Perfect disguise by Elizabeth A (speld decodable readers .txt) 📗

60.

 

Dominic.

I arrived in Las Vegas at midday. I would have gotten there the night before if my flight wasn't set on the day after. Diana was acting strange. I had missed her call because I had slept off very early and I even called her back the next morning so I didn't understand why she sounded offended on the phone. 

I tried to remember if we fought before she traveled to Las Vegas, but we didn't. I pulled the strap of my luggage as I stepped down from the plane. If we haven't had a fight, why did she suggest that we break up? She didn't even explain anything; she just hung up after saying such sickening words. 

Gosh, she left me so lost and confused.

She was lounging at the hotel Annie's groom had booked for their wedding so I knew where she would be. We need to talk this out, she couldn't expect us to break up without proper clarification. Speaking about the wedding, it should have started by now. I looked at my wristwatch, it was 3 pm and the wedding was to start by 1 pm. This only meant that Dian was at the wedding hall. 

I have arranged a rental car to pick me up at the airport curbside. I got into the car and told the bulky driver to drive me straight to the wedding venue. 

The wedding was taking place at an event hall. The hall was enormous and beautiful. A wide range of flowers ornamented its pillars and polished pews were arranged in neat orders. I rushed into the hall and searched for Diana through the crowd. I walked down the aisle, looking at the strange faces of the wedding guest who was dressed in glamor and charm. I looked so out of place with my plain shirt and pants. I haven't changed for the wedding and was still wearing the clothes I wore during the flight. My mind was in such a torrent and I was just that desperate to smoothened things out with Diana. The moment I decided to leave the hall and changed into a proper attire befitting the occasion, I saw Diana sitting at the front pew.

"Diana!" I called her name and walked towards her. She stiffened on her seat and refused to look at me. 

A murmur aroused from the wedding guests and I realized I was making a scene. Then, I shifted my gaze and saw Annie standing close to her fiancé at the altar. She looked at me with confused eyes. I tightened my hands and sighed. This was my best friend's day and I shouldn't ruin it by creating a scene. So I turned and left the hall.

During the wedding reception at the beach, I saw Diana standing alone by the sea. 

I walked up to her and she started away when she saw me. I ran after her and grabbed her hand. "Diana, why will you—" 

"Dominic, I don't want to say it again," she hissed. "Every time, I feel like I'm forcing you to like me back," she whispered with a pinched frown on her face. "First, it was Annie and now—" she gritted her teeth. "How can you be so heartless?!"

I stepped back, confused. "What are you talking about?"

"Stop it!" She hollered, raising her hand to my face.

I frowned. "Stop what?!"

"Stop pretending," she said firmly.

I rubbed my hair and tried to understand what she was talking about, but I couldn't. 

"Diana, I don't understand what is going on," I expressed my confusion. "What did I do wrong? Why are you even acting like this?"

"Jeez," She drawled. "You are such a good pretender."

"What?" I asked. "Why will you even think I'm pretending?"

She growled, "aren't you meant to be telling the truth instead of acting like this?"

"What truth?" I furrowed my brows. "Diana, if we have an issue, just tell me," I encouraged her gently. "You can't accuse me of offending you without a proper reason."

"I hate you," she hissed. Her brows narrowed and a fury boiled in her hazel eyes. "I hate it that you could hurt me in such a way and act like you did nothing wrong!" she said with a shaky breath, she was on the verge of tears. She sniffed, her eyes glowed as tears pooled her eyes.

I sighed and reached out to her. "Diana…"

"Leave me alone!" She yelled at me. 

Tears streamed down her face as she turned away from me; she didn't want me to see her breaking down. Her vulnerability latched on my heart like the claws of a beast because I knew I was the reason she was crying and it made me feel very bad.

"What is going on," I softened my tone and followed her. "Please, talk to me."

She glared at me. "The least you can do is to tell me the truth!"

"Okay," I took a deep intake of breath to relax my nerves. "What do you want to know?"

"The whole truth," she demanded, "why were you with Chloe last night?"

I blinked. I didn't expect that question. 

It took a while before I said, "it's because she was in a bad mood." 

Diana nodded with a frown. "She was in a bad mood?" She questioned. "Is that why you took her to an hotel and have sex with her?"

"What?" I gaped at Diana. The question completely took me by surprise and left me speechless. "Who… I mean… why did you—” 

"You are such a bastard," she drawled, disappointed. "You can't even deny it!"

I grabbed her hand and puller her close. "Diana, listen," I said. "This is a misunderstanding."

She struggled within my hold and glared at me with contempt. "Is that what you call it?" She answered her question, "I call it cheating!"

Richard, Diana's brother, stood up from a cabana by the seaside and rushed towards us. 

"Get your dirty hand off my sister!" He growled, glaring at me.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Back off, Richard!"

He walked up to me and latched on my arm, his fingers pricked my flesh through my suit. 

"Listen, for some reason, you piss me off and the only reason I won't punch you is because it's my wedding," he warned. "So. Get. Your. Hands. Off. My. Sister." 

After, he snatched Diana's hands from mine and walked away with her.

Annie joined me. "Dominic, what's going on?" She asked, worried. "Is everything okay?"

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