Chapter 2: Debt Repayment
Meliza's POV
"I hated him more," I mumbled to myself and didn't expect I would say it loud for Ruby to hear.
"How come? You hated him when he had no money, and now that you found out he was a billionaire, you still feel the same way. Give the man some credit, Iza." Ruby said as she turned to face me.
"Oh, are you now taking his sides because he is loaded while your best friend is penniless?" I asked, and her face softened.
"Come on, Iza, you knew that is not true," she responded, feeling hurt by what I said.
"Can't you see it? He stood me up because he knew I was way out of his league, Ruby, that man was a jerk, and I don't want to see him again. I am leaving." I replied as I sat up on the bed.
"Hey, please, don't do this, Iza; you came all the way here, and now that your ex-boyfriend was here, you suddenly wanted to go home?" She asked.
I really wanted to tell Ruby what was going on with my life, but I didn't want her to think that I was so pitiful. I chose to follow my mom's order a long time ago because I thought what she had said was true, then I disobeyed her, and I ended up miserable, and I have been running for my life for five years now.
I don't know if I could ever live a day without fear in my heart, and seeing Ethan again made my heart ache more. I was aware of how much I hurt him, but he didn't know what I gave up that day, just for him only to find out he was a liar, and now, I realize he was the best liar in the world for making me feel like a fool. I just wished I had the power so I could disappear.
"I am sorry, Ruby, this is wrong. I should have never said yes to you; I will pay for the plane ticket." I responded.
"Iza, it is not about the plane ticket. I don't give a damn. Vince bought the ticket for you since he really wanted to see you, too, and the rest of our friends." She said with tenderness.
"Do you realize I will look like a fool in front of everyone?" I asked, and she shook her head.
"They will only laugh at me and tell me I was the stupidest girl in the world for breaking up with Ethan," I added.
"No, our friends would never do that to you, Iza; we care about you," Ruby answered.
"You are all now successful, Ruby, and looked at me? I am still the same." I said as I sat back on the edge of the bed, looking at her beautiful face.
"Yeah, you were right; you still looked the same, you still looked like the Meliza I knew, beautiful and hot, and wherever you go, you will always be the envy of all the girls around you because you have this kind of charm we couldn't explain, and boys would always drool over you hoping you would give them your slightest attention." She declared.
"Ruby, stop; you know that is not true; they will laugh at me. You are all living in your own house, enjoying your life with your loved one, and have time to party. I am no longer the same girl, Ruby, I am free, but I don't have the kind of freedom you have." I declared.
"I don't want to tell you right now how messed up my life is because this is your moment. I want you to be happy on your wedding day," I added.
"If you do, then you have to stay, Iza. I wish you would tell me what is going on with your life, but you won't tell me; how can I help you if you continue to be like this?" She asked with frustration in her voice.
"I am sorry, but I have to go," I replied as I stood up and took my suitcase.
"Your ticket is round trip unless you are going to pay for your ticket, I am sorry, but I can't give you anything. You can leave, but I will not be helping you, Iza." She said, and I was hurt.
"You think I am that pathetic? Do you think I don't have money, Ruby? I get it, you are going to marry Vince, and you will belong to the Elite society as you become his wife." I said with bitterness in my voice.
"But I tell you, sweetheart, if I said yes to Vince the moment he asked me to be his girlfriend years ago, he would never be your boyfriend or become your fiance," I said, and it was late for me to realize I was out of line.
I could see the tears that welled up in Ruby's eyes, and I hated myself for hating the world so much that I even hurt my best friend.
"You were right. I should have said thank you for giving up Vince for me. I knew how much your mother wanted Vince for you, but because of me, you said no to him and broke his heart." Ruby responded as she wiped her tears with her fingers while I felt like a fool for hurting her. I was speechless as I looked at my best friend.
"I remembered you ended up fighting with your mom because of me. I will never forget about that, but please don't tell Vince I begged you that day." She softly added, and I came beside her in an instant.
"Hey, I will never do that; you knew I never liked him; besides, Vince was a good person, and I don't want to break his heart either. I didn't care if I fought with my mother that day as long as I made you happy." I said.
"I owe you, Iza," she said.
"No, I owed you a lot, Ruby. You saved me from breaking his heart that day; you knew my mom's purpose, she only used me as leverage to get money from Vince, but I liked him as a friend, and I don't have the heart to use him." I responded. I didn't want to look back on the past, but it would be hard since I am with Ruby.
And if I stayed here, I would be seeing the rest of my friends, especially Ethan, and I don't want to remember everything. I tried to forget my past that kept haunting me even in my sleep.
"I don't want to ruin your wedding; I know the girls would hate you for inviting me on your wedding day." I declared, and she shook her head.
"I don't care; it wasn't your fault if all the boys on the farm were crazy about you, Iza." She replied, and I half laughed.
"Ruby, please, just let me go. I couldn't be here," I begged.
"If that is what you really want, okay, I will not force you to attend my wedding, but can you stay even for two days?" She asked with puppy eyes, and she got me.
"Okay," I responded.
"Thank you, Iza, just give me two days of your time, and I will let you go. I will buy you the plane ticket." She said, and I beamed at her, feeling guilty for throwing those words at her.
"I am sorry, Ruby, after seeing Ethan, I don't think I can stay here, but you are my best friend, and two days wouldn't be that bad," I responded, and she laughed.
"Dinner would be at seven. I will be expecting you. I understand you need rest, but please set your alarm clock, or else I will be banging on the door." She declared, and I laughed.
"Don't worry; I will eat dinner. I missed this place so much. I can't wait to see the vegetable plantation, the barn, and the stable." I excitedly said, and she beamed at me.
"Me too, we will explore the farm together tomorrow, just you and me," Ruby responded and I beamed at her.
"Why did you choose to get married here in San Fernando?" I asked as I dragged back my gray suitcase into the wall.
"Well, Vince and I met in this beautiful place, and like you, I missed everything in here, and I wanted to spend time with our old friends and reminisce about the fun we had together." She responded, and I grinned at her even if I wanted to tell her I didn't want to recall my memories in San Fernando.
"I need to go back to the living area and meet Vince's family; see you later, Iza," Ruby said after she read the message on her phone, it must be her fiance.
"Okay, see you, Rubs," I responded, and she gracefully got out of my assigned room while I collapsed on the bed feeling so down.
Why do I have to see Ethan again? Everything seemed perfect for me, but he showed up, and why do I feel so affected by his presence?
I have to endure two days, and Ruby would let me go, and all I have to do is avoid him and everyone at all costs, and I would be fine. I have to avoid cameras, or else the men of Eli would find me. I just say hi and then leave, and that would be my plan for now.
I can't risk being found. I love my place, job, and the people I work with; all I need is to be careful. I hoped Eli would let me go, but I could tell his men wouldn't stop until they had me, and it was a matter of time before they caught me.
I hope he will find someone else and fall in love, or I have the money to pay him my mom's debt, but no matter how hard I work, I can't pay him back. The money I earned was enough to pay the rent, the monthly bills, and the food since I kept moving from one place to another, for I was afraid they would find me.
And now, I made a big mistake by coming here. I will be exposed, but I must stay for two days, then disappear for good. I have to stop communicating with Ruby if I want to keep my freedom. I don't want to get married to Eli as repayment of my mom's debt.
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