TWENTY TWO

As we stepped out of the restaurant Isabel's muffled cries became full blown tears. She fell on the floor clutching on to her heart and burying her face in between her knees. She didn't care that she was flashing people, or that a car had its headlights in her direction or the people entering or exiting the store looking at her like she is mental. 

I stood there watching her on the floor incapable of doing anything. I wasn't one who took control in such situations. Emotions scared me. After five minutes or so of crying she got back on her feet and looked at the entrance of the restaurant, not a second later she looked at the very expensive watch on her wrist 

"he didn't even bother coming after me to see if l was okay or at least lie to me on some, 'it's not what it looks like" she said before laughing. All l could do was stand silently, pitying her 

"l'm not going to bite, you can comfort me" she said sarcastically before the water works started again. This time l didn't hesitate put my arms around her. It took a while before l got the motion of it all. I went from awkwardly patting her back to fill on rubbing soothing circles 

I walked over to my car and buckled her in before making my way to the Keys estate. I took this situation as practice for the time when Akai might need comfort. 

When we arrived, l led her to the guest bedroom and tucked her in before making my way to the kitchen to make her hot chocolate 

As l boiled the water, my phone began to ring interrupting my flow of thoughts. 

"Hello?" l said into the phone confused by who might be calling so late in the night. 

"Is she okay" an all too familiar voice spoke into the phone, taking my phone from my ears and looking at the caller id. My suspicions were correct 

"Hilden, took you long enough. How would l know if she is okay, isn't that your job as her cheating boyfriend" the amount of sass in my voice did not help the situation 

"It's not what it looked like. On that note l don't appreciate the stunt you pulled back there" he reprimanded 

"what stunt are you talking about?" at this point l was confused. He had the audacity to talk about actions he didn't approve of. 

"I know Isabel, had you not talked her into causing a scene she would have just walked out of the restaurant like a good girl. I might have to stop this friendship if it means Isabel is going to start acting like you" l couldn't stop the laugh even if l tried to. The irony of this situation 

"Let me ask you this, why are you still stringing her along if you don't want her. You are hurting the poor girl." 

"I didn't call to get a lecture from you, l just wanted to know if she is with you cause her car is still at the restaurant." he said 

"You don't care, so stop with the act. I can't believe you stayed and acted like everything is okay. What a douche" 

"Don't forget who you are. I can see that you are getting a little too comfortable. Now is she with you or not. If she is please take care of her. She isn't in the best state of mind" l could tell that he was getting irritated with me 

"whatever, you don't get to tell me what l can and cannot do. She is upstairs sleeping" 

"Don't leave her sight. I am afraid to even think of what she is capable of doing when she gets like this" l could hear the fear in his voice 

"what do you mean" 

"suicide Aurora, stop being slow and make yourself useful" and with that he cut the call. Quickly making the hot chocolate, l made my way back to the guest bedroom to find Isabel sitting on the edge of the bed, facing the window that showcased Mrs Keys beautiful garden

"l made you hot chocolate" l said offering her the cup of steaming hot chocolate. She offered me a small smile when my stomach decided to grumble

"l apologise for that, if l didn't pull you out with me you would have been able to enjoy your meal" she said laughing

"Nonsense, l consider you a friend and you needed my help. What's a bit of hunger.... I'm going to make some food you wanna come with me?" l invited her to the kitchen with me, wondering is she will take the bait. Nodding she followed me out the room and we descended down the stairs and into the kitchen in silence.

I got to work immediately, making myself a sandwich with the leftover chicken. 

"would you like some?" l asked considering she had barely eaten when everything went down

"yes please, would you like some help?" she offered, l was tempted to accept but due to previous experiences, no one made a chicken mayo sandwich like the way l did, not at least one l enjoyed

"that's okay, you just relax" it didn't take long for me to finish. We sat in the kitchen, lost in our thought until she broke the silence

"the first time he cheated was on our three month anniversary, l was still at my old job and l had decided that even though it wasn't a milestone to many, it was to me... So l ordered from his favourite restaurant and surprised him to lunch only l was the one surprised" she said bitterly. I sat in silence, allowing her to say what she wanted without interrupting her

"Do you know what he did" she said laughing, l just shook my head

"he chased me out while shouting different profanities. He told the receptionist to never allow me on without an appointment. Then after work he came to my place and blamed me for being stupid, saying l deserved what l saw... Can you believe him" l could tell that she was hanging by her last thread and there wasn't much that l could do to help her so l just sat there watching her

"And being the stupid girl l am, l apologised and begged him not to break up with me." and with that she started crying again.