Part 4: 11


    "Why?" I couldn''t help but ask.


    Samuel looked back at me. "My mom says


    shopping cheers a woman up when she''s down." Freddy piped up. "Count me in. I''m also feeling down." Samuel yfully nudged him aside and then he steered me off.


    On the way. I tried to exin the whole story, but Samuel cut me off, "It''s water under the bridge. I don''t want you picking at old sears. Trust me. I don''t mind it. "I''d rather hear more about how you praise me as a man of integrity. That really hits the spot. Keep thoseplimentsing!" he joked, and it made meugh.


    We returned with so much stuff from our shopping spree. The car''s trunk and back seat were both stuffed. Freddy, a little jealous, cuddled my cat and made fun of us.


    The tense mood brought by Antonio was soon overshadowed by theughter


    On our wedding day, Antonio and Alicia were there. They were on the guest list this time.


    Antonio, with a cast on his leg, was leaning on Alicia for support.


    Security was all over them, making sure they didn''t make any unexpected moves


    I looked at Samuel with confusion, but he shrugged it off. “Easier to


    keep an eye on them here. Less chance for drama." Freddy curled his lip. "You


    just wanted them to witness the wedding with their own eyes so they would feel more devastated."


    As we swapped rings, chaos broke out on Antonio''s end.


    He gave Alicia a push. She hit her head on the table''s edge and bled, but he didn''t even nce at her.


    It was the same thing at Alicia''s wee-


    back bash. When he moved so abruptly that the soup spilled all over me, he didn''t even turn his head but rushed out to chase after Alicia.


    Antonio wanted to charge over and shout, but the security was on him, pinning him back. They covered his mouth to stifle his cries. The loud pops of the confetti poppers and the joyful music drowned out any si After the wedding ceremony ended, I walked up to them.


    Staring at the awkward Alicia, I asked her calmly, "Look at us now. Do we still look alike?"


    She just gaped at me and then broke into a mix of tears andughter. "Who cares if we look alike? The person he truly loved was never either of us."


    Antonio shot her a re. "Bullshit. I did love you, but that was


    then. Grace''s the one I love now.


    "You''re the one who messed up bying back. You ruined everything. and caused trouble between Grace and me."


    I cut in. "Antonio, cut the act. I''ve been to your study." Antonio widened


    eyes. He crumpled to the ground, speechless.


    Samuel and I walked away together.


    Barely had we moved when Samuel joked. "Let''s go. We''ve got a crowd waiting to y the wedding game." I yfully pinched his arm, and he responded by pulling me close for a Kiss.


    Word had it that Antonioid all the me on Alicia and made her life a living hell. She lost her job over and over again. Her life was a struggle, and in a moment of despair, she drove into him. His leg, not yet healed from a past break. was crushed, leaving him paralyzed.


    The Kaufman family hounded Alicia, and with no hope left, she took a leap from the top of the Kaufman Group building.


    The Kaufman Group lost its sessor and got caught up in a murder case. Their stock nosedived, and soon enough, they were forced into bankruptcy by rivalpanies.


    Samuel made a call to make sure Antonio survived.


    When I looked puzzled, he rified


    "I always keep my promises. I said he''d watch you happy for the rest of your days, and he can''t kick the bucket before that."  fo


    Words failed me.


    Freddy was right. Samuel was totally cunning.


    ??


    Yet, I was sure he would bring me happiness and a safe ce to call home.


    The end.