CHAPTER 15

MORGAN

What is the one thing that freaks you out the most in this life? Mine is losing the people I love, or watching my favorite people find favorites from elsewhere. Life, to me, is like some crazy tune you have to dance to, to make a win.

It was a lovely Friday evening, the kind of Friday where you don't feel like going out but rather, stay indoors to enjoy the evening. Since I had quit dancing at Aphrodite, I was always at home these days, aside from visiting my father. This evening was no different from the other evenings. I made sure to finish with whatever I needed to do today so I could relax.

By 7 p.m., I sat comfortably in the bean bag I had brought from my room, with some chocolate popcorn and wine in front of me. Finally, I decided to watch a Korean series to pass the night. My hair was held up in the usual messy bun, and I wore an oversized t-shirt over booty shorts. After inhaling the scent of the wine, I took a sip of it from the glass, making me sigh in relief.

Thirty minutes into my solo-movie night, there was a knock on my door. I groaned as I reluctantly got up to check who was there. I looked through the peephole and saw Alexa standing there with a wide smile on her face. Without hesitation, I opened the door to let her in.

“You seem excited. Is there any big news you wanna share?” I asked jokingly.

“There’s no big news. What are you watching?” she asked as she made her way to the sitting area, making herself comfortable on the other side of the bean bag.

“It’s okay to not be okay,” I replied from behind her before I vanished to the kitchen to get an extra glass. I also sat at the other end of the bean bag.

“I brought wine but you already have one,” she said while raising the wine bottle for me to see. “You’re looking all sexy this evening, Morgan.”

“Thank you,” I replied in a sing-song voice.

“What's up with you?” I asked her.

“Well, I was bored at home and needed company so, here I am.”

“Is that all there is to the story?” I asked again because, for some reason, I felt something was disturbing her but she was hiding it from me. One quality trait I have is being able to read people’s moods at all times, so it was no big deal to notice something was off about Alexa.

“Of course, I'm okay.” She chuckled.

“I'm not going to force you to tell me what's on your mind but just know that I'm always open to listen to you.” I warmly spoke, taking her hands in mine before I took my glass of wine to clink it with hers.

We were quiet for a long ass period, enjoying the chocolate popcorn with our wine and the series until Alexa groaned and signed.

“Ugh! Why's this so hard?” She asked rhetorically and I waited for her to open up.

“Please don't judge me, I have a feeling this is going to be weird or something else to you after hearing what I have to say.”

“I'm not going to do that,” I assured her. “What is it?”

“I feel so stupid right now and it's all my fault.” She lowered her head and let out a soft chuckle before speaking up again. “I thought that night was going to be any different because we made out. He looked at me differently. We had a nice conversation, he even introduced me to his friends. We got drunk together and then made out. How stupid of me to think he was finally interested in me but it turned out to be a one-night stand. I am so disappointed in myself and not him. I let my stupid emotions set in.”

I listened to her carefully and only spoke when she was done.

“Hey,” I called out softly. “You don't have to blame yourself too much. What happened has already happened, you can't take it back. You just have to take your mind off it.” I consoled her.

“I know that but it hurts so much.”

“Who's this person we’re talking about?” I asked her but didn't fail to notice how she hesitated in saying whoever it was. “Everything okay? Do I know the person?” I asked.

“You should be a counsellor or something. Nothing escapes you.” I giggled.

“I'll give it a thought. So, who's he?”

“Jerome,” she blurted out the name. “Your best friend.”

“When was that?”

“About a month now, the night he went out with his friends.”

“Wow!” I exclaimed. I didn't know what to say.

“Don't be mad at me, I'm sorry.” Alexa apologized.

“Don't be silly, why will be mad at you? Mistakes happen. Besides, you're both adults and you're also my friend so I don't know why I should be mad at you.”

She sighed, and her shoulders came down.

The night passed so quickly. Having drunk too much wine and talking about things that matter and don't matter, Alexa and I fell asleep in the sitting area.

I could hear a knock on the door but I refused to get up, then after some time, I heard Jerome’s voice. I thought it was all a dream until he tapped me lightly on the shoulder.

“Hello to my best friend,” he called out before dramatically gasping, “I didn't know you were into girls too.”

I groaned before asking him what he meant but just then, Alexa turned around, her eyes slowly opening, taking in her surroundings, and when she finally saw Jerome, she instantly sat up.

“Morgan, you didn't wake me up.”

“I, myself, just woke up.”

“No problem. I have to go. I have a lot to do today,” she quickly added.

“Aw don't go,” I whined. I was beginning to enjoy that ‘girl time’ since the past few days that I hadn't been to Aphrodite.

“I'll give you a call. Love you.” Before I could utter a word, she was already out of sight. All this while, Jerome sat there nonchalantly, not giving a single fuck about what just happened.

“Jerome, we need to talk.”

“What's up?” He asked. Concern showing in his eyes.

“You sure know how to act concerned.” I scoffed.

“Whoah Missy, what have I done this time?” He asked, raising his brows.

“What have you not done this time?” I asked back. “Really, Jay? Why didn't you tell me that you hooked up with Alexa the night you went out with your friends?” I was getting more pissed about how he just stood there indifferently, not a single sign of remorse. “Jerome we are best friends. You don't even like her and you of all people should know how she feels about you. So why—”

“So why — what, Morgan June?”He called out angrily. Jerome never calls me by name unless it's an important situation, and I could see him getting angry, but really? Who had to be angry at this point?

“Yes, we're best friends, but we've got our private lives. You get to have a fling with anyone and once it's me, it's bad right?”

“What on earth are you even talking about, Jay? When have I ever complained about whoever you have a thing with? I'm just talking because this time, it's Alexa. She's my friend, and you know she's into you. You have never liked her, you keep on talking about how she makes you uncomfortable whenever she comes around.”

“Well, we're both adults, aren't we?”

“Jerome—”

“Morgan please enough,” he yelled, making me take a step back.

“Wow,” I scoffed. “You're in the wrong here and you're yelling at me?”

“No one’s in the wrong. Would you say Alexa is naïve? She knows I have no feelings for her but she gave in because she wanted it, so how's this my fault? We're done talking about this.” Right after talking, he stormed out of the apartment, banging the door on his way.

I stood there puzzled. I could not believe he walked out on me. I was angry but there was nothing I could do so I just threw myself on the sofa and sighed. An hour later, my phone rang, the caller ID displaying Jabari’s name. I rolled my eyes and sighed again. At this point, I had lost count of the number of times I had sighed. Unwillingly, I answered the call.

“Hey,” his voice came from the other side of the line. “How are you doing?”

“I'm okay,” my voice came out soft.

“What's wrong? Are you not well?”

“I'm okay,” I replied flatly.

“Don't lie to me. Why's your voice down?”

“I said I'm fine okay,” I replied, yelling through the phone. What do you want?”

“Get dressed, I'll let my driver come pick you up.”

I sat up immediately. “No way. I'm not going anywhere with your driver or you.”

“I'm not taking no for an answer. It's either you let my driver come for you, or I come there myself. Maybe then, your quiet and socially free life you wanna live will not be so quiet anymore because I'll make people see me, and that means, paparazzi would be everywhere you go.” I couldn't help but let out a loud laugh.

“What? I'm funny to you now?” He asked.

“There's no way you'd do that,” I stated.

“You think so? Alright then, you make a choice, it's either my calm driver or me, with lots of paparazzi.”

“You're such a bully. Fine, I'll go get ready.”

“Good girl.”

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll find out.” The call dropped.

I run my hand through my hair before dashing to the bathroom to take a bath. I contemplated a lot on what to wear since I didn't know where we were going but finally, I settled on a simple yet dapper look. I curled my hair and put on light makeup. Later, I searched through my wardrobe and brought out a loose short shirt and floor-length pants to pair with them. It was one of the many outfits I hadn't worn before. I smiled and put it on, I wore my heels and a Micheal Kors watch, not forgetting to take a satchel along with me. I took a glance at myself and texted Jabari that I was done and it didn't take a minute for him to reply, telling me the driver was already outside. I shook my head while I walked outside.

It was already afternoon when the driver pulled up in front of a restaurant. Kizombar was one of the renowned restaurants where you even need to make an appointment a month before you can go there. A five-star restaurant. I have heard of it on the news several times.

“I'll walk you in, ma’am,” the driver said to me and walked out to open the door for me.

“Thank you,” I replied with a smile on my face. We walked into the VIP side, room one, where Jabari sat by a table. The room was big enough to host about 20 people.

“I'll take my leave now,” the driver excused himself, leaving Jabari and me all alone in the room. Once the door was closed, he stood up from where he sat and walked to me, directing me to the table.

“You're looking great,” he complimented.

“Thank you, so do you.” Minutes after sitting, our meals were served. “Jabari, what is this?” I asked.

“What does it look like? We're about to have lunch.”

“I know that. What do you want from me?” I asked again.

“Do you always think I want something from you?” He asked but I said nothing. “Well, I wanted us to have lunch together today.”

“Why?”

“Because that's what I felt like doing when I woke up today.”

“You are something else. Don't you have female friends?”

“I want you, simple.” I was speechless. That cocky smile of his just made him look more annoying.

“I want you to escort me to a family dinner.”

“Not happening. No, no.”