If It Is Useless To Resist (On-going)

3: TRUST CRUSHING SAGA

MAXWELL STRAND

It has been over a month since I had kissed my best friend, and I am glad we are cooler than ever. No awkwardness of the sort, and Jason is still a pain in the ass, but I wouldn't have him any other way. Viviane and I are still strong and quite honestly, I am hoping I will be able to convince her we settle down soon. I know she is perfect for me, and there is no doubt I would like her to be the mother of my kids someday. Being a tenacious workaholic, I am sure she will need time before she is ready to get pregnant, and I am ready to give all the time she needs. I felt someone stir and turned my gaze to the side and stared at her beautiful face. Flawless. Reaching out, I caressed her beautiful face. She yawned, scooting closer, and I couldn't help but smile at how adorable she looked attaching herself to my side even in her sleep. I am more convinced we belong together.

Like always, I woke up and left for work first, leaving a message for her and some freshly prepared breakfast in the kitchen. Luckily, Jason didn't spend the night; otherwise I would have been forced to prepare breakfast for two. Now that I think of it, he hasn't been around for over a week is strange considering the fact that he hates staying in his mansion alone and always crashes in my guest bedroom which we turned into his space years ago. When I pulled into my parking spot, I quickly shot him a message asking him if he was alright. I would rather not call him in case he was sleeping. Knowing the idiot, he probably is. And since his job is just as demanding, I am not blaming him. Being a doctor entails being called to work at the most obscene times. And Jason is a neurosurgeon. A well-renowned one. He made his name at the age of twenty-six. The youngest to graduate in class with straight distinctions. I still remember how happy everyone was on that occasion. He could have studied management like me since he is from a wealthy family and run his father's company, but his passion for medicine was unrivaled, which left his sister, Brenda, to take over the company and become my greatest ally in the corporate world just like our fathers were to each other.

It wasn't noon that I got a response from the said best friend, claiming that he had a week from hell. I called him immediately, and throughout our conversation I could tell there was something amiss. As if he wanted to end the call so badly, which is odd since I am the one who normally shuts his talkative ass every time. “What are hiding from me?” I asked seriously. This Jason sounded guilty of something. Of course, he argued he was just tired, and I was imagining things, but I can easily swear something is up. “Can we meet up later?” I hoped seeing him in person will help me decipher what his deal is. He surprisingly turned me down, and yet, I knew he was off today. It got me more curious. “If I didn't know any better, I would assume you are avoiding me.”

“And why the hell would I do that?” His voice raised, confirming my suspicion.

“You tell me, Grayson.”  Just when I thought he was going to give an explanation, he hung up on me. I tried calling again, but it went directly to voicemail. Deciding to confront him later, I proceeded with my work. I had two more meetings for the day, and before I got through the last one, a strange number called. Apparently, it was a hospital, the very same one that Jason works in, but strangely they were calling me about my fiancé. What the hell is Viviane doing in a hospital? I wondered. She was better than okay when I left her in bed this morning. I attempted to call Jason, but it still went to voicemail. And Viv was unreachable, which left me with no other option but speed my way down to the hospital. Upon reaching the reception and identifying myself, I got the surprise of my life. Viv was in an emergency surgery. For what? I asked.

“Your fiance's abortion had some complications.” Suddenly, the temperatures lowered, and I swear I could feel the blood in my veins freeze. I am not certain how long I stood there mouth agape, blinking wordlessly. It was a persistent tap on my shoulder and snapping of fingers on my face that seemed to break the daze. And even then, I had to ask the nice gentleman to repeat what he had just said. Hearing it the second time didn't sound less preposterous.  To begin with, Viviane wasn't pregnant. If she were, she would tell me, her fiancée. Right? And second, she is not a cold-hearted monster who would just terminate a baby without even letting me know about it.

“There must be some mistake,” I croaked, willing it to be all a big misunderstanding, though a tiny voice in my head knew it wasn't.

“Here are her belongings, sir.” It was the brown tote bag which she happens to love a lot that forced me to accept the bitter truth. They even handed over her ID and there was no mistake whatsoever. My fiancé was indeed in the operating room fighting for her life after a complicated abortion. Could I look any more stupid? Pieces of the puzzle began falling in place. The last two weeks or so she has been a little under the weather but like a fool I had believed when she claimed she had begun using a different type of contraceptive instead of the usual morning pill, and it would take some time for her hormones to get used. Heavens know I was pissed. Raging furious, and I wanted nothing more than to confront the woman I call a fiancée and hear whatever explanation she might have cooked by now. How could I have been so blind? This is the woman I was planning to spend the rest of my life with. Have kids and raise a family together. Do I even truly know her? I mean, I do know she is ambitious and would do just anything for her career, but this is low even for her. The one thing I loved the most about her; tenacity, makes her look like a monster in my eyes now. I am confident, regardless of what her reasons are, I will never forgive this betrayal. Not in this life, anyway.

“Dr. Grayson,” I heard someone call and turned hastily, hoping to see Jason. I wasn't disappointed. Well, until I looked closely at his face and saw guilt written all over it.

“You knew,” it wasn't a question.

“Max…”

“You fucking knew!” I hadn't intended to yell, but in my situation, would you have done better? I am honest when I say this, I would be okay with anyone else letting me down, but not him. Not Jason. Not my fucking, my best friend.

“I swear, I just found out.” He closed the distance between us hurriedly, and all I could do was take a step back.

“When did you know?” I was willing to give him a benefit of the doubt. “Before she went into the operation room?”  He shook his head, averting my gaze.

“I wanted to tell you so badly.”

“Screw you!”

“Max, please…”

“I can't even look at you right now.” I pushed him hard when he attempted to step closer. “With a friend like you, do I really need an enemy?”

“Let me explain.”

“Explain what? That you knew my fiancée was pregnant and having an abortion without my knowledge, and yet, you didn't think I deserve to know?"

“Max…”

“Go to hell, man. You and her can fucking die for all I care.” The rage I was feeling was completely uncorrupted.  Throwing Viviane's things on his face, I stormed out, giving the onlookers a free show.