Uncontrollable

I made it clear to John that he didn't know who I truly was all this time. This realization frustrated me, especially since John never considered me. It was evident when he ignored me for another woman—Maria—who now stood beside him. Maria was more fortunate, as she had been introduced to John's extended family. 

Unfortunately, John couldn't judge a woman by her heart. He and his family valued wealth and power for their survival. John would never choose me and instead used me, someone easily deceived by words of love.

"You really don't know who I am, John. Honestly, what did you think of me while we were together? You have such a narrow view of me and your uncle. So what if I'm with him? He is much better than you." My final words didn't end our encounter. John still stood in front of me, growing angrier with each word I spoke. Perhaps he was surprised because I had always been silent and never stood up to him.

John's temper flared again. He seemed about to speak, but seeing me take a deep breath made him pause. I didn't allow him to defend himself. It wasn't just John who felt uncomfortable with each other's presence here. 

I also felt uneasy and spoke to John again. "I was so foolish to have dated you. I should have realized it from your behavior all this time." The words I had kept inside finally came out. John tilted his head, then smirked as if to affirm my statement.

It was an expression I didn't expect from John. He seemed delighted to belittle me in front of his family and Mr. August. With Maria by his side, John appeared to have a team supporting his efforts to pressure me out.

Just like when we were together, John was harsh, cold, and bossy towards me. I wasn't treated as a partner, and I now see my time with him as the biggest mistake I ever made. I should have realized earlier that John was playing me. But in reality, I was always blinded by my feelings.

I now recall how resigned I was in the past, complying with whatever John wanted, becoming a naive and silent woman every time he treated me harshly.

After hearing my words, John chuckled lightly. "You should be proud to have been with me." He spoke with such confidence, oblivious to his past actions.

I was stunned by John's absurd remark. His words made me feel disgusted; being proud to have been trampled on by him was the last thing I would ever feel. I no longer viewed our past as a story worth retelling. It was a wound I intended to seal and discard so it would never reopen.

I saw John take a step forward, positioning his face near my ear and said, "I warn you, Ellena. Don't let anyone know about our past relationship. Do you know why? Because it's utterly embarrassing for me."

My body froze upon hearing his words, so sharp and hurtful. But I didn't let his words provoke me into retreating. For the sake of my collaboration with Mr. August, I wouldn't give up just because of John's vile remarks.

"John is very serious with his words. That relationship only brought him shame. And this is the first time he's said it so openly to my face. Is this how he should behave?" My mind was in turmoil after hearing John's words, which felt like a stab from a sharp object.

My lips trembled, wanting to retaliate, but just as I was about to speak, John interrupted. He seemed determined not to let me speak this time. Perhaps John knew what my response would be, so he preemptively cut me off.

"Oh... one more thing, my offer still stands. If you decide to leave my uncle, I will reward you handsomely. And one more thing, I'll guarantee Uncle Martin's safety." John's words were cruel, oblivious to how infuriating they were for me. They sounded like a psychopath's threats.

I didn't want to say much to him, so I uttered a single sentence, "I only hope you get what you deserve, John."

I looked around, hoping for someone to intervene so I could walk away from him. But there was no one in sight. The place seemed deserted, with just the two of us there. 

What made me even angrier was John's lack of fear with all he had said. It was as if he believed he could control and execute his plans. It made me want to scream in his face and curse him directly.

"You truly don't see the luck you had with me, Ellena. Remember my words, I won't take this lightly." John had said enough, making me increasingly intolerant of his presence. His words revealed his cruelty. The fangs he hid were now shown only to me, not to anyone else.

I was so angry with him. How could he dare bring up Uncle Martin in our argument? He shouldn't have threatened me with my uncle's name. John acted like a criminal and a maniac, showing how ruthless someone could be when easily given wealth and power.

After John's words, I touched his shoulder and patted it lightly. "To me, you are nothing but a coward." I smirked and slowly walked away from John. 

It felt so liberating to finally say what I wanted. John deserved that label; he only dared to confront me, a mere woman. It was easier for him to attack me than Mr. August, his uncle. I could feel his anger, and John roughly grabbed my hand. One hand rose as if he was about to hit me hard.

"You are such a—" John's words were cut off, but his movements weren't. I hoped someone would see this so John would get his due punishment immediately.

At that moment, I just wanted a miracle to save me. But even if it didn't happen, at least I would get evidence of the violence John was about to inflict on me. My mind wandered, thinking about Uncle Martin who still needed me.

John was never joking with his actions. I felt he would indeed hit me because of his uncontrollable anger. My words infuriated him so much that he dared to act violently in public.

I stood still, my eyes closed, and suddenly, I heard someone speak beside me. "What do you think you're doing to my girlfriend?"

My eyes shot open, and I saw Mr. August standing beside me. His presence rendered both John and me silent. Neither of us answered his question, and John seemed frozen with Mr. August standing between us.

Among the three of us, no one spoke. Mr. August appeared to be waiting for John's answer, his gaze fixed on him. "So, when will you answer me?"