Paul & Moi

Chapter 13

My heart beats at 1000 per hour. I open my eyes and I only see foliage around us. It's quite dark.

I immediately turn to Paul. He's not awake!

"Paul!!!" I shake him strongly.

He moans and ends up opening his eyes.

"Nina? You're bleeding!" He panics and puts his finger on my temple.

"I'm fine"

"I'm really sorry," he said in a trembling voice.

"Don't worry about me" I try to reassure him with a smile.

"I would always worry about you" he caresses my cheek and kisses me.

"Where are we there?" I ask

"I think we're in a ravine. I had to divert the car to avoid this shitty truck "

He untied his belt and got out of the car, I do the same. The car is not very far from the road. I help Paul push the car. We manage to get back on the road and Paul takes me home. He didn't say a word during the trip.

I decide to go take a bath to relax. I go to the bathroom and look at myself in the ice. I have a slight scar on my temple because of just now. I disinfect the wound. It hurts! I hope the scar will be less visible tomorrow. I take a bath and immerse myself in it for a good hour. When I get out, I get a call from Jena.

"Hey Neens, how are you?"

"Yeah, and you?"

"Yes. Listen, I know you and Paul are going out together"

"How?" I ask, surprise.

"Hillary spoiled but I suspected that something was happening between you because Derek told me about the fairground"

"Oh...and how is Derek?"

"He was a little disappointed that you left with Paul. He appreciates you very much. But that is not the purpose of this call."

"What do you want to talk to me about then?"

"I'm worried about you Neens. I know Paul more than you think and it's not the style to have a girlfriend."

"What do you mean?"

"What I know is that he chains girls. He plays with their feelings just for the pleasure of breaking them. It is unstable and has no limits. He never loses his bets and..."

"I'll stop you. It's not the Paul I know! His bet, he abandoned it, I'm sure! "I'm starting to raise my voice.

"Nina, you're wrong about him, believe me, I'm well placed to tell you"

"And how can you afford to say all this? The Paul I know is attentive, kind, protective and..."

"BECAUSE HE DID THE SAME THING WITH ME!" She screams.

I am stunned.

"This ex who hurt me and I didn't want to see at this evening, it was him!"

I'm trying to catch my breath.

"At first he was cute and attentive. I didn't suspect anything. I gave him my confidence too quickly. He took me out to the cinema, the restaurant and his home"

I don't know if I feel anger or jealous.

"He was so kind and I thought it was serious. He complimented me and told me that he loved me. I was starting to have feelings for him and I..."

"What do you have?" I understand the answer.

"I slept with him"

I don't feel well.

"So what? "

"We have done it several times. The first time it was a plan to give me confidence. The other times it was a game for him. But he filmed everything and showed these videos to his friends. "

I hear him sobbing.

"Jena, I..."

"I asked him for explanations and you know what he answered me? He laughed. He told me that he didn't want anything serious with me and that he shouldn't sleep with the first come. I felt humiliated, dirty but I made a good face. I have to see him every day and remember how stupid I am to have thought he loved me "

I can't talk. My heart broke. In millions of pieces.

"So here it is. This is my story with your beloved Paul. He broke my esteem to preserve his reputation."

"I'm sorry for you Jena, you shouldn't have hidden it from me. I need to think about all this."

I hang up. I feel tears running down my cheeks. No! I wouldn't cry for a guy! Out of the question! Paul hid from me that he hurt my best friend. Paul didn't tell me who this girl was at the mall. Paul lies to me and hides things from me and I'm tired of it. I need to clear my mind.

I receive a call from Paul. Chance? I don't answer, I turn off my phone and I'm going to rest praying that tomorrow I'll get better.