I Want You Back
Chapter 54

Angel

Leffman

When I arrived at Elisa's house, I wasn't sure how to control myself so as not to murder her.

"Love, I didn't know you were coming," Elisa said in excitement as soon as she came down from her room. "But that's great, so we can have lunch together." When she reached me, she attempted to kiss me, but I rejected her. Just seeing her disgusts me.

"You knew Sofia was at the club when you came out of the bathroom, yet you still kissed me. On top of that, you compromised me in front of everyone. How hard is it to understand that no one could replace out until I say so? Why will you ruin everything I've worked for?" I told her coldly, and she flinched.

"I just unconsciously did it, and it wasn't in front of everyone, just my family, yours, and hers; there was no one else around." She tried to reason it out, but it only annoyed me more.

"It doesn't matter who was there. I told you no one could know, but you still did things your way."

"Angel, don't be upset, okay? Just try to understand me. I'm upset because she refused to sign the divorce, and I don't want her to continue ruining our happiness."

"Then explain to me why our parents were there. Did you think that I wouldn't realize that it was planned?"

"It was just a simple family dinner, Angel; I didn't think you'd be upset about that," Elisa replied in a sad voice, but it didn't affect me.

"Do you really think I'm an idiot, Elisa? I know that dinner was to get us engaged, but I'm already engaged, Elisa. I am married. I have a wife." I emphasized getting it through her thick skull. "The one you are divorcing to be with me, it was our agreement," she stubbornly insisted.

"The only agreement that you and I have was that you asked me for help when you were sad about the death of our child. You weren't happy until you saw me and told me that you forgave me for having cheated on you with Sofia, and I told you that I would support you, that I wouldn't leave you alone, that you could count on me."

I licked my lips and took a deep breath. "I told you that when we returned, I was going to give you my support so that you could recover everything in life. I asked you to heal from the damage that Sofia had done to you. You were the one who said we should give ourselves a chance and be together. I remember clearly that I told you that I was married and that although we were married under a contract, we still had rules. We could return to the country together, but we would talk about being together once after my divorce, not before, because I had a reputation to uphold. What part of all that did you not understand, Elisa?"

"Angel, don't talk to me in that tone. I feel like you don't love me anymore, and that woman did something to you to treat me like this," Elisa said in an upset tone, her eyes watering.

"Because I am now realizing that you are a selfish woman, that you do things your way, and I am no longer the same idiot who allowed himself to be manipulated so easily."

Elisa gasped, and she looked hurt. "I have never manipulated you, Angel! I have loved you since the day I saw you; that's why I gave myself to you regardless of whether you were drunk." What a good actress she is. How come I didn't realize this before? "So I don't understand why you're saying that."

"The night I took your virginity while drunk, is the same night Sofia lost her virginity to Kevin, and you told me they had been together for weeks, right?"

"Obviously, that same night, why are you even asking that? Do you know that you are the only man I have ever had in my life?"

I almost laughed out loud at what she said. "The only man you had? You mean to tell me, Elisa, that during these five years, you have not had a boyfriend, a partner, anyone? You have remained pure and mine?"

"I'm not going to lie to you; I have gone out with men to try to see if I can be with them, but I haven't been able to because my love for you hasn't left me and I haven't slept with anyone. Angel, I have values and principles," Elisa said with all the fake innocence she could muster.

"You know, I remember that you were anxious to go to the graduation party. You cried and begged me to go with you, but once we got there, I didn't see you again. Where did you go? Who did you come with?"

At what I said, she avoided my eyes. "I was with my friends. I looked for you, but I didn't replace you. If I had known what was happening..." She trailed off, looking distressed. Oh, I could give her a prize for such a good performance. "I didn't feel very well either."

"I can imagine. I just don't quite understand how it is that at that moment you didn't believe me and now you did. What made you change your mind? Because I haven't proven to you that I was never unfaithful to you with Sofia."

Elisa swallowed before she answered. "Because I know you, Angel, you are fair, a respectful gentleman, and you were trying to make me happy, to please me, you couldn't have deceived me."

"And it took you five years to realize that?" I asked with a snort, and she looked away. "I'm still the same, Elisa; what's more, I am now married to Sofia. Don't you think it would be harder to believe that I didn't sleep with her? But you're so certain. You surprised me."

"Five years gives you a lot to think about and to see the evil in people, Angel. It allows you to see the past. I left it to fate and look at us now."

"You have dedicated yourself to traveling, but you have not pursued your career. I imagine that now that you have returned, you will." I pointed out to change the subject.

"Well, I'm on it. First, I must catch up with everything that has happened in these years, and then we will see."

"You've been in the country for months now, Elisa; you should have known what to do. Not everything is parties, shops, and trips. Earning money is also essential, and the woman who is by my side must know how to defend herself, be independent even financially, and be intelligent and outstanding. Someone who can help me solve problems in the company when they arise. Are you willing to do that?"

She looks at me with her eyes wide open, not knowing what to say. As if I didn't know that she is like my sister, who doesn't like to do anything.

"Yes, of course, but I don't know anything about cars, except which one is the last one of the season," she said, followed by an awkward laugh.

"You'll learn." I smiled at her without saying it. You'll see what it's like to deceive me. "You know what? I have an idea; why don't we invite your friend to dinner to apologize for what Sofia did?"

She was stunned for a second. "What? That's not necessary, Angel," she immediately said in a worried tone. "I mean, she's busy, and her boyfriend is very overprotective."

"What does that have to do with it? If that's the problem, let's go to the store and talk to her," I offered, and she looked visibly anxious now. "Come on."

'I don't think she'll be happy to see us. Also, I resent her for accepting Sofia's money."

"Ah, you didn't tell me how you found out about that because I don't think she told you after she accepted."

"But... what is this, Angel?! Did you come here to interrogate me?! Are you doubting me?"

There goes her attempt to turn things on me.

"What's wrong, Elisa? They are just simple questions. I don't see what the problem is with your answer. I have no reason to doubt you, do I?"

"No, but you are upset, and you ask me those questions; it's making me upset."

"Is it wrong to ask them? I think you should be more worried if I ask you where you aborted the child. If he was mine? If everything that was said about you at university was true?" I hinted, and she started to sweat. "But I'm not asking that because I trust you, and I know that you're not stupid enough to lie to me because you know what I'll do to you."

"Is that a threat?"

"No, it's a clarification, but why are you so nervous and upset? Anyone who will see you would say you have something to hide."

"I do not have anything to hide."

"Then be confident about it." I approached the door and left her. "Let's go." She looked at me in confusion. "Let's go look for your friend. We're not going to let Sofia take another thing away from you."

"Angel, no. I can solve this problem with Patricia on my own, and you don't need to be involved in this nonsense when you are such a busy man."

I continued feigning innocence. "It's not something stupid, Elisa; she's your best friend, and Sofia wanted to ruin that because of me, but I'm not going to allow it, so don't look for excuses, and let's go," I emphasized and beckoned her out again. I want to see how far she's going to go. I practically dragged her to the store where her friend works and found that it was still in the process of bankruptcy. That's strange. We looked at each other, and I saw that she was still nervous. We went in and asked for Patricia, and we were guided to her office.

I came in without knocking because I was not going to risk her refusing, and Patricia was surprised to see us.

"What are you doing here?" She asked in a not-so-friendly look at Elisa.

"Hello, Patricia," I greeted Elisa's friend, whom I was not really close with. "Your store is nice. Elisa and I came because I know that you are fighting because of me and Sofia."

"So? As if you didn't know the reason," she says without hesitation, looking at Elisa.

"I told Angel everything-that Sofia bought you by paying the debt of the store." Elisa sneered at her.

"Yes, and I don't think that your friendship should be broken because of other people," I interrupted them.

"Okay. You came, you said hello, now you can leave. I have serious problems to solve." She dismissed us, returning to her computer. She received a call, and I saw that t was from a creditor. She rejected the call and looked at us. "Why are you still here?" "The creditors are still calling you, and your store is still in liquidation," I pointed out.

"Because there's no way I'd hand over a store full of cosmetics when they come to seize me."

"Are you supposed to be seized if you pay the debt?"

"If it's paid, but I have not paid, and thanks to your ex-girlfriend and my ex-boyfriend, I lost a partner." "Are you talking about Sofia? I thought she had paid the debt for an agreement that you'd lie to me." "Angel, let's just go; it's obvious that she doesn't want us here." Elisa interrupted us, but I ignored her. "You haven't answered me, Patricia."

"No, Angel. Does it look like this store has its debts settled? Sofia offered to pay my debt in exchange for a company, but no one was supposed to know. The only thing I had to do was give her something that was in my hands."

It's the folder with Elisa's information, isn't it?

"What is it?"

"Why does that matter, Angel? We've already proven that Sofia did buy her," Elisa interjected.

"Shut up, Elisa!" I snapped at her, and she gaped at me.

"That's something private between us. The point is that thanks to my ambitious ex-fiancé and selfish best friend, I lost and now I'm broke. Get out of here, both of you!"

"Elisa, what does her fiancé have to do with this story?" I asked her, secretly entertained by seeing her so anxious. How do you get out of this?

"I don't know! I swear she's saying incoherencies; I'm sure Sofia has something to do with this!"

"Says the queen of making plans to destroy her path!" Patricia snapped, and Elisa looked at her angrily. "My fiancé went to look for her and told her about my partnership with Sofia in exchange for a good amount of money. Sofia found out and thought I broke our agreement by telling someone about the partnership, and she canceled it. Now, as always, Elisa has everything and I have nothing; now I have to fix this problem, and you two are on my way!"

I looked at Elisa, and she didn't know what to say. "Let's go, Angel." I nodded and motioned for her to leave first.

"Does Sofia know that it was your fiancé who ruined the agreement?" I asked once Elisa was gone, and she nodded. "Then don't worry; when she confirms it, she will keep her word; I know her."

"I don't know, Angel. She was very upset, and you shouldn't defend Elisa."

"I know, and you should change friends and fiance," I suggested with a smile, and she laughed a little.

"I'm already doing that."

I went out, and Elisa was waiting for me outside the store. "How dare she make me look like a liar in front of you?"

"It's your fault because you told me that it was her who told you, but it turns out that it was her boyfriend, and the payment was for a partnership, not to tell me lies."

"Am I a fortune teller? Her boyfriend told me that was the reason; how was I supposed to know?"

"What every good friend does, Elisa. We came to talk to your friend and see if it's true or not to help her. If you know she had a debt and you were able to pay her boyfriend, why couldn't you help her?" "Because she didn't ask me. I would have done it if she did. Maybe you're right. I should have asked her about what her boyfriend told me, but I was just so upset."

"How convenient. You still lied to me, Elisa. You told me that it was her who told you about the agreement. You told me that Sofia had paid the debt, and it's all a lie. What else have you lied about?" "Angel, I didn't lie except that she was the one who told me, but the rest is true. Angel, don't look at me like that; it offends me that you are doubting me."

"Whatever. Now, let's go to another place."

*Wherever you want, if that's going to make you forgive me,

An hour later, we arrived at the gynecological and fertility clinic, and she was pale as blank paper.

"What are we doing here, Angel?" She asked, and I could practically hear the panic in her voice.

"Well, they told me that it is one of the best in the city, and after the abortion, I am aware that there are consequences. When I get divorced and we give each other a chance, I want to have children, and I imagine you do as well. They recommended a very good doctor to me, so let's go." "But I have my doctor, Angel. I don't like anyone checking me. If you want to, let's go to mine."

"What's wrong, Elisa? It's just a checkup. I'm sure there won't be much difference between their diagnosis."

Elisa stepped away from me, looking scared, nervous, and upset. "I am not comfortable, Angel."

"Can't you do this for me? I want to know that everything is okay in case you want to have children in the future, either with or without me."

"Of course, I would do anything for you, but I trust my doctor more."

"Alright, why don't we let the doctor check you and then your doctor? If there is not much difference, then we stay with your doctor. Also, wasn't this place where you used to visit when you were pregnant?" I asked, and her eyes widened.

I left her no choice and almost dragged her in. We approached the receptionist, and I greeted her.

"We're here to see Dr. Denise."

"Who?" Elisa interrupts in surprise and becomes paler than ever.

I stopped myself from smirking. "It's the doctor's name, Elisa. I was told that she is the best at fertility and abortions."

"She will receive you in a moment," the receptionist told us, and Elisa looked like she was about to faint.

"I want to leave, Angel. I'm not comfortable here, and if you want to stay angry, then so be it, but I'm leaving."

She was about to leave, but I stopped her. "What are you hiding from me, Elisa? I do not get your attitude."

"Angel, a woman is delicate with her body. There must be trust, and I have had my doctor since I was a child; I don't want to change him." She tried to reason it out, but I know better.

"Does that mean that your doctor was the one who treated your pregnancy and loss? Because I remember you saying she was a doctor."

"Of course. Let's go, Angel; I don't feel well."

She's hiding something from me about her pregnancy, and I will replace it out.