Chapter 20

I stood still, trying to push everything back in but I couldn't.

"You're a relationship wrecker and you know it"

I walked towards her and slapped her.

"I get that you're insecure but you don't have to blame it on me. The relationship I have with Etienné is simply platonic, I don't like him the way you think I do. He's just a friend, you're obsessed and insecure yet you don't want to admit it and you stand here saying I'm a relationship wrecker. For your information I'm not, your the one trying to spoil your relationship with your own hands"

I took a deep breath.

"You know what, I'm done, done with your stupid accusations, done with your insecurities and I'm done with Etienné. You can have him all to yourself, it's not like I care"

I turned to Rose

"It was a nice lunch, thanks for inviting me" I sighed trying to keep the tears at bay "And Etienné it was nice knowing you, "I said and left the restaurant. The cool breeze slapped my face and a lone tear slid down my face.

~~~~~

I got home and allowed the hot tears to flow. I couldn't hold it in anymore, I couldn't. I threw my clutch bag on the bed and undressed. I entered the bathroom and filled the bathtub with cold water. The cold water pinched my skin but that was exactly what I needed. It acted as a drug to my damaged heart.

You are a relationship wrecker

Those words echoed in my head but this time it wasn't Mer's voice I heard it was my father's. That particular sentence was always able to bring me down, make me cry and most of all make me hate myself. My father had never been the best but I loved him anyways at least before he became the monster he was. I had thought he would never do anything to hurt me but I was wrong, I was always wrong to trust him, to feel safe around him. Maybe Mer was right. Maybe I was trying to wreck their relationship. But the worse part of it all was that if I agreed that Mer was right then my father was right too, maybe if I wasn't born my mum and dad would still be together, maybe my mom would still be alive.

I got out of the bathroom after what seemed like an hour. A knock on the door stopped my train of thought. With puffy eyes and a towel wrapped around my body, I went to open the door.

"Lila" I hugged her. She was the human I needed. She led me in and helped me sit down. She let me cry to my heart's content. I sniffed and she handed me a tissue.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" she asked

I replayed the events of today to her.

"Oh Krystabel, he wasn't right nor was Mer right, believe me when I say that you never broke any relationship, they both said that to cover up their incompetence by blaming you," she said

"I can't imagine what I'll do without you, "I told her and she hugged me

"What are friends for"she whispered.

~~~~~

"I'm sorry" Etienné apologized

"It wasn't your fault, "I said pretending like I didn't want him to kiss me. He was looking extraordinarily handsome today. The light swimming into the kitchen sunkissed his skin making him look more angelic than before.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" he asked

"I don't know Etienné. I'm going to the site, you can't come with"I complained

"Please. I'll come with you. I'll keep you company" he blue eyes begging me to say yes.

"I'm not sure your girlfriend would approve of it, "I said, putting the water bottle back in the refrigerator.

"It's not about Meredith" he started "I'm the one asking you," he said

I attempted to go out of the kitchen but he closed the door and was trapped between the closed door and his body.

"What about now?" he asked smirking

"Huh?"I asked looking at his lips. I was already feeling light-headed.

"Will you walk with me?" he asked, caressing my face. I stifled a moan and gulped. I closed my eyes

"Will you walk with me?" he asked again, his mouth of my neck. I tilted my head to give him access. He chuckled and I felt heat leave me instantly.

"You want me to touch you, don't you?" he asked.

I blushed and opened the door.

"No I don't," I said after calming down

He laughed and I left.

"I'll take your reaction as a yes"

He smiled

"I'll wait outside for you"

"I'll go get my jacket" I muttered.

The afternoon sun hit me, making me smile.

"Where are we going?" he asked smiling

"To the construction site, "I said, trying to push out unholy thoughts that included Etienné and me on the bed. I blushed.

"But....."

"But nothing, we're going to the construction site. If you want you can go back to your apartment" I said

"Fine"

"Mind if I join you guys"

I would recognize that voice anywhere.

"Hey Ace" I greeted.

"Halo pretty lady," he said and I smiled

"So where are we going?"Ace asked

"Aren't you supposed to be somewhere else?"Etienné asked Ace annoyed.

"Last time I checked I wasn't talking to you"Ace replied

"Last time I checked I don't talk to annoying fools" Etienné spat a comeback at Ace.

"Woah guys, "I said trying to stop an argument from breaking out

"Then what are you doing here, don't you have a girlfriend to tend to?"Ace mocked

"I don't see how that's any of your business" Etienné hissed

"Okay guys that's enough, I'll walk alone besides I need to clear my head and I need to do that alone"

"Alone?"Ace asks

"Yes" I answered

"Not even with your boyfriend," Ace said

"Boyfriend?"I asked confused

"Is he?"Etienné asked

"Is he what?"I asked, still confused

"Yes I'm her boyfriend," Ace said

"What? No"I said "He's not my boyfriend, "I told Etienné

"Really?"Etienné asked

"Of course not"I answered "You're silly," I said to Ace

"But you like me that way," he said with a boyish grin

"I guess I do"

"I'll see you later Hazel, "Etienné said with a blank expression

"See you too"I waved him goodbye

"What crawled up his ass?"Ace asked as soon as Etienné was gone.

"You crawled up his ass," I said and he smiled

"So what about that stroll?"