I Want You Back

Angel Leffman

I still don't understand where this woman got the nerve to kick me out like this. It's irritating.

"Sir, we've arrived," Chad announced, and I frowned when I saw an unfamiliar environment. "Where are we?"

"In madam's apartment, boss."

"Chad, I told you to take us home. Is this our home?"

"But..." He trailed off and glanced behind us at the sleeping Sofia.

"Let's go. I thought she already sold this apartment when we got married." When Chad answered me, I realized that I said it out loud.

"No, sir, the madam stays here once or twice a week."

"Because? she has the house to herself, why would she need to?"

"Who understands women, sir?" Chad stated with a shrug.

I glanced behind us again to see her innocent state. Just like when I first met her. I remember admiring her when she stepped out of the car, looking so seductive yet innocent. And then, in class, I found out she's actually brainy and admirable. She's not like the other women who only think of shopping or partying.

I wonder when you changed, Sofia. If only you had let me in and not messed with Kevin before, things wouldn't have turned out this way. Why did you have to lie to force me to marry you? If that's what you want, then you should have told me. But did you have to kill my child? "God!" I exclaimed in frustration.

""Is there something wrong, sir?"

I just shook my head in answer because I felt like I was going crazy.

"We're here, sir," Chad announced after a while, I stepped down before carrying Sofia inside, and Carmen greeted us.

"Angel, what happened to her?" she asked worriedly as she followed us to Sofia's room.

"Nothing serious. She fainted, but the doctor already checked her."

"Don't tell me it's her sugar again."

I gently laid her on the bed, and she looked so fragile just lying there. She did not even wake up the whole way.

"Carmen, I instructed you that she needs to eat nutritious foods. You need to pay attention to her medications, and if she gets sick, you call me. Why did I have to find out from the doctor that she had attacks in the past three months?"

Carmen lowered her head. "I'm sorry, Sir Angel, but I assure you that she's healthy, and I did as you instructed, and that her medications are up to date."

So, how did she end up in the hospital?"

"The doctor said that it's because of stress because Sofia overworks herself. Sometimes, I even have to force her to eat. I am worried now that she's alone if she is eating well."

"She's stubborn like that. Alright. Starting tomorrow, you will be transferred to her apartment to make sure she's okay."

"Yes, Angel, but what if she refuses? You know her, and she doesn't like being told what to do."

"I don't know, Carmen. Tell her you don't want to work here anymore. That you want to be with her. I don't know, I want you to be with her. That is the reason I hired you."

"I know, but I assure you that I'm doing my job."

"Yet, she'd had attacks."

"I'm sorry, she apologized before covering Sofia with a blanket and tucking her. "Do you want me to bring you something to eat?"

"No, but I can take a coffee."

"Will you stay here or will you sleep in your bed?"

I looked at Carmen because she's the only one who knows that when Sofia's asleep, I always spend hours here looking over her, and I will leave before she wakes up or the sun comes up.

"Take it here, but I'll shower first, and remember..."

"Yes, sir. That Sofia cannot know about this." She finished and left, leaving Sofia and me alone.

I looked at my phone, and I saw six missed calls from Elisa and two picture messages. The truth is, I can no longer remember our first time together. I was so drunk after the party because I heard the woman I was interested in sleeping with was a jerk like Kevin. Then he rubbed it in my face, and I lost all hope in her. After that, I just woke up in a room with Elisa.

How did I get there? I have no idea. What happened? I also have no idea, but one look at the bed and the room, and you'll know what happened. That day, I felt like an idiot for taking advantage of such an innocent girl. Although there were rumors about her, they were never proven. When we started dating, Sofia and I drifted apart, and it was for the best.

'I'm sorry, Elisa, something urgent came up.' I replied to her message because I know she's probably pissed.

I went to the bathroom and took a shower before putting on my clothes. A moment later, Carmen came back with my coffee.

"Your coffee, Angel."

"Thanks. And Carmen? Did Sofia ever have a visitor? Preferably male visitors?"

I cannot get what she said out of my head, especially how she has treated me lately.

"She only had her cousin, her dad, Diether, and your grandpa as her visitors."

"Pops?" I asked in surprise. What was he doing here?

"In meetings only, as Dylan told me when he drove him here."

"Did you notice something different with her? I mean, is she happier? Is she dressing herself up like she's... in love?" Just mentioning it irritates me. Just the thought of someone replacing me in her life.

"No, Angel," she answered before a teasing smile appeared on her face.

"Why are you smiling like that? Tell me what's on your mind."

"I just don't understand, Angel. It's obvious that you care about her; you love her, but as soon as the sun comes up, you ignore or argue with her. You are mean to her. It's not that I want to intervene, but if you love her, why did you ask for a divorce and make her leave?" "Sofia signed without so much hesitation. She's stubborn like that," I said with bitterness.

"But you left her for another, so why would anyone stay with someone even if they love them? Dignity and her pride-that's all she has left."

"I don't know, Carmen, but I assure you that ever since we married, I have never seen any woman."

Although I'd like to think that I did it for Elisa,

"So? What's stopping you from loving her and making her happy? Why make her believe that you are not interested?" the older woman asked with so much confusion.

"Because she's not as innocent and pure as you thought. This woman can be evil like her family."

"I don't believe that," she said immediately.

"I didn't as well until I experienced it myself. She took something important from me, and now I had to fulfill a promise. She also showed me how ruthless and cruel she can be if things don't go her way."

"Are we still talking about Sofia?"

"Who else?"

"I don't think so, Angel. Sometimes, there are things that aren't what they seem. Like you two, for example. Everyone envies your relationship because people think you are what you want them to think, but it's the opposite. You argue and fight with her, but at night, you're like a thief sneaking here because you care about her. You want to know what she's doing or who she's with."

"You are crossing the line."

"I'm just saying what I observe. Is it really worth it to waste a long time fighting instead of loving her?" I didn't answer, and he continued.

"Why don't you tell her that you know about her fashion company?" She asked in a low voice.

"She didn't want anyone to know, especially me. And what would I gain by telling her? You better rest now."

She left the room, and I was left with the memory. I stepped closer to Sofia, and I remember the first time I found out about her condition. It was at a party at the university, and I offered her a drink. She laughed and told me she couldn't drink because she hadn't eaten anything, and if she drank, I'd have to take her to a doctor because of her sugar. She preferred beer, and I brought one and a burger for her to eat.

It was a great night, and I remember that Sofia was the only girl who didn't care about Kevin the idiot, but I was wrong. If it weren't for Elisa, I wouldn't notice that Sofia likes Kevin more than me, and she only sees me as a friend.

"Sofia, Sofia... why did you have to be like that? You want everything to yourself. At first, you wanted Kevin and you got him and threw him away, and then you turned to me and you set me up to look like a jerk to Elisa. I can forgive that, but what you did to my child and what you told your father to force me to marry you, I will never forgive you for that.

I saw her move, and I fixed her blanket. I should be angry at you because loving you is an insult to my unborn child and family. You weren't the woman I thought you were. I know a part of you that no one knows about, and that is the reason why I love you.

I spent the whole night watching her sleep and observing her breathing. My emotions and the past kept me awake.

Now we are just two strangers who hate each other because of your lies.