7 7

I decided to eat with him in the kitchen because of hunger. I offered to do the dishes but he only said, “don’t worry about it, Nicole. That’s why I have a maid and a dishwasher.”

Okay, fine. I just offered.

“Um, Sir? I’ll go ahead. My best friend will turn into a warfreak if I don’t go home. Thank you for the food and the ride.”

“It’s okay, Nicole. Good night.”

When I rode the elevator, I remembered that we were in the penthouse. While my best friend and I live on the 29th floor. While going down, I readied myself when Andz and I meet. She might just lunge on me when I open the door.

Because I was so preoccupied with my excuse, I didn’t notice a man waiting in front of our unit.

“Um, excuse me?” He had the nerve to block the way.

“Bea? It’s me, Chris!”

“What? Chris?” I looked at him from head to toe. It doesn’t look like him but it is him. I’m confused!

“Hahahaha! I know you miss me, babe, but let’s go inside first. I went straight here from my flight.”

I just nodded and went inside with him. We reached Andz with a sassy face but it was immediately erased when she saw Chris behind me.

“Chris! Hi! This is a surprise! Did you call Niks? I thought you’ll be coming home months from now?” She sternly stared at Chris while moving around the living room. “Niks! You have another guest coming over? Close the door!”

I was taken out of my reverie when Andz shouted at me. I went to her and whispered, “Andz, I just saw him outside, in front of our door. I didn’t know that he would be coming home today!”

“Yes, I know! I can clearly see ‘surprised’ in your face. But, where have you been? Look at the time! But, let’s discuss this later and let’s focus on Chris.” Then she pinched my side.

“Babe? This is your room, right? It’s been so long since I’ve been here,” he pointed to the door to my room.

I just nodded and followed him inside. Andz was by the door, watching Chris put his things inside the closet while I did my usual routine when I got home. But I steal glances from Chris from time to time. I’m really confused. I’m not sure if my confusion came from the penthouse or Chris’ arrival. Especially after the video call a while ago.

We felt hungry and decided to just order delivery from Grab and we all decided to eat at the veranda. Andz and I both have work the next day but we still opted to stay late because we both know that there are many issues that we still need to address.

Chris suddenly spoke while looking at the skyscraper. “I’m sorry for that video call, babe. Yeah, um, my boss told me. We had a party, and there was some booze. And, you know, some got drunk. Including my boss.”

Andz’ eyes widened but immediately hid it from Chris. But her facial expressions cannot be missed. She should just let her expressions show.

“Um, Chris, I think we should just talk about that some other time. I mean, you just came home and we still have work tomorrow.”

“Oh, yeah! Right, why don’t you guys head to bed and I’ll just clean up?”

He kissed my forehead before starting to clean up the food containers we ate in and went into the kitchen to start washing them.

“Niks, you have a lot of things to clear up. Not only to me, but also to Chris.” Andz hugged me before going to her own bedroom.

I stole a glance from Chris before going near him. I’m not sure what I would say to him. But I know that we have a lot of things to talk about. I just don’t know when and how to start.

I sighed before Chris spoke.

“I know we have a lot to talk about, Nicole.” He only calls me by my name when it’s serious. “But, I don’t want to just talk about it. I want to show it to you.”

“It’s good that you know that we have a lot to talk about. I know that you were with your boss when she called. We really need to talk.”

“Later, over dinner? After your work? I’ll fetch you. Where do you work again?”

“It’s late. Just text me the address of where we’ll meet.” I said before going to bed.

Chris was still asleep when I left the unit. I made sure that he didn’t catch me because it might affect my work. I don’t understand myself. I know that we do need to talk because we hadn’t had a serious conversation in a long time. Then, add the video call from yesterday.

I was deep into my thoughts that I didn’t notice that there was a car in front of me, honking.

“Ms. Sirencho!”

I jumped a little when I saw Jerk through the open car window, peering from the driver’s seat.

“O-oh! Sir! Good morning!”

“I’ve been honking my horn for the last 15 minutes. Get in before we both become late!”

I panicked because there’s a lace of annoyance in his deep voice so I just went inside the car. We were a bit far away from the condo building when it suddenly occurred to me the question why did Jerk let me ride his car?

“Sir, um-”

“I just want to help out an employee get to work. I can’t exactly ignore you when I know it’s rush hour and I also don’t tolerate employees who are late just because of traffic. This is me saving my time getting mad at you when I know we’re just a couple of floors away.”

I was stunned with what he said. I didn’t know that he has a good side. But he’s still a jerk. Hahahaha

Both of us were quiet during the ride until we reached the office building. I thanked him before we went to our separate offices. I just quietly worked except when someone talked to me about work. I received a message nearing our dismissal time.

CHRIS: [Hi, babe! I know you are busy with work that’s why I didn’t call you. Anyways, here’s the details for the dinner later. Love you.]

I checked the restaurant and found out that it was near the condo. I replied ‘okay’ and went back to work. I don’t care anymore if it seemed cold. I wasn’t in the mood to reply and I was busy with work.

I took a breath before entering the restaurant. I don’t know what might happen so it’s a good thing that I took a breath before going to war or debate. I scanned the room before seeing Chris who was waving his hands like a child. I went to him before people started looking at us.

“Hi, babe! How was work?” He said as I sat down. I took a deep breath again before speaking.

“I want to finish this conversation, Chris.Days after that video call from your boss using your account is still on my mind. What really happened?” Thunder clapped. Looks like the weather is going with our conversation.

“Erm, would you like to order first, babe? So we can eat after we talk.” He slowly slid the menu towards me.

“No. I want to finish the conversation.”

I never thought he’d sigh a relief. “Niks, I’m married. To Veronica, my boss.”

“What? Can you repeat that? It seems I heard wrong. Veronica is your wife?”

“Yes, she is, We’ve been married for a long time now. Even before I met you.”

I stood up from my seat. I don’t care if people will look at me. “So, what am I? Just a joke? 2 years, Chris! I even helped you go to Saudi Arabia. Because you said it’s for our future.”

Chris looked around with ‘sorry’ in his eyes. “Babe, can you sit down? People are staring.”

“So what, Chris? Let them look! That’s nothing compared to what you did to me! You got back together, right? That’s why you were so cold for the past few months? You should’ve told me everything from the beginning so that I wouldn’t have to waste 2 years of my life with you!”

I ran from the restaurant while my vision started blurring. I don’t care if I look like a crazy person running under a somewhat heavy rain. I think I became numb from what I’ve learned earlier.

I arrived at the condo soaking and dripping wet. The security guard and receptionist looked at me with confusion. Good thing that they didn’t speak to me.

“Oh my god! Nicole, what happened? I thought you and Chris went on a date?”

I just ignored Andrea and went straight for the bathroom to take a bath.

When I got out, there was a coffee ice cream and 2 rolls of tissue on the coffee table. Andrea was sitting on the couch while flipping through channels. I sat beside her and started to eat ice cream.

“Why?”

I looked at Andrea with a confused face. “What why?”

“Didn’t you guys break up? Isn’t that why you went home crying and wet from the rain? If you guys didn’t break up, then what happened?”

I bowed my head a little and looked at the ice cream while slowly poking it with my spoon. My eyes started to water. My ice cream is starting to melt.

“Andz, I was the mistress!” Then, my tears started to race.