New Strategy

I opened my eyes and faced the ceiling while laying down on my bed. The rays of sun has brighten up every corner of my room. I got up and sat down on the bed remembering all the things happened last night.

So, last night was not that good if I have to say. I didn't liked Ray at all in fact I'm worried about my future. The way he acted at the party I am damn sure he is already planning something.

He is such an irritating fellow. Cunning as fox. He even hired a detective to investigate on me.

Excellent!

Not that I care about that because I had ended every thing with Regina. I haven't been with any woman after I broke up with her. But if he brings up past that can be an issue, although Stella is well aware of my past. In her eyes I'm just a fake husband.

I got ready and went downstairs to eat breakfast. Stella was already there arranging the food on the table.

" Good morning." She greeted me as her eyes met mine.

" Good morning." I took my sit and began to eat. I knew that Ray has feelings for Stella but does she feels the same ?

If she really loves him I will walk away from her life. I know I have ruined so many girls life by being in a relationship with them.

Even Regina— who wasted her two years on me. If I had broken up earlier she might have found some good guy better than me.

No matter what I did in the past I will not repeat it. After all Stella is the only girl I ever loved. The time we had isn't long but within these days I have gotten close to her. My life feels incomplete without her. Her absence makes me feel empty inside— like the ocean waves in the middle of sea, searching for shore.

" You do have interesting friends." I started the conversation and hoped that I'll find out some thing.

" You can say that." She giggled and took a bite of the toast.

" But I'm really disappointed."

" What for?"

" You didn't told me about your high school incident— you liking girls and all. That was actually hilarious though."

" Wait! Seriously?! Who told you?" She was surprised and still laughed as she had guessed what I was trying to tell her.

" Vincent."

" Well, it's not much. I guess you already know the whole story."

" Yup. I must say it's a really innovative way to turn down boys without hurting their feelings." I mocked her sarcastically and chuckled.

" I felt bad you know. Like I was being the ice queen or the mean girl. Beside it bothered me when the asked for date and I had to say 'no'."

" I'm really surprised that you stayed single all those years. What about your college? Wait! Don't tell me that you did the same!" As I spoke those words Stella began to smile without looking guilty.

" I really don't like relationship and all. I just like being by myself and staying happy." Seriously? So that means she has no feelings for Ray? I mean as much I heard I can only come up with this theory.

" You are telling me that you have never been in a relationship or dated anyone in your whole life even though you had all those good looking guys as your friends ?"

" Yeah. Vincent actually started talking to me because he liked my friend Stacy. Same with Albert, he was friends with Vincent and later he would ask me to sort out problems between his girlfriend. They are like my brothers. Simon was my classmate. He literally had a new girl every week. I was his girlfriend dealer and I also had to talk with his ex girlfriends so that they will break up with him."

" So,you helped him to contact with girls and also helped him to break up with them."

" Exactly. Seeing them struggling like this I kinda kept myself away from all this."

" What about Ray?"

" Ray was my classmate. But I never saw him dating anyone or be interested in any girl. You could say he likes to keep things to himself and I never thought of him in a romantic way. To me he is just a very good friend."

Ha! Friend zone! Good for him. I am really happy to hear it from her mouth although there's a possibility that it may change some day. You never know I mean I learned about my feelings after a long time. It wasn't instant.

" Are you for real? What about your crush?"

" Uh well no."

My conversation was successful for now. It helped me a lot to know about her past relationships. I feel less worried now. All I have to do is make her fall in love with me. If I just tell her about my feelings she will turn me down. Our relationship will become complicated so, I better hold onto my feelings and try to gain her affection.

We left for our work like usual. I know that I have to stay calm and take every step carefully. Being hasty will only make things worst. She considers me as her friend and if I try harder I can change it to her lover.

It would have been better if I had some one who would give me suggestions on this topic. Sadly I gotta think of everything by myself.

It was lunch time. I always call Stella during the lunch time. I called her up and she picked up the phone.

" Hey."

" You done with your work?" I heard her asking me.

" Yeah. What about you?"

" I went to eat outside for lunch." Strange. Stella usually eats at the office canteen. Why would she go out today ? As I was holding the phone I heard a male voice from the side

" Hey you want extra cheese?" And that was Ray.

" Hold on second." Stella replied and kept me on hold. I was furious to know what was going on.

" Sorry about that."

" Where are you? Are you with Ray?" I didn't let her finish her speech and yelled at her angrily.

" Yeah. He was near my office so he called me and asked me to eat lunch with him-" Suddenly her phone ended. Did she hung up?

I called her number again and it said switched off. This is not okay at all. Why would her phone go off during her office time. I became anxious as I thought of Ray. Who knows what he was planning in his head. Even though he's Stella's friend I can not trust him.

Oh god! What should I do now? Should I go to her office to check if she's there or not?

No,no I can't do that either. Her office stuff thinks she's not married. If I show up there it will only cause problems for her. I looked at time and it was around 2 p.m which means she will be home by 5. If her phone got switched off she may return home earlier. I'll wait until 5 o'clock after that I'll go search for her.

~ to be continued