Page 71 of Something Blue

I narrow my eyes and slowly sit down in his office chair. It must be our marriage certificate or something. Just a folder to keep things safe in.

It’s not snooping if it’s my name I’m clicking on.

I double click and it opens. There are so many files listed that at first I’m confused. Whywould he have so much information on me? One marriage certificate would make sense - but this - what is this?

I scroll down the list and click randomly.

A note pad opens with information about my college application. I wanted to go to a high prestigious college as far from my father as possible. I wanted freedom. I remember the day the application was declined. It broke my heart.

I read through the notes and my stomach knots.

Celso tampered with my chances of getting in. It looks like he paid someone off to decline my application. Is this real? Why would he do that?

I click on another folder, my head begging to spin with nausea.

This is a folder on the guy I liked two years ago. His name was Dilan. He was a nice guy.

I remember the day he broke up with me. He said I wasn’t good enough for him and he told me I was boring and not that pretty. The cruel words were in such contrast to who I thought he was - to the guy I had gotten to know - it didn’t make sense.But now it does. Celso paid him and threatened him - making sure he left.

File after file I click and sink deeper into depression and shock.

Three boyfriends - paid off.

The job I applied for in New York - tampered with.

College applications - ruined.

Every move I made to leave the city and every person I dated - or tried to date - Celso interfered with it.

There is a folder filled with incriminating images of my father. I knew it was him. I knew it and no one would listen to me.

My heart is shattered, falling to pieces. I can’t breathe.

I get down to the bottom of the list and find a folder with Damion’s name on it.

Intense anxiety waves over me as I hover the cursor above it.

Do I want to know?

Can I bear the truth of what I am about to see?

He has a voice recording of their conversation. A conversation that took place somewhere windy. Damion and Celso are arguing. Celso is trying to force Damion to take the money and leave. Disappear. Go live somewhere far away. Or take the money and break off the wedding.

Damion is laughing it off.

He says, “I don’t have a choice. I have to marry her. My family is broke, and she is the only option I have. Do you think I want to do this? I don’t want to get married. But I have to.”

Celso snaps back, “She deserves someone who loves her. Someone who will give her the world. If you don’t intend to do that, let her be with someone who deserves her.”

“You? You think you deserve her. Fuck off man. You can have her when I’m done with her. Once my family gets the money we need out of her family I’ll divorce her, and she’ll be all yours.”

That’s when Celso loses his mind andDamion screams.

I listen, frozen in my seat. Damion begging him to stop.

Celso growling and snarling with effort. Then Damion goes silent.

He tried to pay him off, and the deal went wrong, and he ended up murdering him.

---