Page 108 of Until You Came Along
“I have orders to take you to Mr. Naik and I always follow my orders. Either you get into the car on your own, or I’ll have to carry you there myself.”
“Don’t you dare! If you lay a finger on me, I’ll start screaming that you’re trying to kidnap me, and I promise you I will.”
“And I also promise you that I always follow my orders,” without saying anything more, he picked me up and started walking toward the car.
At first I started screaming at him, kicking and punching him in the back, but I gave up when I saw it was useless; that man wasn’t going to let me go. I was tired of fighting against my father and his entire entourage.
We rode in silence the entire way. All I did was look out the window and watch the city pass before my eyes. I wasn’t even thinking about how to face what awaited me anymore. As the hours passed, my hopes diminished and I fell deeper into a profound well of disappointment and sadness.
We arrived at the hotel and the car entered the parking garage. When we got out, I had no choice but to follow the man who had brought me there because I had no idea which suite my father was staying in. We didn’t even speak to each other; I simply followed him, dragging my feet and moving by inertia.
He headed toward the most luxurious suite in the hotel and knocked softly. The door opened, and the man whom I hated with all my being at that moment appeared before me.
“Come in. Make yourself comfortable because I’m on a call,” and, without another word, he turned and gave me his back.
I entered and stood there looking out through the large windows. I checked if Hermes had responded, but he hadn’t even read my message. I don’t know how many minutes I stood there, my mind had gone blank, I couldn’t and didn’t want to think about my future. His voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“I was making arrangements for our trip. We leave in two days,” he stated, without any emotion.
“How many times do I have to tell you that I’m not going anywhere with you? I’m not some asset you can trade in your negotiations. The only thing you’ve ever done for Tom and me is cause us suffering, and now you arrive flaunting your unbridled power and bulldozing me with your authoritarianism to impose a miserable future beside someone I don’t know, but who benefits you by increasing your wealth. You’re a cynical man without scruples. You have enough money to live in this life and a hundred more, but your thirst for unlimited power means you have no compassion whatsoever, not even for your children. How do you sleep at night? Don’t you have any remorse?”
“No, I don’t. If I did, I wouldn’t have become what I am,” he stated confidently, looking at me seriously.
“You’re right, you’re just a cold, emotionless being who only makes me feel pity. I don’t even hate you anymore, I just feel sorry for you, because you must be very miserable to treat others this way, especially your children.”
“Are you finished? Because you’re boring me with your little speech. Now sit down and let’s talk about what brought me here. My time is worth gold and I can’t waste it on useless arguments,” he ordered, sitting down on the large white sofa in the living room.
“Sir, I have nothing more to add. I’m not traveling with you and much less am I going to marry the person you’ve chosen. I have a life, you know? I have a boyfriend and...”
“Forget about Hermes Darwich, I assure you he won’t want anything to do with you anymore,” he stated with crushing certainty.
I looked at him in astonishment and fear began to overwhelm me. What had this man done? What had he said to Hermes?
“What did you do?” I asked, desperately.
“I spoke with him, told him to forget about you because you were a woman committed to marry in a few weeks.”
“You did what?”
“What I had to do. I told you earlier that your affair with Darwich was over.”
“I’m leaving. I have nothing more to discuss with you. Obviously you don’t listen to what I say and we’re not going to agree on anything.”
I started walking, but my legs were shaking and I wasn’t sure I could make it to the door. It caught my attention that he didn’t say or do anything to stop me, so I needed to get out of there as soon as possible. I opened the door... and my heart stopped. Hermes was standing outside, looking at me with an expression that reflected the worst emotions a person can experience: fury, disillusionment, anguish, disappointment, fear, agony, desperation, and I don’t know how many more. My first instinct was to throw myself into his arms, grateful that he had come for me, but his comment left me paralyzed.
“So it was true. I didn’t want to believe you were such a treacherous liar, but it’s clear that you are. You managed to convince me that I could trust you; you’re a great actress. Unfortunately, I see that I was right—you can’t trust anyone, all women want the same thing. Obviously this guy offers you more wealth and you didn’t hesitate to choose him...”
“Hermes, please, let me explain. It's not what you think, he's my fa…”
“What I think is that you're garbage! I gave you my heart, but you stomped on it and made a fool of me this whole time. While I was worried about you, you were in this hotel rolling around with this guy. You're a whore!”
He didn't hear what I said. Tears were pouring out uncontrollably. I wanted to explain that it wasn't what he thought, but I had my father watching me threateningly, and I knew that if I told him the truth, Hermes would suffer the consequences. I couldn't bear to see him suffer like this, I couldn't let him think I was cheating on him—he had already suffered betrayal once and I didn't want him to feel that way again. I approached him trying to embrace him, but when he tried to put his hand up to stop me from reaching him, his movement ended up pushing me and I stumbled backward, landing in my father's arms. Hermes looked at me, unsure whether to help me or let this man, whom he thought was my lover, continue holding me in his arms.
“Hermes, I... I swear there's an explanation, please let me explain,” I begged, sobbing and moving desperately trying to break free from my father who, obviously, wouldn't allow it because this was exactly what he wanted.
“Don't come near me, you're trash! It's clear I fell in love with an illusion, because you're worth nothing. I never want to see you again in my life and I don't want you anywhere near my family. Stay away from me, from Baco, and from my mother. If you come near us, I won't be responsible for what happens. For your own good, it's better if you keep your distance,” he shouted, pointing his finger at me threateningly.
“I'm begging you to believe me, please. I'm just asking for a little trust, I swear there's an explanation. Let's get out of here and talk. Don't leave me alone, help me, please,” I pleaded in a whisper.
