19| Girlfriend

When I woke up the next morning, it was just me in the room. Where are my babies? Oh my God.

I sat up, pushing the hard covers to one side. I forgot to fit into my slippers.....to hell with slippers, it's my kids we're talking about here.

I rushed out of the room, my hair a total mess like a woman who has just gone psycho. I actually forgot that Dexter passed the night in the same room with I and my kids. But I actually didn't know what bed he slept. Maybe he shared a space with Billy?

When I got downstairs, I was told by grandma Sabrina who was reading a random news paper that Dexter actually took the kids a new school which he's gonna register them today.

But.... isn't that too much loads already?

I brought my family here with I and my kids to his place, invading his private life and now, because of me, he has to undergo the stress of my kids too.

"This is too much." The only thing which could go outta my mouth easily.

"What is too much, Triana?" Grandma Sabrina chuckled, adjusting her glasses and that was when I realize I'll be looking haggard with my face right now because I actually forgot my glasses upstairs and ran down without washing my face.

Do I have to forget it almost all the time? Or I've begin to develop anemia.

She flipped a few pages, "I was about to ask you where you met that young man." Oh, now you want to ask, after spending the night in a strangers house, eat with him and flew in his private jet. Well done, grandma Sabrina. "He is so generous."

"He is somehow partially related to the Calloway's." I answered, slowly walking my way down the stairs. My madness has disappeared. I went to the counter of drinks I saw yesterday. I'm gonna make coffee for myself and grandma.

"I know I don't know him that much but I can tell he's a nice guy."

"Yeah, he is." I shook my head, pouring scoops of seed caffeine into the grinder. The electric kettle already has hot water in it. I poured in the powdered caffeine into two cups, added powdered milk and two cubes of sugar in mine. Except grandma who doesn't eat sugar because she's diabetes patient.

I stir for a while before handing grandma's cappuccino to her. "Thank you," She accepted.

I took a seat next to her. Just one sip and my eyes went outta my cappuccino to the wall clock staring directly at me.

"Holy fuck!" I found myself exclaiming, startling grandma who was beside me.

"What is the matter with you, Triana?" She frowned, almost spatting out her coffee. Knowing that there are no cockroaches around.

My eyes bugged as I face her, "It's 10am so soon?"

"Oh," I heard her letting out a deep sigh of relief. "Is that why you almost made me waste my delicious coffee? Triana, you really need to visit a therapist before it turns late." She took another sip and continued with her magazine thing.

How come did I manage to sleep this far? And none of my kids could wake me up. Not even anyone going upstairs to check on me.

I was enjoying my cappuccino when I heard her say something that almost made me choke on my coffee drink. "Did you TWO make out?"

Holy lord of Israel.

What was that?

"Sorry, what did you say?" Maybe my ears are done hearing for today.

"Triana, it's just a picky question." She said, still scanning through the magazine. "And I know you're not deaf. Besides, it doesn't matter to me if you two make out or not. You guys are adults—"

"Pardon me, grandma but you can't just be a judge overnight just because you saw Dexter leaving my room this morning."

"No," She looked at me. "I saw him entering yesterday." It's obvious there are no privacies in this house. Even grandma is a spy, when all her mates at that hour are supposed to be off to bed.

I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and took a deep breath. Okay, I'll just have to admit the fact that she saw him walking in but also she has to know that nothing happened between us. Not when my kids are there too.

"Bella made a very big tantrum in the room last night—"

"Sleepwalking?"

"No, that was Rebecca. Am talking about Isabella. Others slept but she couldn't. She cried almost all the night before Dexter came to our aid just because she wanted to see CHIEF." I explained. Catching my breath after because the explanation was in a rush.

"Leonardo?" Even grandma whined for the mention of that name. "How has that bastard got to do with her?"

I raise one brow and tilt my head to one side. Really? So you actually forgot that he is her biological father?

"So what did you do?"

I shrug my shoulders and hands, "Nothing. I tried to soothe her but to no avail, Bella has her own way of making a drama. She asked Dexter to pass the night with us."

Grandma's brows rose in surprise. "Ah, so that was actually the—"

"Reason why you saw him entering and leaving my room." I helped her finish her OTHERWISE sentence. "Gat to go now, grandma." I stood up, placing my almost finished cappuccino on the table.

"Where to?"

"Today is Monday. I have to go job hunting."

"Oh." She flipped another page. "And please, don't forget to call Alyssa. She said you aren't picking her calls so she called through mine."

Shit!

I facepalm my forehead. I can't believe I forgot to tell my bestie about My safe landing since yesterday. "My phone was actually placed on silent mode. I'll call her later when I'm out."

Grandma shook her head and wished me luck.

***************

Have you ever experience the feeling of overwhelm and butterflies spreading syndromes in your stomach that to the extent, you don't feel like eating or drinking anything because of the too much joy in you?

Well, I'm a victim of that situation right now because........

"I just got a job!"

"Jesus, you almost exploded my eardrums, Triana." Alyssa sighed.

I used my shoulder to wedge the phone against my ear as I rummage my bag for something. "I'm so excited, girl. You have no idea how happy I am right now."

"Of course I do. You'll be getting laid anytime from now and that is also another good news."

My smiles turned into seriousness, "Alyssa, stop talking shit."

"Ah, so when did having sex became 'shit?" She gasped, increasing my fiery mood.

"At least don't talk about sex or anything that has to do with sex right now." I stated in a rush.

"You one thing, babe? These are what we usually say when we're still in the pain of heartbreak. Okay, am not mocking you, okay? Am just stating fact."

"You always state facts and those facts are simultaneous." I roll my eyes.

"Okay, jokes and fights apart. Now tell me, how did it go? I mean, was it that easy for you to get the job?"

"I won't say much but," I adjusted my bag on my shoulder, tucking a strand behind my ear. "It was as easy as 'A' 'B' and a beautiful 'C.' After the several job huntings I did online, none of them worked out for me. I came across someone today, of course I asked questions because am still new here and the person directed me to one of the biggest hospital in the city. With all my qualifications and experience, they qualified me."

"Zürich is one of the best place I'd like to work before. They have big cities and places good for adventures. Maybe my fiancé and I would come there for our honeymoon or maybe a tour. Who knows?"

"And I will be expecting you guys." We laughed. "Anyway, I have to get going now. I really need to trance my way back home to get enough rest because I'll be starting work tomorrow."

I heard her sigh from the other side. But that sighing has to do with something pitiful.

"Why do you sound so sad all of a sudden? Did you lost something?"

"Losing something will be you, Triana." She said. "I really miss you, our lunchtimes and buddy hugs."

My chin cups as I hold back the tears gathered in my eyes. "I really miss you too, Alyssa. But don't worry, we won't be apart for too long. Except for your wedding day, I'll always be by your side. You really know the reasons why I can't fly back to NY, right?"

"Enjoy your stay in Swiss, honey. You deserve to explore the universe if you could." She chuckled. "I'm your best friend and I want the best for you."

"Stop, you're making me cry now." I chuckle, sniffing my nose as I wipe the tears off my cheeks.

She chuckled too and paused for a while. "I love you, bestie."

"I love you too, munchkin."

*************

It's so good to be far from home but being far from the ones I loved is a pain in my heart. Georgina and Alyssa are more than friends to me. And it's so unfortunate I couldn't carry them along.

There are things you need to keep behind if you want to do certain things. Am not saying I'm abandoning them because I seek freedom.

Anyway. What matters now is that I have the freedom I've always wanted. And now, in addition to spice it all up, I have gotten a good paying job that pays ten times bigger and better than my father's hospital in NY.

I'll be rich in a month if I can save and I'll also get to replace the ones I paid for debt to Mr. Calloway.

I glance at my wristwatch. It's just past 1 in the afternoon.

What way did I make when I was coming?

Nevermind, it was RIGHT. It's obvious I kept in mind the number of times I diverted and made U-turn on every corners while I was job hunting.

Though, the city is very, very busy out here. I have no idea which is busier between New York and Switzerland.

Anyway, I'll just get a cab or maybe trek to the bus stop station. The sun is too hot and I think it's proudly sponsored by hell fire.

***********

At the time I got to Dexter's loft, I was already exhausted and famished. I can't believe the chauffeur and I spent hours in the city, making drifts before I could remember Dexter's resident.

Don't blame me, I'm a newbie and as you know, I have no idea the name of this street.

I think I'll ask Dexter when I get in.

Speaking of getting 'IN'? I think am in the wrong apartment.

Hello? Is this the place I spent the night or am just into another person's privacy entirely?

"Wow," One of the two guys seated together on the couch gasped at me.

"Who do we have here?" The other guy slurred the words flirtatiously, licking his lower lip.

First I want to ask who the fuck are they? Are they somewhat invader as well as me and my family? I won't lie but I hate the way they stare at me like am some kinda slutty woman. If I proudly remember, am not wearing anything that's exposing my body. Just a pair of blue skinny jean, black belt wrapped around my waist, white Adidas sneakers, Navy blue sleeve. My hair was already tied to a neat ponytail.

I held onto my brown satchel bag, clinging it so tight to myself when one of them whistled.

Geez, boys can be really shameless sometimes. Just look at them, flirting over a woman they barely know. That is why many of them do die an untimely death.

I ignored them, making my way towards the stairs but then, I bumped into Dexter. Two bottles of champagnes on his hands.

"Hey, you're back." He smiled. That smile...... "How did it go? The interview."

Huh? How come is he aware about my job hunting? My brows knitted, "Who told you I was going to search for a Job?"

"Well," He stopped, leaning against the handrail and I can see the two shameless creatures staring up at us. "Mrs. Winter told me before going sightseeing with your brother and parents."

Ugh!

Grandma and her big mouth.

I forced a friendly smile on my face and shook my head, "Indeed it was." When his brows lifted, I pressed my lips together, "I got it."

"Wow, congrats, Triana. So in that case..." He grinned from ear to ear, "You'll be joining the fun, right?"

I didn't even bother to process the words, "Sure! Of course." Wait, what fun? Drinking with those two... rascals?

"Meet Cyrus Dennis and Maverick Keith. My BFF." He introduced the rascals and they reach out their hands for an handshake.

"Hi, nice to meet you guys," I swear nothing is nice meeting you guys but breaking your heads will do. I shook hands with them, warmly and adjusted my satchel on my shoulder. Think I should put this down already.

"I'll just pour into your glass." He says after I took a seat of my own.

"Damnit, Dexter! Your pool is as hot as boiling water."

Two women walked in, wearing fancy bikinis.

"A hundred degree Celsius." The other woman, a red head wearing an orange bikini said.

I pinned my lips together, fighting back my laughter as I admire the sexy ladies. The way the ombre blue head woman sat on Maverick's laps, made me scrunch my brows a bit. She's even wagging her ass on his.....God, don't even go there. Whereas the red head woman took a seat beside Cyrus.

Now, I begin to imagine something. Are these ladies paid for accomplice or they're just a thing with the guys?

"Dexter? You never mentioned about your girlfriend." The ombre blue hair woman said.

Girlfriend? Even Dexter lifted his head from his glass to face her as I did. I know what she's insinuating but I won't interfere.

"Girlfriend? Where?"

The ladies looked at themselves and bursted into a loud laugh. The men beside them toned into the same rhythm in unison.

"Hey man," Maverick finally broke the amusement. "You remember introducing your girlfriend to us but you didn't care telling us her name."

Before Dexter could speak, I quickly said, "Triana." The way I said it shows that there's nothing funny in the first place. "And FYI am not his girlfriend." How I wish I was. I dropped my glass half finished on the table and barged my way out of the living room, leaving everyone of them in deep silence.