The Phoenix Bride Rises: Trust Was Her First Mistake

Arla-Rosa fiddled with her phone as she let out a soft sigh for the umpteenth time. Being the ever understanding girlfriend, she didn't want to bother Seth when he had clearly promised to pick her up two hours ago.

"Come on, Arla-Rosa, don't be willful. Seth has a company to run and is probably in a meeting right now. He will come." Arla-Rosa, mentally chided herself, at the same time, trying to ignore the lingering sense of foreboding. This was not the first time Seth had stood her up. Yet, she refused to believe that he might be deliberately letting her down. Seth was the only ray of sunlight in her otherwise, bleak life.

Ever since her parents refused for her to attend college and kicked her out of the house, it was Seth Robinson who stood by her. He had encouraged her and helped her secure a part time job that helped her pay for her tuition and living expenses. Luckily, because of her diligence and intelligence, she won a scholarship and only had to worry about her rentals and daily necessities.

From when she can remember, her father had treated her with cutting indifference. Whether she was there or not, her father wouldn't care less. Her mother and sister were even worse. They belittled her and demeaned her so much that Arla-Rosa was convinced that they hated her.

Yet, in all this, it was Seth Robinson who stood by her, encouraged her and believed in her. That's why she wouldn't complain even if he got busy and forgot about her. She just wanted to feel a sense of belonging. She steeled her heart, calmed her emotions and decided to give Seth Robinson another chance, once again.

The weather was gloomy and from the looks of it, a downpour was imminent. Seth Robinson had called her out for lunch. However, as soon as they began eating, Seth received a phone call and he left looking quite troubled. Arla-Rosa being the ever understanding girlfriend, did not pry. She figured it was work related.

The only problem was when she wanted to go with him, Seth had promised to come and pick her up within an hour. After an hour, she called him, but he declined her call and sent her a message instead. He asked for a little more time and along with the message, came a request. Yet another project proposal, was needed. And he only trusted her meticulousness when it came to his business.

Arla-Rosa forgot all her grievances and started writing a project proposal for Seth, one that would ensure that he gets desired partners. After reviewing and amending the cash flow projection, Arla-Rosa set her laptop down and texted Seth, who at that time told her he was on the way but just held up in traffic.

Unbeknownst to Arla-Rosa, Seth Robinson, was neither driving nor at the office. He was in the presidential suite of the hotel opposite the Homely Cafe, where Arla-Rosa was anxiously waiting for him. In his arms, was none other than Aretha Santon, Arla's younger sister! These two have been meeting behind Arla's back for over six months and had done all that can be done between couples.

"My love, we have stood up that fool, long enough. Let me go and drop her off at the dormitories. She has missed her afternoon lecture helping me with my project proposal. We cannot let her sleep in the restaurant now, can we?" Seth Robinson drawled as he nibbled Aretha's neckline.

Aretha huffed and pushed him away. "What's wrong with a little suffering? We both know that you're only with her for her brains. To put it bluntly, you're using her for the growth of your company. Without her, you wouldn't have progressed this far. But, I don't care. She's foolish enough to do everything for you with no reward."

"Don't say that, babe. At least I take her out for lunch or dinner every fortnight. She's not working for free." Seth spoke in a serious tone, making Aretha laugh without any restraint. "Oh, dear. You're so bad, but I like you like that. Fools are meant to be trampled on. So what if she's a business genius? She still works hard just for scraps of food."

The two discussed the foolish Arla-Rosa, for a bit before they were tangled up again. The hotel room was instantly filled with keening sounds and an ambiguous atmosphere. It was only after about thirty minutes, that the two separated. Clearly satiated and gratified.

Aretha stood by the minibar, swirling amber liquid in a glass. She wore nothing but his shirt, loose, careless, deliberate. "You know," she said, voice lazy with satisfaction, "for a woman so desperate to be loved, Arla was pathetically easy."

Seth sat on the edge of the bed, rolling a cigarette between his fingers, unlit. His eyes were shuttered, unreadable. "She needed someone to believe in," he said flatly. "I played the part." Aretha smirked, padding toward him. "And you played it well," she murmured, straddling his lap without waiting for permission.

He caught her waist instinctively, fingers tightening against her hips. "You’re not thinking of backing out now, are you?" she whispered against his ear, her breath warm and taunting. "After everything we planned?"

Seth’s jaw clenched. For a fraction of a second, a shadow of doubt flickered in his gaze. Then it was gone, buried deep. "Arla was just a job," he said, rough and final. Aretha leaned back enough to meet his eyes. "Good," she said, voice like silk over a blade. "Because once she finds out... there’s no going back."

She kissed him, hard, claiming, a promise of ruin, and Seth let her, pulling her closer until all that was left was heat and silence and the slow, inevitable collapse of the man he'd once been. Outside, the city throbbed with life. Inside the suite, betrayal took root like a slow, poisonous vine.

Due to the impending storm, the weather was chilly and Arla-Rosa, was not wearing any warm clothes. She was donning her signature jeans and a t-shirt, with canvas shoes. Yet she could feel the cold slowly seeping through the worn out clothes. She gritted her teeth and stood by the door. The patrons had told her they were closing and she could not keep sitting inside.

However, that was far from the truth. The manager had received an anonymous message and a generous tip to shoo Arla-Rosa out. Of course, that was none other than Aretha Santon. Arla-Rosa clutched her phone but didn't dare call Seth. Last time they had fought because he had said she nags. She should exercise patience and trust him more.

Just as the rain started, Seth sent her a wire transfer and told her to get a cab because he had rushed home for an emergency. No explanation, no apology and just enough money to get a taxi and go home. Arla-Rosa sniffled and hailed a cab and returned to the campus. "He will surely apologize tomorrow, when he comes for me to explain the project proposal. He must have been under a lot of pressure for him to forget to pick me up."

"Excuse me, lady, but no man should behave like that. Unless he truly doesn't care for you." The taxi driver interjected and only then, did Arla-Rosa realize that she was thinking out loud. "First time, can be pardoned, second time, can be a mistake, but if the same behavior is shown more than once, then it has become a deliberate habit. Young lady, I don't know what you're going through, but as a father, myself, I want you to love yourself more, before you seek love from others. Humans are insatiable, and when you give, they sometimes end up feeling entitled. We are here. Take care and don't worry about the fare."

Arla-Rosa was left in a daze as the taxi driver drove away with a slight nod. As she fumbled with her keys, she could not help but replay the old man's statement. Have I been so deprived of love that I've let others exploit me? Have I forgotten my worth and allowed others to trample all over me? Have I been too kind that it has become a weakness? Arla-Rosa mused as she entered her room. Her mind a jumbled mess but one thing was certain, her quiet resolve was shaken by the driver's words.