CHAPTER SIXTY SIX
“Well, my friend Vivian is one of the toughest people I know. She doesn’t like people easily and when she does, she gives her all and loves them genuinely. She’s loyal. She really did like you and I guess you weren’t ready for all that then, but she was a little hurt and upset about the whole thing. You know, no one likes to get rejected. It’s not a very nice position to be in. She might push you away at first, but I think all you have to do is be a little persistent and show her that you want something more this time. I’m sure that she will come around”
“You really think so?” Raymond asked, with his hand on the door handle.
“Yeah I do, besides you won’t know if you try” Isabella replied. “But I have to ask, why do you suddenly want to talk to her about this? According to what she told me, you were so sure that you didn’t want anything more than what you guys had. Why the sudden change of heart about the whole thing?”
“Do I really have to tell you that? Seems like a really personal to me”
Isabella grinned mischievously and nodded her head.
“Yes” she replied.
“Why?”
“Because I’m nosy, and if you want my help in any way, then you have to tell me. I can help ‘talk you up’, you know, try to convince her that you are not an asshole”
“fine” said Raymond. “I guess when I see what you and Samson have, I kinda want that for myself too. I see how much you have changed him and in a good way for that matter. He is so much happier and it has everything to do with you. Your friend and I had a great time when we met, even if was just a hook up. I think it could have been more if I had let it. So I decided that it won’t be such a bad thing to give it a try. I know I sound kinda selfish, but that’s just the truth.”
Isabella shook her head.” No It’s not selfish. It’s okay to want something good for yourself and it’s a good thing that you are doing this because you want to not because you feel pressured. Like I said, she was really mad about the whole thing, but she will come around. You just have to let her know that you are willing to try”
“Well, look who decided to pay us a visit” Emily said rolling her eyes as she watched Isabella and Raymond approach the bar. “And oh, you brought one of your new best friends with you. How nice”
Isabella and Raymond took their seats. “Hey, come on. You don’t have to be like that” Isabella said. “I know that you are mad at me but it’s really not what you think. I had a lot going on really”
“It doesn’t matter what I think. Besides I have a job to do. What can I get you guys?” Emily asked, putting on her customer service face and voice.
Isabella frowned. “That’s real mature, Emily. Real mature”
Raymond on the other hand didn’t seem to care about the cold welcome and service. “Hello to you too” he said. “I will have a shot of tequila please”
“Coming right up” Emily replied and turned around to get his order.
“Where’s Vivian?” Isabella asked Emily.
“At the back.” Replied Emily, turning back to hand Raymond his order. “Did you really come to see her or are you just making small talk? Because if that’s the case, then you don’t have to”
Before Isabella could reply, Vivian came into the bar, but as Isabella expected she didn’t look happy to see her, and she looked even more pissed when she saw Raymond sitting beside her.
“Hi, Viv” said Isabella.
“Hello, did you finally remember that we exist” Vivian replied coldly.
“You know it’s not like that. I know you guys are mad at me but a lot has been going on lately. And I would really appreciate it if my friends just let me explain before jumping into conclusions. Can you guys just be a little understanding?”
“What ever” said Emily, “Our shift is over. I’m going home. See you at home, Viv” she didn’t even wait for a reply, but simply went out through the back door.
“Hello, Vivian” said Raymond, finally speaking for the first time since Vivian came into the room.
Vivian ignored the greeting. “What do you want, Isabella?”
Isabella realized that it would be of no point talking to her friends right now. They were mad and they had every right to be. She would fix things with them for sure, but for now, she had to go see Mr Peter. He owned the bar, and he had been good to her throughout the time she worked for him. She knew that he would be worried about her quitting suddenly without any explanation and she knew she had to fix that too.
“Is Mr Peter around?” she asked Vivian who nodded.
“Yeah. He should be in his office”
“Alright, I will come over to the apartment later so we all can talk”
Isabella stood up and left, leaving Raymond and Vivian alone.
“Hey! Vivian please wait” Raymond said to Vivian as she hurried away from the bar. At that moment, Vivian really wished that she had a car, just so she could get in and drive away. At least then, she wouldn’t have to look at his stupid handsome face. She wasn’t the kind of person who caught feelings easily, but for some reason, she had caught feelings for Raymond, and after spending just minutes with him.
It wasn’t that she had been in love with him, it was just feelings… Just an attraction. It wasn’t much, but she was still really upset that he had turned down. She wasn’t used to being turned down because she never caught feelings before… Except with him. She was over it now, but that didn’t mean that she wanted to see him. In fact she had hoped that she would never have to, but now he was here, and she blamed Isabella for it. The girl was seriously coming up with new ways to piss her off lately.
She ignored Raymond’s call, hoping that if she ignored him long enough, then he would just get the message and leave her the hell alone, but he didn’t. Instead he continued to walk with her until she had to stop walking.
CHAPTER SIXTY SEVEN