I don’t know what to do, and I don’t think Hudson does either. I know if I embarrass Jeffrey, he will fire me on the spot. On top of that, if I cause I scene, it will only draw attention to the situation. Then, I remember my aunt saying to conduct yourself properly in public no matter the situation.
“Ellie?” Jeffrey brings me out of my thoughts.
I will my tears away and say confidently, “Sorry, it’s nice to meet you, Mr. King.” I stick my hand out for him to shake it.
I see Hudson close his eyes, and I know that he’s trying to hide the hurt on his face. When he opens them, he gives me a sad smile. He gently shakes my hand. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Sullivan.”
“Aw, Ellie seems to be starstruck by our captain,” Mr. Night says. “He does have a way with the ladies.” They laugh, but I stare at Hudson, and he stares back.
I clear my throat and put on a fake smile. “If you gentlemen will excuse me, I think I need a little fresh air before the dinner starts. It’s a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Night,” I shake his hand. “Mr. King.” I only nod to Hudson, before I turn and walk away.
As badly as I want to run, I don’t. I walk with my head held high. I begin to think about our time together. It’s all a lie. He lied to me this entire time. I thought he cared for me. I thought I could trust him.
I gave Hudson the one thing I gave no one else, my heart, and this is how he repays me. I walk through the lobby and out the front door. Leaving the party will only cause Jeffrey to fire me, but I don’t care. I can’t stay here. I can’t be in the same room as Hudson right now. Anger is radiating through me. An anger I’ve never felt before.
“Ellie!” I hear Hudson yell for me, but I won’t turn around. “Ellie, wait!”
I keep walking until he jumps in front of me. He grabs my arms to stop me from walking on. The bright “C” is gleaming on his left side. The Vikings helmet on the front looks like it is mocking me too.
“Please let me explain,” he begs.
The first tear falls from my eyes. “You lied to me.” I feel my lip quiver.
“Ellie, I swear it’s not like that. Let me explain.”
“You’re a professional hockey player?”
He drops his hands from me, and runs them through his hair. “Yes.”
“Not an architect?”
He shakes his head.
“Jeffrey said that you were a captain or something?”
He pointed to that bright “C” on his chest. “I am. I’m the captain of the team.”
“You lied to me,” I repeat. I can’t comprehend everything that is happening to me at this moment. I thought I could trust him, but he had been lying to me the whole time we’ve been together.
“I didn’t lie. I never said the words that I was an architect. You just assumed I was because of my major. I just omitted my hockey life from you. Everything else was real. I swear.”
I stare into his eyes. He looks like he is on the verge of crying. I can see the pain coming from him. He steps towards me, but I step back.
“Omitting the truth is lying. I trusted you. I trusted you with everything. I gave you my heart, and now,” I stop as more tears fall. “And now, I find out that it was all a lie.”
“No, baby, I swear, I didn’t tell you because I wanted to have a normal relationship. I didn’t want someone because of my money or who I play for. I wanted you, and I found you, and I fell in love with you.”
“Don’t,” I point my finger at him, “don’t you dare say that you love me right now. You’re a liar, and I don’t believe anything you say.” I can hear the hurt and anger in my voice. I almost didn’t recognize it.
“Ellie, it’s true.”
“No, it’s not. Here is what is true: I hate that you let me fall in love with you under a lie. I hate that I believed you. I hate that I’m so naïve that I didn’t know who you were. I hate that because of you I probably just lost my job because I can’t stand to be in a room with you.” I step closer to him and look him in the eye. “I hate you, Hudson.”
I see the hurt and sadness in his eyes, but I don’t care. I do hate him. He lied to me. I stare at him for another moment before I walk past him. He do
esn’t follow me as I go to my car. I calm myself enough for my long trek home. I turn the music up loud so I don’t have to think about anything but the beat of the music.
I’ve never been so relieved to pull into my driveway. I rush into my house and slam the door. I go straight for my bedroom. I throw my heels into the closet with all my might. Then I practically tear the dress off me and fling it in the corner. I don’t ever want to look at it again.