I had come back to this…town. I had to see my plan through. They say that revenge is bittersweet, but to me it is a sweet, sweet victory.
At least it would have been if I hadn't met her. A woman who challenges me in the best way. In ways that I never thought I would like let alone live for.
I fell, and I fell hard. I had forgotten that I was "spoken" for. She made it easy to forget. If only I could have been Victor. Someone without all the baggage that comes with my name. Maybe we would be together now. Maybe then I wouldn't have to watch her with someone else.
I can't help but think of the last words she said to me.
The truth had finally come out. Esme had been exposed for the treacherous monster that she is. The daughter of Ryan Chamberlain. I was a pawn in her game. It sickens me to remember how easily I had been taken for a fool.
She targeted my family. As much as I loathe Ava, I've come to hate Esme more. So much so that I partnered with her to bring Esme down.
I paced in the park, self loathing with some heavy self pity.
"Spencer." Her voice was soft, cautious.
"Trina. Come to rub it in?" I couldn't look at her but I could feel here approach. I can always feel her when she's near me. Hell, even if she's across the room.
"Rub it in? How can you even ask me that?" I don't answer, I stubbornly kicked at an imaginary rock as I shoved my hands in my pockets.
"I didn't come to rub it in. I came to see how you are." I looked at her then. Pointing to myself, I had to clarify.
"You should be celebrating your victory and you've come to see how I am?" That was so her, I don't know why I would question it.
"Esme moved on to your father. She used you. Spencer, this whole thing…while it has been a lot for me… I know this also has to be hard for you." She took a pregnant pause.
"I'll ask again."
"I'm fine." I couldn't take her concern. It made me feel guilty. What did I think would happen? I'd clear her name and she'd run into my arms as if I deserved her? I had to laugh at that.
"Don't do that. You know that you don't have to do that with me." I looked away from her.
"No, I don't know that. I know that you had been keeping things from me. I'd been replaced by that cop." I knew that I was being an asshole but I was hurt. In that moment I didn't want the risk of rejection or heartbreak so I needed her to walk away.
"You have that going for you, at least." She let out a humorless laugh.
"What's that?"
"Audacity. You have a lot of audacity. Keeping things from you?" She laughed.
"How is that possible when I'm so sprung that I would film my best friend and frame your girlfriend." She crossed her arms waiting for a response and I wanted to tell her the truth right then but…it was just another lie.
Maybe she was right before. Her life was better before I entered it.
"I tend to have that effect on women." I smirked and she scowled.
"Do you or is it your father and you are just inroads to him?" That stung, I couldn't lie. I also couldn't ignore the immediate regret and frustration that played on her beautiful face.
"You drive me insane. You pull me into the mud with you. I hate that." I shrugged nonchalantly.
"I think that you are a coward. I know that what Esme did is a lot to process. However, I will not stand here and be your punching bag." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"I hope that you will see and embrace the good in you Spencer Cassidine. This moment doesn't define you. Esme doesn't define you." I had to chew on my lip to keep my emotions at bay.
I watched as she turned to walk away. She looked back for a moment then she left me standing.
After everything, I can't see a reason to stay. So I decided to leave. I approach the jet when I hear a slow clap. I turn to see the last person I would expect.
"You just keep proving me right." I can't help but smile.
"Glad to be of service." I watch as she walks over to where I am standing.
"Your family is in shambles and you decide to just leave?" I sigh.
"I did what I came to do. My father is an idiot who nearly slept with my ex. He put himself in that precarious situation." She mulls over that information.
"I know that must have hurt but-"
"That's the thing. I don't care about Esme. It was the fact that my father could even be tempted by her." I want to spill everything to her. To avoid spilling my guts swipe my hand down my face in a fit of frustration. Then I turn it around before I could think better of it. I have a habit of doing that.
"You are looking kind of sprung right now. What are you doing here?" She rolls her eyes.
"I call it how I see it" I bat my eyelashes with as a grin spreads across my face.
"Only you could joke at a time like this. You told me that moving helped your dad." She walks closer then takes hold of my hands. My move but I will let her have it.
"Are you going to allow Esme…" she says the name with such disgust.
"Are you going to let that thing damage the relationship that you fought so hard to repair?" I had to bite back my smile.
"Spencer, I'll be candid… if you allow that to happen then you are more of an idiot than I thought." I can't help it, I laugh. See, Trina putting me in my place does something to me. It does something that is foreign to me and I adore every second of it. Almost as much as I adore her.
"What does his falling into her trap say about his care for me?" I try to fight the frown but I can't. I cannot control the word vomit that follows.
"I didn't have hope for much, as I was left without. When he faked his death…." my façade is beginning to fail me, I can't stop these words or this...emotion.
"I'd given up hope then. How can he love me but fall for my first love? One who used and betrayed me? God Trina… our relationship was damaged enough how…" my voice cracks and I feel those traitorous tears escape my eyes. It infuriates me. I sniff indignantly.
"You shouldn't be here. That guy might not like it." Her eyes bore into mine as if she has forgotten that she is spoken for. She doesn't back down. She takes me in her arms and I could… I swear I could feel the safest that I've ever felt but that is an illusion. Happiness doesn't know me. I refuse to be fooled yet again. So I do what I know.
"That guy, he's a distraction. We both know it. What makes you better than Esme?" Her mouth opens and shuts. She's startled by my words. Then she starts laughing. It freaks me out. She laughs heartily, her whole body gives way to it.
"You still stand on idiocy. You make yourself a fool." She looks up at me, eyes full of challenge.
"I… am better than Esmeh in every single way. You know it. In fact, Spence, it haunts you. It wraps around your being and shouts at you." She chuckles and I'm confused.
"I don't want to be mean but we both know that I can destroy that argument…easily." I huff but it rolls off her.
She defensively crosses her arms across her chest.
"Just go, Spence. Get out of here. Go like the coward you are." I know that she is using reverse psychology. I also know that I could and should keep going but I don't.
"I do have restitution left. We know how by the book you are. Can't have you sending me back to jail." She knows. I know she knows that this is just another challenge. She meets it with her smirk.
Yeah, maybe I'll stick around. She has stuck by me after all. Besides, things aren't going to work with her and that guy.
