I tug on it but it stays stuck.
“No. Fuck.” I try to pull out the offending fabric, but then it rips.
The sound is loud in the silence. I stare at the torn dress and tears start to roll down my face.
“No!” a sob rips from my throat.
Why did he have to lie?
I fall back on my haunches, burying my face in my hands. Warm tears slip between my fingers and my shoulders tremble.
With every expression of hurt, my heart breaks all the more. Why am I so fucking hurt?
It’s just a little white lie, right? Whether he said so or not, I’d have stayed. Just the salary would have convinced me.
Yet, here I am—the utter fool. I wasn’t even needed. Just there to be mocked. Everyone surely knew Chance didn’t need me. I was just there on his fucking whim.
A fresh sob coughs up my throat. I drop onto my ass and place my head on my knees. It hurts so badly to be used that way.
But why does the thought of leaving hurt worse?
I’ll be without the island, the colors, the cool air on a warm day, the sweet fragrance all around me, andhim.
How can I feel so hurt, but miss him so damn much?
I don’t want to be mad at him. I’d like to spend the last moments of my time on Magic Island in his arms, not here, mad and broken.
I shake my head and wipe my eyes. I can’t think like this.
He deceived me and made me fall for him. Thoughts of him shouldn’t control my emotions.
I pull myself up and head for the back door. It’s late evening and the sun hangs low in the sky. Though nearly dark, the air is still warm and it prickles along my skin.
I breathe in deeply before heading off. I’m not sure where I’m going, but I need to walk, get out of my head.
I’m drawn toward the hotel resort. It’s a beacon in a sea of low buildings.
A few people stream by me as I follow the trail that leads to the hotel. I finally break into the garden.
There’s a live band playing cool jazz music and bright-eyed folks dance to the rhythm. It’s similar to the party Nat and I attended when we showed up at Magic Island for the first time.
My heart clenches. That was the first day I met Chance. He helped me in the elevator, and I cradled his jacket like it was a warm hug. I never imagined I’d have anything with the man.
And now… I see him everywhere I go.
I shut my eyes and whoosh out a breath, trying to get lost in the music. It doesn’t work. All I can think about is him, and leaving.
I don’t want to go.
I try to shake off the thought by walking some more. I shouldn’t want to stay, there’s nothing for me here. Even the job I have and would have begged to retain is a sham.
And the man who could grant me that is a liar.
If someone told me the person who was my knight in shining armor would become this deceptive, I wouldn’t have believed them. He seemed good through and through.
You never know people, right?
I wipe the tear that dances down my cheek and stare at the night sky. It’s filled with stars like the night that Chance brought me to see the gardens.
