Chapter 20 #2
“I’m going with you, darling. I have a few things to do too.”
“The invitation stands for another day, then,” Thor said formally, taking the man’s hand again.
“Of course. There will be no shortage of opportunities,” Jason added. “The restaurant opening is in a few days, and you’re my guests.”
“We’ll be there,” Thor said.
“‘It would be a pleasure to have you with us,’” I murmured in a grotesque imitation of Thor’s voice as soon as the new couple left. “Where the hell did you pull that from?”
Thor’s shoulders didn’t relax, and he turned to me, his hands planted on his hips. Disappointment was stamped in his serious eyes.
“From the fucking manners you seem to lack occasionally. Now I’m wondering whether it’s for lack of maturity or because you truly enjoy embarrassing me.
The first, I can overlook, because the years will take care of teaching you, but the second, Antonella, don’t push me.
I’m not an idiot. Don’t take me for one. ”
“Let’s get to the right question, sweetheart,” I hissed impertinently, crossing my arms over my breasts, furious.
“Why invite a stranger and your ex’s possible fling to lunch?
Did you want to know his real intentions toward your little darling?
Or did you want to see if he was better than you? Or maybe measure cocks?”
“What the hell? You think I’m jealous of Norah? That I want…”
He didn’t finish the sentence, seeming too incredulous to speak the words, but fortunately or unfortunately, I wasn’t.
I planted my hands on my waist and leaned toward him.
“Do you have a better explanation for your attitude? Because I honestly don’t see any other one.
There you are, all angry because she supposedly isn’t at your feet anymore.
And don’t think I didn’t see the way you changed when that guy was mentioned.
So tell me, is it or isn’t it jealousy? What is it?
Did you realize you like her more than you imagined now that you ‘lost’ her?
If that’s it, feel free to run after her.
I don’t need to humiliate myself for anyone’s crumbs! ”
Before I could blink, Heithor was in front of me. His fist was in my hair as he forced me to look into his eyes.
“Do you hear yourself, or have you lost your fucking mind again?” he barked furiously, his eyes hard and cold, making my own sting. “The only thing I feel for Norah is respect and friendship. Nothing else. I love you. It has always been you. No one else, damn it. Only you!”
His mouth covered mine in a fierce invasion.
The kiss was savage, brutal.
Thor ruined me.
“But you’re nervous because that bitch is with someone else, damn it,” I scolded nervously, wounded and furious. All at once. “What is that?”
He huffed and held me in place. “I’m pissed because of the unnecessary rudeness you directed at someone who came here with dignity and humility to ask your forgiveness.”
I disentangled myself from him, aware that Heithor let me go.
“Am I supposed to be obligated to forgive her because she’s sorry?”
“Forgiving her when you don’t truly forgive her would be false of you, Antonella. You aren’t obligated to forgive anyone if you don’t want to or can’t. But from there to trampling all over a person and insulting her for no reason is cowardice. You don’t do that to anyone.”
I shook my head, skeptical, while letting out a small laugh.
“Dio! You surprise me, you know? Honestly, Heithor, looking at you now, it’s hard to believe you’re such a good detective.”
Heithor narrowed his eyes, studying me.
“What are you saying, Antonella?”
“You really fell for that little scene she staged, didn’t you?”
“What would she gain by lying to us, Antonella? There’s nothing she can do to separate us. That depends only on the two of us, and you know that.”
“Oh, give me a break, Heithor! She isn’t sorry for anything.
If you stopped to think for a minute and took the blindfold off, you’d see it was nothing more than theater to win your trust and mine.
That woman may fool you with her repentant-good-girl act, but she doesn’t fool me.
She never has and never will. Only now did she realize that unbridled passion had become a “challenge”?
By God, I’ve never heard so much bullshit in one sentence! ”
“Asking forgiveness isn’t easy, especially for a proud person, Antonella. You know that too, don’t you?” he questioned, crossing his arms over his chest arrogantly. “So tell me, why would Norah put herself through this?”
“I don’t know. Who knows what goes on inside that woman’s Machiavellian head? But she’s up to something. And it isn’t anything good.”
He sighed heavily.
“People repent, Antonella.”
“Normal people. Not her,” I pointed out harshly, then took a deep breath and added more calmly.
“A month ago, she was here crying in the dining room and throwing accusations at you left and right. And before that, she did everything she could to separate us even more and make me hate you. Not to mention all the tricks she’s played since we met.
Now tell me, how does a person who did everything she did and who, until recently, declared her love for you to the world and, logically, hated me because I was a potential rival, now tuck her tail between her legs and say she’s sorry because she realized the passion had become a “challenge”?
A comfortable habit? She changed just like that?
” I snapped my fingers in the air. “Tell me, Thor, is there nothing strange about that? Or am I crazy and imagining things?”
“Should I not have believed you?”
“It’s different!”
“Why? Why is it different? Tell me that, please.”
“Because unlike her, Heithor, I never hid who I was or what my feelings were. I always made my position very clear in every situation I faced. Wrong or not, whore or saint, I was truthful, no matter whom it hurt. I didn’t deceive anyone, and I didn’t lie.
I didn’t play with anyone. I acted according to what I believed without filtering anything.
Unlike her, who always manipulated and adjusted her real intentions and feelings according to what suited her, like she did now. ”
“Forgive me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that exactly what you did with me and with your parents?” I looked at him, openmouthed. “If we put your actions and hers on a scale, it isn’t hard to know which will weigh more. But I forgave you. I gave you the benefit of the doubt. Was I a fool to do that?”
“You’re distorting everything!”
“I’m not,” he snarled aggressively. “It’s exactly the same for different reasons, but exactly the same, Antonella. And the scales aren’t exactly in your favor, my love, but we’re here. However, I’m no idiot.”
I exhaled sharply, my mouth falling open.
“And after that, you forgave me?”
“Have you forgiven yourself?” I opened my mouth a few times to answer him, but the words had vanished.
He added, his voice neutral, “I know there’s a lack of empathy on both sides and that you’re repulsed by her.
And honestly, I understand, because I myself don’t like any man who has touched so much as one strand of your hair.
But from there to Norah hating you enough to harm you and me in the way you’re suggesting, I think that’s a bit much.
And as for the reckless accusation you made against me, I take care of my own.
She’s a friend, and as I would for any other friend, man or woman, I wouldn’t like to see her ruin herself with just anyone.
I’m happy with you and grateful we’re together, and for the child we’ll have.
And I want the people around me to be able to feel what I feel too.
If that’s wrong, then I should start worrying.
” He paused heavily, straightened his rigid shoulders, his gaze still hard and heavy.
“And do us both a favor: don’t humiliate me again.
I’m not an idiot, Antonella. Norah did things, I know.
She came here and everything was clarified, but remember what I told you once.
A scalded cat fears even cold water. Don’t take me for a fool again.
This is the last time I’ll tell you that, so remember it well. ”