Messy Bittersweet Love

9. Epilogue

A LOUD BUZZ WAS HEARD WHEN THE FENCE OPENED.

The autumn air nibbling at Delilah's skin, making her pull her coat tighter onto her body. Her ankle booties, making a click clack sound as she hurriedly tries to make her way inside the gray building. Cursing the cold weather as she speed walked.

Delilah decided to put on her glasses, the weight of them feels odd to her. She  had switched to contact lenses a long a time ago, thanks to Nate. 

And that was actually the precise reason as to why she would wear her glasses that exact day, because Nate didn't like them. That little act alone may seem foolish to some, even childish, but it wasn't for Delilah. For her it meant freedom, rebellion, or even empowerment. Actually, today alone was an act of empowerment for little Delilah Flores. 

It wasn't an ordinary Wednesday morning for Delilah.

She plopped down on the cold steel chair, trying to act as unbothered as she could of the heavy set of hazel eyes burning through the glass. 

She steadily picks up the other end of the phone, Nate already had the other end by his ear.

"Morning, love" Nate said with his famous charming smile. Suddenly Delilah got a little nostalgic, she used to swoon at the sight of Nate's Black dashing smile. Now, she just felt annoyed and partially disgusted at the sight in front of her.

She rolled her eyes, "Morning, Black" she replied curtly. Nate looked at her astonished. 

"You know, you used to be so kind. And now, look at you, you can't even call me by my name. What happened to the old Delilah? My dear Delilah?"

"Well, people change" Delilah cleared her throat. An awkward silence lingered in the air. She tried to act as nonchalant as Nate, but it was honestly taking everything in her not to squirm in her seat. 

After seeing this new hostile side of Delilah, Nate changed the topic. The question he's been dying to ask since the moment he was told he would have a visitor. "I didn't expect you to want to see me"

"Nobody knows I'm here" Delilah said truthfully, not even Nova knew of Delilah's whereabouts. As far as Nova knew, Delilah was currently on a dentist appointment. Delilah felt increadibly guilty of lying to her best friend, but she didn't want to worry the redhead. "I'm here for some type of closure I guess. The last time we actually talked was that day, months ago."

Nate nodded in agreement, not looking the slightest bit guilty when Delilah mentions the day. As if he couldn't care less about what happen that day, let alone the actions that led to the outcome of that day. "You're wearing your glasses." he pointed out, "You know, I always thought you looked better without them."

"Oh yeah, I know" Delilah gave him the sweetest, most fakest smile she could muster. She gave herself a pat on the back when she noticed it ticked Nate off. She raised her eyebrows when he clenches his jaw.

Nate sighed and looked at the ceiling, "So, how are you?"

"Surprisingly good, and you?"

"Yeah, prison is not too bad for me." Nate said lightly, trying to joke, but it just made Delilah's blood boil. He was there because of what he had done to her. He was there because he almost killed her. He was there because of his actions, those same actions that harmed Delilah physically and mentally. Not only was  physical abuse involved, but emotional abuse. Because of what Nate Black has put her through Delilah Flores won't ever be the same. And here he was, acting like nothing, trying to even make a joke out of the situation. As if what happened to Delilah was something to take lightly. 

"You're here because of your psychotic ass, Nate". Delilah said harshly, her tone reflecting her emotions. Nate's humorous facade dropped and he muttered a little "ouch".

"I hate you." Delilah quietly said.

"I know" Nate replied. Delilah didn't know if he has always been this dumb, or selfish, but today Nate seemed to make her mad more times in the span of thirty minutes than what he did during their whole relationship.

Delilah's eyes narrowed, "Of course you know. You weren't the one who was beaten black and blue by the one fucking person you thought you could trust in this shitty world we live in. Where, there are thousand of sick fuckers like you who beat up their partners for the sake of it. You are a horrible person, Nate Black. I hate you, I loathe you. If you were to drop dead I wouldn't even care less. I hate what you did to me, because of you I'll have to endure the trauma for the rest of my fucking life." Delilah was quite proud of herself because during her whole rant, she didn't cry or stuttered once.

"You weren't good for me, but I went above and beyond to be the best for you" she concluded.

Nate had his gaze firmly on the steel table infront of him, jaw clenched, arms crossed and furrowed eyebrows. "I'm sorry" he mumbled. It looked like it pained him to say those two words. 

Delilah just looked at him flabbergasted. He couldn't even have the decency to properly apologize, but she wasn't surprised to be honest. She was dealing with Nate Black, the biggest narcissistic bastard she has ever come across within her lifetime. 

She glared at him and swallowed thickly. She tilted her head to the side and in a mocking manner said, "well sorry doesn't cut it, does it?". Despite of Delilah's taunting tone, you could definatly heard the anger laced in her voice. 

After a few quiet minutes of only glaring, Delilah decided that it was time for her to go. She slammed her hands flat on the cool surface, and started to stand up. "I love you." Delilah stilled. She looked at him dead in the eyes and in the coldest and most monotone voice she said, "I loved you, and look where that got me."

She made her way out of the building, suppressing a shiver that threatens to wrack her body. She was trembling violently, it was making it difficult to properly pick up her card keys. She didn't exactly know if the shaking was caused because of the anger, anxiety, or the cold weather. Delilah hastily got into the driver's seat and slammed the door shut. 

She had all the intentions to start up the car, but she hesitated when when her vision became blurry because of the tears. Gripping the steering wheel so hard that her knuckles turned white, a little whimper emitted from her lips. That was enough to open the flood gates, sob after sob made her chest and shoulders shake with great force. She tried to muffled her sobs, bringing her quivering hands to cover her mouth, but that was in vain. Her loud wheeps being the only thing heard in her small car. 

That's how Delilah Flores broke down in the middle of the state's penitentiary. Overwhelmed. Feeling everything and nothing at the same time.