Chapter 27

'Are you always happy when you see others unhappy? Does making others angry, bitter, sad…does it make you happy Melinda? Your lifestyle and attitude affects everyone, me…Mom and also Dad. Cole especially. Why do you spend so much strength fighting when you can do better than that? We hardly agree on anything…. always at log head and getting older and older with it. I allowed you to always have your way because I wanted to be the bigger person but hey…there is a limit I can take. You really trolled me pitifully last night, the emotional pain was far more than the blow I gave you. But I'm sorry for the damage, which was why I came. I'm sorry for punching you on your eyes but it doesn't mean I won't do it again if you come hard at me next time. If not for Ohio both your eyes and your mouth would have being the size of my fist right now… Melinda burst off laughing, I waited until she was done. She turned to me and said. 'Do you mean what you just said? I mean you could have done worst to me? I won't let that happen, i would have fight well and hard and will not leave you without a scratch. You should know me better too. I saw you were deeply hurt with my words last night, I knew you hardly react to my troubles or insults. You will rather reply me with words. Ohio is a nice guy and I'm sorry for referring to him as a male prostitute. He looks too homely and special to be a gigolo. He was the only one that stood and helped me yesterday after everybody walked away from me. Even Cole did not attend to me. I ruined a beautiful evening with my mouth. 'We both did Melinda. You started it and helped you ruined it completely. The funny thing is that you are even right….well not totally. Ohio is like a boss to me. He commands respect wherever he goes, and we actually met at work and not at a movie like I first said. He never asked me out but I liked him very much. After Richard broke up with me, I was devastated, I stayed away from men. It took me time to get over Richard. I decided to move out to rest from Dad's constant reminder that I need to be married. When I heard you were engaged, I couldn't stand Dad's sermon I decided to lie. Yes, I lied that I was engaged too. I collected my paycheck added money to it and got myself an engagement ring. Isn't that crazy…well, I'm always doing crazy stuffs. I needed to bring a man home and when I talked it over with Ohio, I was very shock that he agreed to help me without any form of payment. I know you try to figure it all out and I was ready for you but I'm done competing and fighting over unnecessary things. Whatever is meant to be will definitely be. I and Ohio are not even dating, I think he has a woman who he calls Lily. But the point is that I like him very much. I have slowly fallen for him but I can't even figure out what he really feel for me. I wanted to make a move on him last night, I needed him to understand my true feeling for him… but he rejected me. We were good at first and he suddenly stopped and started talking about love and marriage which I know he was not serious about. He later left me hanging and went to sleep. But is okay…I don't deserve such a fine loving man. I guess I came late…he belongs to another woman... Melinda wiped a tear drop from her eyes and said. 'I'm sorry Becca, I mean for everything. You deserve to be happy...real happy because you have suffered all in the name of love. I can't believe I have spent so much time of my life trying to be in a competition with you. I wanted to get there first before you, I wanted to be the center of every topic. I was indeed self-centered. I have hurt Cole many times even cheated on him with a male close friend of mine, he found out and wanted to leave but I begged him to stay and promise to do anything he wants. Cole loves me even though he can be bossy sometimes which I never allowed. When I was ready to come home, I knew aside my certificate, there was another thing Dad and Mom will be so proud of which you have no being able to give them, and that is being engaged. I also bought my own engagement ring and force Cole to propose. He had no choice than to do that. He has tolerated a lot of thing from me and I can see he is very tired of the whole relationship. He has tried to leave many time but I won't let him because I love him. Despite how harden he maybe there is a kind, loving man in him. When I saw Ohio with you, I couldn't believe you were able to get such a good looking, fine posh man to yourself. I was jealous that you got the best more than me. I began to compare Cole and Ohio and found out that Ohio was so far ahead of Cole. I felt bad and was looking for a way to destroy what you two shared. My jealousy really got the best of me and I refused to let the case rest until I'm declared a winner but it came crashing down on me. I see the way Ohio looks at you, he loves you Becca. Maybe you haven't realize it yet but I wish Cole will look at me that way. No man will agree to do such thing just for free, playing along and acting as if the whole thing is real. Ohio must have loved you even before you knew it…for him to have agreed to help you out. Ohio is a keeper and you should never let him go. Dad and also Mom are all used to him. Many reasons why I was boiling with envy. I'm sorry for our ageless drama. Since we have gotten it all out, is time to be the sister you have always wanted. To have your back at all time and to love and respect you. I thank God I did not pass out with the heavy punch you gave me. It was so painful Becca, I thought I will go blind. I know that I deserved it, it was long overdue though because I have being a pain in the ass. Hahahaha… We laughed out together and that moment Cole stepped in. 'I'm sorry, I actually eavesdropped, I heard some part of what you ladies said. I can't even believe that Melinda can reason this way. I heard her say she loves me but she hardly say that to me when we are together but put up a good public show of our love lives. I wish she knows how much I want our relationship to work, how much I cherished her which was why I tolerated so much with the hope she will change. Mel, i know I have my own lapses, but you know I love you right? If I don't I would have been far gone. And about the engagement you bought, I later paid you back the money because you won't let me be until I pay. If truly you won't go back to your old ways then I will be the happiest man to make you my wife. Aside Becca, you also owe your parents, Ohio and even me an apology… Melinda smile shyly, she stood up and went to Cole, hugged him while saying that she was sorry for everything. Cole winked at me and muttered a 'thank you" and I winked back with a full smile on my face. We later left the room to join others. Melinda apologies to my parents and also to Ohio. They were surprised and also happy that we have put our differences aside.