Sold

The more she smiles, the more my heart clenches. She sees me for just a second and looks away. No eye contact. Forbidden. Her green eyes looking like I plunged a dagger deep into her. A camera flashing for a moment. We are not alone. Yet another question. Another lie. She can’t even hold it all in. I can’t either. What am I doing? She says she loves him. Another punch in the gut. I smile and nod. Just another game. Puppets with too many strings. Flash. Look this way. Flash. How’s the new love? Flash. How much will it take for this to end? Flash. I know how her mouth tastes. Flash. Who is the new guy? Flash.  Just a friend. Flash. Is this worth it? The flashing halts. Another time in the limelight. We are ushered. Pushed, into another round of sparring. Tick tock. Time is money. We are money. Nothing more. I sold my soul to the devil for a price of fame. Love is not on the itinerary.