24. Margo
Chapter 24
Margo
I t was 12:08 a.m. and Liam didn’t come.
I mean I just didn’t understand, I thought he wanted it to work. He’s been trying so hard all this time but every time it really counted, he disappoints me.
I couldn’t help but imagine that was how it was always going to be, he would always be disappointing me no matter what.
I couldn’t keep giving him trials, I should not be giving him more than a second chance. I just had to face it and let go of whatever I thought could be and focus on what is.
I slammed the door closed to the guest house, and marched over to my parent’s front door, where before I could even open the door, or ring the doorbell my mother opened it quickly and freely.
“Finally, you have come to your senses!” She pulled me in for a warm embrace.
I swallowed my pride and the urge to just scream at her for siding with my father. But I couldn’t blame her, not really.
She pulled away, and a view of my father was noticeable as he sat at the head of the dining room table like he always did.
I stepped into my home like I was a guest, a visitor.
My father stood up and nodded at me, “Welcome home Maggie,” He muttered without making eye contact.
Tell me that your father and daughter relationship has forever been ruined without telling me your father and daughter relationship has been ruined.
He couldn’t even look at me.
What was worst was that I felt like I physically couldn’t even talk to him anymore.
My mother guided me over to my room, where everything was left as it was, except there were new shopping bags and new designer clothes that sat on my bed.
I felt immense anger that made me go back outside to the dining room table, “You can not buy me back!” I screamed at my father who looked taken back at my attitude.
He only stood up once more and buttoned up his suit, “They weren’t from me Margo. They were from your future husband, so if you don’t mind… you should get cleaned up, they will be here in a little to finalize the engagement.”
I felt tears built up and I ran straight to my bedroom, I slammed the door shut in front of my mother’s bewildered face.
Who was I kidding, my parents deserved to be mad at me. They had every right to be upset when I was the one who betrayed them. It was all my fault they were still struggling when they could be building new businesses and clubs by now.
I knew Liam and I were done for, forever. But a part of me still wished he arrived on time.
But I should’ve learned my lesson the first time.
I have been staring at the salmon and broccoli on my plate since the Grimaldi’s have arrived. It had been an hour since we got introduced and sat to have dinner.
A very late dinner may I add.
I couldn’t help but sneak a look up at my future husband to be, he wasn’t ugly, he wasn’t rude, he wasn’t everything horrible in one person.
But he wasn’t Liam.
It was a bad mentality to have, comparing men to Liam but it was how I could somehow operate. Maybe it was a good thing he was nothing like Liam.
Our parents have been having long conversations about God knows what, we’ve been eyeing up the four main spot of awkwardness.
The food in front of us. The painting above my father’s chair. The small glances at the clock and lastly, the balcony that led out to the back of the house.
I’ve yawned about a billion times already and I couldn’t help but wish that I could just excuse myself to go and sleep but my father would’ve absolutely killed me by now.
“Shall I excuse myself and Margo, over to the balcony?” I heard a deep voice speak up.
My eyes zoned in on Benjamin who walked over to my side of the table and held out his hand or me to grab.
Our families looked ecstatic about the idea of him leading me out of the dining room and talk.
I hesitated before I reached for his hand, but when I did it was like we were automatically transported over to the balcony outside of my living room.
The balcony was always one of my favorite places.
The white tiles, the marbled stone, and the night sky. It was always perfect, I only wished that Liam was here to enjoy it with me.
“Sorry it took longer for me to pull you aside for a chat.” He said nervously as I laughed.
“At least you did it.”
Ben looked like every woman’s dream man. He was tall, brunette hair, he was muscled, he came from a successful family, and he was a gentleman.
In a world where I didn’t fall in love with William Brookshire, I would’ve hit the jackpot with Ben.
He fidgeted with his fingers. I couldn’t help but laugh, Adrianna would do the same thing when she was anxious.
“You, okay?” I asked.
Ben’s eyes met mine, “I’m quite nervous.” He admitted.
“No need to be nervous I’m not going to be mean or anything Ben.” I assured him as he laughed awkwardly.
“You are beautiful, Margo.” He whispered it like it was a secret.
I smiled.
“I know that our situation isn’t ideal.” He made a point as he started to pace around the balcony, “And I know that you probably aren’t too fond of marrying a complete stranger but, I promise there is never any pressure, and you can always back out if you want.” He explained.
I couldn’t help but feel comfortable around Benjamin, he looked genuinely concerned.
“I want this,” He motioned to the both of us, “To be special, and we can take it slow. Since we’ve never really done an arranged marriage before, I figured we can learn from each other.” He continued to ramble as I leaned forward.
I pulled him in and landed a kiss on his lips, they were soft. I felt a field of flowers surround us and a cozy cloud that pushed us in further together.
This was the safe option.
I pulled away from him, his hand remained on my cheek.
“Woah.” He looked flabbergasted as I let out a small giggle.
“I’m gonna remember that for a while.” He looked dazed.
Then he snapped back into reality, “I like kissing you.” He pointed out as I felt my cheeks turn a hue of red.
“That was terrible, sorry… I meant I like you, not just your kiss. Not that the kiss wasn’t good–– erm, it was amazing, but it wasn’t like the best thing about you.” He was fidgeting with his hands once more.
“Ben, calm down. As my future husband I would hope that you don’t freak out because your wife is kissing you.” I muttered as he nodded his head.
“Margo, I know we just met like an hour ago, and we probably have to spend the rest of our lives together. I just hope that one day… I earn your love like I would if we weren’t getting married with an arrangement.” He smiled at me.
“If you do wish to say yes to this engagement, I promise you I will treat you like you deserve, and I will not take you for granted.”
There were so many green flags in Ben, everything a girl could ever want was right in front of me, telling me that he would care about me, and respect me.
He was my age; he was good looking, and he would help my parents with their financial status.
While Liam had given me everything, I couldn’t dismiss the amount of pain he had caused me. How he would never be one to propose to me, help my family. He wouldn’t give me what I needed in life.
He had never had to care for anything else other than himself and hockey. I deserve more than what he could offer and what I needed was in front of me.
“Just know you have free range to say anything…” Ben muttered as he pulled out a red box from his back pocket. Before I could process what was happening, he was on his knee, with the box out, being presented to me.
He wasn’t Liam.
Liam isn’t showing up Margo get over it!
“Will you marry me?” Ben asked with a golden glare in his eyes.
I looked at the ring, before my eyes settled back on Ben’s face.
He was full of hope, admiration, and need.
He was here now, on his knee asking me to marry him.
“Yes.”
LIAM
“ N o, you already named that one.” Neil sprawled out as I hit the steering wheel.
“I did not name Connecticut yet!” I defended as he pointed at his list on his phone, with the looks of Connecticut already being called out and crossed off.
“You did so.” He retorted as I rolled my eyes in pure annoyance.
“Start from the beginning.” He knocked his head back as I coughed out to restart.
“Okay, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware––”
“You missed Connecticut.” Neil cut me off as I honked the horn with my forehead.
“I thought you knew the song!” He asked as I gave him a death stare.
“I do know the song!”
“Clearly not.” I checked the time of destination being three minutes away.
“Who needs to know the damn states anyways!” I yelled as Neil gave me a thin smile.
“You do.” He muttered, “Because your girlfriend put it on her very amazing list.”
I knocked my head back in annoyance as he continued to speak.
I wish she was my girlfriend.
“How are you so sure that she would even consider giving you another chance?” Neil asked as I stayed quiet.
I wasn’t sure if Margo would ever give me another chance after tonight.
“God Neil, I don’t know! I don’t know anything anymore when it comes to her. She has completely blindsided me. I can’t talk to other women. I can’t breathe when I’m around her. I don’t know what else to do other than learn these damn states just so I can have her back.” I quickly let out as he gave me an apologetic look.
Neil inhaled and exhaled heavily, “What if you can’t get her back Will?”
That was surely the dreaded question.
“That can’t be an option, she’s the love of my life. I can’t imagine being with someone else other than her Neil, and I know you don’t know how that feels like but damn it’s all consuming.”
“Why don’t you tell her that?” He suggested as I slowed down.
“What?” I asked.
“No games, Will. No jokes. You show up to her house, and you tell her how you feel. The raw emotions, who gives a fuck? You really think she’s your soulmate then you tell her anyways.” He looked at the note.
“Fuck the deadline, you show up anyways because if you two were really right for each other then you two will be together.” He continued as we turned the car quickly and finally reached Margo’s house.
I turned to look at Neil who was smiling at me like a dumb chump.
“Don’t smile at me like that.” I muttered as his face turned into a disappointed pout.
“Come on, you’re going to take my advice aren’t you.” His eyebrow wiggled as I gave him a small and tiny punch.
“Shut up.” I paid attention to the road ahead of me.
“Good because we are here.” Neil settled back up as I place my car in park mode.
God Margo, please wait.
“Remember.” Neil looked at me before I slammed the door closed, “From the heart!” He rolled down the passenger side window with a wide grin.
I ran as fast as I could to Margo’s guest house, which was behind her parent’s house, by the big ass balcony that she loved. I pulled out my phone, to check if she had returned any of my calls.
Sadly, she hasn’t. But like Neil said, who cares. All I need to do is tell her how I feel, hope for the best that––
And there it was.
It was 1:57 a.m.
I was outside her guest house with a perfect view of her balcony where she stood, getting proposed to by Benjamin Grimaldi.
And she said yes.
I felt like my whole world crashed down on me all at once. The sky turned a shade of red as I just stared at her with no emotion.
I just lost.
Only now there was no fucking game. It was just me who played myself.
This was a living nightmare I swear I had experienced before; except I couldn’t wake up from it.
Margo Hamilton was no longer mine, not that she ever was before. I heavily think that she could never really be anyone’s. She doesn’t want to be owned. That’s why I fell in love with her.
I watched her as she smiled at him, the smile she would throw at me, that I took for granted. I will forever kick myself for taking her presence for granted.
Her parents came out with celebratory smiles and hugs, like she had always wanted.
I on the other hand, walked slowly back to the car, Neil’s smile withered with every step I took.
“What happened?” He peaked his head out the window.
I smiled lightly, in a way of defeat.
“I lost the girl man.”
I could really only smile and hide the scowl on my face, after all… I lost her fair and square.