Chapter Twenty-Four
“Ricardo please…” I begged putting my head down trying my absolute hardest not to show my actual feelings. Ricardo looked confused as he stood uncomfortably in the rain with his hood up. He pulled me to the side where there was shelter and he took off his hood. My chest continued to burn as my emotions showed evidently. The tears from my eyes kept on flowing and my lips started to wobble. I was heartbroken because my worst nightmare actually came true. I looked up to see his face and he looked really concerned. He held out his arms out and I ran into his arms and hugged him tight. I’ve even cried harder when I was in his arms. I could help how I was feeling but it hurt so badly. Ricardo held me gently why stroking my soft wet dripping curly hair.
“What happened?” he asked softly.
“Me and Jerome are over,” I struggled to say. As I told my that he held me tighter but still softly.
“I’m so sorry” he whispered. He pulled me gently away from him and looked at me.
“Why?”
“I really thought he was different. Maybe I was taking advantage of him, maybe I was being selfish. I really could do it, you know give him what he wanted…” I waffled on.
“Wait what are you talking about?” Ricardo looked at me confused.
“We had a argument. He’s frustrated I’m being long with the sex and stuff”
“Wait that’s what he told you?!” Ricardo’s pitch went higher and he sounded really surprised.
“Yeah,” I replied wiping my tears.
Ricardo just shook his head and held my hand.
“Come… lets go to mine and lets get you warm and dried”. I cracked a smile and then went with him.
We got into his whip and then he drove to nice big house, practically a small mansion. It looked really rich and full of value. My sore soggy eyes widen with amaze. He parked up and then looked at me and said nothing.
“Ermm.. This isn’t your house… is it,” I looked at him confused. He giggled.
“Nope. It’s my dads. I still live with him… kind of,” he smiled and then came out the car and I done the same. As he walked up to the door and I happily followed his shadow it was so pretty when he opened the door. I think his father is rich or wealthy or something.
“I don’t think my dad is in” he said putting down his keys. He leant his hand out guiding me to go through a particular door. I’m guessing it was the living room and as I walked in, I was right. I sat down on a comfortable yet clean sofa and Ricardo sat right next to me.
“I must say this is a really really nice place Ricardo,” I complimented.
“Thanks I guess” he smiled slyly and then he put his hand on top of mine. This made the cute moment I little awkward but I didn’t move my hand. His face looked a bit serious.
“Listen Melissa…” he started off saying whilst he had my full attention.
“… I know Jerome is my boy and everything but he was wrong for hurting you and I’m sure that wasn’t his attentions.”
“Well he looked serious. He didn’t even come after me like anyone in love would” I replied starting to get teary again but I handled it by taking a deep calm breath.
“I know. You know I always been there for you and I really care about you… right?” he said to me and I nodded.
“Yeah and I know Jerome is my boy but I can’t help but hate him and until you know then you wouldn’t understand why…”. I started to get confused.
“So… what are you trying to tell me” I asked him.
“Well…” he said taking a deep breath.
“I have feelings for you”. I was quite surprised I was kind of gobbed smacked.
“Say something” he said.
“Ermm.. So are you being a hater cause he officially has me?” I stupidly asked. He face dropped and he leant back on the sofa with his hands behind his head and avoid looking me in the face.
“No,” he replied sadly.
“Then why do you hate him?”
He sighed, “I want to tell you, but I can’t. Its none of my business”.
“Remember you are my friend Ricardo. If there is something you should tell me… you should” I told him. He looked at me and then sighed. He changed his body position to face me.
“What I can tell you is that I’ve liked you since high school and the fact that you hated me then and didn’t even want to talk or look at me killed me inside. What happened in primary school was pure immateriality and will never excuse my actions towards you. But the fact that after high school we reunited seems like fate to me. It was like we was meant to get at this stage. Just me getting to know you better makes me like you even more. But I know I’ve gone far from just liking you or really liking you. I love you Melissa and I don’t care if you believe me or not but it’s the truth and I want to be real with you right now. I’m not expecting you to fly in my arms or anything. I just want you to know. Cause I know, I know I’m far better than Jerome and one day, you’ll realise that.”
I sat there, knocked out of thoughts and feelings. It was like… I was frozen.
