121: Misconceptions

121: Misconceptions
Alma

My eyes locked onto Alice as she stepped inside my home, and I clenched my palm into a fist, feeling the slight tremble of my hands, and body as the rage simmered inside of me. It felt like a fucking earthquake was happening inside of me, and I hated that she made me feel this way—this small.

What the hell was she doing here? How dare she even show her face here after what she had done? How dare she? Anger clawed it way up my throat, and I swallowed it back down, struggling to stay in control as my gaze fixed on her.

My mind raced with a mix of emotions—Anger, hurt, betrayal, each feeling fighting for dominance, but I kept my expression blank, masking my feelings. I couldn't let her know how much her presence was affecting me or how much she had hurt me. No way. I didn't want to give her the satisfaction of a reaction so I feigned calm even if I felt nothing like that.

Even if I felt like I was caught in the middle of a freaking storm or hurricane. My emotions were spiraling out of control. The mere sight of her brought back the memories of those pictures from earlier and it seared my mind like a hot branding iron. My heart twisted in my chest like someone had it trapped in their fist, tightening their grip on it. I was disgusted.

Had she no fucking shame? I clenched my teeth. It was audacious, and I found her guts to be very unnerving. I felt sick to my stomach. Sick with rage, sick to the point of smacking her face. It was upsetting. It was irritating.

I glared at her, imagining how good it would feel to grab her by the hair, and haul her out of my house. The thought of that was oddly satisfying but instead I clenched my fist tightly. I wasn't going to stoop that low even if she deserved it. I wouldn't be caught embarrassing myself like that with a tramp like her.

My heart pounded in my chest, like a drumbeat warning of an impending storm. I took a deep breath, steeling myself as I finally opened my mouth to speak.

"What are you doing here?" I questioned, struggling to keep my emotions out of my voice as I folded my arms. It was impossible to not be affected because honest to God why the fuck was she here? How could she even show her face to me?

Alice stood by the doorway, she hadn't made one move since she walked in, and neither have I. She was being careful. Crazy, how she thought now was the time to be careful, and not last night when she went into Carl's suite. Rage tossed and turned in the pit of my stomach.

"I was hoping we could talk," her voice was small, almost shy.

"Talk about what?" I flicked a brow, "We have nothing to talk about—"

"Carl," she cut in, and my breath got stuck in my lungs. I clenched my fist even tightly, hating the sound of his name on her tongue.

I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes again, all because she said his name. His actual name and not Mr. Harrison. It made my stomach flip. I averted gaze, shut my eyes and reopened them before looking at her again.

"Carl?" I echoed, blinking the tears away, "So, you spent one night with him, and now you call him, Carl?"

"That's not—"

"Not what?"

"I didn't spend the night with him."

My blood boiled, and I just couldn't take it. I wouldn't. "Don't you dare lie to me! I saw the pictures. Do you think I'm a fool?"

"No. Of course not, Alma," she sounded near to tears, and I didn't know what to make of it, "You're one the smartest and strongest people I know."

"Don't patronize me, Alice—"

"I'm not. I swear. I know you're furious right now, and I understand why—"

I scoffed, "You understand?" I arched a brow, "Can you hear yourself right now?"

"Can you just hear me out, please."

"No!" I shook my head, "I don't wanna hear you out. Talking to you is the last thing I want to do right now or even ever. So please, get out, and I hope I never get to see you again."

I glanced at Agatha still standing at the entrance, "Agatha, please shut the door," I turned to leave when her voice cut across the room.

"I liked him. I've liked him for a really long time," Alice began the second I turned, and my feet froze to the ground, "Since we were kids I think, and seeing him again brought all those memories, and those feelings, and I thought he would leave at first but it didn't," she sniffed.

"It felt just like old times, exactly like old times to be honest because then, and now it's still the same. Carl never looked my way not even slightly, he never even noticed me."

I did a slow turn, facing her, and catching the pain in her eyes. She was being sincere, and though staring at her was sickening. I was curious. I also wanted to know where this conversation was going.

"Last night, Carl was miserable because you weren't talking to him, and he got drunk. I was there for him, I had come running the minute I saw his car in the parking lot, and yes, I was keeping a eye out," her expression soured, and tears rolled down her face.

"I helped him to his room because he was really drunk, and yes I did go in just like you saw but nothing happened. I swear. Honestly, I wanted something to happen but he didn't let it. I tried to kiss him but he got mad, and sent me out of his room, half drunken yet still completely in love with you."

There was tears in my eyes now, streaming down my cheeks, and I didn't fight them. "He didn't cheat...on me?" My voice came out as a mere squeak.

She shook her head, "He didn't. He loves you, Alma. You mean the world to him, and only you seem not to know that. He didn't cheat on you. Nothing happened between us, please believe me," she said, and a long silence stretched between us.

My mind raced with a thousand thoughts. Carl didn't cheat? It was all a misconception? I had it wrong? Oh God, I had it all wrong! The realization hit me like a tidal wave, crashing down on my chest, leaving me breathless. Shit!

"I should go," she mumbled, "I'm leaving town. My uncle reached out, and I've decided to go live with him. It's what best," she turned halfway, and glanced at me, "I'm sorry, Alma. You wee really good to me, and all I did was mess things up for you. I'm truly sorry about that but I hope that you really believe me, and if you can't. Believe him."

"I really hope things work out for you guys. Goodbye, Alma," she walked out, and I collapsed into to wall. It was all a misunderstanding? I had hurt and said all those things to Carl on a misunderstanding? My heart twisted in my chest. Oh! God.

I scrambled to my feet, rushed to my bedroom, grabbed my keys, and hurried downstairs, "I'll be back, Agatha. If Velma asks about me tell her I'll be back soon," I informed, sprinting out of the house to my car.

I slid into the driver's seat, started the car, and dialled Carl number but he didn't answer. Shit! I pulled out of the driveway, speeding to his hotel as my mind replayed every harsh word, every accusation, and tears rolled down my face.



I killed the engine, and rushed into the hotel, running down to his Suite with my heart in my stomach. The second I arrived at his room, I knocked on the door hatily. My heart pounded erratically as I stood there, my body tense with anticipation that threatened to kill me. I couldn't wait to see him. I couldn't wait to tell him how sorry, and mistaken I had been, and how much I loved him.

I knocked again when he didn't answer, and then finally the door creaked open. Carl stood before me, his eyes wary, his expression guarded. I felt a lump form in my throat as I took in the sight of him, my gaze drinking in every detail, from the tired lines etched on his face, to his dishevelled hair. He was a mess.

His eyes widened when he saw me. "Alma?" He arched his brow, "What are you doing—"

"I'm sorry," I blurted, tears rolling down my cheeks like rain from the clouds. I couldn't stop them, and I didn't care about the tears, "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you or believe you. I'm sorry for everything I said, and for hurting your feelings, I'm sorry—"

Carl pulled me into his arms, hugging me tightly, and the rest of my apologies died on my lips as I squeezed him in, breathing him in. He brushed his hand through my hair, and whispered against my ear, "It's okay. It's okay. I don't blame you. You didn't know."

"I should have trusted you. I should have—"

He released me, wiping my tears, "It's okay. I'm not mad at you. I also should have seen that Alice had other intentions. I'm sorry that I allowed you to even think that," he wiped my tears, and kissed my forehead before hugging me again.

Carl drove me back home, and walked me to the front door. He grabbed my arm as we stood there, and pressed a warm kiss to my lips that made me melt into his arms. He pulled back, resting his forehead on mine, and I missed the touch of lips on mine almost immediately.

"Wanna come in?" I asked, cupping his cheeks.

He grinned softly, "I thought you'd never ask," he whispered and pressed his lips on mine again.