Love's Journey: Makaila's Story

by Sherell Lynn

  “Bella told me before she moved here she was a heavy drug user. She also dabbled in prostitution.” Hearing those words, I stopped walking. Was she serious right now? She couldn’t be talking about the woman I instantly fell in love with. My heart broke with just the thought of this being true. Ava looked torn, with tears in her eyes she continued. “I only agreed to help her because of Ms. Brenda. Over time, we became close. Then all of a sudden, she changed. I am sure you know we had become distant.” I did notice their girl time became less and less.

  For a while, I thought she had been jealous over our relationship. The times I dropped Bella off from our lunch date came to mind. The way she glared at us gave me chills. Perhaps I was wrong. Clearing my head, I paid close attention to what Ava was saying.

  “It’s because I found out she was using again. Not only that, but she was using you too. You were her ticket to a Pretty Woman lifestyle.” By now, we had made it to her car. Every word she said made me want to go back in time to before this conversation took place. Bella is my soul mate. How could she deceive me this way? Was Ava telling me the truth? I had to think long and hard about this. I made sure Ava was inside of her car and walked back into the hospital. This revelation was mind-blowing. I had been used. Every moment we shared seemed so genuine. Her laugh, her smile, and the way she looked at me, like I was the best thing she had ever seen. I had thought that was a look of a woman in love. Maybe it was her seeing a bank account with enough zeros to give her a fix to last a lifetime. Had the player in me been played? Karma’s a bitch!

  Looking at my relationship with the blinders off there was a pattern. Bella never talked about her past. She would always change the subject or offer her body to me. I loved her appetite for sex. Now, I saw it for what it was—a distraction. I made my way back inside the hospital and took a seat next to my brother in the waiting room.

  “You okay?” Alex asked. I knew he knew something was wrong. As kids and even as adults, we always could tell when things didn’t seem right with each other. We had our typical sibling rivalry, but we had a brotherly bond like no other.

  I looked at his face that’s so much like my own. We were spitting images of our father. I missed our parents dearly. After all this mess, I needed the love of the people who really cared about me. Maybe a trip to Italy would be just what I needed.

  “Ava said some interesting things on the way to her car. She told me Bella is not the woman I thought she was. She is in fact on drugs and used me I guess as some kind of sugar daddy to support her and her needs. And to think I was going to marry her makes me sick to my stomach.”

  “Tell me you don’t believe that bullshit!” Alex said with a bit of skepticism in his voice.

  “Trust me, I didn’t want to believe it either. I mean we were building a life together. Everyone in town saw us as this phenomenal couple. Bella was the sweet girl next door that tamed the rich bad boy. We have a baby on the way damn it,” I proclaimed. Pity washed over him and I didn’t want it. The last thing I needed was to be looked at like a fool. I needed to get away. I stood up. “I’m leaving and advise you to do the same.”

  Alex tucked his fist underneath his chin. “You can’t be serious. Bella needs you.”

  “No, Bella needs a sponsor or treatment to get her off drugs. She doesn’t give a damn about anybody but herself. That was evident when she wrecked her car and almost killed herself and our baby. The baby might not survive at all thanks to her antics. If he or she does survive through this, the medical problems from her drug use could cause our child a lifetime of hardship and pain.” I turned to head out the waiting area and Alex grabbed me from behind.

  “I told you from the beginning you were no good for her. Look at you! At the first sign of trouble, you are ready to bounce out of here. Bella is in a hospital bed fighting for her life and you are here believing lies. I don’t know what Ava’s angle in this mess is, but she is up to something. Think about it. Bella can’t be on drugs. You of all people should know that,” he spat.

  I took one last look at him. “I am out of here, Alex. You always were the one who was too trusting. You’re the hopeless romantic type, not me. If you want to stick around that’s on you. I’m done. You were right I don’t deserve her.” Enough time had passed with me being here. I made my way to my car as fast I could. Mr. Garett’s words resonated with me in that moment. He was always one to pray for answers, so I did. God was the only one who could fix what Bella broke.

  34

  Ava

  To think you know someone could be a lie within itself. Bella had us all fooled with her holier-than-thou attitude. She waltzed into town and went from rags to riches. No one does that around here. Now, the tables were turned thanks to a little help from yours truly. I really did like a good show and for this attraction, I have front row seats. The only thing that was missing was the popcorn. Lo and behold, Bella’s world was crumbling down as we speak. How did she ever think she was better and more deserving than I was? It didn’t matter, in the end I would be the one getting the last laugh.

  It had been three days and Bella had still not woken up from her coma. I was cool with that. With her out of the picture, it gave me time to focus on Adam. He was so bedridden with guilt that he allowed a woman with no class and status to take advantage of him. Of course, he hadn’t put it like that, but we had a level of understanding, where no words were needed. I spent hours at his house trying to cheer him up. We watched movies and hung out like old friends. I wanted more than that, so I also cooked and cleaned for him to show him what a good woman could do.

  He hadn’t come around to the idea of us being together. I could tell by his actions. When I would try to hold his hand, he pulled back. Every hug I gave him, I lingered on hoping it would lead us to his bedroom, it didn’t. That was okay, he would soon see that we were meant to be together. We looked good together and had a lot of things in common. He just needed time to see the truth in our love. I was sitting beside him when his phone started ringing. He answered it and I could tell by his facial expression it had to do with Bella. I waited patiently for him to hang up the phone and get back to us watching this movie together. This was our nightly ritual.

  “I have to get to the hospital. Bella is awake,” he said before putting his phone back in his pocket.

  How did she still have power over him? Granted, it had only been three days. Still with all the allegations that I made sure were proven facts against her, he should had been done with her.

  “Well I’m going with you.” He stared down at me and faltered before he agreed. I didn’t like it. He should be happy that I was by his side. The ride to the hospital was a relatively quick one. Every glance I took of Adam, he seemed to be miles away. He let me out at the entrance and I waited while he parked his car. There was a crowd of people standing outside of Bella’s room. I recognized a few people from my catering company, along with Ms. Brenda, Mr. Garett, and Alex to my surprise. I didn’t realize he cared so much about Bella. It seems like everyone was under her spell!

  “I guess I was the last one to be called to the party,” Adam spewed.

  Ms. Brenda addressed Adam, “If it was up to me or Mr. Garett you wouldn’t be here. After you have shown very little regards to Bella’s well-being, you don’t deserve to be here. She actually woke up yesterday and broke our hearts crying out for you. Alex decided to call and tell you only after she wouldn’t listen to the reason you had abandoned her.”

  “You told her I abandoned her!” He yelled out.

  “I think we are just going to take a seat in the waiting area,” Raymond spoke on behalf of my staff members, sensing the tension in the air.

  We all stood around waiting on the next person to speak. Mr. Garett took the floor. “We didn’t want to tell her, but after the doctors and nurses explained to her what had happened, she wanted nothing more than to be comforted by her fiancé. You didn’t answer your phone when any of us called. She knew something was wrong.” He stopped speaking to cal
m the torment his state of mind was taking on.

  Alex picked up where Mr. Garett left off. “Look, Adam, I have been here with her since the first day she was out cold. On the second day, she woke up and screamed for you. The doctors came in and explained everything that was going on. By the way, she could not believe she had drugs in her system.” Alex stopped speaking and his eyes threw daggers at me. “She asked me repeatedly where you were. Each time I avoided the question. Last night, she got so worked up that her blood pressure went through the roof. That’s not good for her or the baby. So, I told her the truth.”

  Adam hissed, “You enjoyed telling her, huh? Did you think with me out of the picture she would give you a chance?” They were now in each other’s faces. I grabbed Adam’s hand, trying to pull him away before he tore into his brother.

  “She is part of your problem, Adam.” Alex tossed his hands up out of frustration, and then pointed at me.

  “Now, Alex, I will not let you blame Ava for your brother’s stupidity,” Ms. Brenda wailed.

  “What do you mean, Ms. Brenda?!” he yelled and then lowered his voice after catching the murderous face she was giving him. “Ava is the reason for my brother’s actions. She is the one who told him Bella’s a druggie and a prostitute out to steal his money.”

  “What?!” Ms. Brenda and Mr. Garett eyed me suspiciously.

  I had to think of way to get these people to see how Bella had schemed her way into our lives. How did she get all of them so stuck up her ass?

  “We all know that Bella had drugs in her system. Why is it so hard for you all to recognize she is an addict? I love her too, but enough is enough.”

  “How dare you, young lady?!” Ms. Brenda declared. “You have no idea what she has gone through. You can’t even begin to fathom what she has endured. She has fought to regain her life back and here you are trying to take it away from her.” I couldn’t believe she had tears. Tears for someone that had taken so much from me. I started to cry as well. These people didn’t understand how I tried so hard to be Bella’s friend. Her taking Adam was the final straw.

  Adam stepped in to defend my honor. “Okay, everyone, calm down. Ava is not the one we should be mad at. Bella did this to herself.” I’m beyond thrilled that he had sided with me.

  I placed my hands on his muscular chest. “Adam, can you just take me home?” I didn’t need to be around toxic people who were trying to come between Adam and me.

  “Umm… sure, yeah, I will take you home.” I secretly smiled on the inside.

  Alex tried to intervene, “Don’t do this, Adam. Don’t choose Ava over Bella.” Adam looked back and forth from the room door Bella was in, to me. I have to admit he looked torn. I could see that I was losing him and it hurt my heart.

  “Please, Adam, let’s go,” I said through my tears. “I never thought I would be made out as the enemy. You all are supposed to be my friends too.” I became inconsolable. I had to walk away. Right before I made it to the front doors, someone grabbed me. I turned around and saw Adam standing next to me. I took his hand in mine and we walked out together, the way it was supposed to be.

  35

  Bella

  I had heard everything, all the yelling, and all the lies. I heard it all. My heart broke in a thousand pieces for the two people who had turned their backs on me. My best friend was the culprit of all those lies and my fiancé was the ignoramus ass that believed her. That hurt me the most. Adam chose someone else over our love. There were no words to describe having it all and then having it ripped away from you without warning. Alex stepped in the room stopping me from having any more self-pity.

  “Bella tell me you didn’t hear any of that?” I didn’t have to answer his question. My sobs were enough. He came over and placed his arms around me. Alex held me until I had no more tears. “I’m sorry you had to hear all that, Bella.” I sniffled and pulled out of his embrace.

  “It’s okay. I needed to hear it for myself. When you told me, he believed I would do drugs and not only harm myself, but the baby I didn’t want to accept it as the truth. But now hearing him confirms it; it puts no doubt in my mind that we are over.”

  “I am not going to sit here and make excuses for him, but he needs time, Bella. He has never been in a relationship before you. In all his thirty plus years he has been a hit it and quit it type of guy.” Alex laughed softly. To me this was not one bit funny.

  “And that is exactly what he has done with me. Not listen, but make excuses and reasons not to love me. He never stepped in this room to hear me out. We have gone three days without contact. He was my everything. My morning, afternoon and evening consisted of him. How could he not know me enough to realize something is wrong? I never took those drugs they found in my system. At least not willingly. I believe I was drugged and it hurts like hell to know that he doesn’t.” Alex climbed into the bed with me and we laid there while I balled my eyes out.

  I spent seven days in the hospital. Not one of those days did I see or hear from Adam. On that last day, I broke down and called him from Alex’s phone because mine was left in my totaled car. I was hoping if he saw it was Alex’s number he would answer. He did not and I reluctantly left him a voicemail. With that chapter closed on my life, I had no choice, but to move on. I moved back in with Mr. Garett who seemed to be happy about that. I found out through Alex that Adam had gone to Italy to visit his parents. Alex was gracious enough to agree to gather up all my belongings from Adam’s penthouse once he returned from Italy. He even spent his time listening to me grumble and cry my eyes out. I missed Adam so much. Never did I imagine someone as loving and yet as hurtful as him. It had been twelve days since my accident.

  I had a cast on my right arm and had bruises all over. Nothing hurt more than this heartache. Glory to God the baby and I had made it out of the accident alive. The police had been in and out of the hospital since the beginning with their questions. No one believed me about being drugged. I knew the truth and looking back, I should have known it sooner. There was always something up with the way Ava looked at me. I just took it as a permanent resting-bitch face. In hindsight, she must have hated me from the very first day she met me. It must have really pissed her off when my life was going good. Falling in love with Adam was the icing on the cake and the knife in my back.

  Ava had sent me into the bathroom as a distraction to poison my food or drink, which one of the two, I’m not sure. Either way it worked. She got me out of the picture and got Adam all to herself. He willingly laid himself in her trap with no questions asked. It was a testament to his love for me. It must have never been that deep for him. At least I still had the love of Mr. Garett, Ms. Brenda, and a blooming friendship with Alex. He was coming to pick me up today for lunch. Alex had stepped in to run his family’s company while Adam was away. That did not leave him much of a life outside the office because he had to do his job and Adam’s.

  There was a knock on my bedroom door. Mr. Garett entered into the room. “Hey, baby girl. I’m heading out, do you need anything?” He asked this every day before he left for work. Then when he returned home, I would get the same greeting. Ms. Brenda made sure to come by in the evening when her day at the shelter had ended. Instead of them going to her house at the end of the day, they spent it helping me. Then she went home and left Mr. Garett, who checked on me constantly.

  “I’m fine,” I said, brushing my hair with my left arm. I see him eyeing me suspiciously. “Where are you off to today?”

  I sat the brush down. “I am having lunch with Alex today.”

  “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  “Why wouldn’t it be? Alex stayed by my side in the hospital and I am forever grateful.”

  “Yes, we all are. Alex also happens to be Adam’s brother. A complication you do not need. I still can’t believe he left you after everything you have been through. You, hanging out with his brother, is only going to cause more pain. Those De Luca boys are one in the same.”

  “There are not
. I really don’t want to get into it with you. Just try to understand that Alex is my friend. Our relationship has nothing to do with his brother.”

  “How will you hide the fact that you are pregnant with his brother’s child from him, let alone Adam?” He had a point there. I decided that this baby I’m carrying deserved better than a father who turns his back at the first sign of trouble.

  “It’s still pretty early and I’m not showing too much yet for anyone to notice. Lucky for me Adam doesn’t want to see me and as far as Alex goes…I will deal with it.” Sensing my determination and perhaps seeing the tears gather in my eyes, he dropped the subject.

  He rushed over and gave me the biggest bear hug I had ever received. “I love you and only want the best for you,” he says, pulling back.

  “I love you too.” Mr. Garett had made the most positive impact on my life. He was my first friend in my new life as well as parental figure. The doorbell alerted us that someone was here. Most likely Alex. Mr. Garett turned to the door.

  “Let me go get that while you finish getting ready, Bella.”

  Thirty minutes later, Alex parked his car and got out to open my door.

  “When you called me for lunch I did not picture lunch at the Arboretum.” I said, taking his hand to get out the car. Having a broken arm limited my mobility. That was why I decided to wear a flowing-with-the-wind maxi dress. They had become a staple in my wardrobe since the accident. Alex shut the door behind me then went to the trunk.

  “Correction, Bella this is not just a lunch. I figured you could use a little sun. You have been spending a lot of time inside and now is the time to change all of that starting today.”

  I laughed aloud. “Is this some kind of get-back-to-life intervention?”

  “Yes, now let’s go.” Alex led the way to our designated area. He laid down the blanket and we took a seat.