Chapter 24

 

 

Dimitrius tried to disguise his frustration when he called Melanie, asking her what time she would be ready for him to swing by and pick her up. If she was already living with him, he wouldn’t have to call and ask her. That in itself was upsetting enough. It riled him even more when she notified him that she would meet him at Connelley’s. Meet him. Did she not want to ride with him?

 

* * *

 

Dimitrius sat alone, leaned back in his chair with a glass of wine in front of him. The time was 7:05 p.m. He’d told Melanie to meet him at 6:30 p.m. and she had yet to arrive.

He took a sip of wine, thinking about how she was becoming increasingly distant and not the same, loving, passionate woman he’d exchanged vows with, bonded with and made love to. When they came back from Vegas, she’d dodged his advances, wouldn’t even kiss him unless he initiated it, and made love only twice – including last night – and that was because he had initiated it.

“Hi,” she said, cutting into his thoughts.

He was so disturbed by thoughts of the last few days that he hadn’t seen her approaching the table. He looked up at her, watching her hair pulled back with a headband holding it in place. She had on a black shirt and a pair of blue jeans – an outfit that was completely out of code for an upscale restaurant like Connelley’s.

“Sorry I’m late. I was so tired, I passed out and woke up a little later than I wanted to.”

Dimitrius didn’t say a word. He just analyzed her. Looked her over. He saw something that bothered him right away – the puffiness of her eyelids, and the fact that she tried to pretend to be chipper and in a good mood when it was obvious she’d been crying.

He brushed a finger across his mustache and said, “I’m going to cut to the chase, Melanie. Do you want to be with me or not?”

“I thought we came here for a nice dinner,” she replied.

“We did, but look at how you’re dressed.”

Melanie snapped her head back. “What’s wrong with the way I’m dressed?” she asked, feigning ignorance. She knew she wasn’t in the proper attire for the restaurant. Only thing is, she didn’t care. She hadn’t wanted to come in the first place.

Dimitrius shook his head. “Since we’ve been home from Vegas, your attitude has changed, Melanie, and don’t bother lying to convince me otherwise. Now, I want to know why you’ve been stalling and delaying your move.”

Melanie sighed. Before she could open her mouth to speak, she saw a familiar face heading her way – Scott Porter. There was a woman holding a baby walking directly behind him. They were obviously together, and it seemed as if Scott was heading straight for her table, especially after she had made unintentional eye contact with him. She quickly looked away, hoping her avoidance would be enough to make him continue to walk by.

It didn’t work…

Only steps away from the table, he said, “Hi Melanie.”

Reluctant at first, Melanie said, “Hi.”

Dimitrius sat straight up in his chair, prompting Melanie to say, “Dimitrius, this is Scott. Scott, this is my husband, Dimitrius.”

“Oh, your husband,” Scott said, sounding surprised.

Dimitrius nodded and said, “Yes. Her husband. Dimitrius Champion.”

“Nice to meet you,” Scott said.

Dimitrius didn’t feel the same way. He was already boiling over with frustration and he was in no mood to meet his wife’s ex-boyfriend. If anything, he wanted to punch a hole in the man’s face for interrupting their dinner.

“Uh, this my wife, Jackie,” Scott continued telling Melanie, “And this is our son, Jordan.”

Melanie swallowed hard. She didn’t know why Scott felt the need to introduce her to his wife. It’s not like her relationship with Scott had ended on good terms. They hadn’t remained friends. He left her, thus breaking her heart into pieces because she couldn’t have children and now, it seemed he was flaunting his new wife and baby boy – a cute little boy who looked just like him. All it did was remind her of what she couldn’t give him and now, what she wouldn’t be able to give Dimitrius.

“Enjoy your dinner,” Dimitrius said frowning, giving Scott a hint to get away from their table and away from Melanie. Why was he still standing there, looking at her like they’d had unfinished business to attend to?

“You as well,” Scott replied, then finally walked off.

Dimitrius took a sip of wine, set the glass back on the table and said, “Your ex?”

Melanie nodded. “Yes. That was Scott.” Melanie got her bearings then said, “Look, Dimitrius…I have been reluctant to move in with you—”

“Why?”

Melanie thought about how Jackie, Scott’s wife, was able to give him a baby. Instantly, reality set in for her. It didn’t matter how much she loved Dimitrius – she could never give him a child, something she knew he wanted. He wanted three to be exact, even had their bedrooms designated already.

“Melanie?”

Melanie glanced up at him then shamefully looked away. She knew she had to end things with Dimitrius. He deserved better – deserved to have his own children, especially after the ordeal he went through with his ex. She had an abortion without his knowledge and he was still crushed about it. Melanie could only imagine how he would react once he found out that she couldn’t give him a child at all.

So, sliding the ring from her finger and fighting back tears, she said, “I’m sorry, Dimitrius.”

“Sorry for what?” he asked, confused.

“I can’t be with you anymore.”

Dimitrius frowned as he watched her place he ring on the table. “What are you talking about, Melanie?”

“I can’t be with you,” she said again.

He narrowed his eyes at her. “You can’t be with me when, just a few days ago, we exchanged vows? When just last night, you made love to me? Now, all of a sudden, you can’t be with me?”

“Dimitrius, I—”

“Melanie, cut the crap and tell me what’s going on. Whatever it is, we can work through it, baby. I don’t want to lose you.”

Melanie batted a tear away from her face.

“Melanie, just talk to—”

“I don’t love you, Dimitrius,” she said tearfully. Then she stood up and said, “There. I said it. Goodbye.”

It was a lie, but it was one in which she felt she needed to tell in order to convince Dimitrius that it was really over between them.

Her words cut through to his heart like a jagged knife. He had invested a lot of time and effort into making things work for them. And he loved her, he genuinely loved her, but she didn’t love him. And now, he was sitting alone, staring at the ring she’d left on the table, feeling anger circulating through his blood stream. No matter how mad he was, it couldn’t mask the hurt he felt at her admission – she didn’t love him.