Love or hate

Trevor strolled into the living wiping his bloody hands with a clean white towel. His assistant walks behind him carrying another clean white towel.

After wiping his hands clean he gave his assistant the stained towel while she handed him a clean one in exchange. He robbed his face with the towel then he threw it at her.

He didn't quite get the stain so she went to stand in front of him and then used the towel to wipe the blood stain around his mouth.

"Where is Matteo?" He asked her while she still trying to get the stain on his face.

"He isn't back yet." She noticed the stain was gone so stopped wiping his face.

"What is taking him so long, he's been out for nearly four hours." He clenched his fist. Controlling his feeling after meals is a bit of a problem for him, his fangs were almost baring out.

"There's no need to lose your temper, I'm sure he's on his way back" His intrepid assistant replied calmly, She knows her boss very well. At the moment selecting her words is the best option to respond to her bad-tempered boss.

"Matteo shouldn't ruin all this for me."

"He might be a handful but he is aware of the consequences if he goes against your orders."

Trevor stared at her for a while thinking again about his brother's loyalty which isn't out of fear or respect but out of...

His assistant tried to say something which interrupted Trevor's thoughts. He knew what she was going to say and it provoked him.

"Why do..." Her breath seized seeing Trevor's terrifying figure stand in front his eyes red with anger.

"You don't dare Kendra." He roared at her face. She gulped dryly nodding swiftly.

The silence between them made it easy for them to hear Matt's car pull into the driveway. Trevor took his distance from Kendra and went to take sit on a couch. Kendra stood behind where he was sitting a lot more relaxed now that Trever has left her alone. If not that she had been used to him, she would still cower in fear of him deeming what arose earlier.

They both listened to his gentle footsteps approaching where they are. Matt could already smell them in a small parlor near the living room.

The smell of fresh blood made him grit his teeth. Another unfortunate victim was caught in his brother's trap. He shook his head wondering how they are brothers. They are both so different in every way, including looks and accents. He just closed his eye to all the negative feelings not to make tonight rougher for himself.

"I see you've been busy," Matt said as soon as he saw his infuriating brother seated on his favorite couch.

"How did it go?" He asked ignoring the grim expression on his brother's face.

"You'll find out in two days."

Matteo started walking towards the staircase behind the couch his brother was sitting on which leads to the upper floor where his room is.

"Don't go playing hero," Trevor said standing up from where he was sitting while his assistant went around to stand behind him. Matt stopped walking for a bit to listen to his brother. "You did well saving her life though," Trevor added.

Matt isn't surprised his brother knows about the accident that almost occurred earlier. He was only angry he cared more about his selfish interest. It's not news just annoying.

"She could have died," Matt said reliving the whole event. If he hadn't done something that car would have crushed her or worse killed her.

"Just stick to your job. I don't want any complications."

"You have no idea, Trevor, you think you have it all planned."

Matt finally turned to stare at his brother which made the frown on his face intense.

"If something bad had happened to her," Matt does not like to utter threats to anyone so didn't complete his statement. But Trevor could already guess it. He smirked at his little brother's protection over a girl.

Matt didn't say more, he just had to leave for his room, his night is already a disaster. He can't allow his brother to make it worse for him.

"I told you, he can not go against your orders." His assistant whispered from behind him. His smirk finally shrank as he stared at the staircase. Matt was already in his room but Trevor still stared like he was standing there glaring back at him. This cold glare is what everyone who knows him is used to, the only people who have seen him smile are his assistant and brother, most of which are not genuine.

Matt sat on his bed his hand over his face. He couldn't believe Trevor will make him do these things to his Jemima. He hates that she thinks he is behind all of this but if he told her the truth it'll break her even more.

****

Arie opened the door leading to Jem's room holding her by the waist. He led her to her bed even when she kept on mumbling that she was fine. After watching a car almost hit her, Arie couldn't let her off his sight for one minute. He was very worried about her.

He took off her shoes before pushing her gently to rest her head on a pillow. She lay on the bed comfortably before Arie covered her with her blanket.

"Thanks, Arie." She said with a weak smile on her face. He smiled back then took his seat beside her.

"I'm guessing your date didn't go as expected."

"I don't wanna talk about it." She turned to face the other side. Arie nodded then stood up and went straight for the door. He opened the door and stood at the doorway. He stared at her for a little while longer. She knew his eyes were fixed on her but didn't turn to look at him.

He works the afternoon shifts at a supermarket. Even if he saves for an entire year he would not be able to pay her debts. He wished he could help his best friend out of this situation. She's been through too much these past few weeks all because of the debts her mother owes Mr. Valdez.

After watching her sleep for a little while, he left shutting the door behind him. He went to the kitchen to get himself something to drink. He opened the fridge and took a can of beer.

He went over to the living room and grabbed the remote control on the table before taking a seat on the couch across from the TV. He turned it on, then off. He wasn't happy with himself for being an incompetent friend. There's not much to be expected from a man who merely graduated from high school, looking for a decent job is absurd for someone with his degree.

"I'll just try applying online."

He took out his phone and went straight to search for a job on safari. While still scrolling his phone for a job interview a call came in. It was Darien calling him on a video call.

"Hey," He said playing with his hair.

"Hey, that's all you're gonna say. You didn't bother to call me today." Darian sounded angry and he was almost yelling.

"I'm sorry but I was really busy."

"Too busy huh?"

"No no that's far from what I meant. Jake was arrested. It was crazy, I had to help Jem." Arie stuttered.

Darien who looked angry before calmed down after hearing about Jake and his daughter.

"Is it the debt thing again?" Darien is aware Aubrey is owing Mr. Valdez a lot of money and she left her husband and daughter to pay for it.

"Yeah. I wish I could help."

"We're talking two million Arie. Some celebrities aren't even worth that much money."

"I know it's a lot of money but I just want to help her, you know."

"I feel bad for her though." He heaved a sigh and then said. "I miss you."

Arie smiled. "I miss you more."

"I'll plead for a week's leave so I can come to see you. I want to kiss you and hold you,"

"I can't wait. With all the hurricanes going on I do need the break."

"What about next week?"

"Great..."

Arie and Darien spent almost two hours chatting. Ever since Darien got a job in New Jersey about six months ago, they've hardly spent anytime together as a couple. The only time they get to spend is their long hours of video chatting and the one time Darien visited home. It was only two days it wasn't enough for them to have the moment they both desired. Now, Arie was very stressed out he needed the comfort.

****

Jem opened her eyes after sleeping for about an hour, it's hard for her to get a shut eye when her entire world is upside down. She stood up from the bed and went over to sit by the window. From her window, she could see her neighbor's window. The curtains were drawn but she could see the silhouette of two people making out. They were kissing and caressing so passionately reflecting how much they love each other. Jem couldn't see it clearly but it made her remember when she enjoyed moments like that with Keith. Her relationship was perfect until the night of their anniversary.

***

'I waited for him to break the silence but he didn't. He just sat on the couch across from me lost in thought.

"What's wrong?" I inquired. Instead of an explanation, he drooped his head holding it like it was going to explode.

I went to sit beside him and held his hands concerned about him, my stares are cloudy from only seeing his dejected look.

"I'm so sorry Jem." He whispered, his voice frail. His face was buried in his palms but I could tell he was crying.

"What do you mean?" I asked him a bit frightened.

"I... Didn't mean to hurt you. It was just a one-time thing."

"One time what?"

He finally raised his head and stared into my eyes. I was right he was crying and it pricked my heart, it breaks me to see him like. I wanted to console him but what he said stunned me for a bit. "Mandy is pregnant."

"Woah! That's great news, right?" I tried to pretend I don't know where this conversation was headed. Mandy is Keith's childhood friend and Secretary. Also, Mandy is single and very fond of Keith. I know it's enough reason to be insecured but I trust Keith. He would not hurt me, ever. At least that's what I thought until he proved me wrong today.

"I... I'm sorry I was drunk and she was vulnerable."

They did have an affair. "What?" He cheated on me with his childhood friend and got her pregnant.

"You promised me, you said it was completely platonic." I've seen drama like this happen in movies, I've heard people experiencing it but didn't expect I will turn out to be a victim. Our wedding was supposed to happen in three months. We were ready, I was ready.

"It happened and I'm sorry."

"What then happens to us?" I needed to know my stand in the relationship.

"My mom likes Mandy and she wouldn't allow our friendship with her family to go to shreds. You don't deserve this." I know he was honest with his apologies but...

I didn't deserved most things I got but here I am, my ex happily married to his childhood friend with a daughter on the way. My mom died of cancer and left me and my dad to pay the two million she borrowed. My dad is now in prison for defending his wife's work. I don't deserve any of that but it happened to me.'

The thought of marrying Matt to save her mother's bakery was insane. It hurts more because she liked him. They have been nothing more than friends but he means more than that to her. He was such an angel before. She has no idea if he was always this cruel or he just chooses to torment her.

But why marriage?

Is it out of Love or Hate?

***