𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝙻𝚒𝚏𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 ✓ (𝟷𝟾+)

The Domino Effect

Arin

I never thought of coming back to her room again. Never did I think that I would ever interact with her again. But there I was, doing all those things. What was more annoying was the fact that she played such a major role in all this without anyone having a whiff about it. I knocked at the door which was loud enough not only for Stella but anyone else who might have been present inside.

I was seething, my insides were lit on fire. Ever since Xavier's confirmation, I was riled to my very core. Having known Stella and her nonchalant attitude, we all assumed her to be the dumb girl who only knew how to spend daddy's money. But after yesterday, I wouldn't be fooled by her face or her act.

Another louder banging on the door was received from the inside with a muffled voice. Although I couldn't understand a word, standing on the opposite side, it was safe to assume Stella heard it.

The door was opened by none other than Stella herself. She donned a velvety robe and panted, holding the doorknob. It was clear, I had disturbed her peaceful bath. But there were pressing matters that needed attention than her stupid bath.

I shoved her to a side, walking inside.

"Hey." She called me out rather annoyed but I didn't pay any heed.

The last time I was in her room, scared and trembling while the bully that she was, dominated me. In a way, it was her defiance to tender an apology that made me who I was today. Fearless.

"What do you want?" she asked.

I turned on my heels, scanning her disheveled bed before tossing my head towards her.

"We need to talk. I need to know certain things about Roger's case." I said. With a dismissive hand wave, Stella walked away from me into the wash. I trotted behind, unwilling to be treated like a person whose existence didn't matter to her. "Listen, woman."

Her head snapped up to scan me. Her hands stopped whenever they were doing to her cheeks and jawline. "Who did you call-"

"We know about you and Brandon." I cut her short.

With wide eyes and an ajar mouth, Stella tried talking but all that came out was stuttering words. Her hand held the pristine marble tabletop in the washroom, balancing her as the news fell upon her fragile shoulders. Before she could form a line of defense that would require strategic countering, I moved closer.

"I have proof that you were involved with Brandon while being engaged to Roger." As my words hit her, she scrambled back, almost hitting the wall behind.

Her breaths paced up and her chest rose and fell at a pace like that of a marathon runner. Her hands coiled over her shoulders, probably trying to protect the dam of news before it hit her chest. "What do you want?" She cried out.

Her reddened eyes were the proof of truth. Of the sad truth about her affair with the father of the man who once loved her.

"I will tell you all that but first I wanted to ask you. How does it feel to act all dumb, reckless, not telling anyone what's going on in that tiny mind of yours and them suddenly, jumping into the limelight?"

"Listen you..." her finger pointed at me was twisted as my hand grabbed it, turning it on the opposite side. She growled in pain but the hurt that she caused was more. "Stop it... please..."

I shoved her hand off. My heartbeats could be heard ringing inside my ears, rhythmically beating up with every word I uttered.

"Why did you do it?" I asked, standing close to her so to spoil any escape plans.