Betrayed

Chapter 43

"What do you mean you don't have parents?" I ask, my voice softening as I sense the pain behind her words.

She looked down, her gaze drifting to the floor. Then, she looked back up, her eyes locking onto mine with a mixture of sadness and vulnerability.

Tears were forming in her eyes again. I held her, feeling a surge of empathy wash over me. This has been one hell of a morning, damn.

The weight of her words hung in the air. "Can we not talk about it?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

I just nod my head, understanding. "It's okay," I say, trying to comfort her with a gentle tone. She pulls away, and I can see the hurt in her eyes.

I look at her, and even I was hurt now, feeling a pang of sadness. So you tryna tell me hun is alone... Damn. The thought echoes in my mind.

"Anyways, enough of that... Can we do something?" she asks after she had calmed down. "Let's go," I say, standing up with a sense of purpose.

I turn and look at her, and she's gazing at me with a hint of confusion. I stretch out my hand to her, and she takes it, her fingers intertwining with mine.

"Don't ask a lot of questions. Just go put on some shoes, and we'll be on our way," I say, trying to sound reassuring. She smiles, and her eyes light up, before she heads to the room.

I sit back down, waiting for her, my mind racing as I stare at the TV. But what does she mean she doesn't have parents?

The possibilities swirl in my head each one a different scenario, each one a different pain.

Either they're no longer alive, or they disowned her because she's gay... I mean, there are parents who are stupid enough to do that... Or she was probably given away at birth...

Ahhh, man, even thinking about this is bad... Bottom line is, it could be anything.

She came back, and I swear I was smitten. Hun is beautiful, bro, like damn - her radiance leaves me speechless. "Okay," I say, feeling like a tongue-tied teenager, my words stuck in my throat.

She smiled, and I stood up, switching off the TV as if it was a distraction from her captivating presence. "Let's go," I say, walking to the kitchen.

I grabbed my car keys, feeling the familiar weight of them in my hand, then opened the door and let her get out first. I followed, locking the door behind us.

We made our way downstairs to the carports, the cool air enveloping us and went to my car, her sleek design gleaming in the morning light.

I opened the door for her, and she slid in, her movements graceful. I closed the door after her, then got in on my side.

I started the car, the engine purring to life, then grabbed my phone, the screen flickering on like a window to our destination.

I played "Angel" by John Stoddard, the melody filling the air, and reversed out of the parking spot, the world outside unfolding.

I decided to go to Cappuccino's in Blue Hills, the trendy brunch spot, just for some casual eats.

I got out of the car and opened the door for her, and she emerged, her radiant smile lighting up the morning.

We strolled to the restaurant and we opted to sit outside. The waiter whisked away to fetch menus, leaving us to settle into our seats.

"You always spend money on girls you like?" she asks, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, as she gazes at me, her expression a mix of playful and inquiring.