Reunited With The Bad Boy CEO

Men Are All the same

SERENITY FAIRCHILD {CALISTA}
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Everything had been going just fine. I had prepared in the mansion for my big day, with help from Brielle and my other bridesmaids. I'd driven to the church compound, entered the church, and received a reception like a princess, and then stood in front of my love, Shawn, waiting to become his wife.

Until she showed up...

Hearing this 'Sage's' allegations, I wanted to defend Shawn, I wanted to cling desperately to the hope that it was all a lie. But this bitch came prepared.

"Oh, honey, I have proof," Sage had said with a sly smile on her face, pulling out her phone.

At that point, my heart had begun pounding in my chest. Nothing could beat video evidence.

When the painful clip of my so-called fiancee and Sage having sex played on the church's LED screen, I couldn't take it anymore.

I ran off the altar, ignoring Shawn's pleading voice and the pitiful gazes from the congregation on me. I felt my breath cease and my heart felt like I was suffocating. Before I left the church, hot tears had begun flowing down my face. Every breath was a struggle, and I felt like my weight had suddenly become too heavy for me.

After reaching the Sienna Shawn had bought for me as a pre-wedding gift, I opened the door. I quickly tore off the long trail of the wedding gown with a pair of scissors that I happened to have in handy, folding it and keeping it in the back seat of the car.

Without any thoughts on where I would go, I started the engine and drove into the road.

The world outside the car was like a blur of lights and colors, my focus was distorted. Just then, the radio played a song that was one of my favorites, one that I'd introduced to Shawn and we would listen to together on repeat.

But now, it was only a painful reminder of someone I wanted nothing more than to delete completely out of my mind. I quickly turned off the radio, banging my hand on the steering wheel as my sobs increased.

What had I done to deserve such a man? I've never stolen another person's lover, so why did it have to be me?

My parents had been at the wedding. My little sister, Isla, who I hadn't seen during my and Shawn's visit to my parent's place was at that wedding. Alice, my past workers, and coworkers... almost everyone I knew was In that wedding and had witnessed EVERYTHING that transpired. Everyone except...Gabe!

I still valued our friendship and had sent him an invite, but he never showed up. And for some reason, I was glad he didn't. The wedding was merely a sham.

I cleaned my tear-stained face with the back of my palm, nodding my head as I decided where I was going.
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I finally reached my grandmother's town, but I wasn't going to her house. She was also at the wedding. I drove until I parked my car in front of Gabe's house.

When I finally reached the door and rang the doorbell, Gabe was the one who answered, a long towel tied around his waist. His chiseled body was wet, and he smelled of a fine lavender soap.

I took in a deep breath, struggling to keep my composure.

"Hey." I managed to blurt under my breath.

Gabe had a smile on his face at first, but then it changed into a frown when his eyes landed on my gown.

"Hey. Uhh...isn't today supposed to be the day of your wedding?" Gabe stretched his arms lazily, an exhausted look on his face.

I didn't have the patience to entertain his teasing.

Without a word, I pushed past him and stumbled inside, not looking back even when the door slammed behind me.

"Hey, pity my door, would you?" Gabe sounded annoyed now, so I decided to turn my head to him, revealing my tear-stained face.

Gabe paused in his tracks, his face etched with worry.

"Serenity, what happened?" He queried, holding me and gently pulling me to a nearby couch.

After crashing on the couch, I buried my face in my hands, trying to catch my breath as the tears flowed out. My voice shook, as I managed to utter a single word. A name.

"Shawn." I trembled, muttering some things that even I didn't know.

I was very sure I was having a panic attack. It's been a while since it was this violent though.

Gabe held me on my shoulders, trying to soothe me with his voice. He knew about my past with my mental health.

"It's okay. Tell me what happened." his tone was soft but sounded urgent. "You don't have to go through this alone."

I tried to wipe away my tears as it flowed, taking in a deep breath.

"He... he cheated on me," I nearly choked on those words, my voice cracking as I sniffled in the snort forming in my nose.

Gabe's next words sounded bittersweet in my ears.

"I knew Shawn couldn't be trusted," Gabe's voice was heavy with emotion. "I told you, but you wouldn't listen."

I looked up at him, seeing his eyes filled with sympathy. "I'm sorry you had to find out this way, but maybe now you'll see that I was right. You deserve so much better than that lying bastard, Serenity."

I didn't reply to his words, sobbing silently into my arms, feeling both shame at all that had happened and a little relief that Gabe had my back.

We stayed there for a while, before talking about all that happened at the church.
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About three days after what was the second worst day of my life, I stood dicing some onions in the kitchen. Gabe had assisted me in renting a single apartment a little close to his place, but far away from Gran Gran's.

Shawn tried calling me multiple times, but I didn't answer even once. When the calls became too much, I ended up blocking his number.

Just as I was about to pour the diced onions into a sizzling pot, I heard the door open. Barely a minute later, I heard Gabe's voice in the kitchen.

"What's up, love?" He sounded very lively. I turned to look at him, smiling wryly.

"I could be better. But hey, at least I'm alive." I sighed, before turning back to the pot. I was trying to prepare dinner and honestly wasn't in the mood for small talk.

"What're you doing here anyway?" I managed to ask. He had a key to the house, but that didn't mean he could just show up unannounced. I was trying to isolate myself, and he wasn't helping.

Just then, out of nowhere, I felt Gabe's arms wrapping around my waist. I froze, feeling a short burst of adrenaline pulse through my body.

"Would it mean anything if I said I just came to check if you're okay?" His hot voice tickled my ears, causing my breath to cease. I was like a deer under headlights.

I chuckled awkwardly, trying to pull myself away from Gabe's grip, but failed.

"Gabe, let go." My voice was almost a whisper, as my hands reached for his.

However, Gabe went even further, kissing me on the neck. At that moment, I felt my skin crawl.

My martial arts instincts kicked in, as I managed to wriggle my arms free, placing one hand on his back, and another on his wrist. I kicked his knee and then bent him over, shoving him to the ground.

Gabe groaned as I backed away, not losing my guard.

"Get out Gabe. Now!" I nearly screamed, feeling my heart pang in my chest.

Gabe got up on his feet, his eyes reddened with rage.

"You're chasing me out? Because of him?" He furrowed his brows, as if unable to believe that he'd been rejected.

"No." I made sure my voice was cold, not hiding the disdain laced in it. "It's because I'm not interested in you! And consent is a thing. Get that into your skull!"

Gabe glared at me, his eyes twitching. But then he nodded his head, walking away and shutting the living room door behind him.

With his departure, I found myself leaning heavily on the kitchen counter, desperately gasping for breath.

Men! It seemed they were all the same.