BED OF LIES

“Are you crazy, Luca? You used my tuition fees to buy drugs and gamble? How cruel can you be? I hate you and I regret the day I met you, Luca. You are just a waste of time; you never bring anything to the table and the little money I make, you waste it on frivolities.

“Don't be delusional, Camila; you are my girlfriend and what belongs to you also belongs to me. Besides, I almost won the game just because I made the wrong move. Don't worry, I will play better next time.

Camila couldn't control the tears that rolled down her face; her heart was heavy and her boyfriend wasn't helping matters. She stood and wondered how she ended up dating someone like Luca.

“I worked four months to save up for my fees, Luca; you do not even have a job; all you do is eat, sleep and gamble with the little money I make. You are just so lazy and useless to me, Luca. You turned down all the job offers you got because your stupid ego wouldn't let you work under anybody. Ain't you ashamed of yourself, Luca?

“Watch how you speak to me. Camila, do you know how many women will kill to have me? You are lucky. I still love you. I would have thrown you out of my house. You lose, whore! If not for me, you'll be sleeping on the streets.

Camila had no words for Luca; she was already used to his insults and she already had thick skin. Camila was seeing herself through school; her parents were too poor to help out so she had to work multiple jobs to sustain herself. She wondered what her life would be like if she had rich parents.

She was strolling by the roadside as she fixed her gaze on the birds in the air. She wished she was free like them. After clearing her head, she came to the conclusion that, in order for her to move forward in life, she needed to break up with Luca because he was a devourer of her finances. Even though she had nowhere else to go, her mind was made up.

Camila went back to the house and saw that Luca had made dinner for her. Immediately, she walked in. Luca invited her to the dining table but she ignored him. And went straight into the bedroom.

"Camila, wait up. Luca walked faster to catch up with Camila and he held her right arm to prevent her from moving a step further.

"Camila, I promise I will never gamble again. Just give me another chance. I promise to stop drinking and gambling.

“You will never change. Luca, a few months ago, you stole the money I was supposed to send to my mom to buy her drugs. You were even helping me search the house for the money, like you were not the one who took it. I'm tired of going back and forth with you, Luca. You can never change; you've said you'll change over a thousand times but you keep doing worse. I’m done, Luca.

Camila walked away from Luca and brought out her suitcase.

“You know I love you, Camila; please do not leave me.

“Isn't it ironic that you have a very funny way of showing your love? Camila was arranging her clothes in her suitcase when Luca walked closer to her and gave her a soft kiss on the neck. He sure knows how to make her calm; the kiss was so soft and gentle and all her anger went away with the wind. She was already in the mood and all she wanted that night was to get laid. After they had sex, Luca brought dinner to her while she was lying down on the bed.

“Here you go, my sweet heart; I made this specially for you. He dropped the tray of mashed potatoes and chicken wings with fresh pineapple juice; that was the perfect dinner for Camila.

“Oh my God, Luca, you did all these for me?

"Yes, baby, all of it is for you. Luca planted a kiss on Camila’s forehead as he watched her devour her dinner. She ate and wondered why her boyfriend was being extra nice. Camila slept with so many thoughts running through her head. She wondered if she should stay or not. Her mind was made up to leave but she decided to give the relationship another try. Maybe it will work out for good this time.

She woke up and went to lectures. Her day in school was filled with joy, as all she could think about was the sex she had last night with Luca. After her lectures, she was so excited to leave and catch up with Luca at home. She skipped her last lectures and she went home earlier than usual. When she got back home,Camila got the shock of her life. She was frozen in one place, unable to move, when she saw Luca making out with another girl. It was when her book dropped from her hands that Luca noticed her presence and the girl he was making out with quickly rushed out, almost naked.

“It is not what you think, babe; I can explain. She seduced Camila.

“You are so pathetic, Luca; I should have known better. Camila brought out her suitcase and started packing her things to leave the house. This time, her mind was made up for good.

“Please do not leave me, babe; I promise to change. Camila looked at him in disgust.

"You are my worst mistake in life, Luca. When she was done packing, she turned to leave. Luca flared up.

“You cannot leave me, Camila; you belong to me and me alone. He grabbed her and pulled her aggressively. When she tried to resist, Luca slapped her and she fell on the bed. He picked her up again and he started beating her until she fell to the ground. She was unconscious.