Will I find out? Or do I follow him blindly and ignore the fact that most of the words that come out of his mouth are lies?
I'll go with the first option; I'll get to the bottom of this, whether he likes it or not.
Relationships start with trust, and I will trust him.
Well, when he stopped fucking lying, I pushed open the door, and there Mark was standing.
"What are you doing?" Oh my god, Lord, I felt my heart start to race. Who in their right mind stands menacingly near a door with juice in their hand?
He didn't respond to me.
"What is wrong with you?'' I asked, with no response. He had this blank look on his face, and I felt like he was staring at something that wasn't me.
He had the straw in his mouth and his Pedialyte in his hand, but he wasn't drinking any of it because no red juice was coming up the straw.
"Mark?" I said, waving in front of his face, getting closer to him.
What is wrong with him?
"Mark!" I shouted, and he looked around me and then at me.
He started to drink his juice, still staring at me, but this time he was staring directly into my soul instead of behind me
He still didn't answer me and just looked at me with a smile and a straw in his mouth.
Who is he? And does he actually love me? I feel like that's the question I need to be asking right now.
Because all he does is lie, how do I know he isn't lying about liking me?
The air felt heavy on my shoulders. I wasn't sure what was happening anymore or what kind of spell Mark had on me, but I would find out soon; I just needed to do more digging.
Every word. Every comment. Every nice thing he has ever said. Was it all a lie?
Oh god, I don't even know anymore; my brain won't let me remember whether he was lying or not.
I don't like him. Why do I care so much about what he says and what he thinks?
God, I like him. I'm dumb. I'm so dumb. Love makes you blind and stupid.
I came back to reality, and Mark was gone.
"Mark! Where are you?" I called out. No answer.
What is wrong with him? I don't understand. He was fine just a few seconds ago.
I feel like this whole thing has been one big nightmare.
I think my brain is blocking out all the bad things he has said or done because I like him, and I'm replacing them with all the good memories and times we have had together.
I heard the door open behind me, and I turned around.
"Hi, Mr. Camacho," I said, very confused.
Why are you even here? Where is your son?
"Hello, Mrs. Rosalind. It's lovely seeing you here," he said with a fake smile as he shut the door and invited himself in.
"What brings you here?"
"My son." And he smiled and looked down on me. He looked down at me like I was the ground he walked on.
"He's not here."
"He's not?"
"No. He came in before me, and he was very out of it and didn't speak to me. Then he was gone just like that," I said.
"You lost my son?"
"He's 24; he can make his own decisions." And we both went silent.
"You have a lot of courage to stand up to me like you do. I'm very powerful," he said.
"I'm well aware."
"So why aren't you scared, Mrs. Rosalind?" He said that, and I looked at his nose. He was trying to use that stupid fear technique this family has.
He wouldn't get me. Not now, not ever.
"Fakes don't scare me." And he sighed.
"So you don't scare yourself?" ouch.
He smiled; he could tell that bothered me.
"I don't like you guys together," he said.
"We aren't together," and he raised his eyebrow.
I felt my arm start to move on its own as Bryn stared at it.
"You didn't come for your son, did you?" I asked, and he stopped. I felt my arm drop. What is wrong with this family?
"You're smart."
"I've been told that from time to time."
He stepped closer to me.
"What about the notebook?" I asked.
"So you know now."
"Yes."
"I have to kill you then," he said.
"Because I know you were a fashion designer, and you wish your own son was dead?"
He stopped.
"Don't tell him."
"I plan to," I said with a smile, and he sighed.
He went silent, looking for the right words to say, but nothing came out.
"Anything else?" I asked.
Nothing.
"Good, now please leave before I call the police for trespassing," I said.
He walked towards me and bent down.
"That won't do anything, trust me. But I'll leave for you," he said and smiled, leaning back up and turning around.
"Next time you want to talk to me, don't come in through the back way." He froze, then his steps quickened, and he pushed open the door.
Dumb ass. I blinked and looked around. He is a character just like his son, damn.
"Good morning!" Lindsay said, and she waved at me.
It was the next day, and I was running on 2 hours of sleep and cold water.
"Hi Lindsay," I said, yawning and slumping down in my seat. So many weird things were happening that I didn't even know what was going on anymore.
"Sorry." I turned around; it was Mark, still with his Pedialyte packet in hand and the straw in the packet instead of in his mouth.
"You're fine,'' I said, turning back to my desk. I am so sick of this whole bloodline and all of their shit; I genuinely can't talk to Mark right now.
He stood behind me, looking over my shoulder. I could hear him sucking on that stupid juice box of red Pedialyte.
"Mark."
"Sorry," and he backed up and sat on my desk instead.
"Is this fine for you, Mrs. Rosalind?" Mark said sarcastically. I rolled my eyes and then went back to staring at my drawing notebook.
It was flipped to a blank page, and I had no idea what I even wanted to draw.
"You look really pretty today," he said, and I looked up at him. I couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you."
"Don't brush me off."
"I didn't; I just think it's dumb."
"My affection for you?" he asked with this sad look on his face.
"No, the fact that you are 24 and all you do is drink Pedialyte from a straw like you are a toddler," I said, laughing, and Mark cracked a smile.
"I'm dehydrated, okay."
Liar. I sighed. Now he is back to his old ways.
"I'm hungry, and it helps when I can't eat," he said.
Good.
We stayed in silence for a while.
"I don't want to lie to you. I genuinely don't. I want to tell you everything, and I fully plan to, but I can't. Not yet," he said, looking down at the desk.
"Tell me when you are ready," I said, turning back to my notebook.
I felt Mark's foot nudge my side.
I looked up at him.
"What are you doing, weirdo?" He had this strange look on his face. He was trying to get on my good side, like he knew what I was thinking.
"You look pretty."
"You already said that."
"I know, I just wanted to make sure you knew," he said, and I sighed.
"You aren't so bad yourself," I said, and he smiled.
Seeing him smile made me happy; it was cute.
He was using his charm to try and make up for the fact that he lies all the damn time, and it's working.
I'm mad at myself because I am falling for his charm.
The days went on, and Mark's lying got better, but his dad got worse and worse.
Slandering my name on his Instagram story, you are a grown-ass man; you have no business doing all this.
"Mrs. Rosalind, can you speak on what Bryn Camacho posted on his Instagram about you?'' There were a few people outside of Joanns with cameras and microphones.
I raised an eyebrow. Paparazzi? Apparently, I am that famous now.
I should be really mean right now.
"There was a lot; which one?" I asked, with bags in my hand full of fabric.
I looked down. I was also in sweatpants, a loose shirt, and some flip-flops.
You guys can't get me wearing my own outfits? Do you have to get me in my TJ Maxx outfit?
"The most recent one was about you mistreating his son and your employees," the person said, reading off of their phone.
"I don't."
"But Mr. Camacho said-."
"The same guy who came trespassing on my property two times by jumping over the wall to harass me? Or the guy who wants his own son dead?" I hate him. Don't step into the kitchen if you can't handle the heat.
"Now, if you will excuse me," I said, pushed past them, and made it to my car.
I sighed.
I don't need all this drama, especially from some CEO. Like, do you not have anything better to do?
I could have stooped even lower and ruined him and his son. I know so much about them and so much that could ruin them.
Ruin them for good.
The problem is, that they have so many ties in every single place in this industry and outside of it, and they are loaded.
I mean, I am too now, so it looks like we are the same in that aspect.
I can't even expose them because I will go down with them.
This industry is toxic like that and will ruin you over something you didn't even do. Damn, what a shame.
I sat down at my desk. I put the fabrics in their place, and I was sitting there. Not doing anything, just thinking.
"Why are you still here?" Mark? Oh. I felt a wave of disappointment go over me as I looked at Asa.
He has been getting on my nerves recently with his whole act.
"I'm working."
"You are staring at the wall."
Fair point.
"I'm just thinking."
"About what?" he asked. I don't know. That's the problem. I have just been sitting here with no thoughts, no nothing.
I shrugged, and he nodded. He wasn't content with my answer.
"You are thinking about him, aren't you-."
"Oh my god," I said, interrupting Asa. This is why he has been getting on my nerves. He is acting like Bryn Camacho's dad, the way he wants to tear me and Mark, down.
"I'm not talking to you about this," I said, and Asa sighed.
"Know your worth," he said, patting my back.
"Asa, I am going to ask you kindly to leave because you are one of my greatest friends. I don't want to be mad to you, but you are getting on my last nerve right now,'' I said, taking a breath.
He didn't move.
"Are you really going to pick him or me?" I stood up.
"Get out."
"So you are picking him?"
"I'm not picking anyone. You guys aren't comparable. You are one of my greatest friends, and he, well, I don't see him as a friend. I'll admit it's a crush and a handsome, nice guy who works with me that might turn into something more,'' I said, and I could see the rage on his face.
He sighed and nodded.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Rosa; I'll see you tomorrow," he said, and he walked away.
Strange. Everybody is so goddamn strange.
I got up; where is my man?
I pushed open the door, looked at who it was, and stared at the damn moon again.
"I'm sorry for what my dad said about you, Rosalind," he said, not looking at me
"It's fine."
"It's not; it's really not."
He turned around and looked at me.
"I hate that we are doing this. I hate it so much. He wants you dead because you are his competition," Mark said.
"I'll kill him before he can get to me."
"You can't; he never dies." I raised my eyebrow.
"He wants me to get close to you. And kill you," Mark said, and he stared at me.
"Is that what you are doing?"
"No. I can't bring myself to do it. Not now, not ever. I love you more than I love myself. Words can't describe it, but they can. And I love you," Mark said, and I looked around.
"Sorry." And he looked down.
"Do you love me?" He asked, and I looked at him.
I sighed. God, I don't even know.
"I mean, I like you, but at the same time, I feel like I can't trust you because you lie a lot, and my heart wants to love you, but I just can't. And your dad hates my guts," I said, and Mark nodded.
"I understand; I'll see you tomorrow, Rosalind," he said, and just like that, he left.
Left me outside thinking about everything.
God, I don't know; this whole thing is too much.
"It's hard to love liars," I heard a voice say, and there Ryan stood.
"I saw you leave; how long have you been standing there?" I asked, and he smiled.
"Enough to know that you don't like Mark," Ryan said.
"I do."
"But he's a liar." Why is everyone getting on my nerves today?
"People change," I said.
"Do they?"
"Yes."
"People like Mark don't change. Be with someone who doesn't lie, who will save you from the pain and suffering that Mark has put you through," Ryan said with a smile. An evil fucking smile.
I sighed.
And he's a better option? Yeah not
"Yeah, no," I said.
"Rosalind, you know I'm the better choice."
"So you aren't actually trying to help me and instead want me to be with you instead?" I asked.
"Read my mind," he said, and I rolled my eyes.
Do I attract toxic men?
"Cute," I said.
"So what about that date?"
Yeah no.
"Nope," I said and I walked back inside
I don't even know what is happening right now. My brain and my heart both have no idea what is going on. All these people, all these lies. I have to pick a side, but I don't know what side I want to pick.
I don't know Ryan well enough to make assumptions about him.
Asa, I don't have any feelings for him.
And mark. He's, well, I am starting to like him.
The one problem is that he is a fucking liar, and I can't stand fucking liars because they get on my nerves.
How do I know if you actually love me?
I mean, a few white lies here and there are okay, but when every other sentence coming out of your mouth is a lie, it is just annoying, and I don't know.
I opened my phone. It was Mark's dad bothering me again and DMing me on Instagram.
I smiled down at my phone. I could ruin them both, and then there would be no more Bryn harassing me and no more Mark lying.
But that comes with no more Mark.
If I "expose" them and do this whole thing, Mark won't work with me anymore, and I won't see him anymore.
Maybe I should just go home and clear my head.
What if I come across another love interest, or Mark or his dumb-ass dad?
Maybe I should just stay here and work on some designs. But if Ryan comes back in through the door, then I have to deal with him.
This whole day is trouble; everyone in it is too.
I feel like every decision I make is based on whether to expose Mark and his dad or not.
Every decision I make revolves around them now and if I will be safe going home, if I'm safe here, or if I am safe anywhere.
God, I don't even know what is happening.
"I haven't seen you all day,'' I said, and Mark waved at me. I ended up sleeping at my desk again and was just consumed with my thoughts.
"I've been busy helping," Mark beamed with his Pedialyte packet in hand.
I smiled; he's really cute.
"Why do you drink those a lot more now?"
"Uh, well, I feel comfortable around you and know you won't judge me," he said with a smile, and he didn't lie this time.
I nodded, and he stood there and looked at me.
"Uh," he said, stopping what he was saying.
"Something wrong?"
"Yes," he blurted out.
"What is it?" I asked.
"This is for you." and he shoved a notebook into my hands. I feel like he has given a lot of these in the past few weeks.
"Is this your dad's?"
"No."
"Whose is it?"
"Oh, it's mine, and I want you to read it because it's important and you are important, and just read it, please," he said, and I nodded while taking it, and he ran off with his packet in hand.
He is so strange.
I brought the notebook back to my desk, and I sat down. It was old, I could tell.
I opened the first page. And it had the word journal written on it.
I flipped through the journal; most of them were bullet points with an odd three or four words.
Irene. I stopped, and I read the page.
To my dearest Irene, I love you more than life itself, and nothing will change that. You are gone now, and I hope to find love again, but I don't think I ever will. I love you too much to let you go. I was to blame. Only me. I will live forever, and you will only live a lifetime. I need a connection like you again, and I need you, but you fell for him and died with him. We could have lived forever; it's a shame. I hope to find love again. From Mark.
"I will live forever?" I read the letter out loud. What does that mean?
I flipped the page.
I can't escape the curse; no matter where I run, I can't break free from it. It has haunted me since I was born, and there's nothing I can do. It's my dad's fault; he needed someone to rule with him and be in power with him. I want to break free. I want to. I know she's coming. Not Irene, but I know someone better is coming, and I need to break free of this vampire curse before she gets here, so I don't scare her.
I looked for a date, but there was no date on any of the pages. What is he on about?
These pages looked old, and a lot of them were ripped out, and the writing was smeared.
I feel isolated and lost. I'm looking far and wide for people like me, but there's nothing. There is no one. I want a chance at humanity; I have a chance to find her. My soulmate.
Soulmate? I haven't heard that word in a long while.
He seems like a helpless romantic in a way. Someone who would pour their heart and soul out for the person they love.
Someone who wouldn't lie to the ones they loved.
I sighed. He is not the same as he once was. He had been buried by his father and changed by society.
True love can break the spell. I feel that's cringe-worthy, but maybe it's worth a shot. It's worth it to try for him.
I will help him.
"You won't save him; he's long gone." and I am hearing voices again. Ain't that fun?
Bryn.
I got up quickly with the notebook in my hand, and I pushed open the back doors.
"I knew I would find you here," I said.
"You're good."
"What do you want?"
"You won't save him; he's long gone." I now recognized the voices I had been hearing. It was Bryn's voice all along.
"You can get in my head; you can control me, but you won't stop me from loving your son," I said. I touched my mouth; words I never thought I would say had left my mouth.
I guess that's love.
"It's not love," Bryn said, reading my mind.
You're so good at reading minds, right?
He nodded.
I have a surprise; it's called eating shit.
His face turned sour as I smiled.
"You guys won't be together."
"Oh, but you can't stop me, can you? You can ruin me and spread all of this shit; you can even ruin me for good. But you'll come down with me, bitch,'' I said. I'm so cool.
He laughed.
"How's your wife?" too far? No, not far enough.
That bothered him.
"Love only holds us back."
"Are you saying that because you killed her?" and he rightfully launched at me.
"You shut up, shut up. SHUT UP!" he screamed, and he stopped himself.
He reached his arm out towards my neck but did not reach for it.
"I'm sorry," he said, getting off me and helping me up.
"You can't-."
"And you can't stop me," I said, and I walked back into the building.
I took a deep breath. Everything is okay; I'm okay.
My heart knew. I wanted to be with Mark, even if it was the last thing I would do.
The choice was an interesting one and probably controversial, but I will do it. For Mark. For me. For us.
I have to continue. I will change the path of my life and that of Mark's. And even Bryn's.
Everyone who is caught in this web of lies and wants. I will take him down, and me and Mark will rise up.
I will do it, at any cost.