Comments, critiques and tips are welcome!
***
Love... the very essence of life, a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It reaches out in little ways, showing attention and admiration. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Like it's been said, 'the best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard... but must be felt with the heart.'
But how can something that gives you strength and courage also hurt you beyond repair? A question that gives endless answers...
When love is real, it doesn't lie, cheat, pretend, hurt you or make you feel unwanted. It's supposed to be a cure to all you worries. But sometimes, the wounds it leaves are deep and very hard to heal. Sometimes they don't heal at all, only leaves scars that will remind you of your misery each day.
And in love, there are two types of pain, one that hurts you and the other that changes you. But as a person gives up old garments to put on new ones, similarly, the soul accepts new material bodies to replace the old and useless ones.
*
It was early morning and here he was, emptying his strength into the punching bag, giving it his best shot. He didn't even bother wearing gloves, at least he didn't feel like that that particular day. He was wearing a beautiful black designer's sport's short, sports shoes and without anything on those perfectly curved abs that drove everyone insane.
He had the perfect toned body, really ripped muscles and six packs that made people admire him. He was handsome as fuck, made both ladies and men cream their panties. He was perfect, famous and really rich. What could a guy ask for?
He had spent hours in the gym, punching the bag nonstop... he was breathing heavily, sweat dripping down his body in series, making him look yummy and mouthwatering. The gym had become his place of comfort or rather his torture place where he used to bring his burdens, punch them into the bags. But guess somethings never change. No matter how much you try to avoid them, they'll always come back to haunt you...
"Ah..." He screamed as he gave the bag the hardest punch yet.
It went flying and he was ready to punch it even harder as soon as it came back but got the surprise of his life when it didn't. He groaned furiously, moved his eyes forward and got the shock of his life when he saw his friend, best friend standing in front of him holding the bag.
"What are you doing?" He asked, his voice rising. "Are you crazy?" He let go of the bag, rushing to his friend. "Look at your knuckles? They are red. How long have you been here?"
"It doesn't matter!"
"It matters to me!" He said harshly, taking his friend's hand. "Look at you! Are you trying to hurt yourself?"
"Leave me alone..."
"Antonio!" Ethan snapped, pointing his finger angrily at him. "Don't tell me to leave you alone? What's wrong with you? Everyone's been worried about..."
"What do they care?" Antonio furiously removed his hands, slightly looking away. He was filled with so much rage, so much anger. He just wanted to vent it away so that it can just go away for good.
Ethan shook his head, looking at Antonio in anger. "They do!" He rested his hand on Antonio's shoulder. "Mother and..."
"If she really cared about me then she wouldn't have subjected me to such torture!" He roared, clenching his fist. "All this just makes me so mad. That woman ruined my life and I will never forgive her for that. Whenever I see her... I... I..." He groaned, gripping his hair furiously. "...I just burn inside."
Ethan sighed, combing his hair with his fingers. Then he looked at friend and saw nothing but anger and rage on his face, a face that once wore a really beautiful smile. It was really painful.
"It's been almost six years, Antonio!" Ethan couldn't mask the pain in his voice. "Six fucking years and I have been your business partner and friend. Each fucking day, I get to see this person that you've become and it hurts me inside. Where's the man that used to be so lively and fun? Where's the man that was always happy, viewing life with a smile on his face?
Where's the man that loved his family so much? With this... this..." Ethan groaned, shaking his head. "...this anger that's inside you, you've expanded your empire to great lengths and you're now the leading musician in our country and a really powerful and influential businessman. But behind this... this person is someone who is bitter and sad."
Antonio laughed and then took a towel and wrapped it around his neck. "Well, Ethan, that Antonio is dead!" He said hoarsely, his face becoming stern. "He'll never return. Not anymore. The world is ran by money and that is what I am making. Money talks and bullshit works, right?"
"Ant..."
But Ethan didn't even finish his sentence as Antonio's phone began ringing and he answered it.
"Yes, Bruno, tell them to wait." He said hoarsely. "I don't pay those idiots just play around my company. If they can't wait for me then they can go to hell."
He cut the call and started rushing outside.
Six years, almost six freaking years had gone by. A lot had changed in those years, a lot. Antonio's music career had reached the sky and he was topping the charts. He had managed to expand his business empire and was now one of the richest and a feared businessman in the country. He was living his life.
He now lived in a really beautiful, big five star mansion that was befit a king. It had 25 bedrooms all together, maids and servants at his disposal, chauffeurs and a few guards that were found at the large, golden gate. The entire place was huge, had a large swimming pool for relaxation, a big garage where his numerous expensive cars were parked and everything that he needed for luxury. His mansion also had a conference room, two elevators and 3 fucking floors.
And here he was, entering his beautiful living room which had expensive white couches, the biggest TV he could find and all those beautiful things he needed. Just as he was entering, his eyes went straight to the staircase and he saw his mother coming down the stairs, talking to one of the maids with a smile on her face.
She was looking really beautiful in a black plain dress and slippers with her hair tied in a ponytail. She hadn't aged a day and she was just as beautiful. He just stood still, watching as she came down, smiling brightly when she saw him. She rushed to him, wearing the most beautiful smile ever.
"Morning, baby?" She chuckled happily, taking his hand sweetly.
But Antonio angrily withdrew his hand.
