Chapter 8 A Deal

• Louisa:
• I was utterly transfixed. I was so pissed. What's his stupid ass doing here? Close to my children? How dare he return after everything that happened? Is he nuts?
• Probably needs his brain rewired or something??
• I couldn't stand that... that... shit!!!
• Before I knew it, my boxing room was in a mess. I had overturned tables, thrown things around crazily and punched without wearing the damn gloves.
• Why is he here now? What does he want from me? So much anger coursed through my veins. There's no way I'm playing along with this boyfriend shit. He should get that. I had dragged my babies off, leaving him standing.
• It's been three years since our divorce which he handed to me so heartlessly and cruelly, so what's his plan? Why does he want me back? Such a jerk.
• My mind flew to Jenna and I smirked. She's gone into hiding. I'm waiting for the day she'll reveal her face. I'm going to relish every single moment because I will make sure she pays for this! Mark my words Jenna, you're going to have a terrible life soon.
• I sat on the floor for hours, sweating and fuming like an enraged bull.
• As I got into the bathroom, I immediately tossed out my clothes getting under the cold shower. My phone beeps repeatedly in the room. I groaned in frustration.
• I stared blankly at my reflection, my mind numb from the exhaustion of another long day.
• My phone beeped on the nightstand again, shrill in the silence. I hesitated, my heart sinking as I reached for it.
• My ex-husband's name flashed on the screen, despite my having blocked him on every platform. A shiver ran down my spine as I read the message:
• "Louisa, I'm so sorry. I was wrong to do what I did. Can we please talk? Please, I need to make things right."
• I felt a familiar wave of anger wash over me. How dare he? After everything he'd put me through, he thought a simple apology would suffice?
• I tossed the phone back onto the nightstand, my mind racing with memories of our tumultuous marriage. The fights, the lies, the betrayals... it was all still so raw. The fact that he accused me of infidelity while having an affair with my best friend!!!
• I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I'd blocked him for a reason. I didn't want to hear his excuses or his empty apologies. I didn't want to hear from him at all.
• I stared emotionlessly at the message and pressed block again. The fucker better not try stalking me. my kids had been disappointed after I revealed that he's just a friend. Like hell they'd understand!
• The next day I took my kids to school. Afterwards, I drove out of the school in my sedan immediately.
• Immediately it started raining terribly. I hated driving under thick heavy downpours. My eyes get affected by the mist, making it impossible for me to see clearly. Right now, I couldn't even see a few feets in front of me.
• I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my eyes fixed on the road ahead as the rain lashed down around me. The windshield wipers flailed back and forth, struggling to keep up with the deluge.
• Suddenly, a car came out of nowhere, speeding around the bend. My heart skipped a beat as I swerved to avoid it, my tires screeching immediately.
• But it was too late. The car careened off the road, slamming into a tree with a sickening crunch. I felt a jolt of pain as my head whipped forward, then back against the headrest. I took a narrow road with thick trees lining wother sides. I was immediately surrounded by trees.
• Dazed, I sat there for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. The rain pounded against the car, drumming a relentless beat. "Oh no!"
• I slowly turned my head, wincing as pain shot through my neck. The airbag had deployed, and the windshield was cracked. The car was destroyed.
• Panic began to set in as I realized I was stuck. The tires were sunk deep in the mud, and the car wasn't going anywhere. What's this?? I need to call for help. Is this bad luck?
• I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I had to think. I had to get out of here.
• But as I looked around, I realized I was completely alone. The forest loomed around me, dark and menacing. And I was trapped.
• I tried to reach for my phone but I realized I dropped it at the mansion. It's not with me. Damn.
• "Lou!"
• I heard from behind and before I could turn, the car door yanked open revealing Alex with a worried expression.
• Not him! He's the last person I want to see right now. Now he was hovering, with an umbrella in hand.
• "Come on, let's get you out of there!" He offered, trying to grab me.
• I slapped his arms away obstinately. "I'm fine, don't touch me!" I growled.
• "Really? You're here , in the middle of nowhere, trapped, bleeding from the side of your head. Your car is destroyed and crushed and you're going to play tough gal? I don't think you realize the severity of your condition." He said in a disapproving tone.
• "Oh wow,I really need you to tell me that!" I said sarcastically. "Don't you think I know that?"
• "Louisa, please, just let me help you." He said plaintively and I sighed, finally relenting as he helped me out of his car.
• He supported me with one arm, umbrella in the other, and led me to his car. I sighed, it wasn't his car that caused me to swerve off the road. I didn't want to believe he was following me or anything. He was probably just using the same road I took.
• Finally, we drove off. "Should we go to the hospital?" He asked softly.
• "Yes. I mean, just drop me at home and you can go on with whatever it is you do " I said coldly.
• "Lou, I'm sorry." He mumbled but I kept my eyes fixated on the road, avoiding his gaze. I touched my head, blood was oozing slowly. I don't think it was a huge gash.
• "Why are you apologizing?" I shrugged, "you didn't drive me off the road."
• He gave a deep sigh. "That's not what I meant. I need you back. I mean it Lou."
• I perversely kept my mouth shut, clenching my fists.
• "I know it's crazy right. It sounds stupid right –"
• "It sounds like you've got your brain shoved right up your ass!" I interrupted angrily.
• "I know. I'm sorry. The things I did, it was a mistake. I was fooled. The day I lost you Lou, everything fake crumbling down. I was never the same again. I need you back in my life. I want a chance to make things right. I..."
• Okay; that's it. I've heard enough of his bullshit. "Stop the car!" I yelled.
• "What?" He gasped in disbelief.
• "I'll find my way back, do you understand? So stop the fúcking car!"
• "Lou, I'm sorry –"
• "Just stop it, damn you!" I yelled, infuriated.
• "I want to make a deal with you, Lou."
• "What?"
• "Let's get home first." He smiled.