Ch 123: Sneaking Off
Moderately fast, I walked down the block. Till I made it to the same coffee shop, I talked to Ashley in. I saw Crystal waving at me with a big smile. So I acknowledged seeing her with a hand signal and then I hastily changed in the restroom. I just threw on a black dress and came out.
"I'm so happy you could make it," Crystal hugged me. Then we sat down and started eating lunch together like we'd been doing this past week.
"So Kai still doesn't suspect anything?" Crystal asked me.
"From what I know he doesn't," I corroborated before sipping on my ice mocha-flavored coffee.
"Good, I'm glad we've been able to see each other," Crystal said, smiling before taking a bite out of her chocolate donut.
"Me too," I agreed. "But how much longer can we do this?"
"Umm," Crystal seemed to process when chewing down her donut. "I'm not sure but I will figure something out. We just have to be careful is all."
"I agree," I acknowledged and then took a bite out of my wrapped sandwich.
"So I need to ask you something," Crystal mentioned and I could see she had that face and knew this was a surreal moment.
"What is it?" After chewing down my food I asked, getting to the point.
"Orlando wants to know if you'll see him tomorrow?" Crystal asked with begging puppy dog eyes.
"I knew you'd ask me at some point," I bitterly said and then took a bite out of my donut.
"Please, Victoria, he wants to see you," she pleads.
"Crystal, it's bad enough I am seeing you. Orlando is a whole other story. I mean he slept with Ashley and those other girls," I said firmly.
"But he didn't do anything with other girls," Crystal said, defending her cousin. "He loves you and I know you're sleeping with Kai now. So this isn't fair to him."
"I'm married to Kai," I sternly said. "Unlike Orlando, I'm at least sleeping with the man I am married to."
Crystal sighed. "Ok, I know this is a touchy topic for you. Just think about it, that is all I am asking."
"I'll think about it but my answer will remain no," I firmly told her as she nodded to understand that.
"Anyways, are you applying for this coming college semester?" Crystal asked to change the subject.
"I still have to try convincing Kai about letting me go," I truthfully shared.
Crystal frowned, "I hate how he has to be so controlling with you."
"We have to earn each other's trust," I said, saddened.
"And what trust is he earning with you?" Crystal boldly asked. "The hours he disappears, do you even know where he's at or what he's doing?"
I honestly wished she'd stop being so hostile about Kai. She knows this is hard enough on me but her valor gets the best of her.
"No, Crystal, I don't know where he goes or what he does whenever he leaves before I wake up. Nor do I know where he goes for eight days on his business trip," I said, sarcastically, yet I was honest with her.
"I'm sorry, Victoria." Crystal fretted, "I'm so used to your stubbornness and it's like Kai is breaking that fire that Orlando and the rest of us love about you. You were never one to submit."
I stayed quiet since I knew she was right. At the same time, she is wrong. I mean Kai and I fought pretty badly recently because I stood my ground.
"If that was so true. Then why would I be seeking off to hang out with you and texting you for three weeks?" I asked, mockingly. "I'm only trying to make sure I don't lose what I've gained back. Therefore I plan on going to college."
Crystal smiled to see my feisty side. "If that's the case, fill out your application and show Kai he won't control you forever," she challenged me.
"I will then," I affirmed with a bright smile and checked the time, and saw I needed to head back. I said my farewell and changed back into my office clothes and sprayed the perfume on my body. I waved to Crystal and then walked back up the block to Mr. Collin's skyscraper building.
"Good to see you, Victoria," the friendly security guard greeted. "I hope lunch was good."
"It was quite refreshing," I smiled and responded.
"Glad to hear," he smiled. "You'll be surprised to know you have a visitor."
I suddenly turned pale from this strange feeling knotting in my stomach. "And who might that be?" I asked, playing it out casually but inside my mind was freaking out.
"You'll find out," was all he shared.
So I hurried on the VIP elevator. Straight up to the sharing room where the offices are, I went. The second those doors slid open my heart skipped a couple of beats to see Kai and Rome standing there. Ms. Thorn wasn't at her desk and this was the first time Kai came to the office since I've been working here. Because I just saw Crystal, I was super nervous if he knew whether or not I saw her.
"Surprised to see us, Princess?" Rome teasingly asked.
"A little bit," I said in an easygoing cloaked tone. "This is the first time you've decided to stop in."
Kai strode up and pulled me into his arms. He kissed my lips softly. "I've been busy but I am here to see you now," he said. I felt relieved since he didn't seem to suspect anything. "So where did you seek off too?"
Oh, no! He knows I was with Crystal! Suddenly the room turned hotter and I felt sweat on my brow. As Kai cock his head, his eyes narrowed at me suspiciously.
"Are you alright?" Kai asked. "You seem a little colorless."
"I-I... I'm just a little hot after that walk back," I lied, feeling a heated pressure at the back of my head. Heavy beats from my heart were pounding in my chest. Guilt engulfed me no differently than a flame burning me alive from the lie I told.
"Well, why don't we go into your office? This way you can rest for a minute," He suggested and then opened my office door. I went in trying to chill myself out. So I put my handbag in the closet as Kai shut the door.