Page 6 of Illusion of Loving

When I finished my shower and headed back into the hall, I realize that she left her portfolio in the main house.

A knock comes from the back, and I walk to the door and see Taurus. “I am so sorry, but do you mind lending me some clothes? I realize I have none. I will buy some tomorrow.”

“Shit. I didn’t even think. Of course, follow me. Make yourself at home. If you’re hungry you can use the kitchen, if not I can order us some food, just tell me what you want.” I offer. Of course, she doesn’t have anything, her house just burned down.

Taurus

As I walk up to the kitchen, I see a marble island. A huge wood fire oven that looks like it had never been used. I search through the fridge and it’s pretty empty. I find some lunch meat and bread and make myself a sandwich.

Mr. Wén comes out with two folded pairs of clothing. “It might be baggy but it’s clean.” He chuckles putting the clothes on the island. I nod as I finish the sandwich. He sits on the island watching me. “Are you an actual Taurus?” He chuckles.

I shake my head, “Nope, I am a Leo, but my mother is a Taurus, so that should tell you how self-involved she is.” I scoff.

“Have you talked to her since…” Since the day she ruined my life for the last time and fucked my fiancé?

“No, I couldn’t do it anymore. When my dad was alive everything was normal, but when he died my mother showed her colors. She was a young mother who was now a single parent. My mother is exceptionally beautiful and knew she could take advantage of people to get what she wanted. I do not think she ever wanted to be a mother. It must have been easier to raise me with my dad when he was alive, but when he died, she gave up. Growing up, I was told that parents make mistakes, but you should still love them even when they continue to hurt and abuse you. For years I forgave her, but this was it. Hearing her and him, still to this day, breaks my heart to think about it.”

Mr. Wén clears his throat. “Do you still love Greyson…?”

“I…I do. He cheated on me with my mother, but I loved him for years and that love does not just go away. I want to move on from him, I just don’t know where to start.” I grab his hand with both of mine. “You can never tell him I am here. I don’t think I could see him again without falling apart.” I pull on the ends of my curls. “My mother didn’t want me, and my fiancé thought my mother was a better choice for a fuck. The feeling of being wanted must be intoxicating.” I laugh pitifully.

Mr. Wén looks at me as if he wanted to say something.

His hands are twice my size and rough. He squeezes my hand back gently and nods. “I won’t, but he does know where I live. He does not visit much, therefore if I see him, I’ll let you know.”

“Thank you, Mr. Wén.”

“Please call me Ru.”

I feel embarrassed calling him that for some reason, “Okay…Ru.” I smile with flushed cheeks.

I have looked at Ru, but I have neverlookedat Ru. He sits before me in a white, long sleeve shirt and black sweatpants, but I can bet all my money he takes them both off when he sleeps. He is incredibly fit as well. Greyson was tall, but his father is…taller and bigger.

I realize that I have been holding his hand for too long. “I apologize,” I say snatching my hands away.

He gives me a heartfelt smile, “I was looking over your portfolio, you have amazing sketches. I can see my mother’s influence in your work.”

“She is amazing. As a child, I wanted to be just like her. A woman who came to this country and started the most unique fashion line to ever hit a runway. You can truly see the beauty of modern and traditional clothing blending into one. Her Chinese culture shined in every look. I was in awe as a child. She never changed her style despite what anyone said, she kept to her pen. I can’t believe Greyson never told me.”

“How did you guys meet?” Ru inquires.

I think back to the past, “We met in the lobby of a hotel. I was there for a convention. He had been staring at me and I was wondering why a guy so gorgeous was looking at me. From there we exchanged numbers and spent every day together after that. I believed I had found someone who loved me. I’m not sure what went wrong. Did he get bored of me? Was the sex not good anymore for him? I don’t know.”

“I doubt it.” Ru clearly states. My cheeks warm up once again.

“It’s sad.Hefucked up, and I am sitting here thinking about whatIdid wrong.” I groan.

Ru places his hand back on mine. “Listen, I was not there for your relationship, but fuck thinking about what you did or didn’t do. Regrets carry weight, so free yourself. Tomorrow, you start your new life in a company you have dreamed of being a part of.”

Ru was right. The past didn’t matter anymore. I needed to close that chapter for good and look on to what was ahead for me.

“Why do you and Greyson have different last names?” I cautiously ask.

His hand squeezes mine, but then he removed it, “Well, Greyson was born when I was fifteen. His mother, Emma, and I were just hooking up at the time. When Greyson was born, she gave him her last name and she said it was because we were not married, which I respected. Then a year after he was born, she told me the truth. That he might not be my son.”

“Wait…so he’s not?” I pry.

“Biologically, I have no clue. I didn’t care to have him genetically tested. He is my son, I raised him. His mother passed in a car accident when he was five. So, my mother helped me raise him. Being a parent was hard, but a teen parent was fucking scary.”

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