chapter 5

"You, what are you doing here?" I shouted at him disregarding the fact my parents were there standing.

I looked at my parents and back at the arrogant man. He was standing next to Michael and his fiance with a charming smile I wanted to scratch of his beautiful face.

"Hi, my love," he said coming closer to me. He outstretched his hand for me to take.

"What the hell?"

I stared at his hand then his face.

"Are you confused, or do you need a microscope to see clearly?" I asked with fury in my face but instead, he smiled sweetly at me like I just complimented him.

"I know you're mad at me for not coming sooner, I'm sorry." He said softly that it sounded so true, damn, his a good liar.

"Erica?"

I heard Adam's voice.

"Adam, you know he is lying; I'm just seeing this asshole for the first time.

" ohh hi Adam, Erica told me a lot about you."

He said with a smile and extended his hand for a handshake and Adam accepted the handshake with a warm smile.

"when?" she did? "

we both said at the same time.

"yeah, you're her best friend. she said you're like a brother to her. I'm Raphael." He said smoothly with that smile I was starting to hate.

How did he know Adam's my best friend? does Michael have anything to do with this? no I couldn't be possible.

"Raphael?" I whispered under my breath.

was he the one they were all talking about earlier? no, no, I can't be, can it?

"I love you," he blurted out.

"what?" I stared at Raphael. what was he playing at? was this a prank show? I looked around for any hidden cameras or mics but was met with my parents eyes.

What was happening? I was speechless for a while.

My eyes caught a glimpse of Michael, he looked like he was having a good time and enjoying what was going on. I wonder what his doing here in the first place.

I turned to look at Raphael who was looking down at me like I was an interesting piece of art he just discovered. His scrutinizing stare held a deeper mystery I was going to interrogate him and show everyone he was lying.

"Okay, if what you're saying is true then where did we meet? when is my birthday? what is my favorite color? food? allergies? summer or winter?

I turned and looked at my mother's angry eyes staring at me. I couldn't blame her. How did I even get involved in this mess?

" Erica, there's nothing to be afraid of, we can't keep it a secret anymore. "

Raphael's soft voice came from beside me.

"Hide what? I don't even know you!!!"

I yelled at his face and he smiled again.

"Really? cause I'm starting to think this is all true."

I was surprised it came from Adam.

"Adam, you've known me my whole life, do you really believe this guy?"

"Yes." what a straightforward answer.

"mom, dad, I swear his lying. I'm not engaged to him.

My face went pale and I could here Michael and his stupid annoying fiance murmuring.

Was I suppose to play along or remain clueless? I was so confused and my senses were taking forever to analyze the situation.

I turned to Adam trying to get some sense into him. How could he give into his lies easily?

" Erica," Michael called and I turned to him.

"so you were having an affair with someone else?" I couldn't utter a single word. if Michael say anything stupid, it might ruin my life this instant.

"You must be Michael. Erica told me a lot about you."

"you were the cover we needed for our relationship. Thanks for being there."

"A cover?"

Michael cocked his eyebrows in question at me. I couldn't believe he was buying his expensive lies. even if I was engaged, why should it bother him?

"An affair? my mother spoke. my parents had no idea I dated Michael or that I even dated at all. I stared at my father and I couldn't bear the disappointment in his face. He still didn't utter a word. he kept still.

" You dated someone without our permission." my mother shouted and I couldn't look at her. I turned to look at her but I immediately wish I didn't.

He glared at Raphael then at me and handed me the divorce papers to sign. This was exactly what he wanted. He knows I wouldn't refuse him in my parents presence.

"What are those papers for?" my mother curiously asked and I snatched the papers from Michael's hold.

"Its nothing important. its just a project we were Woking on that needs my signature. I quickly signed them and handed the papers back to Michael.

He smiled at the papers before collecting them from my hand and left with his fiance holding hands.

Maybe this was his whole plan to get me sign the papers.

could it be?

Michael left and a part of me felt a slight relief.

I bit down on my lips to hold my tears back. There was an awkward silence in the sitting room. I could feel everyone's eyes on me, like I was on the biggest stage in the world and everyone was waiting for me to give an outstanding performance.

" well that was easy. I figured it will be hard for you to tell him the truth." Raphael's said behind me.

I turned around to face him, at that moment, I wanted God to grant me one wish, I wanted Raphael dead this instant.

I clenched my fist. I hope he could feel the waves of anger radiating from my body. my blood was boiling to a hundred degree. what was this asshole up to and why me? is it because I insulted him?

Don't punch him, Erica, don't break his nose, Erica, don't knee his crotch, Erica, just stay calm and convince everyone he's lying.

"Why are you doing this? what did I do to you?" I fought to keep my tears at bay as I spoke.

"You should calm down babe. its not good for the baby if you're angry." He said with a worried tone. His blue eyes looking at me like he adore me.

"What?"

"What baby?"