III: Let Me Know
I woke up in the middle of the night because I cannot sleep. I went to the kitchen to drink water.
I didn't know I was even murmuring something.
"Cohen Cohen Cohen"
I stopped in track because of what am I seeing in front of me.
"Oh my ghad! What happened to you Leigh? You're in a mess. Look at your eyes, they're so red and your eyebags are so puffed. You didn't even change your clothes. You broke up with your boyfriend again, right?? Ahhh, I told you, he was a cheater. Haisst!!"
"I ahm, ah, I---, yeah, I just came from a break up. But he's NOT A CHEATER!!" She shouted at me and continued to cry.
"So you even defend him in this situation when you're here crying your eyes out while he's there enjoyin---"
"He's GAY!!"
"Ohh, Okay, haha I'll prepare the bathtub for you." I said in an embarassed tone as I try to get away. That was shocking actually.
"Kirstin" I literally stopped breathing in a second and swallowed.
"Yes?" I asked her as I slowly turn to face her.
"You mentioned Cohen again."
"Ahhh, him? I don't know him." She raised her brows to me.
"Ohh, ahm, ahh, you know in ah, I ah, I heard some girls gossiping on someone named Cohen. And I thought it was similar to whom you'd mentioned the other day. Yeah. That's it."
"Okay"
I was a bit surprised. I thought he would asked me more. But I guess she's not in the mood today.
"I'll prepare the bathtub. Come up for a bath." I said and slowly walk my way up.
I'm done preparing the bathtub when Leigh came in.
"I will not ask you about it until you're willing to tell me. Let me know."
"Huh? I don't know what you're talking about."
"Cohen Gilovich. I know you know him."
"Ahh, haha." I didn't know what to say so I just kept quite and stand still in my spot.
"Yahh, are you going to see me take a bath?"
"Oh, sorry, sorry!" I immediately came out of the bathroom.
It's not that I don't want to talk about him. It's just that I'm afraid it will reach my grandparents. And I don't want to be assuming, to think that he's now a professional football player, a popular one. I don't want to be criticized by the public. That's why I'm avoiding him, not even encounter him.
But now, I don't know how would I avoid him when we'll work in the same environment.
...
Days passed and I am here, busy and stressed of the work given to us.
I came out to buy coffee. I stopped for a while to watch the people in the field. I can see the athletes training hard even if they're tired and sweating from all the runs back and forth. I actually envy them because they have their ambitions and dreams as a reason to try their best and to win every game they play.
"Here she is, the boss's IT girl. Probably she got to join the design team by flirting with the boss. Hahaha" A bitch from the other table said.
"It would have been okay if she just flirted, but who knows, maybe she made the boss a sugar daddy. Hahaha" Another one with a clown-like face because of too much powder and make up on her face said.
The other bitches just laughed. But of course, I just pretended like I didn't heard anything. They're not even worth paying attention for.
"Hi. Don't mind them. They're just jealous of you." A woman said as she sat down with me. I just smiled at her.
"Ah, by the way, I'm Madison. Madison Grey. You're Kirstin, right?"
"Ahh, yeah?!" I said questioningly.
"Hahah...I heard your name a lot since yesterday because I think they've misunderstood your closeness with Mr. Gonzaga. Anyway, I guess you knew Cohen Gilovich?!" She asked with her eyebrows raised. Another bitch huh, I thought she's a different one but she's just the same.
"No." I simply replied.
"But I saw you the other day talking on the hallway like you knew each other."
"Oh, that." I remember encountering Cohen when I just said I will avoid him, but really, its hard for us not to see each other in this one place. He only said hi to me but I ignored him. Probably that's what this Madison girl saw. And what made her think we are close?
"Is his name Cohen? I didn't know that." I briefly said as I stood up from my seat.
"Anyway, nice meeting you." I added as I make my way out from the cafeteria.
"Can you introduce me to him?!!" Madison still insisted. I just ignored it and left.
After work, I drove downtown, far from the busy city. My bestfriend owns a cafe plus library here, and its a huge library of books. She bought it after graduation and dedicated her time here. She's Adi Orlean.
Adi's parents were divorced when she was little, and her father was frequently away on business, so Adi spent most of her time by herself. Well, she's a licensed librarian now and owns a business. It's been a while when I came here to read. I spent most of my time here when I was in college.
"Kalinich!! You're here." I turned around to meet Adi. She always call me by my last name.
"I just remembered so I came here."
"Ehh? I thought you came because you miss me." She said sulking.
"Of course, I miss you too Adi." I said as I hug her.
"Well, why are you here then?"
"I remembered seeing some books here that I haven't read yet. Can I check it out?"
"Yeah, of course. Go on. I'll just be down here. Call me if you need anything."
"Okay. Thanks." I said as I make my way up.
After looking for the books, I actually intended to go home after this. But I didn't realized the time when I came to talk with Adi. She hasn't even run out of stories.
It was 10 pm already when I decided to leave.
I am halfway the road going home when I see lights in the near park so I decided to take a walk from there.