The Betting Game

Chapter 33 - Damian's Decision

Angelica was on South College Street, heading toward the EpiCentre. She was picking up dinner on her way to the condo. However, there was a lot of commotion in front of the Charlotte Plaza. So, she went around the cars that were holding up traffic. As she passed by, she saw Austin's car in the middle of that commotion. She got back over and parked at the very front of the street. It was the only open space available. She looked in the rearview mirror trying to get a peek but couldn't see anything. So, she got out and stood on the side of a nearby building. A beautiful older woman got out of Austin's car. She didn't think anything of it until the woman kissed him on the mouth. He didn't pull away either. He actually kissed her back and held her by the waist as they went inside. She assumed they were going to Henry's Restaurant. Angelica couldn't believe it. She was highly pissed. She forgot about dinner and drove back to the apartment in tears. Her eyes were so watery she could barely see. She cursed him out in English and Spanish. She didn't know what to think anymore. He professed his love, took her on those trips, bought her a house, a car and introduced her to his best friends. Why did he do it if he was going to be with another woman? She couldn't understand.

She sat in her parking spot trying to collect herself when it hit her. Austin was never going to change. She believed he liked her but not enough to settle down. He wasn't ready to be with just one woman. It was hurtful and disappointing.

Twenty minutes later, Damian knock on the door.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi. I brought dinner."

"Great."

Angelica wasn't that hungry. She was too upset. Instead, she grabbed her pipe and went to the balcony. Damian followed her.

"Are you gonna tell me what's wrong?" he asked as she smoked.

"Just have a lot on my mind."

"Babe, talk to me."

"Damian, why are you here? What do you seriously want besides sex?"

"Whoa...wait a minute! Where's all of this coming from?"

"Don't you think I deserve someone to love me and just me? Someone I don't have to share?"

"Yes, you do."

"That's where all of this is coming from. I want to be the only woman a man loves. I'm enough."

Angelica took something out on Damian that was meant for Austin. But she couldn't help it. She was speaking from a hurt place. However, it made Damian feel compelled to explain himself.

"Angelica...I never lied to you about Shana. I've been honest with you since the very beginning. But I will admit you're the first woman that I've opened up to...that I actually think about more than my wife. I want you so bad that I don't want to be home anymore. Ever since we've been together, she doesn't satisfy me."

"I bet."

"I don't mean just sexually. I mean she doesn't put a smile on my face, I don't want to share anything with her and I don't desire her anymore. It's getting to a point where I want to leave."

"Do you trust your wife?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I'm not sure. I think she's capable of messing around with someone to pay me back for cheating on her, but I haven't seen it. Who knows...she probably has."

"Why stay?" asked Angelica.

"Because I did wrong and I have a guilty conscious. Besides, it's easier."