Accused and Abandoned

Finally, some peace and quiet!

The only thing I hated was the strong smell of that man’s perfume in the sitting room and everywhere else. He was driving me nuts, and I could no longer bear it. I looked around for my phone; I had forgotten where I had put it.

I barely had time to breathe after that monster had left when the door swung open with such force that it banged against the wall. I jumped, my heart racing.

I thought Don Pedro was back again, but it was my boyfriend, Sergio.

He stormed in, his face dark with rage. I was taken aback because, I knew, Sergio was a soft and kind man who always had a smile on his face whenever he came visiting.

The man who just stormed in was not the Sergio I knew.

He was furious. I was scared. I was really scared.

“I knew it!” he spat, his eyes charring with accusation.

My eyes flashed in confusion. “Sergio? What—”

“Don’t even try to deny it, Tessa. I saw him! The man you’ve been sneaking around with just left your house.”

I frowned. My boyfriend did not just call that terrible misfortune of a man my side piece or possible significant order.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

Sergio let out a brief throaty laughter that scared me, his whole body trembling with agitation, I, on the other hand, was immensely confused.

“Oh, come on! Don’t act innocent. I’ve had my suspicions for weeks, but tonight? I saw it with my own eyes. I finally know the truth.”

“The truth?” My voice broke down. “Sergio, what truth are you talking about, you’re not making any sense!”

“You think I’m blind?” He stepped closer, I stepped backwards.

I saw his jaw tighten, his fists folded into a ball.

“You think I haven’t noticed the way you’ve changed? Dressing differently, wearing clothes you never wore for me? I kept telling myself I was imagining things, but no. You’ve been cheating on me, haven’t you?”

I stared at him, stunned. “Cheating? Sergio, that’s not true! Moreover, those are just work clothes, were you expecting me to wear rags to work?”

“Then explain why another man—one who’s obviously rich as hell—was walking out of your house like he owns you!” His voice was shrill with anger.

What had come over him?

At some point, I was beginning to think it was a prank.

I took a shaky breath, trying to stay calm. “You’re twisting this into something it’s not.”

“Am I?” he asked. “You always complained that I didn’t have enough money. Even though not vocal, the way you behaved is. You acted like I couldn’t give you the life you wanted. Always Little Miss Independent!”

And then he began to mimic me, “No Sergio, don’t do this, I got this, don’t do that, I’ve handled it.” he looked around, his eyes finally settling on me, “All the while you were being spoiled silly by another man!!!”

My mouth fell open in disbelief. “Sergio, you will stop right there, when have I ever said that? When have I ever asked you for money?”

“You didn’t have to say it,” he shot back. “I saw it in your eyes every time I struggled to pay for something. And now it makes sense! You were just waiting for someone better to come along.”

Tears were beginning to burn at the back of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I was waiting for him to call off the prank.

“I can’t believe you’re saying this. I have never, not once, been unfaithful to you!” I said.

“Then who the hell was that man?” His voice snapped slightly like he wanted to believe me but couldn’t.

I hesitated. How could I explain Don Pedro without sounding insane? That bastard has already driven me nuts.

How could I explain that I was dragging my marital status with a stranger? That I woke up one morning, voila, a stranger claims me to be his bride?

Sergio’s eyes grew darker. “See? You can’t even answer or defend yourself!”

“Because it’s complicated!” I snapped, frustration bubbling up inside me. “It’s complicated, I don’t even know where to begin to make sense!”

“Right. Complicated.” He shook his head, stepping back like he was finally seeing me for what he thought I was. “I feel so stupid. Here I was, thinking we had something real. But to you? I was just a placeholder until someone wealthier came along.”

My chest ached. “That’s not true, Sergio! Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not true!”

“But you won’t tell me who he is, will you?”

I swallowed hard. “I—”

I didn’t know what to say. I always had something to say, but at that moment, I was speechless.

Sergio exhaled snappily, his face barely held any expression I could read, he was suddenly cold. “I don’t need to hear any more.”

I felt my world tilt. “Sergio, please— I need you now, more than ever”

“I’m done, Tessa.” His voice was steady now, no more yelling, no more rage. “I hope he’s worth it.”

“No, Sergio, you won't even give me the benefit of the doubt?” I asked.

My voice was warm with disbelief.

“So you could lie to me further? Just like you lied to me about your real name, Melissa Lorenzo!”

I was flung into deep depths of speechlessness. He knew?

“No, no, You can't do this to me, I don't know who that person is, that Man, I can explain”

“Explain to your late mother who maybe probably turning in her grave, disappointed at the cheap slut she raised,” he said.

“Sergio!” I screamed, I honestly did not know when my hands flew across his face, slapping the good graciousness out of him.

He said nothing else, he just stared at me, grinding his teeth.

And then, he turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.

I stood there, frozen, my breath shaky, my heart aching in ways I couldn’t explain.

Did Sergio just call me a slut?

Did he just insult my late mother?

I had just lost him and as much as I beginning to hate him for what he said, I had questions, I loved that man, Sergio, with all my heart.

And I didn’t even understand how a stranger in the liking of Don Pedro Lorenzo, just ruined my life for the short time I had encountered him.

For a moment, I wished I had listened to my aunt and had run away with her when she asked that we run.