POV: Raphael
"What?
Did you just say she is your girl?" Charlotte exclaimed angrily, her eyes blazing in anger.
"Yes, Charlotte. She is my girl, my fiancee. Do you have a problem with that?" I asked her, my eyebrows corked in question.
"Mom!
What is he saying to me!
How can he dump me for that tramp, mom?
Do something, stop him, stop him now!" She cried out like a spoilt little brat, holding moms hand. You know, things would have been different between us if she did not cheat on me with Ethan my second cousin. I'd walked in on them lying naked in bed. When I confronted her, she claimed it was a mistake.
Can you believe that?
"Stop whining and get out of my house. Or better still, you can stop by Ethan's room for a quickie." I scoffed at her. I pushed her aside and headed upstairs, but I was stopped by mom's angry voice.
"No.
I will not accept her, you cannot be with her, Raphael. You must put an end to that relationship at once. I don't want to see you with that girl from the trenches, she does not befit your status." Mom told me angrily. Her tone was fierce, and I hate it when she treats me this way.
"Don't yell at me mom!
You don't tell me what to do, I'm not a child anymore. I can make decisions for myself and I chose Victoria." I told her firmly. She knows better than to push me further when I'm so close to losing my temper. She walked up to me and held my hand, rubbing the back of my palm softly.
"I'm only a concerned mother looking out for her son, Ralph. I won't have you speak back to me in that tone just because of some dirty girl from the trenches. No girl would accept you after knowing your secret. But Charlotte loves and accept you with all your flaws. Why can't you see that?" She asks in that same angry tone that's pissing me off. I shrugged off her hand and walked away. She was left staring after me as I left. Before I shut my room door, I could hear her talking to Charlotte, assuring her that she would get through to me.
I scoffed at her audacity. I guess it's time I move to my house at the far end of estate. Mom knows I'm not that sickly child that everyone bullies anymore. But she still feels the need to shied me from bullies and enemies that might try to hurt me.
Trust me, I love the fact that she cares so much about me. But she goes overboard sometimes, like right now, when she thinks it's her duty to pick a wife for me. I would have even considered this if it was any other girl and not Charlotte.
The thought of Charlottes betrayal came flooding my mind. I took off my tie and unbuttoned my shirt. Then I sat on the bar stool and poured myself a glass of Scotch as I thought about Charlotte. I was so young and stupid, I thought I could keep her by my side forever. We had both been put in the same institute because she had anger issues. We promised to be there for each other, our friendship was envied by everyone around and they actually thought we would end up together. I thought so too.
Not we went for Gramps birthday and I caught her with Ethan. She broke my heart, and my trust. She shared my secrets with my enemies, making me vulnerable. I couldn't say anything to mom because I would be accused of causing a scene and my perfect record in the institute would be ruined.
"I know that look in your eyes, Ralph. You know I know you more than anyone else and I know when something is bothering you. Tell me what it is, how can I help?" Charlotte asked, her hands caressing my body.
"How did you get in here?
Leave this minute, get out of here." I let out sternly.
"Come on, Ralph!
Enough with the pretense already. You actually want me to believe that you would dump me for her?
Come off it, my love. I don't believe that. I'm perfect for you and you know it. No girl can touch you like I do, and no girl can make you feel so good," she let out coaxingly. She three her hands around my shoulder, leaning to kiss me.
"Don't test my patience, Charlotte. Get the hell out of here." I scolded her angrily. I shoved her aside before she succeeded in kissing me. I held her hand and dragged her towards the door to throw her out.
But she pulled her hand away from mine and she flung herself on the floor crying like a child. She rolled on the floor, pulling at her hair, hurting herself. This is how she throws tantrums as a child. It's the reason she was sent to the same institute with me. I was her boyfriend then and I was her shield. I never let her hurt herself and I always gave her what she wanted so she could stop creating a scene.
"Nice try, Charr, but I'm not falling for this. You should have thought about my role in your life before you screwed my cousin." I told her firmly, calling her bluff. I picked her up in my arms and threw her out of my room, shutting the door and locking it.
I took a deep breath after I shut the door. She must think that I'm so easy to manipulate. How stupid!
Dealing with her just now Made me feel so angry at her. I wonder how far she is willing to go to get what she wanted. I thought about Victoria and suddenly my anger disappeared from my face to be replaced with a bright smile. In that moment, I felt the urge to speak with her or even see her. I picked up my phone and dialed Carl.
"Where is she?" I asked gruffly on the phone.
"Her mom has just been discharged. She is heading home with her family." he responded. I smiled again at the thought of seeing her. I put on my shirt and was ready to go over and just get a glimpse of her.
But I paused when I recalled that my uncles is expecting a shipment of illegal weapons this evening. I guess the evening will be more fun if I just ruin things for him before going to see Vic.