Hate To Love You, Love To Hate You

I Lied And You Know That I Did

“I ask you something. What are you planning to do? Who were you talking to?” Austin shook me again. I didn’t know what to do. What lie to feed him? He is definitely going to snitch on me. At that moment, I was in complete panic. I was opening and closing my mouth, but no words escaped. I had no idea what to tell him.

I could tell by just looking into his angry eyes that he was losing patience. I was close to tears. I could see the money being snatched from me. I saw Daniel’s soft eyes and my mother’s worried gaze. I saw myself working hours and hours for the rest of my life. Austin clenched his jaws at my wordlessness and shook me. “I asked you something!” He gritted his teeth.

“Austin, what the hell?! Let her go!” My glossy gaze went behind Austin. There stood the same guy that helped me at the restaurant. Theo. I remember him. Theo stepped in and looked between Austin and me in horror. Thankfully, he decided to intervene. “Austin, I said let her go!” He sternly spoke while glaring at his friend – but Austin wasn’t looking at him – he was glaring at me. “Are you kidding me? Have you gone mad?!” By this time, we had attracted the attention of others around us. Unluckily for me, they were all Austin’s friends – including Claudia.

Theo had to use force to pull Austin away from me. He pulled him back and glared at him. He didn’t even bother saying anything to the man. He shook his head and snarled at him before he looked at me. His expression softened, “I am so sorry. I am so very sorry. I don’t know what happened here, but he should not have put his hand on you. I apologize on his behalf.” Theo politely apologized.

“What is happening here?” I didn’t even tear my glare away from Austin. I couldn’t even reply to Theo, because just at that moment Claudia walked toward us, looking as mighty as always.

She was dressed in a gold sparkly V-neck dress. It ended just below her hips. She was wearing a pair of perfectly matched golden heels. It made her look so much taller than me. Her eyes were covered with deep smokey and ashy eyeshadow. Her cheeks and nose were perfectly contoured, while her cheekbones were highlighted. She was wearing nude brown lipstick. Her hair was flawlessly curled. She looked like she had taken a dip in glitter. She hasn't changed much since high school. She loved glitter then as well and sought reasons to wear it.

She frowned when she saw me there, “Luna? What are you doing here?” She asked bewilderedly.

I gulped and looked around me. Besides Austin, Theo, and Claudia, two other people were standing around me. A guy and a girl – they seemed to be with Claudia as well. They were all looking curiously at me – except for Austin, who was still glaring at me. Theo was holding Austin back as if he would attack me if he was free.

I realized that all of them were waiting for me to answer. I quickly blinked and looked down at the water bottle in my hand. I was still shaken by what just happened and what might happen next and my heart was still racing in my chest. I gulped nervously, “I – I was just buying water.” I muttered.

“Liar,” Austin spat, but Theo didn’t let him finish.

“Austin, seriously, man – what the hell? Let her speak,” Theo objected before he looked at me again, “Again, I am very sorry.” He added politely.

Austin bared his teeth, “What the f**k are you apologizing to her for?! I just heard her talking on the phone,” I got scared of what Austin might say next, so I decided to jump in and save myself as much as I could.

“So?” I challenged him. My defense mechanism started to churn. The fear of being caught was replaced by anger. Austin just manhandled me. How dare he? I gritted my teeth and glared into his eyes. “Apologize to me,” I spat.

Austin narrowed his eyes at me, “What?”

I took a step closer to him. I could feel everyone tensing around us. “I said to apologize to me now. You just manhandled me for minding my own business.” I jabbed my finger at him.

Austin flared his nostrils, “I heard you talking on the phone. Don’t you dare play innocent,” he pointed out. My heart started to race in my chest again. He was going to rat me out. There was no other route to take except to stick to my point. I couldn’t let them see how nervous I was getting. I couldn’t let them know that my palms were getting clammy and that my mouth was dry.

“So? Can’t I talk on the phone now? Do I need your permission to do that now? Is there a new rule I am unaware of?” My jaws and lips tensed as I clutched them. I curled my hands into fists, “I told you to apologize to me for manhandling me!” I sternly demanded. My eyes burned. My cheeks heated. I was beyond embarrassed. This man just caused drama in front of everyone.

Austin pressed his lips thinly, “Don’t act innocent. I heard you say Claudia’s name a couple of times during your phone call. Who were you talking to?”

I glanced at Theo and Claudia. They frowned at me. It felt like they were waiting for me to answer, but who are they to question me like that? I snarled at Austin. “You have gotten insane. I didn’t take her name. I don’t know what your problem is with me! I was here to buy water. I don’t know why I am being framed like this!” I snapped. I know I was lying to them, but the fact that I was being questioned like this in a store was humiliating. These people really think that, because they are wealthy and influential – they can do whatever they want.

My eyes filled with tears in anger. I hated that. I felt like I was displaying weakness. I quickly wiped my eyes and glared back at him, “Just because you are affluent, doesn’t mean you have the right to degrade me and accuse me of your nonsense!” I fought back for my dignity that he so easily invaded.

Austin opened his mouth to snap back at me, but he was held back by Theo. “That’s enough, Austin. I think you should apologize to her. You did put your hand on her. You crossed a line.” Theo glowered at his friend.

Austin squinted his eyes at his friend, “You got to be kidding me. I am not apologizing to her!” Austin pushed Theo’s hand off him. He passed me one last nasty look before he pushed past Theo, and stormed out of the store. He didn’t even apologize to me. I hated how I was forced to apologize to Claudia that day at the restaurant and, here, he just stormed out like he hadn't done anything wrong.

Claudia still looked confused. Theo shook his head, “I am very sorry. Austin crossed a line. He should not have done that. Please accept my apology.” Theo humbly added. He was the only person that I like here. I didn’t want him to feel bad. It wasn’t his fault.

I shook my head, “You don’t have to apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong.” I respectfully answered him and glanced at Claudia, who was standing silently.

She had a bewildered and a bit of suspiciousness on her face. She believed Austin. This is not good. Even my heart doesn’t care whom she believes, but my mind was screaming at me to try to make it right. I gulped down my pride, “I don’t know what your friend is talking about. I was just talking to my mum,” I lied. I need to lie to her if I want to see her again.

She blinked and nodded her head. She still looked unsure, but I decided to leave it as it is. The more I try to make her believe, the more suspicious she will get. I don’t know if staying here to give her a ride back home will be wise anymore. I need to talk to Andrew about this. I glanced between Claudia and Theo. I was about to walk away when one of the two other unknown people decided to speak.

It was a girl dressed in a silver sparkly dress. She narrowed her eyes and plucked her lips out, “You don’t look like you belong here.” She decided to comment. I could only take one rude friend of Claudia for a night. I had no energy to argue with someone like her.

I sighed and rolled my eyes, “Oh sorry, I didn’t know this place had a dress code. I will not forget to wear my sparkly dress before I come here again next time.” I sarcastically spoke and moved to the cashier, who was completely invested in the scene Austin created. Before I left the four of them back there, I did catch Theo trying to suppress his smile after I passed the snarky comment to that woman.

I paid for water and marched out of the mart. I inhaled the fresh and cold air. Just a brief interaction with Austin was giving me a headache. I don’t think this task would have gotten this difficult if it wasn’t for him. I know Claudia. She is not the smartest person out there. She would have fallen prey to one of my schemes, but that man – he is ruining everything. I need to talk to Andrew about him. Andrew needs to do something about Austin because I know he will do anything to protect Claudia. I am still not sure what the relationship between them is, but whatever it is – it made me feel jealous. Even after being on the corrupt side, Claudia has someone willing to protect her while I am fighting for myself.

I decided to march back to the car when I heard my name called from behind, “Excuse me, Luna?” It was Theo. I turned around to see him walking towards me with a soft smile on his face.

I was so panicked in there when Theo appeared that I didn’t even notice the way he was dressed. He was wearing a plain white button-up shirt with a few buttons undone. He had a silver chain around his neck. His ears were also pierced. He was wearing silver rings in them. He was wearing black jeans and, just like Austin, his sleeves were also rolled up – showing his strong arms and the fabulous tattoos that were done on them.

“Yes?” I asked – averting my eyes off his body.

He politely smiled, “Um, well – I first want to apologize to you again. I promise Austin is a better person. I don’t know what got over him in there. He never behaves this way. There are no words to justify his actions. I am deeply sorry for what you had to go through. You didn’t deserve it.” He spoke.

“I didn’t,” I replied. I kept my face straight as I spoke to him. I didn’t like being rude to him. He had to be the sane one among all Claudia’s friends. I heaved a sigh, “Listen, it is fine. I have to go now.” I said to him.

Theo smiled and nodded his head, “Of course, I am very sorry again. Umm, it is not appropriate to ask you to join us after what happened, or else I would have done it.” Theo smiled, “It is my birthday.” He shrugged.

I wasn’t sure how to respond to his friendliness. I passed him a tight smile, “Happy birthday.” I wished him. “And, you are right. I would have refused if you had asked. I don’t want to be around your friends.” I honestly answered.

Theo chuckled and nodded his head, “Sometimes, I don’t want to be around them either.” He lazily smiled and shook his head. “Anyway, it was nice meeting you, Luna. And again, I am very sorry for everything.” He politely bowed his head before he stepped back and turned around to walk back into the mart.

I watched him go back inside and blew my cheeks. I just want this day to be over. I randomly glanced around the busy street when I met Austin’s eyes again. An immediate frown of disgust appeared on my face, while he was already glaring at me. I didn’t even notice that he was standing just outside the mart. He had his back against the wall and had a cigarette pressed between his lips. One foot was up against the wall while the other was on the floor. He lazily blinked and blew the smoke out.

He pushed himself off the wall and walked towards me. He didn’t stride. He didn’t thump his feet. He so randomly walked towards me. His body language wasn’t as harsh as before, but his eyes held the same storm. I should have turned around and walked back to the car, but instead, I stayed in my place and watched him walk to me.

I smelled the tobacco on his breath as he stopped mere inches away from me. I didn’t back down either. Even when he was much taller than me, I maintained eye contact. I didn’t look away. I didn’t squirm. I didn’t let him win this time. He scoffed, “You might be able to manipulate people like Theo with your sham, but not me. Just know that I will be watching you from now onwards. I know you are planning something against Claudia, but I will not let you do anything to her. Either back away now or bare the consequences of messing up with her.” He warned me with glassy eyes.

This man – I hate this man. I hate how he was so openly threatening me because he believed he had the power. If only he knew the truth, but then again – he might know it – he might be a part of it – or maybe he had his own dirty little secret. I will not be surprised if one day I learn that he, like Claudia, made his way into this world by snatching someone else’s opportunities and dreams. I hate him. I hate Claudia. I hate people like them.

I scoffed and stepped closer to him. My face was barely a few inches away. I glared into his eyes while he glared down at me. He had his lips thinly pressed and his jaws clutched while I raised my eyebrows, “Do your worse,” I whispered.

He cunningly smirked and whispered back, “I will.”