C13: Evangeline

The next morning, a streak of golden sunlight awakened me from my sleep, and I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes as I make my way to the kitchen. I poured water into a glass and sipped the entire thing – I don' usually drink water as soon as I wake up, but I remember reading something that says it's healthy to drink water as soon as you wake up, and at least half an hour before eating breakfast.

Today's February 10. My flight would be three weeks away, and just as I planned, now that I settled my resignation, settled things with Justin, the house, my paintings that are sold one by one, and my baggage, I need to add another thing to settle: Ivy Fernsby.

I'm quite thankful that Justin was honest enough to drop her name. There's no need for him to worry because I'm not going to kill her. That, however, doesn't mean that I'll let her go just like that.

That said, I'm including her on my schedule today.

After going to the mall to buy gifts for some people, a black and silver watch for Justin, a brown jacket for dad, some clothes for me that suits the weather of a tropical country, and a silver-plated crystal headband for Megan. I think rhinestones would suit her hair.

Megan isn't someone who's into fashion which is exactly what I am. Therefore, one of my goals is for her to LOVE fashion as much as I do. Probably makeovers will be a great idea. Thinking about seeing her in real life excites me like crazy. I'm excited to meet her, but at the same time, part of me wants to stay here. It's one of the reasons why, just like Justin, I don't want to waste time and make the most out of the last days that I'll be here.

Half an hour later, I arrived at the building where Justin's company is, located on the 9th floor. The automatic glass doors opened as I enter, and people wearing corporate attire can be seen in all directions – one reason why I look quite different from everyone else. Something that none of them would mind because everyone's preoccupied with the people they're talking with, their phone calls, or simply rushing towards where they're going.

I entered the elevator and pressed the 9th button, and other people who are with me pressed the number of the floor they're heading to until surprisingly, someone called my name.

"Evangeline?" I looked at the direction where the voice was from, and it was from a familiar face, but I couldn't remember the name.

"Judging on your facial expression, it seems like you don't remember me. I was Justin's co-worker. My name's Bryce," he said, offering a handshake. It's probably one of the most awkward moments known in the society – conversing in an elevator full of strangers.

I reached for his hand as an acknowledgment of his introduction, though deep inside, I couldn't wait to get out of the elevator so that others won't fix their attention on us.

As we arrived on the 9th floor, he finally began expressing his query. "What brings you here?"

"Is Ivy Fernsby around here today?"

His eyes widened after hearing my answer, and that reaction leads me to the conclusion that he knows something.

"She's our accountant. I saw her this morning, so I can tell that she's here." He admitted.

I smiled. "Great. Please tell her that I'm looking for her. Don't mention the name, just 'someone' will do. We have things to settle. I don't want to disturb her job, so you can say I'll meet her after her office hours, and I'm willing to wait."

I looked at my watch to check the time. 4 pm. It'll take me an hour or so to wait. That shouldn't take that long. This very day is dedicated to her.

Meanwhile, as I wait, my phone beeped, with Justin's name on the lock screen.

///

Justin: Eve, where are you?

Me: Why?

Justin: Just answer the question.

Me: In your former office, why?

Justin: For what reason? Ivy? What are you planning?

Me: Yeah. Is that a problem? 

Justin: IT IS a problem. It would be a waste of time to be there.

Me: You should stop caring. It's not like I'll cause a commotion.

Justin: You won't?

Me: Of course not. I'm not uncivilized. I just want to talk to her properly. I won't embarrass her in public.

Justin: I see. Something doesn't feel right. I have a bad feeling about your plan.

Me: Whatever. What I can assure you is, I won't cause any trouble so don't worry. I'll just ask her for some coffee. Decent talk.

Justin: Where?

Me: Why do you need to know? Do you want to see her again?

Justin: Don't get the wrong idea. I just want to know what I can do or something. If you wouldn't mind, can I go to your place later? For dinner?

Me: That would be good. I'll see you later.

Justin: Take good care of yourself. I love you.

Me: Aww you're making me blush!

Justin: I caught you off guard, eh?

Me: Whatever.

///

An hour later, a woman with blonde, wavy hair with a black, full-length wool coat walked towards me, with a blank facial expression written on her face. As I read her entire being by looking at her from head to toe, I have to say that, as funny as it sounds, I already know where she bought her clothes and how much it costs.

"Why are you looking for me?" she asked, looking at me head to toe, just like what I did a few moments ago.

"That's a great way of saying hi," I shrugged. "Nice clothes by the way. You got it from Etsy?"

Ivy scoffed. "Why do you have to know?"

"I'm just saying. I'm a fashion freak, shopping is my thing. I know what online stores and malls are selling so, I can tell. It's not like it's something offensive. You had it customized, right?"

"So, you really went here for me just to talk about clothes? Let's focus on your business, shall we?"

If there's anything I don't understand about this woman, is the fact that she wanted to be mean the entire time as if I did something that will annoy her. Was describing clothes from Etsy offensive? Tell me if there is, and I'll apologize.

"Let's go to a coffee shop. I believe we have a lot to talk about. Don't worry, my treat. You –" I offered, but she cut me off.

"Why, are you saying that I can't afford coffee? Evangeline, I'm not as poor as you think."

"Not because you know my name means you know who I am. I never said that you're poor, I was trying to be nice here. Friendly, even."

Her face falls little by little, realizing that all this time, she was overreacting. Something that isn't surprising, because if I stole someone else's boyfriend, and the real girlfriend confronts me, I might freak out or even hide. On the contrary, there's her, acting to be brave and confident.

Ivy started walking past me, heading to the elevator. It was only the two of us who are inside, and we headed to the coffee shop next to the building. We sat across each other, to the couches by the window, making the street and people visible from the inside.

"What do you want to talk about?" she asked.

"There's only one common topic that we can discuss, and that is, Justin. What else?" I replied, taking a sip of my black coffee.

"Stop making it sound like I'm acting dumb." Ivy glared at me, her hand shaking while holding her frappe.

"Says who? You?" I fired back, holding myself back from lifting a hand. "I never said anything like that. It was a clarification. Do you really have to overreact on everything? Why do you have to show that you're angry at me? Do you even have the right to be angry?"

"I –"

"I don't want to grill you here, nor hurt you. But, let me get this straight. Why did you dare to steal him from me?"

She broke eye contact and gathered herself together, calming herself down.

"At first, I thought he was single," she explained. "I was enjoying his company and we found ourselves spending time together. You're not supposed to be worrying about anything. We didn't do anything else aside from –"

"He mentioned, yeah. I know that part."

She put her frappe on the table with force. I can smell anger, once again.

"Then why are you even asking if you already know?" she said, raising her voice. "What do you want to happen, really? Aren't you happy that he wanted to stay away from me so he resigned? He's all yours! What's wrong with you? What else do you want?"

" 'What's wrong with me?' What's wrong with you! I was only asking and want to know a bit from you. Do you really need to cause drama? All I wanted to do is to know you a bit, to have an idea about what you're like. I even promised Justin that I'm going to keep this civil."

Her facial expression softens. "Wait, he knows that you're confronting me?"

"I didn't tell him, but when I got there, he found out. It seems like your co-worker, Bryce, informed him. He said that it would be problematic, and I'm not supposed to waste my time on you, and now I can see where he's coming from." I crossed my arms as I leaned my back on the couch. "You're proving it to me, right now."

She narrowed her eyes in disbelief. "He said that I'll be problematic, and … a waste of your time? That doesn't sound like him."

"You're free to read his text messages to me if you want to." I pulled out my phone from my bag and reached it out to her. "Go look."

She gritted her teeth, stood up, and threw the frappe on my face. Ugh, gross! This girl is nothing but rude. She should be ashamed of herself for acting like a child without manners.

"I'm done wasting my time on you." She stood up, bringing her bag with her, and as she walked to the exit, Justin opened the door. Her mouth threw open in shock, unsure of how to react. Justin rolled his eyes without any word and his eyes found me. He ran and pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket. He knelt his right leg to reach my level and wiped my face and neck with his hankie.

"She did this to you?" he asked, his voice filled with worry. "I told you that something doesn't feel right. You see now?"

"Right, I'm sorry. We had an interesting conversation, though." I looked up to the exit, as he did. Ivy was still standing next to the exit, watching us, her hands curled to a fist. But, assuming that she can no longer stand the view of us together, she stepped out of the café. Justin turned to me, and as he met my eyes, I asked, "How did you know that we're here?"

"When I said that something doesn't feel right, I already thought of what might happen. This is the closest café from our office, and this is her favorite shop to go to. I'm at least glad that I arrived on time."

"She completely lost her manners. I swear, I kept everything civil. I even complimented her clothes. I sense guilt from her about everything, and that's the only reason I can see why she can't hold back her anger. I questioned her about that, you know? I asked if she has the right to be angry because she's been overreacting the entire time. If there's anyone between us who has the right to be angry, it should be me. I also saw that hearing your name softens her."

"Sounds like her," he faked a laugh. "She's completely different, however, when she's happy. Let's get out of here. We should go back to your home and let's get you changed."

"Thanks, Justin. Oh and, I have a gift for you, by the way."