Chapter 7

I was fuming mad when I left the hospital.

I'm pretty sure that the marriage news was already circulating around, for I knew damn well that my father had called everyone to announce what he thought was good news without my consent.

I know he loved me, but I also know how he badly wanted that guy to be his legal son. As I've said, everybody wanted him, thinking he was perfect. But they didn't know he's just a human too, with flaws, who makes mistakes, bad decisions and has dirt in his hands like those bitches he slept with.

“Where do you wish to go, Brianna?” Hans, my chauffeur slash trusted assistant, inquired as I settled on the backseat.

I released a long breath, “Just drive,” I curtly answered.

I looked outside the window and took advantage of the silence inside the car. Hans knew I don't like music when I'm in a foul mood and appreciate it. That's how good it is to be with people who know me too well, that I don't need to open my mouth often to say what I want. Hans was a big blessing for me and I intend to keep him forever.

I felt my phone vibrate inside my purse, cutting my trail of thoughts. I had the strong urge to decline it, but I knew better not to, for they will find ways to bug me, especially if it's Lorenzo Gomez.

“Where are you?”

Speaking of ‘my boyfriend’.

Sighing, I answered, “In the car. Why? Did something happen to my father again?”

“He's okay. Where are you going?”

“None of you business”

“You're my girlfriend, Brianna. You are my business”

My brows automatically raised at the firmness of his voice. His statement also gives my chills but I shrugged it off with a chuckle. “Girlfriend,” I repeated. “Am I really?”

There was a long pause on the other line which made me think he already hung up because he was avoiding the subject. It always happens, that's why my chest thumped unexpectedly wild when I heard him respond.

“It's about time we have to clear things up between us. Wait for me in my house,” he stated then ended the call.

I bit my bottom lip as I clasped my phone on my chest. Suddenly, I got nervous with his tone.

Releasing a loud and heavy sigh, I turned to Hans and told him to bring me to Lorenzo's mansion.

‘It's now or never,’ I thought.

The huge black gate automatically opened when our car finally approached it. It kinda shocked me to be honest. Because I thought he already changed the sensory device on that after I refused to come back two years ago.

But he didn't and I don't know what to feel about it.

Hans opened the door for me with a worried look. So, I smiled at him in return as I climbed out of the car.

‘Nothing had changed,’ That's my first thought when I entered.

It was still the same from what I had seen the last time I went there. The interior design, the colors, the furniture.. all of it was still at its proper places where I had left it back then.

And just as I thought about it, my steps abruptly halted as I completely entered inside. My lips slightly parted after my eyes caught the huge portrait at the top of the grand staircase in the center.

“Welcome back..” Two arms draped around my waist and a low whisper entered my ear which startled me. “I thought you'll avoid this again,” Lorenzo continued as he hugged me from behind.

My lips pursed, but I couldn't take my eyes off the large portrait in front of me. It's me and Lorenzo's painting together, smiling widely at each other.

It was never there before because he placed it in our bedroom the moment he got it. It'sy father's gift for him. A million dollar painting that was.

“We looked so happy and in love there,” he commented.

Instinctively, I yanked his arms away from me and quickly stepped away, “Where is the nurse?” I asked, pointing to the portrait to change the topic.

It's bad enough that I agreed to talk to him about our relationship and went there. I didn't want to hear anything more. Because I'm pretty sure my heart won't be able to take it.

“I placed it in the study,” he answered casually.

Avoiding his gaze, I sauntered to the living room and sat on the single chair. “Time is precious. Let's not waste it talking about unnecessary things. What do you want to clear anyway? I thought we're already cool with the setup?” I queried as I glanced at him and raised my eyebrows.

Lorenzo's gaze was set on me and it was fierce. If I didn't know him too well, my body would certainly shake uncontrollably out of fear with that look he was giving me. However, I was his ‘girlfriend’ for eight years, therefore, I am already immune to it.

“Talk, Lorenzo,” I prompted.

We fell into a staring battle before he decided to settle across from me. Silence filled the enormous living room as I waited for him to begin.

Inwardly, I was preparing myself for whatever he would say. For the past years, we have been avoiding this day to come for we knew the moment we opened the topic about ‘us’, the big possibility that it will be officially over.

I clasped my hands together.

Thinking about it makes my heart thump frantically.

“You are my girlfriend, Brianna,” he stated firmly.

I equalled his gaze as I leaned back and crossed my arms, “Girlfriend in a not exclusive way..” I corrected.

I watched his jaw clenched as he looked darkly at me. I don't know what he was thinking, but I'm certain he was pissed at what I had just said.

“What? I'm just stating a fact,” I defended.

All of a sudden, he stood up and walked to me. I straightened on my seat as he leaned his hands on both sides of the armchair I was sitting in, caging me.

“Is that what you've been thinking for the past two years, that's why you keep having an affair, huh, Brianna?” he asked icily.

My eyes instantly narrowed at him, “Stop saying that as if I was the only one unfaithful here,” I retaliated. I rested my back on the chair to give some space between us. While my gaze remained on him, I added, “You started it, have you forgotten?”

“I'm sorry..” his face softened.

Immediately, I averted my gaze. Uncrossing my arms, I clasped my hands together tightly as I tried not to be affected. But it's damn hard. Especially when all the pain I had thought was already gone appeared and broke my heart all over again.

“Stop,” I shook my head profusely, “I don't wanna hear it,” I mumbled.

He placed his palm on my cheek, “Babe..” he called.

His voice was soft and I thought I heard the old Lorenzo when I first met him, which immediately made my head turn back on him.

“I love you,” he said while looking straight into my eyes.