His Lethal Love by Monika Singh (short story to read txt) 📗

I smoothed my long uniform skirt and fixed my hair. I was looking terrible with dark shades underneath my eyes and sunken cheeks. Pushing my rounded glasses above my nose, I checked my appearance in the mirror one last time. The more I saw myself, the more I hated myself. 

Ugly!

Plain! 

Zombies!

This was what people thought of me when they saw me. It had been one week since I left my hometown, South Carolina, for Boston to start over, and luckily, I got a job at an expensive hotel. Despite the well-paid job, I wasn’t able to provide a decent life for my siblings. Both my brothers had school to attend and my sister wanted to pursue a university education.

It was my dream to fulfill their dream, but twenty-four hours wasn’t enough to make much money. I wanted to do the things that my parents were not able to provide us with. My siblings were my everything, so I wanted to provide everything they wanted. In addition, I didn’t like seeing my sister working in the bar. She was a bartender who was different from me. She was charming, bubbly, and beautiful. I didn’t like her falling in love with a bad boy. This all started when I spotted her with a racer two nights ago. I would have to give a good lesson to that punter and tell him to stay the hell away from my sister. 

“Camille, come on…” my friend Lilly called out and directed me to the ballroom where hundreds of guests had gathered. 

“I’m sorry…” I cleared my throat and grabbed the serving tray before heading towards the ballroom. The banquet was exquisite and sumptuous as everything screamed to perfection. The ceiling was embellished with scalloped edging, and the floor was glossy hardwood and suitable for dancing. There were curved observation balconies on an upper level and massive tiered crystal chandeliers glittering in the soft light. I examined the women in their updos and exotic jewelry and men in their expensive three-piece suits. 

“Are you aware that Scott Martinez is attending today’s banquet?” 

Hearing his name, I froze. 

Scott Martinez!

“Oh my gosh, is he here?” Another woman asked with the same enthusiasm. I slowly turned my gaze towards the gorgeous ladies talking about him. 

“Yes, he is here.” 

“He’s one of the most talented and popular actors of all time and one of the highest-paid in Hollywood.”

“He’s hot as hell.”

My heart had been broken so many times by Scott Martinez, the man I loved ever since I met him.

“I can’t believe he’s here.” the woman shouted as she pointed toward the entrance.

When he arrived, the murmur of the crowd had died away. Scott Martinez stepped into the hall as if he had owned it. His charcoal gray suit fitted perfectly to his athletic frame, and his brown hair was styled in a sleek way. I focused my attention on his squared jaw that was well-groomed, well defined, and emphasized his electric blue eyes. He looked so confident and so attractive as always.  

Disappointment washed over me when I saw her next to him. Maura Garcia. His fiancee was the reason for my shattered heart and a broken dream. I had dreamed of marrying Scott ever since the day I first saw him.

It all started when I was driving to the hospital to see how my mother was feeling. I caught sight of the most gorgeous boy I had ever seen. Scott Martinez was helping a dog that had been injured in an accident. I would never forget the pain in his eyes when he was treating a stray animal. Not only did he look like an angel, but he was one as well. He was a great person, both inside and out.

But today…

He turned into something else. He became greedy, violent, and mean. He had become a very different person from the charming prince he once was. It was all my fault he didn’t trust others. He changed because I forced him to, but still, I was satisfied. Even when he hated me and never loved me back, I was happy. He destroyed me; I was happy. As long as he was going to marry Maura, I was happy. Anyway, he didn’t deserve such an ugly, self-hating, and boring person as me. He deserved someone as beautiful as her.

I gulped, returning to the guest. I knew every eye on him. Everyone wanted to get a few seconds with him but he couldn’t care less. All he cared about was his fiancee, who probably forced him to attend this party. Scott loved Maura so much that he couldn’t think before fulfilling her stupid demands. I witnessed their love eight years ago. 

I gasped when suddenly someone bumped into me and made all the wine glasses shatter on the floor. 

“Are you fucking blind?!” Maura shouted angrily in my face. 

I quickly sat on my knees to hide my face, mumbling, “I’m sorry...” as I picked up broken pieces of glasses.

“What sorry? Do you know how expensive this dress is!” She gritted out and my heart went into my throat. “You ugly rat!” 

I swallowed hard. My, and hands were shaking as I was picking glasses, unaware of their sharp edges. I badly wanted to get out of this party as soon as possible.  

“Stop it, Maura.” Scott approached her and I felt my adrenaline rushing. “Cool down baby, it was just an accident.” 

“She spoiled my dress!” She cried out. “How could I be cool? I hate it when paparazzi will take my picture in this stained dress.”

I squeezed my eyes, praying that they would not recognize me. My hands clenched into fists when Scott’s familiar scent washed over. As much as I hated his smell, I loved to feel it. It made me feel at home. I was addicted to him. I loved everything about him. 

I loved him! 

“Camille!!” I was startled when a familiar masculine voice called out. I gripped the tray when the realization hit me hard.