CHAPTER 5: BROKEN

  ROSE'S POV  "Okay, there is no need for this unnecessary argument," Frank said boldly. He transposed closer to Eric and me. "Eric, I don't think you should be blaming Rose for this." Finally! Someone with senses! Eric gave him a disagreeable look. "Why shouldn't I? She's the one who threatened to leak the photos yesterday." "She did that?" Frank uttered it promptly. "Of course. She's the only one who has those photos. It's very clear that she posted them all over the internet," Eric explained. "For goodness sake, Eric, I didn't do that!" I shouted at him, my anger intensifying. "You better put an end to these false accusations." "What are you going to do, huh?" He moved his visage closer with a dire stare. "I don't know, but don't blame me for something I didn't do," I spat back. "You are really crazy, Rose! Just admit it already! I know you've always been jealous of Tasha." I shook my head with an empty smile. Those recent words were quite painful. But I wasn't going to let them break me. I'm stronger than that. I glared at Eric while he continued, "I wish I had never met you. You're nothing but a liar. You're just so irritating. Get the hell out of my house, right now!" He pointed at the door "You think I want to still waste my time here?" I came back. "I was planning to leave before you came screaming like an absolute idiot." "Why would someone do something so terrible to me?" Tasha queried herself, feigning a sad countenance. "Like, I'm loved by everyone. Who would want to make me their enemy?" She added. "She's standing right in front of you," Eric answered, directing his gaze to me. I glanced at Tasha, and then I gave Eric a dark look in return. I just felt like ripping his intestines out.   Tasha moved closer and held both of my shoulders. "Why did you do it?" She asked, jolting me several times. I quickly took her hands off me and pushed her backwards. She was about to lose her balance, but Eric caught her. "Hey," I said, heaving my finger at her. "No one told you to start talking nonsense. And please, drop the act. We're not shooting a movie here." Tasha grabbed Eric's shoulders, shifting him really close to her. "Eric, please tell her to stop all these. I don't want to have a dispute with anybody." She followed through with that sad tone once again. "Oh, please." I rolled my eyes, grumbling in annoyance. "Stop this charade. "I thought you wanted to get out of my house!" Eric snapped. "Now leave. The door's that way." The direction of his fingers went straight to the door. "I need to pack my stuff first," I said, and I was about to walk away. But Eric grabbed me. "That's not going to happen," he fired at me. "Just make your way out of this house right now." I forcefully drove him back. "I'm going to get my stuff, and you can't do anything about it." "I don't even know why you people are putting the blame on me!" I sounded off. "I did nothing wrong around here. I'm not the one who posted those photos. But you want to know something? I'm thankful for whoever did that. At least now the world is going to know who you guys really are." "Rose, you better watch your mouth," Eric cautioned me  "You betrayed me, Eric! You broke my trust! You made me realize that love's nothing but a fake!" I thundered, about to break into tears. "All because of this moron," I added, gesturing my hands toward Tasha. "Rose!" Eric warned me once more. "What are you going to do? Beat the hell out of me." I fumed at him. "Go ahead, then. It will be nothing compared to the pain you caused me all these years!" I could see that Eric was about to lose it. The flames of anger ignited within his eyes. But my rage had gotten the best of me. I didn't care one bit about the aftermath of this. "You broke me, Eric! You broke me into pieces." I finally burst into tears. "You left me shattered. You ripped my heart into two. All the promises and vows we made together. They were all broken by you!" My screams only got louder, along with my crying.   In exhilarating pain, I continued bringing out these emotions. "I loved you, Eric. I loved you with the whole of my heart. I would do anything just to be with you. I was fully prepared to take a bullet for you. I was ready to walk through hot coals for you. I just wanted to be by your side every single day. But this is how you repay me." I wiped away my tears, letting out a deep sigh as my tone came down. Eric was just staring at me. I could see the remorse in his eyes. After what I told him, he looked kind of broken, and it seemed as if he was filled with contrition. The whole place was speechless, with everyone staring at the both of us. At this point, I hoped Eric could come back to his senses. The silence was broken by Helena as she began to clap. I turned to her, and so did Eric. "Bravo, bravo." Helena's claps only got louder. She walked in leaden steps toward me. "I'm pretty sure it took you years to practice that. But guess what, you idiot? No one's buying your bullshit." I simply ignored her and looked at Eric once again. He was lost in thoughts, his eyes looking down, his hands fixed around his waist. "Eric," I said softly. He looked at me immediately. "We can still get back together. We can still be the way we used to be years ago. Before all this fame, before all this wealth, "Can you believe her?" Helena spat immediately, giving me a bizarre face. "First, she wanted a divorce. Now, she wants them to get back together. I knew she couldn't resist the money." I slurred over Helena again, my eyes still fixed on Eric. He looked confounded. But I had a feeling that I might be able to bring back his senses if I continued to talk to him this way. "Eric," I gently held his hands. He looked at our fingers together, and then he slowly set his eyes on me. "Remember all the promises you made, Eric. Remember each breathtaking moment when you told me that you loved me? Remember the romantic kisses we shared?" "That's enough!" Helena dragged me back, breaking my grip on Eric. He was just staring at me, still confused. "What are you trying to do, huh?" Helena snarled. I disregarded her and continued to gaze at Eric. He did the same, still deep in thought.   "My reputation is ruined!" Tasha shrieked immediately, stealing everyone's attention. "Everyone's going to hate me now, Eric. What am I going to do?" She faked tears, moving backwards. "Don't worry, Tasha. Everything's going to be okay." Eric assured her. "Everything's not going to be okay!" She shouted right away. Her eyes caught a knife on the table, and she swiftly grabbed it. She stirred the knife to her throat. "Tasha, what are you doing?" Eric asked, walking slowly in her direction. "What does it look like I'm doing?" She pressed the knife against her throat, like she was going to slit it. "Don't!" Eric hollered.