Chapter Six

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. 
- M. Kathleen Casey

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

-

CALLIE

Well, we came back from the restaurant and I went straight up to my room. I still can't believe what Samuel said about James. I cannot believe he cheated on me and I was too oblivious. I was in love and it blinded me. I never want to feel this way ever again. But I need to make sure he did, so I called him. I wasn't sure if I should call or not, but I found myself dialing his number. After few seconds, he picked up. 

"Hey baby! Where have you been! I have been calling you for days." He asked, worriedly. I couldn't really tell if he was faking it or not. I mistrusted him that much. 

"I am okay. I-um we need to talk." My voice came out, unsure. 

"Sure baby. Come to my place?" He asked casually. He didn't even seem curious or anything. He thought that I wanted to talk to him about something lame. 

"No. We will talk on the phone." I replied, firmly. The last thing I want is crying in front of him. That wasn't only the problem. Mateo would'n't let me go out of my house to meet him since we had a deal, where he made it clear that he doesn't want me to associate myself with James. 

"Why? Where are you?" He asked, confusedly.

"I am outside the country for a while." I simply said, not wanting to give him a clear answer. Besides, he doesn't deserve it anyways. 

He was about to say something when I cut him off.

"Are you cheating on me?" I asked, firmly. My voice was going to crack, but I held it well. 

"What! How can you say that! Of course, not! I love you baby." He shrieked and he was clearly lying to me. He replied too quickly as if he was prepared to answer this question. 

"Don't lie to me, please. If you truly love me, then tell me the truth." I said, about to cry, but made sure not to make him feel that. 

"I-I am sorry Callie. I swear it was a one-time thing! I didn't mean-" He pleaded, but I cut him off. 

"How could you?" My voice cracked, "-I loved you." I wanted to hide my feelings and act cold, but I couldn't. I couldn't just forget everything. I had trusted him with my life. I loved him. 

"Callie, please." He begged, "-please forgive me."

"Don't ever talk to me again, James. Ever." I snapped and hung up.

I started crying. I just couldn't believe that the man; who I thought I will marry, cheated on me, and he wasn't the one to tell me, I had to learn it from someone else. If you really had fallen out of love, why wouldn't you tell me? Why must you cheat and apologize, as if I was going to forgive? 

Why? Why all men hate me. Why can't they be good to me? First, my father, now James, and Mateo, and everyone is not good to me.

I know Mateo hasn't done anything harmful to me, but he fucking stole my life.

Which is basically harmful...idiot. My subconscious said.

Suddenly I hear a knock, cutting off my tortuous thoughts. And suddenly, I came back to reality, taken aback a little because it was the first time that someone knocks instead of ripping the door open as if no one was in the room. 

"Come in" I called. 

The door opened, revealing Mateo. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Mateo? Knocking? Wait... am I dead?

"Wow, I can't believe you just knocked." I said, sarcastically. It was truely a beautiful scene to see the great Mateo Martinez knock on the door. It was fascinating. 

"I just didn't think you want someone to see you crying, so I knocked to tell you that I am coming in." He casually replied, walking further into the room, making me frown at what he said. He cared?

I then remembered what had happened and started crying again. I didn't really care that he was standing here, in fact, I wanted someone besides me now.

"You okay?" He asked, calmly, as he made his way towards the bed where I am sitting. 

"I-I don't know." I sniffed, hugging my knees close to my chest. He came and sat on the bed beside me and put his arm around my shoulder.

"Everything is going to be alright. Trust me."

I was actually shocked. Like this is the first time I see this side of him. As if he heard me, he removed his arm and stood up firmly, as if what he did was a mistake. I looked at him with watery eyes while he showed no emotions at all. Was it too good to be true? 

"Today we are going to my family house. We will not be staying in the warehouse anymore unless for work, so pack up your things and get ready." He cleared his throat and turned around to leave, but before he left, he said,

"oh, and wear something nice." With that, he left. 

I tried to calm myself down and walked to the bathroom, and washed my face. I then went back to the bedroom and opened my wardrobe. I took out a red dress and placed it on the bed. It was a nice, fancy red dress that had few black flowers designed on the chest part. Oh, and I forgot to mention that Mateo had already bought all my belongings from my house before he kidnapped me.

I know.

He's gone insane. . . nothing new.

I sniffed for the last time, as I made my way to apply some makeup before wearing my dress. I didn't put much, just some concealer and mascara. I then walked to my bed, picking up the beautiful dress, and wore it. It showed my curves, as if it was made especially for me. I paired it with simple black pointy heels. 

I don't really like heels that much., but I could tolerate them on special occasions. For some reason, I was very angry with myself because I wanted to look my best not only because Mateo asked for it, but because I wanted to present myself in a good way in front of his family, and that scared me a lot. 

I packed my stuff and was ready to go. Before leaving the room, I looked in the mirror and felt satisfied with how I looked. I also sprayed my favorite perfum by Calvin Klein. 

I walked out of my room and made my way downstairs. It's weird how I am calling this room my room. It would seem that I have lived many years in this house, when it was only few weeks.

When I reached, I saw Mateo and Samuel talking.

"Hey, Samuel." I greeted with a smile.

"Hey bella, how are you feeling?" He asked while coming my way worriedly, giving me a hug. 

"I am fine. Thanks." I smiled and hugged him back.

I saw Mateo's jaw clench. I was afraid a little bit, but paid no attention to him. What could he even do more than this? 

"Come on. We have to go." Mateo said as he walked outside the warehouse.

Luckily for me, Samuel was a gentleman and took my luggage, but Mateo? No, I think I don't exist to him. We walked outside into a black beautiful Limousine. I was super excited. I have never been in a limousine! Like ever. But it was weird that we were going in a Limousine. I mean, Mateo has many cars, where are they? Not that I am complaining. 

Mateo opened the door and got in. What a gentleman. I mockingly thought. I then walked after him with Samuel trailing behind me. I sat beside Mateo and Samuel was sitting across from me. The car ride was awkwardly silent, until Samuel started talking.

"So...Callie, any family?" He asked suddenly. I was taken aback with his sudden question because I don't like to talk about my 'family'. A one that I do not have. 

"Umm.. no. Well I had a father." I answered hesitantly, but honestly.

"Had?" Mateo asked as he arched his brows.

"Umm... yeah we just haven't seen each other since I was 18." I confessed with a nod. I didn't really want to give away any more information because I didn't want to remember all of it. 

"If you don't mind me asking, why?" Samuel asked and I could see Mateo waiting for an answer as well.

"I-I don't like to talk about it. Sorry, maybe another time?" I suggested and turned my attention outside the window. Trees passed by, the sight was astonishing. I have always been one who loved nature. 

"Yeah.. sure." He mumbled.

The car ride had taken 30 minutes when we arrived at Mateo's house. When we got out of the car, I was amazed, frozen to my spot. The house was super huge like a palace. It was white and gold and looked luxurious. Many windows covered the house, suggesting that there are many rooms. Beautiful flowers hugged the pavement neatly, as they drank water from the pipe beside them.

I wanted to take my luggage, but Samuel was faster and took them like the gentleman he is, though, I was slightly disappointed that Mateo wasn't the one who was making effort. Not that Samuel was doing an effort because he likes me or anything, but because he is a good man, and I wanted Mateo to be a good man. A part of me though believes that he is. 

"Come on. This way." Mateo gestured towards the palace-like house. 

We followed him, walking to the large wooden door. Even the door is beautiful. I thought.

Mateo surprisingly knocked for the second time now.

"Why are you knocking? Isn't this your house?" I asked, confusedly. 

He looked at me, giving me that warning glare and looked away. He didn't even answer me.

I took a deep breath and hoped my life would be better than this soon.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

Word count: 1740