Seth was frustrated. He had been working the whole day and had not been able to call Roman. At least he could go to the hospital at night, he needed to see his boyfriend and Paula.
As he left the office, he saw Dolph coming. The blond smiled with such satisfaction, enjoying seeing Seth in trouble.
"We managed to save the account of Sasha Banks. I must admit that the only good thing you've done for this company is to bring Roman." The blond was petulant as ever. "Too bad you ruined the opportunity for this company to help him as he needs. Roman should hate you for what you did."
Seth grunted, these words hurt and Dolph was going to remind him of this whenever he could to torment him. An error was costing him his peace and the tranquility of the man he loved.
"And you think you are the hero and savior of this company." Seth said bitterly. "I can't believe that you feel satisfaction in the suffering of others only because of the envy you have always had of me and the things that I have been able to obtain."
"Obtain?" Dolph scoffed. "All that has been given to you only by your name. You have never obtained anything and I am not jealous of you. Who could envy a good for nothing that ruins everything and everyone?"
Seth wanted to punch Dolph in the face, but he knew that would only make his situation worse.
"Envy, you've always envied me. You've been trying to take what belongs to me since we were at high school. I remember we got into the swimming team, and as I was the best, coach chose me as the leader and you spread the rumor that I paid the teacher to choose me. Then everyone was angry at me for that to the point that I had to resign and you ended up as team captain. It was the same in every single thing that I tried to do during our student's life. Always ruining my projects because you couldn't take away from me what you really wanted: my name and my fortune. So your consolation prize was to take away my accomplishments."
Dolph smirked. "I didn't do anything against you. You lost all your supposed accomplishments for being useless, because you never deserved them, and the proof is that you gave up on everything to the first obstacle as you always do. It'll be the same in this company and that will be good since you are nothing more than a hindrance. You must go back to your home, keep being mommy and daddy's little brat, spend money that you don't work as you always do and let others do our work in peace."
Seth squinted his eyes. "That's what you want, get rid of me. It's amazing that you're happy for what's going on in this company just because it hurts me. You can't even hide your the satisfaction in your face, you're heartless and mean."
"I'm not happy, don't be stupid. Actually, I'm outraged. You ruin things and guess who has to fix your shit? Once again you proved that you are useless, has always been like that since we were children. I don't feel satisfaction because you almost ruined our work, but I do feel satisfaction to take that smug smile off your face and let everyone see the failure you are." Dolph smirked, this was a master move.
But Seth didn't seem to be affected by Dolph's words and the young heir even looked at him almost pityingly.
"Don't you realize that it's a temporary satisfaction, Dolph? It has been always like that because in the end, nothing that you do to ruin my life works, it's true that I have bad times, but in the end none of these things makes me cease to be the son of my parents, nothing causes them to stop loving me and I am still the heir of this empire. None of these things makes you part of this family and the future heir as you would so much wish."
Dolph's eyes widened. Seth noticed that he definitely struck a nerve. The blond looked desperate and frustrated. He wanted to answer but nothing came out of his mouth, Seth had left him speechless.
"And it is sad to see that you have dedicated your life to nothing more than to try to ruin mine. Seeing nothing of what you have done makes you happy because at the end of the day you are alone with the frustration of not being able to get what you want. And that despite all my mistakes, I finally found something that gives me real happiness and that I care more than this stupid fight with you. You can spend the rest of your days proving that you are better and still be frustrated because in spite of that, you can't take away what I love most. What gives me true happiness is something that you can never take from me."
Seth looked at Dolph with pity and this was much worse than if he had punch the blonde. Seth walked away from the office, walking toward his car while Dolph stood there, holding back the anger and the tears of frustration. The blonde clenched his fists trying to regain his composure.
"You're wrong, Seth Rollins, you're wrong at the end of your speech, because finally there's something you love with all your body and soul that I can take from you." Dolph grunted.
...
Seth was going to call Roman and saw with frustration that his phone was dead.
"Ugh this is the worst day of my life." Seth grumbled as he got into his car.
He was driving and looking for the charger in the mess of his stuff, suddenly the car stopped. Seth grunted. He was in such a hurry and now he had to waste more time. He got out of the car and checked the engine, smoke was all over the place.
"Ugh, I don't know anything about cars. My phone doesn't work and I should call for a tow truck."
With the help of some passersby, Seth called for help and was able to take his car to a nearby garage. When trying to pay for the repair his credit card was rejected.
"You have no credit." The cashier said annoyed.
"I had forgotten that my parents cut my credit." Seth was so angry and frustrated, this day had been awful. "You can lend me your phone, miss."
Seth called Sami and the redhead had to go and rescue him.
"This must be the worst day of my life." Seth complained while Sami paid the bill.
"Have you talked to Roman?" Sami asked as they got into his car, he would take Seth to the hospital.
"My phone died, I was so busy that I couldn't talk to him. That's why I was urged to go to the hospital and I lost so much time with this issue with my car." Seth said worried. "I need to know how Paula is, she had a relapse."
Sami looked at him puzzled. "Then you don't know..."
Seth was a little scared. "What is it that I don't know?"
"Dolph was in the office shortly after you left and asked to speak to your father urgently. There was even another meeting with the managers."
God, Seth didn't think his words could hurt Dolph in such a way that he would speak badly of Roman to harm him as revenge.
"If Dolph harms Roman's work just to screw me up, I'm going to kick his ass."
"In fact, it's the opposite. I was at the meeting when Dolph insisted they should keep helping Roman. Paula's health seems to have gotten worse... a lot." Sami said nervously. "The doctors need to change the treatment for something even more expensive to keep her alive until they find a donor, but for that Roman must pay half the debt. At Dolph's insistence, and believe me when I tell you he was very insistent, Hunter accepted give him the money."
Seth was astounded, he didn't understand why Dolph was doing this, but neither was it time to think about Dolph's actions. What worried Seth most was Paula.
"Keep her alive until they find a donor... And if they don't find the donor..." Seth didn't dare even think about such a thing. "This can not be happening…"
"I'm so sorry Seth. I know you really love that girl," Sami said sincerely. "I think because of the seriousness of the situation Hunter agreed to give Roman the money. I thought you've talked to him."
"I must stay at Roman's side, he must be devastated. God, I don't understand how he's supposed to work tomorrow." Seth put his hands to his face in despair.
"I know it will be difficult to concentrate on working with all this situation but... Now more than ever Roman must do it, for the amount of money he needs to treat his daughter."
...
Roman looked at his daughter. It was almost midnight, Naomi and Jimmy had left the hospital. Roman felt weak and tired. Besides having a terrible headache that wasn't going away even with the pills he had taken.
"We can't lose this battle, we can't." Roman was holding back tears. "I can't believe everything is going so badly."
Someone put a hand on Roman's shoulder.
"Seth!" Roman said excitedly.
"Wrong name. It's Dolph." The blond said softly, noticing the disappointment in the other man's face to see that he was not Seth. "I know I'm not who you expected but I have good news."
Roman was hopeful. "Did you get the money?"
"That's right. I was delayed because it was a bit difficult to convince the board of directors. Because of what happened they were reluctant to hand over the money, but I was able to convince them." Dolph pulled an envelope out of his jacket and handed it to Roman.
"But how did you convince them?" Roman looked at the huge sum of money written on the check.
"I told them that Sasha is going to be so happy with our campaign that she won't leave the company so that with her we will recover what was lost. Also I will work hard and monitor the other campaigns. Everything is going to be all right." Dolph looked emphatically at Roman.
"It's a lot of work, Dolph. But I'm going to help you." Roman indicated. "What worries me is that Sasha never said she would continue with us after this campaign. Promise that was very risky."
"If we do a good job, she will stay with us. Believe me I'm going to convince her, my job is at stake." Dolph said this by looking at Roman steadily.
"Your job?" Roman didn't understand.
"It was what I offered as a guarantee to the board in exchange for that check. They know that I am responsible, and that I would never risk my employment in the company if I were not sure that we will get what I am offering. So, we're definitely going to make a big campaign and convince Sasha to stay with us."
That said Dolph approached Roman a little and for the first time, he didn't notice rejection by the other man. In fact, Roman looked at him with his eyes full of gratitude.
"That was very risky. Wow, I feel like an asshole, I misjudged you all this time." Roman was worried. "But you must understand that this whole situation between Seth and you and the way you talk about him made me distrust you."
"I'm sorry, I admit that I've been cruel to Seth, even recently I was." Roman squinted his eyes at Dolph. "Sorry, okay. Roman, I know I did wrong but he seriously struck out a nerve on me. For someone who has had to try so hard to get things like me, seeing that all that was destroyed in a matter of seconds for a neglect has made me act like a jerk. But I must admit that it is not my place to judge him. I know you hate me for treating Seth the way I do and I promise I won't do it anymore, I'm going to leave this behind and I hope Seth can do it too."
Roman nodded. "I'm going to talk to him. I appreciate you giving this first step, that speaks volumes of you. And it will make easier our work at the office."
"I just want to help you, Roman. We work together now and if we have a friendly relationship it will be very useful to achieve our goals." Dolph seemed honest in his words "You were right when you called me arrogant and cruel, you were also right when you said that I cared nothing more than money and prestige, but I don't want to be like that anymore, I don't want to be the heartless bastard that everyone thinks I am and that's because of you."
"Me?" Roman went from surprise to surprise.
"You have changed the perspective I had on certain things. You were brave enough to tell me the truths I needed to hear and besides, you're a good man, I like you a lot. And to see that little angel you have there, makes anyone want to be better. If you give me a chance, we could even be friends. God knows I need someone who is not a workaholic, ambitious like me. But that is not irresponsible to make me lose the focus of my life, and you have the right balance. Needless to say, I feel empathy for your situation."
"Thank you, Dolph." Roman gave him a small smile. "I think we can be friends. I'm going to leave my apprehensions against you. And I thank you for what you have done for me. Even as difficult as it will be, I will concentrate on doing things well at work. I don't want you to lose your job because of me."
Dolph smiled and walked over to Roman, wrapping his arms around the other man. At first Roman was rigid, but the raven-haired man thought there was no malice in the gesture and decided not to push the blonde.
"I'm not going to lose my job because we'll be a great team." Dolph tightened the embrace, "And we'll be good friends too."
"Thank you." Roman finally returned the hug. "We'll be friends."
Dolph smiled widely and in that moment saw Seth coming to the hospital room. The blond smiled at him with a sweetness that for Seth seemed more like a mockery.
"Roman!" Seth spoke in a rather inappropriate tone to someone who was in a hospital room.
Roman looked at Seth and released Dolph. The blond approached Seth in a friendly way and extended his hand to the other man.
"Seth, it's good that you are here. I need to talk to you."
Seth was stiff as a rock. Seeing Dolph embracing Roman was like reliving his whole adolescence, Dolph trying to snatch everything he loved. Seth was livid.
"Now it all makes sense, your sudden interest in Roman's well-being. Your insistence on getting the money. You finally found something you can take from me that I really care. You're worse than I thought and I'm not going to let you do this," Seth said indignantly.
"I don't know what's wrong with you Seth, I just want to make peace or at least a truce while we get out of all these problems." Dolph seemed confused by Seth's attitude.
"Seth please, just listen to him." Roman approached his boyfriend.
"Please, Roman. This asshole only hours ago told me how satisfied he was that everyone knew I was useless. Are you going to deny it, Dolph?" Seth couldn't hide his anger.
"I won't. Actually, that's just what I was talking to Roman about. I know I did wrong and I apologize to you, Seth."
Seth couldn't believe it. After all this, Dolph was the good guy, the victim.
"Roman, listen to me. Don't be fooled by him. This is not even about you, it's all about me." Seth looked at Dolph angrily. "You're trying to look like the good guy so Roman would trust you and then you will try to take him away from me. Today you accused me of always giving up when things got difficult and you know what? You're right, I always did that. But that was because those things never mattered to me. But that won't happen now. Maybe you don't know but Roman and I are together, he's my boyfriend and I will fight tooth and nail for him."
"Seth, I just want you to lower your voice and calm down. We're in a hospital and you're noisy." Roman put his hands on Seth's shoulders. "Please, Seth."
"It's useless, Roman," Dolph said with disappointment. "I just want to help you, but apparently that's hard to assimilate for your boyfriend. Seth has always believed that he is the center of the universe, that the life of all of us revolves around him. At least it's clear to you that I wanted to reconcile with Seth and he rejected my attempt."
"Seth please, at least listen to what he wants to tell you." Roman insisted.
"No. Roman, you listen to me. Dolph is a bad person and he'll ruin us if you let him." Seth looked desperately at his boyfriend.
"But I would never allow him or any other person to do something like that." Roman tried to reassure Seth.
"The worst thing about this is that Roman needs peace of mind and you who are his boyfriend are stressing him more. I can't believe your jealousy and your childishness are more important than doing something for your boyfriend. You treat Roman as one of your possessions, like a cocky child who refuses to let others look at his new toy." Dolph also raised the tone of his voice.
"I'm not going to fall for your games and Roman won't do it either. I won't let him believe in your lies and!"
"What's going on here?" The head of the nurses walked into the room with two guards. "You're in a hospital, you shouldn't be screaming. I need you both to leave."
Dolph looked at Roman all apologetic. "I apologize for all this, I never thought a good deed would end like this. Roman, I hope all this has not happened to change things between us. Let's work together and have a friendly relationship."
Roman shook his head. "Nothing is going to change, don't worry. But you must go, the nurse is right, all this got out of control."
Dolph nodded and left the room.
Seth didn't move from where he was. "Roman, I'm sorry I lost control, but you have to understand me. I told you about my story with Dolph and he's lying and-"
"Please Seth stop." Roman grabbed his head, it hurt even more now. "This is not helping me, seriously, I want you to be here but not to argue."
"I'm sorry, Roman," the nurse said. "I know you want Seth to be here but by hospital policies if two people have this kind of behavior, they both should be kicked out of here."
"Nurse James, I know Seth acted wrong but-" Roman tried to say.
"No, I understand," Seth said sadly. "And I don't want to cause you problems. I should better go."
Seth left the room and Roman followed him.
"Seth please," Roman insisted.
"It hurts me, that you don't believe me," Seth said sadly.
"And it hurts me that you don't trust me. Do you think because Dolph is helping me, I'm going to leave you?" Roman closed his eyes, it was obvious that his head ached a lot. "I need you next to me, I've been missing you all day."
"The nurse said that I could not be here and you should be with Paula. I'm sorry I make this big problem but Dolph is lying and I'm worried."
"Everyone deserves a second chance, Seth. Even Dolph." Roman insisted. "But that should not be a reason for us to fight. I need you next to me, you're my boyfriend and I love you, I need you to be here with me. You have no idea how I feel, I just want us to be together without fighting or thinking about other people."
And this was like a bucket of cold water over Seth's head. Roman was worried about Paula and he was making a scene of jealousy.
"I love you too, you know that I love you. I'm sorry Roman, I didn't want to cause you any more worries."
The nurse approached Roman. "I must like you a lot boy. Okay, let's give your boyfriend a chance, you can go back to the room, but no more shouting."
They both thanked the nurse and returned to Paula's room. There, sitting on the sofa bed, Roman buried his face in Seth's neck and the younger man petted his hair.
"I feel like a jerk fighting Dolph when all this is happening. Forgive me Roman, I promise not to touch this issue again." Seth said looking at Paula.
"I promise I won't let anyone separate us. Just stay here with me, just hold me here because I no longer have the strength. I've needed you so much, I don't know how you can think that I even entertain the idea of another person in my life, you're everything I need and you have no idea how I love you."
"I know Roman, and I love you too. Please, forgive me." Seth kissed his boyfriend's forehead.
Roman looked at his boyfriend and he softly kissed him in the lips. For now at least, they were together enjoyiong a beautiful kiss despite all the problems surrounding them. The kiss didn't last long but it was beautiful and meaningful.
Roman, I won't cause any more problems. I won't do any more scenes or give you more worries. But I won't let Dolph drive you away from me. I know he's lying, but I'm not going to give you a hard time because of that. You have enough worries with this situation with Paula. I will solve my problems with Dolph by myself.
Okay, first at all I just posted a new rolleigns, a multichapter called "Once Upon a Time" (it's a fairy tale lol), take a look and if you like it, you already know what to do.
Back to the story, things get more and more complicated. We'll see if Seth and Roman's love is strong enough to face what's coming. I thank you very much for the support I am receiving in this story, your reviews, favs and follows encourage me to continue writing this story and even to write more rolleigns.
I apologize for my grammar and as always if you want another episode, leave me a review with your opinions on this chapter. Have a beautiful weekend, I love you guys!