At The Back Of The Hall

Chapter Three – At The Back Of The Hall

Aria’s POV

“Let me go” I said, after he had dragged me into the back.

My heart was hammering so loudly, I was sure people at the back could hear that clearly.

His grip around my arm tightened, not enough to break skin, but enough to remind me he could.

Not because it hurt the most… but because it felt like nothing I did mattered to him anymore.

“Why did you come here?” he hissed, voice low and sharp. “Why, Aria? Do you enjoy embarrassing me? I told you not to come”

“Alex… your mother called me. I only came because it’s your birthday. I just wanted to be here for you. You were there when she literally called me”

That only made him laugh. A short, cold sound with no warmth in it.

“If you had signed the divorce papers when I was telling you too, none of this would have happened” he said, looking at me, “Do you even care what you looked like right now? You are a burden 

The words hit me so hard but what could I do? My legs almost break out. I pressed my hands on the wall so I won’t fall.

I swallowed hard, now understanding everything.

Then I decided to ask the question, the same question I have been asking him. “Okay, who.., who’s that girl”

He didn’t even hesitate. “That lady? That lady that dressed so gorgeous.., she’s my childhood friend”

I smiled, what was I expecting? 

My eyes burned, but I refused to cry, not here, not in front of him.

“You held her hand,” I whispered. “Something you’ve never done with me… not once. Do you know how many nights I waited for you to look at me like I mattered?”

He didn’t say anything, but that really hurt me. Because I remembered those days, when I started working under him, when I thought he really meant those words, he told me, when his attention was pure. Th3 late night his his office, the moment when I worked too long and I didn't realize he was watching me 

I used to think that meant something.

I used to think I was… chosen, I used to think I was love. 

My voice cracked. “I thought… what we had meant something to you.”

Alex finally looked at me then.

But there was nothing there.

No guilt, no softness, just distance as always 

That was when I understood something I had been avoiding for too long.

I was never part of his world. Not really.

My hands curled tightly at my sides.

“She’s everything you want, isn’t she?” I asked quietly. “Everything I’m not.”

My breath stopped for a moment..

“And I’m just… the mistake you regret.”

His expression darkened slightly.“Then stop dragging this out,” he said flatly. “Sign the divorce papers and free me.”

For a second, I couldn’t breathe.

The words started feeling like he meant it now! I have actually been a burden, he didn't hide it, I just didn't pay attention.

They felt like something tearing straight through me.

“Alex…” I whispered.

But he had already turned away from me, to meet those who really meant something to him.

I really do not worth his response.

I covered my mouth, and couldn't control myself anymore, I cried.

And I hated that even at this moment, I still cared, I still liked him, I still loved him. 

I covered my mouth as the sob escaped before I could stop it, I still wanted answers.

I wiped my tears, fixed my hair, because I wouldn't want them to see me in this way, they would only laugh more.

So I walked back toward the table…carrying a broken heart n

o one at that table would ever acknowledge.