ROSE
As much as I wanted to escape as soon as possible, it wasn't going to happen easily. I didn't care anymore about anything aside from the fact that I made myself look like a fool. However, before I arrived at this prison, my parents left enough money on my card just to fend for myself, there was not enough money for a plane ticket.
Sam was my last resort. She did book a plane ticket for me, but since it was last minute, the only available seat they had was in two weeks time. What the hell was I supposed to do for another fourteen days?
Ignoring Tobias was definitely the hardest part, because this time, he tried to engage in conversations. If it hadn't been for hunger, I never would've left my room. And in the times I was forced to eat or drink water, I did my best to shorten the time I was in the kitchen.
The main thing that was relentlessly bugging me was, how the hell was I so naive? I wasn't stupid, and I never had any issues seeing things the way they were. I wasn't delusional, either, as I never thought that one night with him meant marriage.
So, how did I allow myself to get to this spot?
I was young, and reckless. But that didn't mean I had to act dumb, too. Many, many things were going through my mind, and none of them spared me from second hand embarrassment. I winced all the damn time when I remembered how bad the situation was.
I decided that enough was enough. Four days after being locked up, I got dressed in a casual outfit and decided to get some fresh air. I ignored Tobias when I walked down the stairs, and the look of surprise he gave me.
I walked past him, with my head held high. On another thought, there was nothing I should've been ashamed of, right? That man chose to have sex with me on his own accord, and since he was picturing his ex wife whilst he had a beautiful girl in bed, it was something he should've felt shameful about.
I spent around four hours just walking around the house. Everything was so far away and then I realized that the time I'd spent on looking like a lunatic, I could've used to go down the road, reach the small town, grab a coffee and come back.
The walking did help me, though. It felt amazing to actually walk instead of laying in my bed all day, reading books and watching movies on my phone. I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me as yawns upon yawns slipped past my lips.
I jolted when I heard the front door of his house open. Tobias leaned against the door frame, arms folded in front of his chest as he stared at me. As per usual, I couldn't read the look he had given me, though I made sure that he could read mine. Pure hatred and nausea.
''I've made lunch. You should eat.'' Tobias said, in his deep voice. Goosebumps formed on my arms, but I was able to push them back and ignore the tingly sensation that soon spread throughout my entire body.
''Okay.''
I walked past him into the house, and once I arrived at the kitchen, I saw that he had already set the table and the food was already waiting. He made grilled chicken with some salad and a glass of wine next to each plate.
For someone who was as religious as Tobias, I was shocked to find more and more of the sinful acts he liked to commit. As someone whose father was the person people looked up the most in this god forsaken city, and someone who grew up religious, it was beyond me why he would smoke or drink every so often, since it was considered a sin.
Then again, he might have lost the faith he had in God once his wife cheated on him. I always despised cheaters, and I couldn't begin to imagine how he must've felt when he found out about Lilly's infidelity.
However, as we stared at each other, seated across the table, and whilst the food was getting cold, I couldn't find it in my heart to feel bad, not in the slightest. What he did to me was honestly so bad, and if it hadn't been for Lilly, I never would've found out.
''I'm leaving, Tobias.'' I announced and his staring became more intense, ''There wasn't an available plane ticket sooner, but in ten days, I will be out of your hair.''
''Isn't that going to ruin everything you were supposed to achieve by your stay here?''
I hated how his voice was so calm. I tried to provoke an emotion out of him, regret, mostly, yet he was as bland as ever. It made my blood boil, but I gave my best acting performance and acted as if I didn't give a shit.
''Not exactly, but it's not your problem.'' Truth to be told, I had come up with a plan. Dad was most likely more torn over the divorce, and as he did seem to like me more than mom, his vulnerable state was when I should try to gain his trust and then try to get him to sign the company over to me, or, at least, his part, as he had no say over mother's share.
''Okay. What should I tell your grandmother?''
I snorted, ''And that's none of my problem. Figure it out.''
We remained to sit in silence as we ate the meal. As much as I hated to admit it, the lunch was delicious. It was perfectly seasoned and the salad made such a great balance. And the wine was a perfect match. I wasn't going to tell him, though.
''Listen, Rose.'' Tobias began to speak and I lowered the glass, ''You've been avoiding me and I never got the chance to speak to you properly about what went down the night Lilly showed up.''
His mouth opened again, and as he was about to speak, I cut him off immediately, ''No. You don't get to say you're sorry or try to justify yourself. Quite frankly, I'm above the point of caring, right now.''
He blinked, ''I don't want you to leave and end this on a bad note.''
''What are you referring to, exactly?'' I pressed, ''Since you made it loud and clear that there is nothing going on here. No need for futile explanations and lousy excuses. I'm not interested in hearing them.''
He sighed, ''As someone who did you wrong, I need to apologize. I can't look at myself in the mirror, Rose. The guilt is eating me alive.''
I laughed, ''And that's still none of my business. You're a grown ass adult and you made your choices. The consequences have nothing to do with me or the fact that you're regretting the decisions you've made.''
''I understand that, but how can I just let you leave like this? God would be ashamed of me.''
That was the point where I lost it. I began to laugh uncontrollably, of course, that was what all of this was about, ''Ah, right. The devoted Christian, a person who devoted his entire life to God, cannot simply become someone who God would be ashamed of, right? It's sinful, isn't it? So is wearing mixed fabric, smoking, lying and drinking. But the regret of your choices is where you draw the line? Gosh, you truly are pathetic, Tobias.''
It was as if I had slapped him on the cheek, hard. His eyes hardened, his jaw flexed and his fists clenched. He had no comeback as he knew that I was right. He was trying to manipulate me into telling him I was over it, so he could get a good night of sleep.
Not in this lifetime, not ever. He would have to get down on his knees and beg for me to forgive him.
Shortly after I made him shut his mouth, Tobias left. I didn't ask where he was going nor when he was coming back, and I didn't care. He didn't finish his meal and I packed the food and placed it in the fridge before I made myself some hot chocolate and decided to lay on the couch in the living room.
Of course, I wasn't able to get a moment of peace as I heard a loud knock on the door. The person didn't use the doorbell and I was already annoyed at how loud the knocks had become.
I pulled the door open and a look of surprise crossed my face, ''Lilly, hi.'' I said, then added, ''Ah, sorry, Tobias isn't here right now.''
She smiled, ''Perfect. I was looking for you, anyway. Can I come in?''
I stepped aside as she made herself comfortable in the living room. I made her a cup of hot chocolate as well, my hands trembled as I poured it all in a glass. I was anxious, and why the hell was she here to see me? Aside from the brief meeting we had, there was no reason for her to see me.
''Here you go,'' I said as I placed the cup in front of her, on the small coffee table and took a seat across from her, ''So, what's all of this about?''
''May I ask, how did you end up living with Tobias?''
I was taken aback, ''I'm not exactly living with him, it's more like an arrangement made between my grandmother and him to straighten me out, though I am leaving in ten days. Why?''
She took a deep breath, ''First things first, I want to apologize for the evening we met. I acted inappropriately, and there was no reason for me to speak about my marriage with Tobias while you were in the next room.''
I shook my head, ''It's fine.''
Her eyes suddenly hardened and the friendly smile vanished from her face, ''However, I am here to try and make my marriage work. There is still hope for Tobias and me. Yes, there was infidelity on my part, however, Tobias wasn't a saint either, in the time we spent apart. And I want to give our love life another shot. But I can't do that if there is a distraction.''
I blinked, ''And I am that distraction?''
''Obviously.'' She stated, ''I am sure you're a sweet girl, but you're young. Tobias isn't worth your time and if you do choose a game, and to fight for him, I can assure you that it will end with you losing and having your heart broken.''
''Isn't that for me to decide? I'm not afraid of your empty threats, Lilly. Your insecurity is showing.''
Lilly took a deep breath before she stood up, ''Don't say I didn't warn you, Rose. There's not a limit to the things I would do to get Tobias back. Don't test me.''
My head tilted to the side and a slight smirk tugged on the corner of my lips, ''Is that a challenge I'm hearing? Good luck, Lilly. You'll seriously need it.''
She left, without taking a sip of her hot chocolate. By the time she was out of the door, she was furious and cussing under her breath. The whole situation was rather amusing. I had no intention to fight over a man, however, she stepped on my foot, intentionally, and there was no chance in hell I was letting her walk over me.
That meant, I had ten days to make Tobias addicted to me, and then to leave. Once he got addicted, there wasn't anything Lilly could do to get him back.