctively, but I held her wrist just in time, twisting it hard. “Don’t you dare ever think you could raise your hand to me.”