11 - Tastes Like I Need A Hug

Camila~

I could see through his cracking knuckles and the deep scowl on his face. Dark set of eyes were heavily fixated on me. "What was that?" He blurted. 

I was trying to remain as calm as possible. "You embarrassed me, so you shut up and listen to me."

"I helped you. For years, you have been married to me. Is this how you wish to repay me? By humiliating me like this! What would Caleb think?"

I didn't understand what he'd just said. My voice was as cool as a gentle breeze. I couldn't afford to start crying again. "Jaxon? I don't get you at all. You slept with Caleb's teacher. My own friend. You chased me out of your house, you disgraced me. But now you're worried I'm with another guy?"

His fist met with the table in a loud bang. "Yes."

I blinked,"what? Make it make sense, that you're free to cheat and I can't?"

"Are you? Is he your lover?"

"Of course not! You didn't care where I would be. And your own son, you...my credit card was blocked. I have nothing, Jaxon. And you slept comfortable with your new mistress knowing we probably slept on the streets?"

His lips opened to speak but he shut them tight again. A soft sigh followed, "Listen, I'm sorry. You've learnt your lesson now. But you still owe me an apology. My lips are bursted! I will sue that idiot, I won't take things easy with him."

I just shook my head, "enough of all this childish behavior from you. Let's get down to business." Sitting up straight, I poured out my heart. "I'm not demanding for much. But as you know, I have no job. You need to unfreeze my card, no need to provide a job for me. I think I've got that settled out. Jaxon resumes school next two weeks. His tuition f*e needs to be settled on time."

"We need a place to stay, and you have many buildings in town. You could rent out one to us. I'll work hard and pay you back. Also, Caleb is still your son. You have no right to punish him. He's a grown man so he eats a lot. I want a decent child support." It felt so good to get this off my chest. 

I was ashamed of myself, if only I knew, I would have set values for myself. I just never thought Jaxon would ever leave me. I thought we would be married till we're old. But life happens, I guess. 

He carefully observed me, it was like a whooping 2 minutes before he said, "are you done?"

I swallowed, shifting uncomfortably on the seat. "Yup."

Then, he started with a mocking chuckle until it became a loud irritating laughter. His hand rested on his head, those eyes now gazing at me with...pity? 

"Oh dear, I love how you always try to be this...brave, strong woman. But we're not in a movie. I give you whatever I want to. You don't get to demand."

"Excuse you? I have been your wife for 15 years—"

"—and you're so proud about that, huh? God, you were, what? 14 years old when you had Caleb? We were fucking kids!"

"Who grew up together as a couple."

"I'm grown now. You think I ever loved you? No, I was stuck with you."

"Yea, whatever. You've made your point loud and clear now." I won't cry, I won't cry. "Those are my demands. I'll leave first," I got up to my feet.

"Sit your ass down, right now Camila." Suddenly, he was not laughing anymore. "You are still mine. I own you. And I'll give you whatever I think you deserve. Remember what we said? You thought you could last without me." He scoffed.

"I always fed you, I gave your life a meaning. You owe me." The menacing smile returned. "Besides, you seem to have a new man in the picture. Why don't you cry to him to help? I will take Caleb from you, and you can do whatever the fuck you want to with your life."

I was moving uncomfortably again. I needed to be strong. Jaxon had a way with words and always reduced me into nothing. I should speak back, he doesn't deserve to talk to me this way! 

But I kept on remembering Caleb's words. I'm poor. I don't deserve to be proud. It was getting tough to breathe. My vision darkened as tears had gathered and filled it. It was an effort not to burst down and start crying now. I'm poor. I don't deserve to be proud.

If I opened my mouth now, I wouldn't be able to stop myself from bursting into tears. Why was my life messed up like this? I jumped up to my feet. Meanwhile, Jaxon had been observing me, waiting to see what I would do next. 

What should I do? Beg this sick bastard?

But I didn't do anything wrong! Why do I have to beg him?

"J--" I forgot how to speak. "Ja...Jaxon," my gaze shifted. 

Then I saw him. "Please don't see me like this," I cried on the inside. I'd been too embarrassed already. Why was Nico here!

He didn't stop. He kept advancing until he was standing next to me. He pulled the chair away and....

Crashing into his arms was nothing like I'd expected. I just stood there like a log of wood, trying to understand what was happening. But he pulled me closer, hugging me tighter. "Don't." He said softly. "Don't let him see you cry."

Everywhere became silent, like the entire universe was hugging me too. The buzzing of people in the restaurant reduced into nothing. A strong feeling of ease washed over me. I threw my arms around him and stayed still..."just for a moment," I begged."I'll get my shit together."

"I'm here." I was glad to hear him say that. "I'm not going anywhere."

This weight in my chest had been lifted. I sucked in air, I was literally recharging. 

"OH YOU ARE SO DEAD RIGHT NOW!" I heard Jaxon's voice. 

Pulling free from Nico, I turned to see an angry Jaxon yelling, "how dare you? What is this, a p**n stage? You're here cuddling with another man's wife, don't you have any shame at all!"

In three steps, I rushed over to Jaxon and...

Slap!

The pain was experienced by everyone watching because a loud gasp erupted at the same time. Even I blinked, then winced in pain at the throbbing pain on my palm, mostly my fingers hurt. 

"Are you done?" That seemed to shut him up immediately. If his lips was bursted before, now there were my imprints on his already reddened cheeks that I almost felt bad for him. 

"Good. Now, I have made my demands, Jaxon. If you're still so stubborn about it, then I'll stop playing nice, and make sure that the entire world knows how much of a dick Jaxon Carter is. Do you understand me?"