The Betting Game

Chapter 45 - Austin's Condo

Claudia pulled up to Austin's place. She got out and hugged her friend. They stood there hugging for about ten minutes without saying a word. Angelica thanked her and went upstairs.

Knock Knock.

Austin opened the door and was glad to see Angelica. And by the way she hugged him, she was glad to see him too.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

"No."

"What's wrong? Look at me."

He lifted her head to look at her. Her eyes were red from crying.

"You hungry?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Ok."

Austin ordered breakfast while she went to shower.

Angelica stood under the water crying. Then, she lay on the floor, balled up in the fetal position, crying some more. She realized what a stronghold Falio had on her. He'd always been there and she could always count on his love. She wasn't sure if she was ready to release him, but she had to in order to be happy with Austin. It saddened her.

She put on one of his T-shirts and a pair of boxers.

"Are you ready to talk?" he asked.

"Yes."

But just then, the doorbell rang. It was breakfast.

He ordered pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, breakfast potatoes and toast. He took their food to the balcony where they sat as she told him the story.

Her parents came from Cuba at a very young age. They met at a mechanic shop where her dad used to work. They dated and eventually got married. They had two girls, her and Ariana, back to back. It wasn't easy as they barely made ends, especially while her mother attended nursing school. They all stayed in a one-bedroom apartment. Her mother became pregnant again with Alina before graduating. Her father started school to be a pharmacist. Already strapped for cash, they had another baby...Asila. However, things finally started looking up once both her parents were working at the hospital.

However, after seeing their struggle, Angelica knew she wanted a better life for herself. So, she did well in high school to get a free ride to college.

In her freshman year, she was a bit of a mess. She described how she looked. She lacked confidence and social skills.

In her sophomore year, she was a little better. She changed her look and got noticed by one particular guy. They became really good friends, yet they flirted a lot and hung out all the time.

By her Junior year, she was fully transformed. That was when she started working at the strip club. At first, she felt nervous and scared. She hated being looked at as an object. But this particular guy made her feel safe and secure by always protecting her. She fell in love with him and lost her virginity to him.

"Falio?"

"Yes."

Angelica and Falio became inseparable. They fell madly in love and stayed together through Senior year. After graduation, they moved in together and he proposed. They couldn't wait to be married.

Falio knew he needed to make lots of money for the kind of life he wanted with her. So, he started hustling. She didn't think much of it until the first time he filled her purse with money and took her shopping. That was when she knew he was deep in the game. Angelica liked the money, but she was also scared for him. The plan was for him to quit after they got married, which never happened because of Ariana.