Entangled Temptations (SLOW UPDATES)

Chapter 12

     Feeling my heart shatter even more than seeing her in this position with another man I cared for, I couldn't move. My mind was screaming for me to get the hell out of there, but for whatever reason, my body was a statue. I saw him whisper sexy nothings in her ear to make her moan an ungodly sound. Even through my despair, it bothered me that I saw more of my sister than I cared for, especially in compromising positions.

     When I got my bearings, I tried to move my feet again and was successful; however not in enough time because my phone started to ring as I walked away from the door, alerting them both. I could hear Charlie frantically in her room, "Oh my God! Is that the time already?"

     Right as I reached the front door, Charlie peeped her disheveled head out of her room door, "Hey Kay! I'm so sorry!! I didn't realize how late it was until now."

     Discreetly wiping my eyes, "It's okay Charlie, really. We can do dinner another day."

     "Don't be silly, Kay! Give me about ten minutes and I'll be ready."

     Looking at my naked wrist, "Look, Charlie, it's okay, seriously. Besides, I'm not feeling well right now anyway."

     Looking concerned, giving me a once-over, "Are you sure? If you wait a few minutes, I can have Amare take you home."

     Not wanting to bring suspicion on myself, "No, it's okay, I can drive home. I just didn't realize how exhausted I was."

     Without another word, I turn around and head out the door. Before I can even turn the ignition on, I receive a text:

MAX: We need to talk.

     Bewildered, I look at the phone as though it had just stolen my man and offended me. Instead of replying, I put my phone on do not disturb and drove off, needing to clear my head.

     I was heartsick; the range of feelings I had was jarring. I didn't even feel like this when I found out about her and Israel. I knew logically it was wrong of me to even have any type of negative emotions about a man and his fiancee, but this was Max. I wanted to call Ayana, but I knew that I needed to be alone and process this myself. I was truly starting to question why I even came back home from Brazil, to begin with. Just when I thought that I could be happy and find my footing as I accepted who I was, life decided to throw me a curveball.

     About an hour later, I arrived at this secluded, quiet meadow. The sun was just setting and I knew if I went deep enough into the woods, I would find fireflies. That was one of the perks of being a freelance photographer, finding beautiful landscapes that aren't populated.

     Once I put the car into park, I let the heavy feeling of my heartbreak encompass me, and I breakdown. I let it all go, screaming out every melancholy emotion that weighed me down. My relationship with my parents, my hollow relationship with Israel, my resentment, hatred, and sorrow towards Charlie not only as a woman but as my sister as well, and mainly my "what if" future with Max that will never come to fruition.

     I had promised myself that after what transpired between Israel and Charlie, I wouldn't allow myself to feel as though I'm less than worthy. I couldn't help it, especially since this was the second time I came second best to my less than mediocre sister. I cried, hard, one last time before dozing off, clutching my tender, broken heart.

     I awake startled to a clap of thunder and rain aggressively hitting the surface of my car. It seemed as though Mother Nature was expressing exactly the violent turmoil I was feeling inside. I looked at the clock to see it was after midnight; I took my phone off of do not disturb, only to see the countless missed calls and text messages I had.