Always Been You

~Lola’s POV~

I never in a million years imagined that my married life would be like this. I never imagined that I would live in a fairytale, but here I am, married to the prince charming of all my fantasies. The one and only man I have ever wanted from as far back as I can remember wanting him. The man who is most emphatically not my knight in shining armor. When I was younger, he was my knight in shining armor, but I suppose things change as people get older, and their hearts change along with them. I shook my head and started to laugh at my pathetic self. I am trapped. Dante Monroe had me where he wanted me. How much pressure is too much for one person to handle? If I could just get an answer to this question, maybe I’d have a better idea of how much longer it will be before I completely lose my mind. Why is it that whenever I make an effort to bring some semblance of order to my otherwise chaotic life, something unexpected comes up, and things get even more complicated than they were before?

Choosing to stay with Dante despite the challenges involved is not a simple task. I never imagined that we would get to this point where we would fight to the extent that we are doing right now. Being awake doesn’t help me much to relax. How can I unwind when my children are involved, and it irritates me that I am being cornered? I wish I could just sleep and never wake up, or sleep and wake up when all this is over. I wish we could just make peace for the sake of our children. We don’t have to be husband and wife, but this is no longer healthy for either of us. I have taken so many insults and disrespect from Dante for the past months since he took the kids, which automatically forces me to move back to NYC. But right now, all I want is peace. I heard a gentle knock at my door.

“Please come in.” Dante walked in and I got up from the bed, knowing that whatever conversation we were about to have would lead to a fight.

“How are you doing?” I quickly raised my head to meet his gaze.

Okay, this is very odd. Is he seriously greeting me? Does he want to kill me now?

My surprised expression might have alarmed him. “I came in peace.”

Dante and peace are not friends; chaos and Dante, perhaps!

So I want you to attend a party with me tonight.” I think Dante Monroe has just lost some screws. I am still looking at him to tell me what this is about. “Elvis, my friend and a colleague of mine, just got married, and he is having a get-together with his family. His mother knows I’m married, so she requested me to come with my wife.”

For the sake of our children, I wanted to ask him to hire a girl to act as his wife. Maybe this might be a chance for us to make peace.

“What exactly are you thinking?” He inquired while I was still considering the possibility of us putting our differences aside.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

“You’re speaking to me normally.”

“Lola, please let’s just try to get along for the sake of our children.” I’m glad he’s sick of it as well.

“Do they know we are getting a divorce?”

“No, nobody knows except you and me.” I simply nodded.

“Do I need to get the kids ready, or is it just me and you?”

“Elvis’s mother wanted to meet them, but due to the nature of the party and the late hour, I told her they wouldn’t be coming.” I studied his face for a moment, which is not giving anything.

“Okay, I will come.” He left and closed the door behind him.

The curious soul in me agreed for two reasons. 1. Why all of a sudden did he change and ask me to get along with him for the sake of the children? 2. He could have asked anyone, but he asked me. I may come to regret it later, but for the sake of our children, I need to get along with him right now. We might have our differences, but Dante would kill anyone for his kids. One thing I will always respect him for. I was wrong about him when it came to the kids, but he is an amazing father to our kids. Perhaps this party, or whatever it is, is exactly what we need to get along. While I was preoccupied with the party, Dante texted me that he would be picking me up at 7 p. m. Since I came back, he has returned to the office, which leaves me to take care of our kids while I try to find my way back to the field. I decided to give Matthew and his wife the flower shop, and they have done fantastically well. Mason and I haven’t spoken since I left Ozark, and June hasn’t either.

It was already time. Dante sent me a message telling me he was waiting outside. I settled for some high-waisted blue jeans, a beige polo neck, and some 5-inch ecru ankle boots. I headed outside. As I walked towards the car, Dante came down and opened the passenger door for me, and he walked around to the driver’s side and started driving.

“You look beautiful,” he complimented. He’s really acting weird. Why is he being so nice to me?

“Are you sure you don’t need a hospital?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Why are you suddenly so nice to me?” I finally asked. He laughed.

“Lola, we can fight all we want, but that is not going to change anything. We are tied together forever, whether we like it or not. We are the parents of three wonderful children who need the care and attention of both of their parents. We can at least try to get along, even if we aren’t together anymore.” I stroked his brow with the back of my hand. He lightly pushed my hand and continued, “I’m fine Lola, I haven’t forgiven you. I’m just trying to make this work for our children, so don’t get any ideas.”

Wow!