Facade

Chapter 64

Carlisle's pov

I stared agape at Pablo, mouth open, eyes wide open wondering if this is all a dream. Or maybe I didn't hear correctly? Perhaps it's just my imagination. But I got to admit, my imagination is not wild enough to cook up this mystery.
Pablo was watching me intently, probably waiting for me to say something. But what was I supposed to say? My brain hasn't registered all he said not to even talk of processing it. As if i flipped a switch, the entire gravity of the situation sunk into my mind. Hurt, anger, betrayal all flooded through me cutting off my air supply. I opened my mouth in an attempt to draw in air but for some reason, my body refused the action. My vision dimmed and my bones seemed to melt in my body. It took a second for me to realize that I was having panic attack. If all was well, I'd have found it hilarious that I had a panic attack. But things were not okay. In fact things might never be okay again. Not after a betrayal of this magnitude.
I considered myself immune to betrayals. It even baffled me when people claim to be hurt after a betrayal. I came to the conclusion that if you were stupid enough to put your entire trust on a person, then you deserve whatever you get.
Now it has happened to me. I'm a victim of what I preach against and I have to say, it hurts like hell. It's as if someone ripped my heart right out of my chest.
Suddenly I felt anger. Anger that I was stupid enough to trust Pablo, anger that my trust was thrown on my face. I struggled to contain my raging emotions. The gasping stopped and my breath evened out. I clenched my fist tight to prevent myself from punching him. Though Pablo hurt me, I couldn't imagine myself lifting my hands against him. No matter the amount of rage boiling in my veins, for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to hurt him.
However angry I was, I couldn't help but notice there were some holes in his story. Parts of it sounded sketchy.
"So everything you said to me all these years was a lie?" I asked through gritted teeth. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't hide the hurt from my voice. Pablo sighed as if he expected that question. His face was Haggard with worry and apprehension. Good 'cause I'm sure as hell not going easy on him.
"No It wasn't. Carlisle you are the one true thing in my life. When I tell you I love you like a son, I mean every word I say" Pablo replied vehemently. He leaned forward and took my hand and covered it with his  hands. Pablo's words sounded sincere but I won't be fooled twice. I snatched my hand from his grip and stood up abruptly.
"How do you expect me to believe you? How do I believe anything you say after you just told me that my sworn enemy is your wife?" I yelled out him. My hands were fisted and my voice shook. All in all, I didn't sound or look like the confident Carlisle I always portray myself as. Pablo opened his mouth to speak but I didn't give him a chance to get the words out. I was hurt and pissed. The dam of hurt I had kept locked away for years was wide open and pouring out. Pablo tried talking again but I held up my hand and he swallowed whatever he planned to say. As far as I was concerned, he already had his chance to say whatever he wanted to say. It's my turn now and by God, I was gonna use it.
"Are you even sure your name is Pablo? Wait a minute, should I call you Davis?" My tone sounded bitter even to me. A drop of liquid dropped on the back of my hand. I looked at it confused where it came from. I raised my fingers to my cheek and was stunned to find it wet. I hadn't even realized I was crying. This is getting out of hand. Carlisle Ashton never cries. I stretched out my fingers to Pablo, showing him the tears.
"See what you've reduced me to Pablo. You can see what you've reduced me to, a crying pussy"
With those parting words, I picked up my car keys and stalked out. I could hear Pablo calling me but I kept on walking. I didn't stop till I got into my car. I drove out of the premises and kept on drying. I didn't have a destination in mind. I just kept driving. I vaguely thanked  my lucky stars  that I  had a full tank of fuel. I didn't want to stop. I didn't want to go back to Damian's knowing Mia would be waiting and I wasn't in the right frame of mind to talk to her. I was boiling in anger and I knew it was just a matter of time before I unleashed my anger on someone. If I go to Damian's, the recipient of my anger might be Mia and I just couldn't risk that. The sign on the sign of the road told me I was getting out of town but I didn't care.

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Helen's pov

I sat staring at the ceiling going over the plans one more time in my head. The faint scent of cigarettes filled the air as I blew out smoke. I kept going over the plans repeatedly to ensure no mistakes. This was going to be an epic attack and if we failed, we lose all. We lose everything we ever worked for. All the years of planning and executing goes down the drain and I couldn't have that. I couldn't go through hell and back only to fail now. A lot was riding on this mission.
I jerked in shock as the door to my office slammed open. I vaguely noticed the cigarettes fell from my fingertips. It was probably burning a hole on the Persian rug but I ignored it. I was too angry at the intrusion to care. I turned to rain hell on whoever dared to storm into my office.
"How dare you?" I shrieked out, my veins rising in anger. I expected Drew to shrink back muttering apologies. But I was shocked to see him relaxed. Confidently he strolled forward and planted himself on the chair across the table. He looked relaxed, too relaxed and that only added more fuel to my anger. I was sure steam would be coming out of my ears at this point.
"You might as well listen to what I have to say before you pop a nerve" Drew remarked with a smirk on his face. I was tempted to wipe that smirk right off his face with my gun but I had to remember he was under my partner's protection.
"Thank your lucky stars you are under the boss's protection or you would have been a smear on the ground" I whispered through gritted teeth. Drew merely smirked at me and rolled his eyes.
"Are you going to listen to the interesting information I have or should I keep it to myself?" Drew asked wryly. I grit my teeth and forced my temper down. Who knows if he might have something useful for me? I took a deep breath and asked
"What kind of information do you have that made you lose your sense of courtesy?"
I expected Drew to reply with something witty but he surprised me. He threw his head back and laughed
"Do you have a picture of Davis with you?"
I was surprised at his question but I reached into the top drawer and pulled out an old picture of Davis. I didn't know why I still had it with me but I guess it's useful now. I handed over the picture to Drew. He studied it for a minute before handing it back to me. I kept the picture back in its safe place and turned to Drew.
"So why did you want to see a picture of Davis?" I inquired. Drew took out his phone and scrolled through it. He handed the phone to me. I looked at it to see a picture of Davis. He looked different in the picture.
"When did you take this picture?" I asked Drew, apprehension growing in me. Please let me be wrong, I told myself as I waited for his answer.
Drew studied me for a moment before replying.
"I took that picture a few hours ago" He replied. My blood ran cold and I couldn't stop the gasp that escaped my lips. It can't be. It's not possible. There must be a mistake. Drew gave me no chance to say anything before he confirmed my suspicions.
"That's right. Davis Lee is alive"

Long? I started writing and just couldn't stop. Remember to click on the little star button below and leave a comment.😘😘