Tides Of Betrayal

"Do you like it?" I looked at Yvonne who was looking at me expectantly. I looked back at my reflection in the mirror and turned so I could see the dress from other angle. It was beautiful, simple and yet exquisite. "Yes, I do. The fabric is heavenly," I said and she clapped happily. "I designed it just for you!" My friend squealed as she got up to her feet and approached me. I smiled as warmth filled my chest. Yvonne's excitement was so contagious and knowing she put in her heart to design this dress for me made me appreciate her more. "Just wait till you see your wedding dress.

I'm not done with that yet though," she said with a small chuckle and walked around me slowly. I was wearing a cream colored full length gown that had a beautiful corset-like design that accentuated my bust and waist. I was smaller in the chest size but this really did well for me. I liked the long balloon sleeves and the way the skirt hugged my hips. All in all, I looked beautiful. I was right to give a Yvonne the job to make my engagement dress. Perks of having a friend that's a designer. "When Berlin sees you, he won't be able to breathe properly!" Yvonne proclaimed as the attendants helped me out of the dress. I rolled my eyes at her words, a small smirk formed on my face as I went to sit beside her. "He doesn't deserve to see you in the dress though," she grumbled as she poured out wine into the glasses on the table. I shook my head at her. She never liked Berlin. Me too. But when my parents told me I had no choice in this marriage, I realized the sooner I accepted it, the better. Berlin and I had gotten a better relationship over the past few months so I felt convenient in getting married to him. He wasn't that bad and I could tolerate him. "This is your sign to look for love," I said to Yvonne as we clinked our glasses. She scoffed and took a sip, letting out a satisfied sigh. "I will enjoy my life until I'm ready. Till then, love can sit in the backseat," she waved the air and I had to swallow a laugh. "You're unbelievable," I stated and she grinned proudly. We spent the next few minutes talking about other random things before I decided I needed to leave. "Are you sure you don't want to go out with me? For the last time before you get tied down?" Yvonne pouted as she handed me the packaged dress and a box that contained a napkin and tie with the same material of my dress. I was to give it to Berlin. "No, Yvonne. You know how things go whenever I go clubs, especially on weekdays. My engagement party is on Saturday," I told her with an eye roll. She sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. Be safe on your way home," she waved and I thanked her before walking out of her office building. I got in my silver Mercedes and drove my way to Berlin's house. "Good evening, Ms. Maslow ," the house keeper, Helena greeted me when I stepped into the living room. She was surprised to see me. "Good evening, Helena. I came to give Berlin his napkin and tie," I said to her as I made my way to the stairs. "I can call him for you," she rushed to my side. I shook my head, waving her off. "It's fine," I said, a bit confused by her before but I continued walking up the stairs. I got to Berlin's bedroom and readjusted the box in my hand before opening the door and walking in. "Ber-" His name got stuck in my throat and I nearly choked as my smile faltered. My brain was quick to process what was going on, but yet it looked like everything was in slow motion. I felt the floor spin below me that I stumbled. My breathing became shallow as my heart raced. Berlin pushed off the girl, "Vera, I can explain. It's not what you think?" I took a step back, hurt filled my chest as I finally registered what was going on. Was the universe playing with me? "This is how it ends? Like some terrible soap opera?" I spat in disgust and glared at the lady on the bed who cowered away from my sight. "Vera, calm down" Berlin approached me but I moved away and ran down the stairs. "Fuck, Vera!" he yelled after me. I found Helena in the living room. Her eyes were wide with fear. I pointed at her as I approached her. She moved away in fear. "You knew, didn't you?" I could hear the hurt in my own voice. "Don't harass my maid!" I heard Berlin command from behind me. I turned to face him and Helena ran away from me. "You're so unbelievable, Berlin!" I yelled at him. Anger filled my veins to the point that I couldn't breathe properly. He scoffed, "Let's settle this, Vera." I ran my hand through my hair as I tried to calm myself down. This man was crazy. "What the fuck are you saying?" "Stay quiet and I'll get you whatever you want," he said and I laughed sarcastically. "Like the fuck I will!" I threw the box I was still holding at him. "Fuck you!" my voice shook as I yelled at him and stormed out of the house. "Veronica!" I ignored him as I got into my car and drove out of the gates. My chest hurt as I drove. My eyes were blurry with tears that I was fighting back. I was choking on my own tears. I parked in front of my apartment building and buried my face in the steering wheel. "How could he?" my voice was barely audible as I sniffled and looked at the passenger seat where my dress lay. For months, I tried so hard to convince myself that Berlin wasn't do bad. I tried so hard to make this work! Now, this was how he was willing to repay me? I pulled at my hair as I tried to think of a way forward. I grabbed the dress and my other things before stepping out of the car and walking into the building. As I walked, it felt like I was heavier than usual. If I get married to him, I'll never be happy. Not when I found about his infidelity. Cruel bastard! He didn't even show any sign of remorse. He was just guilty because he got caught. "Yvonne was right," I grumbled as I stormed into the elevator. I continued to rant to myself about gibberish in attempts to calm myself down. The last thing I needed was to cry again. I huffed and turned around. I froze, my pulse quickening when I saw the man the elevator with me. His eyes were beautiful and piercing and something about his calm demeanor unnerved me. He then hummed and repeated, "Yvonne was right," a ghost smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

Today was the D-day and I was not ready at all. Berlin kept calling me for the past few days but I didn't pick his calls because I had nothing to say to him. "My dear, you look so beautiful. This dress is amazing!" My mum showered me with compliments as the makeup artist did her work on my face. If it was another time, I would have smiled. "Thank you, mum. Is Yvonne here?" I asked her. She nodded, "She's helping the others in welcoming the guests. Have you seen Berlin? He looks so handsome " My stomach churned when she brought him up.

Did she have to? I didn't want her to notice my change in mood, so I brought out my phone and sent a text to Yvonne, letting her know I'll soon be out. "I'm going out now. I want to go and greet the guests. Don't waste too much time," mum said and patted my shoulder before walking out. She was so joyful that it made my heart hurt. "You don't look too happy," my makeup artist said, making me blink in surprise. How could she tell? "I'm just overwhelmed. I can't believe it's actually happening," I lied to her and forced out a smile making her chuckle. "I understand how you feel. Don't worry, you'll do just fine," she said to me and I smiled. "Thank you." When she was done, I didn't even bother to look in the mirror before making my way out of the dressing room. I walked down the hallway but stopped in my tracks when I saw a door slightly opened. I don't know what came across me but I peeked in and I saw Berlin with two of his friends laughing as they sipped whatever they were holding. "So what are you going to do about Veronica?" one of them I recognized as Dale asked Berlin. Berlin laughed too loudly to be normal. "She's going to keep quiet about it. After all, she's just marrying me for money. I love Kate, not her. I'm going to make her my real wife one day," he said to his friends and I my heart dropped. "You're really brutal," the other guy chuckled and patted his back. Was that meant to encourage him or what? "She hasn't even answered my calls. She's a serious bitch, if you ask me. She was a good lay though, I'll admit," Berlin boasted and they laughed again. Was this a game to him? The way his voice was laced with cruelty made me take a step back and hug my body with my arms. Angry and hurt, I walk away before I could hear more of what ever they had to say. I've heard enough already and it was all I needed to end this nonsense between us. "You can do this, Vera," I tried not to let myself cry as I got to the entrance that led to the hall where everybody were. I pursed my lips when I took in the number of people that were present. My heart nearly fell out of my chest at the realization of things. Was I really going to do it? Then I remembered what Berlin said and my jaw clenched in anger. There was no way I was going to risk my happiness and sanity because of some stupid business arrangement. Letting out a sigh, I walked into the hall. Not wanting to draw attention, I passed the side to get to the platform were a love seat was placed. Begrudgingly, I took my seat and crossed my arms, looking across the hallway. My eyes fell at the side of the hall where Berlin and I's parents were seated. They were happily talking with one another, not knowing what was soon to come. Someone sat beside me and I turned to see Berlin. He handed me a glass of what I assumed to be wine, "You've been hard to reach." I looked at the wine and looked up at him. "And I should take this from you because?" I was irritated by the arrogant smirk on his face. He raised a brow and moved closer to me. I didn't want the others to notice anything between us, so I let him move near me. He wrapped an arm around my waist and I glared at him, "Get off." "You're acting like you're on edge. You need to forget what you saw the other day or it won't do us any good," he said to me and took a sip from the wine. "Don't worry, I will," I said and he grinned at me. "That's my girl," he winked and moved away from me allowing me to breathe in fresh air. What felt like hours passed and then the MC called on the both of us to come down and announce our engagement. "I'm sure you are proud to be engaged to a beautiful woman like Vera," the MC said to Berlin as the spotlight was shone on us. Berlin chuckled into the microphone. "Who wouldn't?" he said and I wanted to scoff. "What about you, Vera? Aren't you jealous whenever you see other women glance at your fiancé?" the MC asked me and I raised the microphone to my lips. Berlin looked at me as if telling me to behave but I wanted to laugh. But I paused for a moment. My heart pounded for a brief second- what would everyone think? But then I remembered his sting of betrayal with his smugness and it pushed me forward. "I don't waste my time on liars" I mused and the music stopped. The room went still, like everyone was afraid to move or breathe. I could feel their eyes on me but I didn't waver. I cleared my throat and spoke into he microphone. "It's such a shame that we put so much efforts into making today possible. But this is the farthest we can go. I'm breaking my engagement with Berlin Gates," I said and took off the engagement ring from my finger. I dropped the microphone and threw the ring on the ground. No one said anything as I walked through the middle of the hall and went out through the exit. I nearly choked when I stepped outside and I stumbled when I felt my legs get shaky. "Veronica!" I heard my mom tell as I approached my car. I turned to face her only to hear a loud smack followed by a stinging sensation in my cheek. Shocked, I raised my hand to my cheek. "You deserve more than that! How could you disgrace your family like that?" she yelled at the top of her voice. I stared at her as my chest tightened in anger. "Berlin cheated on me, mom," I told her as I tried not let my voice shake. She scoffed "And so what? It's not something special. What makes this different?" she mocked and I felt something pierce my heart. What did she just say? "Veronica, go in there and apologize to the Gates now," my father came into the picture with a face red with anger. "I will do no such thing!" I argued back. I had nothing to apologize for. "You are an ungrateful child! Your father and I worked so hard to secure this alliance! Veronica, this is more than just love!" my mother yelled at me. "Then is it about what?" I retorted, my heart racing with every minute. "It's about power, stability and respect!" she snapped. "I don't want it!" I glanced at Yvonne standing far behind the crowd with her eyes locked on mine. Even though her face reminded impassive, her eyes had a flicker of pride. "You are a disgrace to this family!" my father bellowed and I couldn't control my jaw as it dropped. A traitorous tear fell as I blinked. "Thank you so much, father," I smiled sweetly and turned around to walk away. "Vera! Veronica, come back here!" I turned a deaf ear and walked away. My father's shouts grew fainter but my resolve only grew stronger. I wasn't running away, I was reclaiming my life.

When I got home, I stripped out of my dress and switched off my phone that had been blowing up with calls before going straight to the bathroom. My cheek still burned as I looked in the mirror to see the redness. My mother had never hit me before, but I guess there's a first time for everything. The heavy knot tightened in my chest as the weight of my family's embarrassment crushed me. I really did humiliate them. "Not now," I took in a deep breath and went into the bathtub. The warm water did nothing to soothe my aching muscles and withering soul. My life was a mess now.

When I had enough of soaking in the water, I got out an dried myself before slipping into my robe. I tied my hair up in a bun and went to my living room. I sat down on the floor beside the couch and laid my head on it. That was the only thing I could do at the moment. I sat there for a long time until I heard the doorbell. I slowly raised my head, wandering who it was before resting my head back. Whoever it was would get tired of standing there and go away. The doorbell rang again and I glared at the door. I got up and went to open the door. Yvonne was standing outside. She smiled at me and raised up two paper bags, "I brought food." I felt my heart my heart sink into my chest and emotions swirl inside me as I let her walk in. I closed the door and turned to look at her. "You didn't have to come." She turned to look at me and dropped the bags on the coffee table before approaching me. "Why didn't you tell me?" her eyes softened. "I didn't know how to," I told her honestly. I couldn't tell anyone about it because I didn't know what to do. "It's okay, I understand," she took my hands in hers and pulled me in a hug. The warmth made me melt into her arms and I felt tears fall down my cheeks. "Yvonne," I sniffled as she led me to the couch. She rubbed my back soothingly. "It's okay, you can cry it out. I'm here," she encouraged and I broke into sobs. . . The next day, I woke up without any energy at all. I was lucky today was a Sunday or I would need to go to work. Unfortunately, I work for my father and I wasn't sure if I wanted to see him anytime soon. When Yvonne left yesterday, I felt as if I had gone back into my hole if depression. I switched on my phone and opened it to see a lot of missed calls from my parents and Berlin's parents. There were missed calls from Berlin and Yvonne too. I then decided to open one of Berlin's text messages. 'You stupid bitch, I will make you pay!' I scoffed and opened the text from my mother. 'Veronica, you are not thinking straight!' I rolled my eyes and then spotted a recent text from my father. 'Come to the house by four in the afternoon. Do not be late.' Somehow, this text managed to make me gulp. For some reason, I always feared my father. He was an authoritarian and he never liked when things didn't go his way. And now, I must have crossed the line. I sighed and switched off my phone again before laying down on my bed and covering myself up with my blanket. I knew the press was going to dig on my now broken engagement with Berlin. The fact that I called him a cheater in front of everyone will make people curious. I groaned and ran my hand through my hair. "Life is playing with my sanity," I mumbled to myself and closed my eyes. Four o'clock came quicker than I would have liked. I was standing at the front door of my childhood home. Letting out a sigh, I opened the door and walked into the large mansion. My heels clicked against the tiled floor as I made my way to my father's study where I knew he would most likely be since he wasn't at work. I knocked and opened the door to walk in. My father was seated at his desk with my mother beside him. They looked up to see me. My mother glared at me while my father looked at me with disappointment. "Close the door," he said and I obeyed. "Good afternoon, father, mother," I said to them. "There is nothing good about the afternoon or the day! Not after that rubbish you did yesterday," my mother shrilled making me grip my bag tighter. I watched my father place a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. He then looked at me, "Explain yourself now." I swallowed hard, "Berlin is cheating on me. He has someone else he is planning to make his second wife after marrying me. I can't do that." He scoffed and my lips parted. Did he just scoff? "You aren't the first person to experience that and you won't be the last. Do you know the consequences of what you did? I lost millions!" he bellowed. His face was turning red with anger. My heart felt like it was sliced a thousand times. "You are concerned about your money over the well being of your child?" "What type of nonsense are you spitting out of your mouth? You are ungrateful! Do you expect me to condone this? You need to apologize to the Gates!" "Never!" I retorted. He slammed his hand on the desk causing me to jump at the loudness. "Where did you learn this from? The Gates will give you a good life! Do you want to be living on the streets?" he yelled. I choked on my tears, realizing I was crying. "It's always about the money, isn't it? I won't be your puppet anymore!" I yelled back at him. "Then leave my house! You are fired from my company! I disown you today!" he roared and I gasped. I saw my mother's eyes slightly widen but they narrowed back again. "Dad-" "You are no longer my daughter! Not to me. Get out of my house and never come back. Not even to my company! Do I make myself clear?" he demanded, cutting me off. It felt like a punch in my stomach. I sniffled and stood straight, "Yes, sir." With that, I turned around and walked out of the study. I couldn't think, I felt like I was going to faint if I stop walking. I saw two maids scurry away with a frightened look on their faces. They must have heard everything. I'm sure everyone heard everything. I stopped at the living room and looked at the family portrait. I was about seventeen when we took this. I looked so happy that it hurt my chest. My surroundings seemed to blur out as I walked out of the house. My head was spinning and my legs felt heavy. My father disowned me? Because of a broken engagement? Because of Berlin? I swallowed hard and got in my car to drive back home. I slammed my door shut when I walked into my apartment and screamed at the top of my voice. I couldn't care less if the neighbors reported me. They would never understand. I kicked the wall and punched it repeatedly until my knuckles began to hurt. I fell to my knees and screamed again, feeling my sanity leave me. Was this the end?