The Billionaire's Secrets

Chapter 20 Happiness Neverlasting

The night sped by what with all our activity. Christian Gabriel had become exhausted by the early hours of the morning and instantly fell asleep with his head on my chest, arm around my waist and legs intertwined with mine. With sleep not coming, I watched him sleep. I watched his chest rise and fall, his breathing even and soft. He looked gorgeous even as he slept. I gently ran my fingers through his soft hair as though I'm trying to make him sleep with the comfort of my touch. A gesture I wished that someone would lavish on me, once upon a time. I still do, I think. No! no no no Storm. Stop that right there. You can't love nor can you be loved. You are not worthy. You are a burden and disappointment.  You are cold-hearted. Don't you dare think of opening yourself up to him! You will only get hurt, my subconscious screams at me.

Quietly unwrapping myself from his embrace, I go to take a shower and clean myself. When I'm done, I put on my dance clothes and head into my studio. I had so many conflicting thoughts that only dancing could eliminate. When I was done, I went back to bed with Christian Gabriel and surprisingly, sleep took over and I fell victim to it for the first time in years.

Suddenly, I awoke sweating with tears running down my cheeks. With my hand over my mouth, I look at Christian Gabriel, checking to see if I woke him up with the crying. Yeah, I still cried in my sleep to this day. That's how badly it affected me. Insomnia, sleep crying, nightmares and vivid memories took turns in torturing me every day. I get off the bed and start to pick up all the things for washing. When I come across Christian Gabriel's clothes, I pick it up off the floor to place it on a chair and something falls out.

Normally I wouldn't look through someone's possessions because I am extremely obsessed about invading one's privacy. And I don't like my laundry to be aired; dirty or not. If there's one thing I strongly hate, is for someone to poke their nose in my business . But for some reason I can't help myself when I see my name written on the piece of paper. Curiosity took over and the paper unfolded much to my shock. I couldn't believe this! How dare them! How dare him! How could they betray me like this?! My own friends...or people who I thought were supposed to be my friends.

The piece of paper held a list enlisting all my wishes. It was those wishes in my wish jar that Bell and Jess found. I thought they had thrown it away but clearly they had other plans in mind. So this is where he was getting it from. I knew it was too good to be true. I thought I was warming up to Christian Gabriel but he deceived me. Played with my emotions by using my private notes to get me. Yes I agree, a part of me felt that it was sweet of him and my friends but the fact that they duped me by going through my private stuff as well as playing matchmaker when they clearly knew how I felt about these things. You don't win someone's emotions or heart over by tricking them. I did tell them to throw it away but for them to stoop this low? And use it to play with my emotions? I shake my head.

For all I know he probably used this to get me to soften up to him and agree to his demands so I can be the next notch on his belt. I was hurt. And furious. I was so angry. But more than anything else I felt worse was hurt from my friends' betrayal. If my friends couldn't respect my wishes, feelings or lifestyle then perhaps we shouldn't be friends anymore. They supposed to know me better than anyone and knowing that I would condemn such behaviour yet they still went ahead without caring to think about how it would affect me. So I went to the lounge and waited. Not long after, Christian Gabriel came to the lounge and looked at me with a bright smile. "Goodmorning mi amore" he greeted grinning.

I just gave him a blank look. Sit, I command him. Where did you get this from? I ask flashing the piece of paper in front of him. "how did you get that? Storm-it isn't what you think it is, its- I cut him off abruptly. Taking my phone in my hand I dial my 'so called' friends. "Hey girl, where did you run off to last night huh? I heard Gabe went over to your place last night? What's the deal? And don't say it's nothing." says Bell all cheery, rambling on. "Well come on, why you so quiet? Give us the details" continues Jess chidingly. I hear Mic cough and David just says "girls hold up. We don't want to know what went down. Give Storm a chance to speak."

I finally begin speaking and tell them the reason for calling. Did you guys think I wouldn't find out? What kind of friends are you? How can you do this to me? I've never felt so betrayed as I feel this moment. You broke my trust. "Storm calm down. We only wanted to see you happy- if you wanted to see me happy, you wouldn't have done this! I spit out. Anger coursing through veins. I was perfectly happy. I didn't need you to match make me. if I wanted to, I would've done so myself! I never expected you guys to stoop so low and Michael I trusted that you would be more sensible than to let something like this happen let alone be involved in it. "Storm I tried to tell them – tried? I say sarcastically with a laugh.

 You expect me to believe that? You should've come to me. That's what a good friend does. Good friends don't scheme behind each other's backs on how to get their friend to give herself to a guy by using her private things to get her. Was it fun? Did you enjoy laughing at my expense? I say angrily...they begin protesting at that. "No. storm-, it's not like that-, we just" ENOUGH! I say sternly with more roughness. As of today I don't want to speak to you and since you were so eager to betray me, perhaps we shouldn't be friends anymore. Because FRIENDS don't do this to one another. They don't stab each other in the back. Clearly our friendship means nothing. So don't bother acting like my friends anymore, I say venomously and with that I cut the call.

And as for you, I say turning to Christian Gabriel, leave now! I don't want to see you again. What happened last night was a mistake. I knew you were too good to be true. I knew something was off somewhere. "Storm- please just listen. I just wanted a chance with you-I! save it Christian Gabriel De'Luca. I want nothing to do with you. Now LEAVE!  Leave before I change my mind and drag you to the playroom and beat the shit out of you! FUCK OFF! I bark out, glaring at him with an icy look that made him step back and walk away immediately. I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding in and from the corner of my eye, I see Enrique retreating. I hear the door slam and walk to my room, throwing myself in bed. You will not break down Storm! You are the ice queen . No one can thaw your heart of ice. You will not cry. Be brave! Chided my subconscious at me.