FIXATION

by J. K. Marquez

  I could make it happen immediately. But my dad would never forgive me if I did and neither would Eden. As much as I hate to admit it Olivianna was good for my dad. She changed him and made him happier after he almost died of a drug overdose a few years before meeting her. That didn't help him from stopping to consume drugs but meeting her did.

  At first, I hated that he was cheating on mom but then I didn't care anymore because with my mom he was miserable. Mom didn't love him anymore anyway. She just wanted to not cause a scandal and not have people talk about how she couldn't keep her marriage together. It was all a big joke to her. I felt bad for my dad. Olivianna, on the other hand, was good to him and she really did love him.

  "I'll tell her tonight" I finally texted back. Would I? was another story.

  "Stoner wants to set up a meeting" Rock and Rhino both cornered me as I left the house.

  "With me?" I asked.

  "Yes," they both said at the same time.

  "He said that last time and sent his minions. He ain't coming" I said, walking and brushing my blond hair with my hands. It was getting long I needed a haircut bad.

  "This time is for real he confirmed."

  "With you personally cause he didn't confirm with me," I said walking to my car.

  "Yes, he confirmed with me," Rock said.

  I turned to look at him

  "When did you go see him? Behind my back?" I was furious. Rock never did anything without talking to me first.

  He looked down.

  "He had my sister he told me not to tell you anything. I'm sorry Ross"

  "Then is war. I didn't know about your sister did he hurt her?" I asked my blood boiling.

  "No,, surprisingly he didn't. Rymie actually said that he showed kindness to her"

  "Stoner did?"

  "Yes, that's what she said she wouldn't lie about something like that," he said and he was right. I knew Rymie his sister and she didn't lie about serious stuff.

  "Alright. Set up the meeting then. When does he want to meet"? I asked.

  "Tonight"

  "Tonight"?!.

  Chapter 29

  Ross POV

  I was getting ready for my showdown meeting with Stoner. It was almost 5 pm and I was home getting ready. Stoner said that if I didn't show up at our meeting place that he would show up here. I didn't want him or his group of thugs anywhere near my house or near Eden.

  It took about 2 hours for me to get ready and settled. For the very first time in all my time being alive, I can honestly say I was a bit nervous. But not for me. I was nervous about never seeing Eden again. Maybe Stoner had something up his sleeve.

  Maybe he was planning on kidnapping me or something and taking over my business. Or killing me even. I had no idea what to expect from a man like him. I was going to go because I didn't want him showing up here causing problems and trouble for me and my love.

  Once this Stoner thing was done I would marry Eden and perhaps take her to live somewhere else. Maybe we can live somewhere in Europe or Asia. Get away from here. A fresh new start for both of us. That sounded pretty amazing. Sometimes leaving for a new place can help greatly. Starting over. I was looking forward to it and to starting my life with her as her husband.

  All my thoughts got interrupted when I saw her walking in my room and closing the door.

  She had a worried expression on her face.

  "Eden?" I asked standing up from my bed. I was sitting there just deep in thought.

  "Hi, " she said.

  "What are you doing here at this time?" I asked.

  Before she answered I got a text. I looked at my phone.

  "Eden is on her way. I told her that you had to talk to her about something extremely important. I warned you, Ross, I wasn't messing around. You know me better than that. If you don't tell her right now I will!"

  -Olivianna

  Fuck!!! Damn Olivianna I should had made her disappear without caring two shits for her!. Why did everyone else deserve to be happy and I fucking didn't!?

  "By the look in your eyes that text seemed to really make you uncomfortable are you okay Ross?"

  I breathe hard. Olivianna would make good in her promise to tell her everything and at that moment against everything I loved I thought that is best if she hears it from me.

  "Eden sit down, or stand, lean on something"

  "Olivianna said that you had something extremely serious to tell me..."

  "Please don't...don't mention her name," I said slowly and breathing heavily.

  "Ross?"

  "Eden, please...just sit down"

  I said.

  "I rather stand," she said. Of course.

  "I...i don't know where to start"

  "Ross, please don't tell me you are sick"

  She said with tears starting to come down her beautiful face.

  I felt sick.

  "Is something pretty serious" I said again breathing hard.

  "You are scaring me, Ross, just tell me"

  I took a deep breath and paused for a moment. I thought about the many different ways I could tell her but there was no good way. What I had done was bad whatever way I chose to say it and I was literally at her mercy for forgiveness.

  "Remember when we made love yesterday" I began

  "Yes, " she said.

  "I asked you if you would never leave me no matter what. I asked you to promise..."

  "I said I can't do that" she cut me off.

  "What did you mean by that?" I asked her.

  "I can't promise something I'm not sure if is true."

  "Why don't you love me?"

  I asked afraid.

  "More than anything Ross, but I can't make promises like that. Anything can happen I love you of course I do but you want me to promise something that I can't control kinda if that makes sense"

  "No, it really doesn't" I said.

  "If you cheat on me or if you hurt me, or abuse me in any way if you hurt my family...any of those things I will leave"

  She said and as she spoke my whole world started signing.

  Another text.

  "Are you telling her or should I give her a call or show up there. Let me know now!"

  -Olivianna.

  Damn!! "Yes, bitch! I'm telling her now. Go jump off a bridge or get hit by a car and leave me the fuck alone!" I texted back and threw my phone so that it hit the balcony French glass doors shattering them.

  "Ross!" Eden jumped up.

  "Who is texting you that has you so upset?" She asked.

  "That bitch Olivianna," I said without even thinking.

  "Olivianna? Why what's wrong is something wrong in the restaurant? I should go check" She said turning around to leave.

  "Eden WAIT!!!!" I shouted louder than I intended too.

  "I...i cheated in L.A!" There it just fucking came out.

  "What?" She said. And sat down on the bed with her mouth open.

  I leaned my body near the recently broken glass doors.

  I began telling her

  "The meeting was true all of it was but I ran into Courtney" I paused for a minute.

  "You met her she was my ex-girlfriend. The one I always had around with the wavy brown hair and black eyes."

  "I don't remember you had so many girls around..." She said biting her lip and crying.

  My heart was shattered.

  "We had...oral...honestly I don't really remember I was super drunk and high on so many drugs and I just wasn't myself. Eden, I promise..."

  "Save it." She said

  "Save all of it. There is no justification at all for cheating. If you know people do crazy stupid shit when they are drunk or high on drugs as you put it and especially around an old flame someone you had feelings for and dated and probably still like..."

  "No!!! I only love you..."

  "Yeah what a great love that you had to cheat on me." She said.

  We both stayed silent for a while. I think she was in shock and I was numb.

  Tears coming down
her face like a waterfall.

  "Eden..." I reached to hold her but she got off the bed so fast

  "Don't...don't" she said. Putting both her hands up as in self-defense. As if I was going to hurt her.

  "I'm sorry," I said crying myself.

  "Please, please let's get passed this. I'm not perfect. I'm a pretty screwed up human you know this. Eden, nobody is perfect we all make mistakes." I couldn't stop crying.

  "I can't talk right now Ross. I can't." She said running out of the room.

  I followed her. She ran into her old room and grabbed another purse. A silver one.

  "What is that?" I asked.

  "I...i...deep down I knew that something bad was going to happen because nothing good ever happens to me without something bad following so I promised myself that when I found a job I was going to be prepared"

  "Prepare with what Eden?" I asked shaking from my sorrow.

  "With money" she looked at me and then at the purse.

  I paused.

  "You must think me brain dead if you think I'm going to allow you to leave Eden"

  "You have no choice Ross, I have my own money now. I'm working. I can finally sustain myself. The restaurant is mine"

  Why the fuck did I get her that restaurant and made her self sufficient?! She used to rely on ME! now she had her own money!. Another dumb move on my part. But while I was busy thinking of how I messed up my entire life by many screw-ups. She was already running down the stairs to leave.

  But I'm faster.

  I caught on to her and grabbed her by the arm not hard.

  "Eden please I beg you..."

  "Ross he's here!" Rock interrupted opening the front door so fast.

  "What the fuck Rock I'm in the middle of something here! Tell whoever it is to go the fuck away!" I said pissed.

  "He won't leave...you didn't show up for the meeting with him"

  "Who?!"

  "Stoner and his whole crew"

  Oh, fuck!! I completely forgot about all of this!. I forgot about Stoner and his men. I forgot about the meeting with him this is exactly what I wanted to avoid! Stoner showing up to my house. Where the love of my life lived. But I would never ever! Let him hurt her. He would have to kill me first.

  Eden looked confused.

  "Who is stoner?" She asked alarmed with her red eyes looking from me to Rock.

  "Someone you don't want to know my love. Please stay here. I have to go attend to this and get him off my property as soon as possible. I will be right back I promise"

  "You can attend to whoever you want. I'm leaving" she said. Running past me and Rock.

  "Fucking stop her! Rock"

  But it was too late. She ran out the door. Rock and I ran behind her but she was already caught by one of stoner's men.

  They were quick.

  "Well, well, well if it isn't Ross and his crew," a man said from inside a limo. He had a thick foreign accent.

  "Let her go stoner!" I yelled. Guns pointed at me, Eden, Rock, and all my men.

  "I'll do whatever you want just let Eden go please!"

  A tall, very young man with dark hair and eyes got out.

  He looked at me with an I hate you look on his face.

  He didn't look like stoner.

  "I knew stoner would sent another one of his minions to do his dirty shit work. I promise to go see him please just let my fiance go"

  I didn't even want to look at Eden. I was afraid of how frightened she might be.

  She was quiet though I didn't hear her.

  "I am stoner. You see the previous stoner my boss at the time died a few days ago from an illness he got while he was in jail. He never got better. The leaders that follow are all called stoners in tribute to the man who started all of this" he said.

  I wasn't into men at all but this new guy was very handsome. He looked like he could be a model or actor or something, not a gang leader.

  He had a very thick accent but I couldn't make out what country it was from. But I know I've heard the accent before from someone else. I was sure of it.

  I couldn't help but to look at Eden.

  She was open-mouthed. Staring at stoner not blinking not taking her eyes off of him at all. Just staring at him as if she was in some sort of trance.

  He looked at her and he froze too. They both stared at each other for the longest time. Not saying anything just staring at each other.

  She finally spoke.

  "Ju...Julio?"

  "Eden".

  Chapter 30.

  EDEN POV

  I just couldn't believe my eyes. Julio?! Was it really him? My childhood best friend in the entire world. The one I missed so much. It couldn't be could it?

  He rushed to me and signaled to the man holding me to let me go.

  "Eden eres tu?" (Eden is it you?) He asked.

  "Si...y Tu? Eres tu?" (Yes, and you is it you?) I asked. He nodded his head.

  It felt like a dream. This seeing him again. This whole thing with Ross just everything seemed so...unbelievable. I felt like I couldn't stand. I suddenly felt my legs give in and I saw black.

  †******†*******†*********†***********†

  When I woke up I was back in my room. In Ross's room. I tried to get up but I was still lightheaded. A tall man with glasses came in the room I panicked.

  "Not to worry Sheila I'm just the doc," he said smiling.

  "Ya gave us quite a scare there," he said in his thick Australian accent.

  "What's wrong with me?" I asked.

  "Everything seems fine. Is just stress. It'll do that to ya" he said.

  "I recommend lots of rest and stay hydrated. Ross called me to check on ya. I'll be back later. Take care now" he said and left.

  For a second there I thought that I might be pregnant. Guess the pill was working fine. I wanted kids badly but I wasn't ready for them right now. I wanted to set the restaurant up and running perfectly before I took a long break to be a mom full time.

  My door opened slowly. Ross. I rolled my eyes.

  "You can't be seriously angry to see me," he said smiling. I said nothing.

  "Eden, please..."

  "Where is Julio?" I asked. Remembering him. Or was it just a dream?

  "Who?" He asked.

  "Julio my childhood friend, best friend"

  "You mean stoner, ?" As I spoke his name he walks in. Guess it wasn't a dream after all. The huge smile on my face couldn't be contained. Ross noticed.

  "Get out stoner, !" He stood up to push Julio.

  "Stop Ross! Leave us alone" I said.

  "Fuck no!" He said. "Who the hell is he? How do you know him?!"

  "Julio is my best friend in the whole world," I said smiling looking at him. He smiled back with his lips closed. I just couldn't believe it still.

  "Julio," I said again extending my arms to hug him. He looked at Ross and Ross stepped out of the way to allow him to pass.

  "We have so much to talk about," I said hugging him not letting him go. This was unbelievable.

  Ross stood there for a moment and then left. I did miss him. I missed kissing him and hugging him and talking to him. I loved him so much more than I can explain. But he hurt me. He betrayed me in the most horrible way possible. I don't know if there is any going forward from this. It is really hard to tell this early on.

  I had to concentrate on the person in front of me. I still couldn't believe it.

  "Julio, why do they call you Stoner?"

  "It is a long story Eden you need to rest. Your blood pressure is high. We will talk later and I will explain everything"

  He gave me a kiss on the forehead and left. I was too numb from the medicine the doctor had given me to say anything. It was a relaxer I guess. To help me relax. I closed my eyes and fell to deep sleep.

  2 days later

  ROSS POV

  Eden packed her bags and was gone the day after she was recuperated from her faint. I just stood back and watched her leave with stoner or Julio or whatever the hell h
is name was.

  I knew she wouldn't forgive me. But I had some hope that in her heart she would find a way to get passed it. But she didn't. She left her engagement ring and left.

  I just shut myself in my room. I didn't want to see anybody or eat very much.

  Knock, knock

  "Go away!" I shouted.

  "Is me, boss, " Rock. I had sent him to stalk Eden for me see if she was with Julio.

  "I'm really not ready to hear that she has moved on with that Spanish drug..."

  "No, she has rented an apartment in Oak springs Stoner does not live with her. She has barely gone out and is staying with Olivianna until her apartment is ready."

  "Olivianna is the fucking cause of all of this! If it weren't for her Eden would have never had found out about what I did in L.A!"

  Rock stayed silent. But I knew he wanted to say something.

  "Just say it!" I said.

  "The old Ross wouldn't stand by and allow this to happen. He would go out and make his prey come back to him"

  "I'm not that bad guy anymore," I said. Lying to myself. I had so many ideas to bring Eden back to me but I couldn't do that to her. I've already hurt her enough. She deserves better.

  "So you think Stoner is better?"

  My entire face turned red filled with anger.

  "She's not with him Rock don't piss me off"

  "Not yet, but they know each other since they were kids. They are both from Spain originally and she clearly really likes him"

  "She likes the old friend she knew not this new guy. To her, he is a totally new person one she doesn't know."

  "Okay, keep telling yourself that boss"

  There was a long pause.

  "What's for the agenda today?"

  Fuck that! I couldn't take this anymore. I couldn't sit here and wait and hope that Eden will come back to me. She wasn't going too. She was as stubborn as she was beautiful. I had to do something.

  "I'm going to bring Eden back home if is the last thing I do!".

  I drove to Olivianna's house and got down from my car. As I was approaching her door to knock I was greeted by none other than my father.

  "Where is Olivianna," I asked.

  "At work in the restaurant," he said

  "Hello, son, nice to see you. What do you want with Oli?" He asked surprised?

  "Eden is staying here with her I'm trying to see her"