Chapter 4: HIS MISUNDERSTANDING

He also thought that night it was only natural for him to crave a woman's body since he was dry for 2 yrs. Cherrie wants to keep her chastity for their wedding night. He respected her decision because he loved her. He firmly believes that Jewel used this chance to entice him. 

Cherrie's last words still lingered in his head. It's because he slept with her best friend that she won't take him back.

He chuckled sarcastically now at the thought. 

This morning he received a message from one of his friend. He gritted his teeth as he looked at the message.

Hey bro, I just heard the news today, did you really slept with Cherrie's bff? I went to Angolia Beach with my girlfriend so it slips my mind. I also saw Cherrie that night with Frank Mason, they entered Suisun Hotel. Better leave the news alone. It will be better to be known as a womanizer than a cuckold. Sorry I forgot to send it right away. 

The message include the pictures of Frank and Cherrie making out inside the car and there’s also a photo when the two of them intimately going inside the hotel. He recognized her dress that’s the same dress he bought for her, the very same dress she wore on their Graduation ball. It’s still fresh in his mind that day they had a fight. He was overwhelmed with jealousy when he saw Frank hold her hands. He challenged her to sleep with him to prove her love. 

"Why do I have to sleep with you to prove myself? Are you using your jealousy to bed me?" 

He laughed with his eyes full of fire. He felt like an idiot. He got played by Frank and Cherrie real good. He assumed that being caught with Jewel in bed is part of their trick to fool him. Cherrie needs a good excuse to break up with him without knowing her cheating. Jewel as a best friend whose eyeing him volunteered for the role. 

This is the first time he really felt like killing someone. 

"Those two women worked together." He flares up at the thought. For him Cherrie stirred up the drama to be with another man while her best friend Jewel used the opportunity to trap him. 

With a hue of darkness clouding his judgment he sends the pictures to Cherrie. As he expected just a couple of minutes she called. He answered with a sneer. "Hello?" 

"Wha... What do you want?" Cherrie stammered on the other line

"You played me for a fool .I loved and respected you but that’s alright now, you still save me from the worst humiliation." He said with indignant voice. 

On the other line Cherrie's mind is in a mud. Now that Larry knows the truth she can’t help but shivers. She doesn't even have the courage to apologize. All she wants to do now is call Frank. She's worried that the pictures might end up to the hands of the media. Now she realized, just like what Jewel said she should have stayed quiet instead of playing the victim when the media broadcasted the news. Larry on the other hand doesn't have any intention of releasing the photo he received. He just wants to steer them, watch their fear and anticipation of his next move. For him a womanizer image is better than a cuckold. 

"Tell me what you want, I know I was wrong." Cherrie's voice squeaked she was trying to keep calm. 

"You don't need to worry for now you have given me a proper compensation. I really admired your best friend who willingly opens her legs to help you." 

Cherrie's at a loss for words. She gets what he means but she doesn't have the guts to correct him about Jewel. She's dying with anticipation and nervousness. She wants him to get straight to the point. 

"Tell me exactly what you want…" She said in her exasperated voice. Honestly she planned to end her relationship with him silently not even letting him know about Frank but after she saw Jewel sleeping next to him her pride got hurt. She changes her plan and set up the betrayal drama at least to let him take all the blame. She didn’t mean to involved the media as well; it so happen that there was paparazzi in his building that caught on the drama. Now everything was out of control. After Larry's long silence on the other line she heard him say through his gritted teeth. 

"Send her back to my bed." 

"Excuse me?!" She asked on a high pitch. She thought she misheard him. 

"Your scape goat… Your so called best friend I want her to serve me in bed until my anger subside." 

"I…" She can’t find a word to say. 

"I want her on my bed tonight. I'll send you the details." Larry hanged up without waiting for Cherrie's reply. 

Cherrie’s still in a trance. Where is the gentle and kind Larry she knows? She is not a bad person she just fall in love with another man and just impulsively let her wounded pride get the best of her that time. She loves Jewel and in her heart she still wants to mend the bond between them, if she drives her now to Larry's bed their friendship will be unrepairable. 

Driven to a corner she called Frank. She explained everything to him including Larry's demand. She heard him cursed a few times. His outraged the fact that his good name will be sullied once the photo is release. 

"Don't feel sorry about your best friend, she brought it upon herself. She carelessly climbed on his bed that night." He said calmly. 

"But… "

"Call Jewel and ask her to meet you, don't overthink, your ex just wanted to have sex with your best friend that’s all. " he chuckled sarcastically. "She must be amazing." He added. 

Cherrie still keeps looking on Larry's message. She doesn't want to hurt her best friend again but as the clock ticks she can't find any other options. She called her after an hour, asked her to meet on the location that Larry provided. 

"How are you darling? I heard the paparazzi still following you. I'm really sorry dad's not around to help." Jewel's father still overseas she can feel that his very worried. She tried to make her voice livelier. 

"I'm okay Dad, Simon help me a lot. He used the Halls influence to stop further media frenzy. Again… I'm very sorry. "

"None sense, you’re my daughter I'll be here to support and believe you always. Have you talked with Cherrie?" 

"The last time we talked we just end up finding fault with each other, blaming one another." She can't help but sighed. Her dad knows everything; she didn't leave a single detail including her hidden feelings with Larry. They talked for another 15 minutes before they said goodbye. According to her dad he will stay for another week in San Francisco with the CEO. 

She took a bath after her phone conversation with her dad. When she gets out of the tub she heard her phone rings. It is not her habit to bring her phone inside the bathroom. She wrapped the towel on her body and went out. 

She furrowed her brows. She saw Cherrie's name appearing on her phone screen. She hesitated answering her call and then the rings stop. "If she calls again, I'll answer." She said to herself. The phone rings again after 1 minute. 

"Hello?" She waited for Cherrie to speak up for a few seconds. 

"Jewel… Can I see you today?" The voice trembled. 

She can hear the uncertainty on her best friend voice. Is she sorry now...? Jewel can’t help but wonder. She admitted that she was also responsible on what happened between them. 

"Where?" She answered shortly. Cherrie gave her the details. She did not ask any question. They can talk once they meet. Looking at the place where they are supposed to meet it seems her best friend wants to talk privately. 

Jewel arrived at the hotel 10 mins early. She asked the receptionist about the room access then a concierge guide her to the room. She texted Cherrie to let her know she arrived and waiting. After a minute she replied "okay." 

She was playing solitaire on her phone when she heard a "clicked" at the door. She looked up after a thud sound stop in front of her. She's disconcerted. 

"Why are you here?"  A crease appeared on her forehead. The man in front of her looks at her intently. His lips curled up. 

"I guess your best friend did not tell you or you’re just playing innocent." He said with a scornful voice. 

"I am waiting for Cherrie here but not expecting you will be here too." She was annoyed. She get up. She still recalls how he treated her the last time she tried to explain to him. She was about to walk pass him but he grabbed her wrist. She looked at him with an expressionless face. 

"I'll be going first." She tried to shake off his hand but he firmly held her wrist. "Let go, your hurting me." 

"Are you playing hard to get now?" He said with a sneer. Larry was annoyed with her cold and expressionless demeanor. 

"You’re crazy." She hissed.

He just glared at her full of contempt. His still under the impression, she was a tool that Cherrie used to fool him. His more annoyed to himself falling and giving in on his ardent desire growing inside him. Going back to reality Jewel forcefully removed his hand and stride to the door. He catches up to her before she could reach the door knob. She stared at him with furrowed eyebrows. 

"What do you want?" She asked with irritation. 

"Huh..." Obviously Larry doesn't like her tone. "Aren’t you the one who climbed at my bed the last time?" 

"What?" She glared at him with despair but after a second her face devoid of emotions. "Have you forgotten? You initiated it." Her voice full of sarcasm. 

 I did… You successfully seduced me for your best friend sake and I stupidly accepted the open banquet in front of me." 

Jewel sighed with full of indignation. Her good intentions that nignt was mistaken to seduction. Her heart that willingly gave him everything shattered once again.

"Let’s finish this non-sensical talk, I want to go home." She staggered when Larry suddenly push her back against the door. "What are you...?” 

Larry put his lips against her. She tried to push him. He caught her hands and pinned it behind her. Their eyes met, she was scared seeing his full of hate and contemptuous desire. She moved her head to avoid his kiss. 

"Stop… Don’t do this." She's panting heavily. She wriggled trying to get away. She was so frightened. She saw the rage and hateful desire in his eyes. She can't understand what she did to anger him so much, as a matter of fact she lost more than him. She gave him her love and chastity. She was ridiculed as a traitor and a slut. Why is he being irrational?

Larry scoffed her chin as he continued to press her against the door. He savagely kissed her. His lust and desire to conquered her cloud his senses. She never thought that this man could be so violent. She struggled and one of her hands broke free from his clutch. Out of desperation she slapped him. 

Larry clenched his jaw. He was totally offended. His eyes out of reason; he caught her again, this time he dragged her and threw her in the bed. He climbed on top of her. Pinned her hands above her head. He kissed her once again, his tongue forcefully open her mouth and ravaged her as hard as he could. He tore her dress like a beast and pulled her panties down. Wantonly pierced his finger inside her. The humiliation and physical pain brought her to tears. He continued to defile her, he moved as if she was a rugged doll that doesn't deserve care and gentleness. She stops struggling looking at his every move. He unzipped his trouser and thrust hard without even throwing a glance at her face. 

Larry tasted a warm and salty liquid as he trailed up nipping and kissing the neck of the body under him. His endless conquest stopped when he heard her subdued cry. He looked up and as he glances at her, tears continuously flowed on her pretty face. All of a sudden unexplained feelings surge within him but he can’t stop right now. His needs beyond control. He gently kissed her eyes. His rouge movement slows down. He caressed her cheeks and showered her face with small kisses.

Larry's gentle touch slowly melts her fear. She opened her eyes and met his. She saw something she can’t explain. He kissed her again, gently this time. Her love, her weakness enveloped her. His every touched started to arouse her body. The sobbed become moaned. 

Jewel slowly opens her eyes. Her body is sorer compared to her first time; she can hear Larry's breathing next to her, he’s in a deep sleep. She looked at her watch. It was 2 AM. She moved without making any noise. She removed Larry's arm latched on her waist. On her dismay she saw her dress ripped from the breast down to her waist. It’s a good thing she wore a coat earlier. She searched for her underwear. She found them on the carpeted floor, when she lowered herself to grab it she felt a searing pain between her legs. It’s her second time but it hurts more not only physically but to her heart as well. She stuffed her underwear inside her bag. Her coat is thick and long she was sure no one will notice she’s not properly dressed. 

Once she's out of the hotel, she hailed a taxi and get on without looking back. Inside the taxi she can't help but scold herself. She was humiliated and angry but in the end she was consensually violated by the man she loves secretly. No matter how strong and independent she was, she is just another woman in love. 

Larry was awakened by the continuous ringing of his phone. When he reached out next to him it was empty. He cursed. He still wants to clarify somethings with Jewel. His phone rang again. It’s a call from his grandfather. 

"Hello?" 

"Hello gramps, why did you call this early?" He checked his watch its only 10 mins before 5AM.

"I'm sorry to disturbed your sleep I forgot the time differences." 

"That's okay." 

"I called to let you know about the board meeting. Have you settled everything there?" He knows his grandfather was implying about the cheating scandal but he can sense it doesn't really a bother to him. Their company was never affected by any personal or private mishaps. 

"It is not a big deal gramps. What about the board meeting? "

"Then book a ticket and fly here as soon as possible the private jet is under maintenance. The meeting will be the day after tomorrow at 9AM."

"No problem." 

He just graduated from his 2nd Masteral. His grandfather can’t really wait to retire and leave everything to him. He is the eldest grandson and the heir of the Williams Empire. If his dad didn't die early his grandfather could have retired a long time ago. His uncle is a doctor and shows no sign of interest managing the business he has 2 cousin and both have entered med schools following their father's footsteps. It’s a family business but they are not greedy with money or power. They are just happy to receive the amount they deserve and they enjoyed the respect and influenced that brought forth by their names. That day he booked a ticket and flew to San Diego. He needs to handle his business affairs before anything else.