False Illusions (False #1)

by A. Cramton

  “Well don’t worry,” I say dryly. “It’s been great talking to you mother, but this new bottle of wine and Sex in the City is calling my name.” I hang up before she can reply, which I do a lot.

  Snatching up my glass and wine bottle I settle on the couch, clicking the play button to start my night with Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha.

  Yoel has been ignoring me or avoiding me. Both are horrible, I have no idea why he hasn’t replied to me. Maybe he’s busy; he is training for the fight of his career. That’s what I tell myself, and I feel better for a little bit until I send him another text that goes unanswered, again.

  Now annoyed I turn my phone off and dive into my marathon. Marcus, of course, was out for the night screwing some slut who caught his attention. Probably another gym bunny, figures.

  After an hour of staring at my phone more than watching my show I cave and turn it back on. At first I don’t want to look to see if I have a missed text and after hyping myself up for a few minutes I finally look.

  There’s a text.

  Yoel: Hey babe. I left my phone in the room.

  See you were freaking out for no reason.

  I see that the text was sent forty minutes ago.

  Me: Oh.

  Oh? Is that all you can say?

  Yoel: Miss you…

  Me: I miss you too…

  Minutes pass before he texts back.

  Yoel: I’m beat. I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?

  He means the party. The party where I will be with Marcus. Was he bringing a date? Would I be able to handle that?

  Me: I’ll be the one in pink :)

  Yoel: I’m sure I would be able to see you in any crowd, babe. You’ll be the perfect one lighting up the room.

  I almost text back I love you, but I stop myself.

  Me: Night. XOXO

  I say instead and hold my phone to my chest.

  I love you.

  The sound of the front door opening wakes me from my sleep and I realize I’m still on the couch, my phone lying on the side of my neck. I see Marcus trying to close the door softly, he doesn’t see me. I glance at the clock on the wall seeing it’s five in the morning.

  “Late training session?” He jumps when he hears my voice. I stand to stretch.

  “You scared the shit out of me. What are you doing out here?” He tosses his keys on the bar. “You didn’t have to stay up, Madison.”

  “Please, I wasn’t waiting for you.” I pass him on the way to the bedroom.

  After plugging my phone into the charger I slide in the bed right as Marcus comes in stripping his clothes off getting in right behind me. I’m usually never awake when he climbs in bed so this is new.

  Suddenly he grabs my hips and pulls me into his arms. He doesn’t say anything, just holds me.

  “Were you drinking?” I slowly ask.

  “Why do you ask that?” His breath hits the back of my neck.

  I try to move but he holds me in place against his bare chest.

  “You’re holding me,” I say like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

  Marcus huffs out. “You’re my fuckin fiancé, Madison. We’re getting married. Jesus, we’ve been together for years.” He sounds offended and it’s too early to point out how many times he actually ‘held’ me. So I keep my mouth shut and let him hold me.

  I wake a few hours later. I was now resting my head on Marcus’s chest. I blink, my engagement ring catching my eye. Why do I feel like I just cheated on Yoel with my fiancé? Does that even make sense? I feel like I cheated on someone with another guy that I’m cheating on him with. Okay that riddle just made my head hurt.

  I slide out of bed without waking him up. I need coffee, lots of coffee and maybe a Xanax to get through tonight.

  I look up to the ceiling and say a little prayer.

  Please don’t fuck me over. Amen.

  Stop This World- Ne-yo

  I yank my tie for the second time as I glance at the entrance to the private room that’s holding the promo party. The dim lighting and music makes it a step away from a club.

  “Why are you so anxious?” I turn my attention to the owner of that voice. I almost forget Carla is with me. She swings her long dark hair over her bare shoulder.

  I met Carla when I first arrived in Vegas, she’s Dominic’s cousin and now a good friend of mine. She bailed me out of being dateless tonight and I was grateful.

  “No reason.” I sip my coke wishing it were something stronger.

  Chris laughs beside us taking a sip of his beer. “He’s waiting for his girl.”

  I glare at him. “She’s not my girl.”

  Carla smirks. “Sure she’s not. Why didn’t you ask her to be your date then?”

  I ignore her. She doesn’t need to know my business.

  She gasps. “I didn’t know Madison would be here. She’s Chelsea’s friend.”

  My eyes snap the door and my heart stops. As promised she was dressed in a light pink, short dress. It hugged her in all the right places, her long legs walking gracefully in silver strappy heels. Her long blonde curls swaying with every step. And then there was the asshole with his arm around her waist saying something in her ear. I could tell by the way she pursed her lips she didn’t like what he said.

  I waited for Madison to look my way, but she didn’t. This must be hard for her and I understood, but I didn’t like the feeling it gave me. I want to see her smile, the one she always gives when she walks into my hotel room.

  As Madison followed Marcus around the room talking to reporters and taking pictures, I continued to talk to Chris and Carla. I snuck looks here and there because it was pretty amazing to see her outside my room. She was just on the wrong man’s arm.

  Chris is telling a story to Carla when I notice Madison head toward the hallway to the restrooms, at that moment my phone vibrates.

  Babydoll: Come find me.

  Smiling I excuse myself. Chris seems to be interested in Carla so this will give him time to work his charm.

  I glance at Marcus on my way to hallway to see that he was talking to a female reporter, more like flirting with her, but I don’t give a fuck what he does.

  I stop, looking back and forth between the women’s and men’s doors. Which one?

  Taking a guess I walk into the men’s restroom. There, right under the light is Madison leaning against the sink. Locking the door behind me I walk up to her.

  “You look gorgeous, baby doll.” I pull her to me and kiss her lips. “You smell as good as you taste.”

  She pushes me back, her eyes narrow. “You’re here with Carla. Do you make a habit out of talking to all of Dominic’s friends?”

  I can help be laugh. “Babe, are you jealous?”

  When she just arches an eyebrow I lose the smile. “Madison, she’s just a friend. How can you be mad when I had to watch you walk in with him?”

  Pulling her back to me I kiss her again, this time she kisses back. My hands roam down her body cupping her perfect ass. Our kiss becomes deeper and she’s moaning against my lips.

  “I’m not fucking you in this bathroom, baby.” I pull away.

  Madison looks up at me pouting. “Why not?” She lifts up to kiss me. “I miss you.”

  I trace her chin and look in her eyes. “Madison, I missed you too, baby. But I’m not going to fuck you in the men’s bathroom. I respect you more than that.”

  Her grey eyes shine as she nods, “Can I come over later?”

  I smile “Is that a serious question. I want you with me every night.”

  That was very true, I wanted her in my bed every fucking night if I had my way.

  I slap her ass. “Now get back out. I’m sure Chris figured out we were both missing.”

  She quickly kisses me before walking out the bathroom first. I needed time to get my rock hard erection to calm down before making my way out there.

  I glance up at the ceiling, I say a small prayer.

  Please give me strength tonight.r />
  Same Old Love- Selena Gomez

  After getting my dose of Yoel in the bathroom the night went by a little easier. We would sneak looks at each other when we thought no one was looking. Marcus mostly ignored me while he did interviews, only pulling me in for pictures where I faked my smile.

  When a photographer asks him to pose with Yoel I excuse myself and head to the bar for a refill. I can’t risk being that close to him in front of Marcus.

  I’m still bummed that he wouldn’t take me in the bathroom, but then again that’s what I love about him. He respects me and makes me feel special.

  I glance back to see the two men in my life pose for pictures. One I’m in love with and another that I’m suppose to be in love with.

  “If the drinks weren’t already free I would buy you one.”

  I turn my head to see an older man at my side. His tan skin and dark eyes were very familiar.

  I smile. “Well thank you anyway.”

  He smiles and nods his head where Marcus and Yoel are still standing. “He didn’t tell me you were much prettier in person.”

  He catches me off guard. “Who?” I’m confused. In person?

  He takes a sip of his drink. “Yoel, he showed me your picture before we came out here.”

  I try to process what he said. How could he have seen me before we even met?

  He can see my confusion and his eyes widen. “You didn’t know. Shit I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  I grab his arm. “No, tell me what you mean. What don’t I know?”

  He quickly looks around then back to me. “Damn, I shouldn’t say anything but you should know. Yoel knows who you are. He had his eye on you before we even came out here.”

  I feel like I have been hit in the chest. I couldn’t breathe. He knew who I was the whole time. This had to be some sick joke.

  I force out a small laugh. “That’s impossible.”

  “Is that so?” He smirks, taking a sip of his beer.

  I shake my head. “I met him through a friend at a club. There’s no way he would have seen me before.” He can’t be telling the truth. Sure he lied about being a boxer, but he promised that he had no idea who I was.

  His face turns serious. “Your Madison St. Cruix. Your parents own an agency company. You’re engaged to Marcus Wellington and El calls you baby doll. He just wanted to fuck with Marcus in the ring.” What he said next was the final blow. “Did you really think he fell for you? You were just some mission in his head, but you’re fucking up his focus so I guess it’s better you know.”

  I blink away the tears that form at my eyes as my heart starts to crumble. He lied again, he knew who I was the whole time. There was no way this guy knew this stuff if Yoel wasn’t lying.

  The man in front of me was speaking again, but I couldn’t hear what he was saying over the sound of my breaking heart. I excuse myself trying to steady my feet in these stupid heels.

  I had to get out of here, I couldn’t be here. I find Marcus still there, now they were both talking to that flirty redhead reporter.

  Somehow I make it there on shaky legs. I can feel Yoel’s eyes on me, but I refuse to look his way. I can’t let him see what he’s done.

  Marcus shoots me an annoyed look as I pull on his hands, but when he sees my face his eyebrows draw in confusion.

  “Madison what is it?”

  The redhead reporter glares at me, clearly pissed off that I interrupted her interview.

  “I don’t feel well, can we go?” I quietly plead. I never ask him for much, but I need to get out of here.

  He shakes his head. “I’m the middle of an interview, I’ll just meet you at home.”

  Of course, why aren’t I surprised? The reporter grins. “Can we get back to the interview”?

  Yoel coughs and I make the mistake of looking at him. Tears threatening to fall. Concern filled his eyes, but I could be mistaken.

  This man in front of me, this man that I fell for was the same man that lied to me and crushed me more than anyone could have. It was all a lie.

  I quickly look back to Marcus; barely nodding I make my escape. I don’t say bye to anyone, not even Carla who was trying to flag me down.

  I didn’t let the tears fall until I was in the back seat of the dark cab. I felt stupid and used. The driver smartly didn’t ask any questions other than where I was going.

  My phone vibrated and Yoel’s name flashed on the screen, disgust rolled in my stomach. Turning my phone off I stare out the window watching the buildings and lights pass me by. People walking the Strip drinking and laugh as my world falls apart.

  I mindlessly pay the driver and make my way to our apartment. I was now thankful that Marcus stayed behind; I didn’t want him to see me like this.

  Stepping out of my heels and throwing my clutch on the bed I run a bath as I grab a bottle of vodka. Fuck a glass, I won’t need one for this kind of pity party.

  I wash my face off before sinking it the hot water, bottle in hand. My eyes are burning from my tears and I’m sure I looked like a red puffball. Taking a big gulp of vodka I wince as I swallow the burn. I just wanted to forget. Forget I ever met the Dominican boxer that stole my heart, that made me question my life. Bastard.

  I was a fucking mission in his fucked up head. I didn’t know whether to be heartbroken, betrayed, or just pissed. I decided to be all three for the next hour sitting in a now cold tub. I cried and screamed while gulping down vodka.

  I barely got my robe on before falling on the couch. Taking a deep drunken breath I turn my phone back on. I had several missed text messages and voicemails, all from Yoel ranging from ‘Are you okay?’ ‘Please call me back, I’m worried’ ‘Where are you baby doll’. I refused to reply.

  Marcus had sent one text.

  Don’t wait up.

  Dragging my laptop on my lap I go to the emails I have been staring at for the past week.

  Taking a gulp of liquor for courage, I hit reply.

  Something-Drake

  I have been going out of my mind since watching Madison leave with tears in her eyes. Something felt off, I feel in my gut something is wrong. She was fine in the restroom, she said she would come by later, but all my calls are going to straight to voicemail and my texts have gone unanswered.

  Marcus left with the flirty reporter about thirty minutes ago so I knew he wasn’t going home tonight.

  I try to call her again, this time the phone rings and I’m hopeful until it goes to voicemail. Again.

  I rack my mind, trying to figure out what the hell happened between our kisses and when she ran out of here. She wouldn’t even look at me.

  “Hey, you ready to get out of here?” Chris asks finishing his beer.

  No point in sticking around. “Yeah.”

  After putting Carla in a cab we grab another one for us. I’m quiet and Chris knows me well enough to leave me alone.

  I’m tempted to text Madison again, but I don’t want to make whatever is going on worse. Maybe I’m overthinking all of this and she could be on her way to see me at this moment or maybe she fell asleep and is waiting for me in my room. It wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened.

  Relax. I tell myself, but even as we wait for the elevator something tells me she won’t be there and she won’t be coming.

  “El, I know why your quiet.” Chris starts. “Look, I saw Rico talking to her at the bar and that’s when she ran off.”

  I snap my head up to look at him. “What?” I grit out.

  He takes a slow breath and shakes his head. “Fuck. I think he told her, El. Come on, think about it. She ran out like someone was after her.”

  I think back to her glossy grey eyes and how she could barely look at me. She damn near begged Marcus to take her home. I wanted to reach out to her, fuck, I wanted to run after to her but I was stuck there.

  Instead of pressing the penthouse button I hit the floor below it. I needed to know what was said.

  Anger rushes through me as I stalk down th
e hallway, Chris right behind me.

  “Calm down, El.” He tries to keep up, but I’m pissed. If Rico told her the truth I don’t know what I might do.

  Bang. Bang. Bang.

  It takes only a minute for the door to swing open and immediately I have Rico by his throat against the wall. Chris quickly closes the door.

  “Shit, El.” He tries to pull me off.

  I ignore him and glare at Rico. “What the fuck did you say to her?” I demand.

  Rico is struggling to get me off him but I’m stronger. I tighten my grip.

  “I said what the fuck did you tell her?” This time I say it slowly.

  “Well he can’t reply if you’re cutting off his air supply,” Chris says dryly leaning against the wall.

  I give one good push before letting him drop to floor gasping for air.

  “What the fuck,” Rico struggles to breathe.

  I squat to eye level with him. “Don’t fuck with me, Rico. What did you say to Madison at the bar.”

  He stares at me like I’m crazy, but once he realizes I was getting impatient he starts scooting towards the wall.

  “I told her the truth. You have been losing focus!” he blurts out. “I need you focused!”

  I’m about to grab him again when Chris pulls me up and away from Rico.

  I struggle against him, but he doesn’t let up.

  “Who the fuck are you to say shit. I fucking pay you,” I snap at him. “You didn’t have the right to tell her shit.”

  Rico stands himself up, straightening his shirt. “I did you a favor, El. She’s fucking engaged, do you think she’ll leave everything for you?” He laughs. “You’re not from her world. Do not forget it. Attacking your own blood over her.”

  Chris pulls me back again. “It’s not even worth it, El.”

  I stare at my uncle for a moment before I shake my head. “You’re not fucking worth it. Pack your shit, you’re fired.”

  I turn and walk out before he can say anything. How could he do that when he knew what she meant to me? Did he have a point? Was I actually expecting her to leave everything for me?

  I refrain from slamming my fist into the elevator door. When the doors to my room open I’m greeted to a cold feeling. Madison knows the truth and I knew what would happen, she hated me. I can’t get the memory from tonight of her blinking away tears. Tears that my selfishness caused.