Facade

Chapter 74

Carlisle's pov

I swung my legs to the floor and gingerly stood on my feet. My face spread in a wide smile when I didn't feel any pain. Pain had become such a constant feeling that it felt weird to finally be pain free. I was extremely happy. Not that I couldn't handle the pain but it meant I could finally focus on my goal. Getting Mia back.
I've not set my eyes on her since she left my bedroom weeks ago. I guess she's avoiding me. But who could blame her? I deserve everything she does to me. I took her lover and threw it back on her face. I stepped on her heart till she broke. I made her give up on love. So it's not a surprise she's avoiding me. Heck I won't even blame her if she decides to never see me again. But that doesn't mean I won't try to get her back. I'll do everything possible to make her understand I can't survive without her. And when she finally gives me her heart, I'm never letting it go again.
I walked into the bathroom with a hop in my step. Anticipation bubbled in my veins and I was nearly bursting with excitement. Finally I get to see Mia after weeks of not seeing her. I felt starved of her presence like a man starved for water after a long trek in the desert. I had to see her. I needed to see her. Even if she doesn't accept my apology, I just needed to feast my eyes on her. Mia was like a drug to me. My personal brand of heroin. My source of oxygen.
I got out of the bathroom still dripping wet from my shower. I dressed hurriedly and determinedly, like a man on a mission. And I was. I ran a comb through my hair and sprayed my special cologne. I didn't bother denying it to myself. I was dressing up in case I walked into Mia. I know good looks won't make Mia forget what I did but hey, what's a man supposed to do?
I strode into the study, letting the door bang behind me. Damian looked up from the pile of papers he was working on, sent a scowl my way and went back to working. I waited a few minutes if he'll say something but was met with silence. I forced down the frustration crawling up my spine. I didn't want to act out to Damian. In other to get Mia back, I needed help.
"I need your help" I said simply. It was as if I hadn't spoken. Damian continued to ignore me. I huffed out in derision.
"Please Damian, hear me out. Please" I pleased, pouring my heart into every word. Damian sighed and dropped his pen. He linked his fingers together and leaned back on his chair.
"Okay I'm listening" Damian replied. I sighed out, wondering where the hell to start from. I had no reasonable explanation for what I did, except to say I was a coward.
"I messed up" I started. Damian arched a brow at me but didn't say anything.
"I messed up really bad. I got scared that Mia and I were getting too close. I got scared of the possible danger she'll be in by associating with me so I acted out. I kept on denying my feelings and I ended up destroying the one person who truly meant the world to me" I poured out my feelings. Damian frowned, his lips twisting in a snarl.
"You messed up, you acted out, you were a fucking coward. I get that. What I don't get is what the fuck it has to do with me? Why are you here?" His voice was cold, completely lifeless.
I froze in realization. I didn't realize it all these while. I didn't just hurt the love of my life. I hurt my brother too. I hurt Damian. And I hated myself for it. He took me in, like a friend. He'll we became brothers. He entrusted his prized possession to me and I misused the opportunity. I sighed in defeat. It seems I can't stop hurting people I care about. Was it a curse or something?
"I'm sorry Damian. So sorry. I didn't think of our friendship when I hurt Mia. I didn't mean to but I ended up fucking doing it. I can never explain how much I regret it. I'm so fucking sorry" I apologized. My eyes filled with vehemence and truth. The heat in Damian's eyes reduced. He looked at me for a few minutes before speaking.
"You messed up man. Apart from destroying our friendship, you destroyed Mia. Right now she feels her self worth is completely non-existent"
I frowned at that. What the fuck was he talking about?
"What do you mean?" I asked confused. Damian took a deep breath, his expression forlorn.
"Mia moved out of the house. She went to work for McCarthy corporation. She went to work for Aiden" He announced. My lips parted in panic. No! It's not possible. She couldn't have. She wouldn't have.
"Why? Why will she do something so stupid?" My voice barely came out a whisper. I was shocked. I was scared, frightened. For Mia.
Damian suddenly look exhausted. He looked as if he carried the world's problem on his shoulder. He looked tired.
"I don't know man. I tried talking to her. She said some shit about finding her self worth."
I gaped at him in disbelief. What nonsense was he sprouting? How careless could he be?
"And you just let her go?" I yelled at him, diplomacy forgotten. My fists were clenched by my sides and I barely controlled the urge to punch him.
"Of course not man. I tried talking to her but it didn't work. You didn't see her man. She was so determined to do whatever she wanted. When I realized I couldn't stop her, I let her go. But I sent some guards with her. I made sure that bastard wouldn't be able to touch her. That she was safe" Damian explained. His words comforted me a little. Before I could say anything, Damian continued.
"It's all your fault. You drove her to this. If you hadn't broken her heart, she wouldn't be out there in danger trying to find her self worth. This one is on you brother".
I just sat there gobsmacked. I couldn't say anything, didn't want to say anything. Because all Damian said was nothing but the truth. It's all my fault.

Aiden's pov

She's back. My Mia is back. And I didn't even have to force her. She came back to me on her own free will. I'm so freaking happy. So elated.
Now all I have to do is remind her that she belongs to me. She once loved me with a her heart so she's capable of doing it again. I just have to make her feel she can't live without me. Just like I can't live without her.

Wow! Another update so soon. Yeah I know I'm awesome. Pardon any error, didn't edit.