Unhealed Wounds

My breathing was erratic by the time Cara dragged me upstairs in the beautiful Spanish style estate. I was so upset that I couldn't admire how perfectly crafted everything was. The high ceilings and arch-ways were classic yet breathtaking. The warm colors that painted the walls made everything feel homey.

There were priceless paintings and expensive decor, letting me know that whoever owned this house was very wealthy.

“That was so uncalled for.” Cara started going off after she dragged me into a random room that was filled with gold decor and high priced pieces. “I hate that man so much! How can he call himself your father!”

She approached the mini bar that was stationed in the corner. She grabbed a crystal glass and filled it to the brim of some kind of dark colored liquor.

It was either whiskey or bourbon. 

“I wish my father would’ve killed him a long time ago.” She complained, “Then maybe you wouldn’t have to deal with his disgusting ass.”

I couldn’t help the small smile that graced my lips.

She turned her head to the side, looking lost in thought.

"Maybe I could convince Lorenzo to kill him for us." She suggested, "He loves me so much that he'd do anything for me." 

"Even if it mean starting a war between the family and sabotaging business?" I asked, knowing she wasn't thinking straight. 

"Yes." She said a matter of factly, "You have no idea who I married, Bella." 

"Then why don't you tell me, hmm?" I walked over to her, "And pour me a drink while your at it. I could use the buzz." 

She smirked before pouring me a glass of bourbon and sliding it over. I took a nice gulp, almost coughing my guts out as the expensive liquor burned on its way down my throat. 

"Jesus, this shit is strong." I choked out, feeling like my lungs were on fire. 

"Perks of marrying into wealth." Cara laughed in amusement before she plopped on a red-velvet loveseat. "This cost fifty thousand a bottle. Your destined for a hangover when drinking this stuff." 

"Fuck." I grumbled before staggering over and sitting down next to her. 

"So tell me about this Lorenzo." I sighed, "Do you really love him? Or do you love what he can offer you?" 

She gave me a bitchy look before she laughed, knowing I knew her too well. 

"Both." She huffed like a child, "But I really do love him. He treats me like a queen and he's way more sensitive with me than everyone else." 

I nodded my head in understanding, "I'm sure he's different around you." 

"Do you trust him with your life? Is he the kind of man you want to have kids with and start a family?" I asked, slowly grilling her so I know that this was a good match. 

I loved Cara. I would hate to have to watch her dim her light because she was in a marriage that wasn't right for her. 

"Yes, I trust him with my life. He keeps me safe everyday, maybe a little too safe." She sighed, "Sometimes I think he smothers me, but it's only because he worries too much." 

"Sounds like he cares for you." I whispered, feeling a little better. "As long as he can protect you and loves you the way you deserve to be loved, than I approve." 

She smiled before giggling. 

"You better approve. I'm the happiest I've ever been." 

I laughed before retorting, "More happier than when we snuck out of your parents house at fourteen and got drunk at a stripclub?" 

She bursted out laughing before tears were falling down her cheeks. 

"Oh my god! I almost forgot about that!" She laughed, "That was like the first time you ever got drunk." 

"Yes and I defintely regretted it the morning after." I groaned, "I puked for hours and my head wouldn't stop spinning." 

She laughed some more before she nudged my shoulder playfully. 

"The good ol' days." She sighed out as she leaned into me and rested her head on my shoulder. 

"Yup, the good ol' days." I repeated. 

Silence filled the room as we sat in eachother's presence. 

"Can I ask you something, Bella?" Cara whispered. 

"Of course, what is it?" 

"Why did you disappear all those years ago?" She asked, touching on a sensitive subject. "I called you so many times and had my father look for you, but it was like you just vanished into thin air." 

I tried to say something, but no words came out. 

"It's okay, you don't have to tell me. I understand." She reassured, but I knew it hurt her that I couldn't tell her what made me run away all those years ago. 

After all, my choice affected her too. 

"No, it's okay. You deserve to know." I pulled her hand into mine and interlaced our fingers together. 

"I heard my father talking to one of his friends in his study the night I left." I began, "I heard him offer him my virginity for one hundred thousand dollars." 

Cara's eyes widened in shock before they flickered on with pity. 

"I heard all the disgusting things he would let him do to me for more money and I just couldn't take it anymore. I knew I had to leave because if I stayed, then everything they talked about would happen, and I couldn't let him take the rest of my innocence away." 

"Oh Bella!" Cara cried out before she threw her arms around me and hugged me tight. "I'm so sorry!" 

I rubbed her back and reassured her I was okay. 

"You shouldn't be crying. This is your special night." I told her before I wiped her tears and fixed her makeup. 

She waved me off before giggling, "Screw that, I have every right to be sad for you." 

"Don't." I told her, "I haven't been sad in years and I honestly put it behind me." 

"Have you really put it behind you?" She gave me a pointed look. 

I don't know. 

Have I really put it behind me? 

I mean, I thought I did, but if tonight taught me anything, it's that I still have lingering wounds from my past that I need to heal.