Roxie’s mouth fell open like she was in shock. “What? Royce, I don’t know what you're talking about. Can you repeat it for me?”
“Roxie, you heard me at first. Were you the one who sent the fake documents to Marica?” I asked again and I started losing my patience.
Roxie didn't back down in her acting, she appeared to be confused. I know Roxie is a good actress, she pulled it off perfectly. If only I didn’t have evidence I would have believed her.
“What documents are you talking about? Is this about your ex-girlfriend, Nelly?”
“GIRLFRIEND, Nelina is my girlfriend,” I asserted.
Roxie snorted. “Seriously? Royce, wake up, Nelly left you. She already broke up with you which is a good thing. She isn’t the type you should be with anyway.”
“And what type of a woman I should be with? Your type, huh?” I said angrily, trying to lower my voice to avoid getting attention from people around us.
“Absolutely. It’s about time you wake up from your delusion. That poor Nelly doesn’t have to get in the picture between us. We would be fine if she didn’t come our way. Think about it, Royce,” Roxie said confidently like she was the most untainted woman in the world.
“Enough with your stupidity, Roxie. You only reminded me of how awful you are as a person. Besides that it was you who ruined our relationship, you can’t accept that I was able to move on from you. What we had was a toxic relationship and it shouldn’t have lasted that long. Long enough for you to fool me over and over again.”
“Look, Royce…”
“ENOUGH, Roxie. Answer my question. Did you have something to do with the fake documents?”
“No, I didn’t have anything to do with it. Okay? It’s not my fault that your ex-girlfriend was so lame to believe fake stories and then break up with you.”
“Again, Nelly is not my ex-girlfriend. YOU ARE. And who told you that Nelina broke up with me because of a fake story? You seem so updated with my life when in fact we don’t even see each other for quite a while.”
Roxie’s mouth fell open like she was caught off guard. “Ah, well, it was obvious from the way you asked me. You’re talking about fake documents.”
“Come on, Roxie, I didn’t tell you Nelly broke up with me.”
“Royce news spread like fire, I knew it from common friends.” Roxie tried her best to deceive me but it was no use. I know her too well.
“Common friends? It was just me, Leo, Marica, and Nelly who knew it. Tell me honestly, are you following me, or have you hired someone to follow us?”
“No. Why would I do that?”
“You know what, this is a waste of time. I should have never asked you to meet me and talk about this formally. Whether you like it or not, I know all your lies.”
I retrieved an envelope in my suit’s pocket and threw it to Roxie. “That’s my evidence and that’s not a fake document just like the one you sent to Marica. It shows how you gathered information about the accident two years ago and faked some of the evidence to intentionally point it to me.”
Tension was visible in Roxie’s eyes as she reached out for the envelope and opened it. The truth slapped her as she started reading the documents gathered by my detective. Roxie couldn’t deny everything.
“You made this all up to ruin our relationship but you didn’t succeed and never will. What Nelly and I have is too beautiful and genuine unlike what we had before. It was a horrific and toxic relationship.”
“Royce I’m sorry that I had to do this, I only wanted you to wake up and see the reality. Nelina is not for you, she doesn’t belong in our circle anymore,” Roxie said pleading.
“Roxie, if there's someone who needs to wake up here, it’s you. Let’s not prolong this conversation. I came here to warn you to stay away from me and Nelina. We don’t want to see your face again.” I stood up and left a bill to pay for the food that hadn't been served yet.
“Royce, please…” Roxie was too fast to cling to my arm.
People were looking at us, noticing when Roxie called out my name loudly. I feel ashamed having her beside me.
“Take your hands off and stay away from me Roxie,” I warned, trying to voice it out enough not to get the people’s attention.
I walked out of the restaurant with Roxie tailing me like a dog. I hurried to the parking area to find my car.
“Babe, please listen to me. Babe…”
“Roxie, stop calling me babe,” I thundered.
“Why not? Royce, we used to be a happy couple before, we can do it again. I am sincerely sorry for my mistakes, let me make it up for you, babe.”
“It’s too late for that Roxie. Our relationship was long over and will never be rekindled again. Remember that.”
“Then I’ll have you remember how it feels like.” Roxie clung to my neck and she pulled me close to her. Before she succeeded in her dirty plan I was able to exert force on her, halting her from getting so close to my face. She tried to kiss me. So disgusting and desperate.
“So you’ve decided to be this low as a woman? Look at yourself Roxie, look at what you’ve done to yourself.”
Roxie was embarrassed. She crumpled the envelope and tore it into pieces in front of me. “This evidence is useless. You are guilty and no one can erase that. You’ll go to jail for being a criminal. It’s not just me Royce. No, there are people out there who want you in jail.”
“Seriously? How about we reverse that? I will sue you for faking evidence against me. Are you ready to go to jail? Do you see yourself spending years with criminals, huh?” Roxie gritted her teeth, anger was visible on her face.
"I can protect you, I can help you from these people. Nelly is not good for you. She's getting you into trouble Royce. You don't know what's coming."
"I don't need your protection, Roxie. Stop making up stories Roxie, I'm so fed up with you. Move on and get a life."
"I'm telling the truth, I know better than you Royce. Let me help you get away with this."
Whatever Roxie was talking about, however convincing she sounded and I can't force myself to believe her.
"Roxie, I came here with good intentions despite the damage you did to me and Nelly. I want this all to end peacefully."
"No..."
“Roxie, this is your last chance. If you will move out of the country as soon as possible, I will not file a complaint about faking evidence against me. And if you refuse, then I don’t have any choice but to sue you. Move to whichever country you like and start a new life. Roxie, this is the last time I will remind you to stay away from Nelly.”
"You will regret doing this to me, Royce."
I refused to answer and left Roxie, standing alone in the parking lot.