I was lying on my bed, cuddled in a Panda blanket. It was past 12 in the afternoon.
Perks of being jobless.
I groaned wondering how I could still feel sleepy after sleeping for over 10 hours. Sighing to myself I closed my eyes again, sinking into the soft blanket. “5 more minutes.” I muttered to myself.
I woke up again. It was 2 o’clock.
“Ugh.” I stretched my arm trying to find where the vibration was coming from. I had my phone right next to the pillow when I slept, where could it go now?
Following the vibration my hand ended up at the end of the bed, on the other side. I started at the phone. “How did you end up here?”
I looked at the caller ID, appreciating the clear screen of my new phone. I had finally got a new phone a few weeks back, with my own money. The blank cheque Alex had given when we first met was still in my bedside drawer.
“Hey mom.” I greeted, picking up the call. It wasn’t a surprise that we hardly talked.
“Myra.” My mother’s silvery voice rang in my ears. “How are you my dear daughter?”
My mother wanted something from me.
“Fine and you?”
“Lovely.” Her voice turned sweeter. “So I set you up on a blind date.”
I choked on air. This was not the conversation I expected to have as soon as I woke up. “What?”
“He is rich.”
I pressed my fingers to my forehead. Of course he would be, my mother chose him. Money was the driving factor in my mother’s life.
If I told her about me dating an IT billionaire, she would faint from happiness.
“I don’t care.” I instead replied.
I could feel the frustration rolling off my mother. “Just one date Myra. You are twenty-five.”
“Twenty-three.” I corrected.
“Eh same thing. You are old enough to get married.”
I scoffed. “Old enough? I am young enough to enjoy my life right now.”
“Then enjoy it with this man. He is a doctor. I am telling you Myra, he is such a catch and he’ll be coming there for a few days. So make sure you are free Friday evening.”
“Mom, no.” I answered trying to sound definitive.
But let’s face it, when it comes to mother’s they always win.
“Myra Collins. His name is Dr. Theo Pine and he will message you tonight. I carried you in my womb for nine months and made you into this young beautiful woman so be smart and go to this date. Bye. Oh and also tell me everything later.”
And with that the call was cut.
I stared with resignation at the black screen. “I already have a boyfriend Mom.” I whispered in the empty air, hoping somehow my mom heard it.
“I’ll just tell this Theo that when he calls.” I said to myself, unlocking my phone to check my messages.
There were none.
I scowled at the empty notification bar. Seriously? Not one call? Not one message? Not one notification?
How ruthless!
I got up and freshened up, my stomach grumbling from hunger.
Walking into the kitchen I searched for anything to eat, there were biscuits and packets of chips. No bread, no Maggi.
“We need to go grocery shopping.” I mumbled to myself staring at the empty cabinets.
I made myself some tea and put a few biscuits on the plate. Might as well eat this and then go outside from some grocery shopping and then eat at McDonald’s.
My mind wandered to Alex making French toast and pancakes for me and I felt a smile creep up my face. I missed him.
We hadn’t met for over three days since he was busy with work and meetings. I didn’t want to seem clingy so I told him it was okay and that I would be at my place, he could drop by if he missed me.
He didn’t.
For three days, not one message, not one call. His appearance at my doorstep was even more far-fetched.
I looked at the pics we had clicked on the rooftop date. There was one in particular that I loved – we were both sitting with the beautiful night sky and city lights behind us. I was laughing at some lame comment Alex had passed, all my teeth showing as I looked at Alex. Alex in turn was looking back at me, a small smile playing on his face. We looked happy. We looked like we were in love. Our faces glowed and it was a picture I had come to treasure. It was one of those rare real candid pics.
Gulping down the tea, I scowled at the photo. “Stupid Rich boy won’t even call.”
I kept waiting for his call, his message and the wait seemed longer since I had nothing else to do.
I wondered when Alex would allow me to join back in his company but then again did I want to work in a company while I was dating the boss?
It would be awkward. And rumors like this could affect my team’s growth. It is never a good idea to mix personal and professional life.
Guess I’ll have to look for a new job. I grabbed the house keys and made a mental note to check for openings for hackers in companies. Now that my classes were also done, I was a certified hacker.
Despite it not being my dream job, I had grown to love it and the thrill and exhilaration I felt when I was close to decoding a code was worth it.
After an hour of shopping, I had two bags full of unhealthy stuff and half a bag of real healthy food. This is probably why Zivah never allowed me to go alone for grocery shopping. I would end up buying chips, chocolates, and biscuits instead of vegetables and fruits.
I sat at the corner table of the McDonald’s licking my lips as I stared hungrily at the large fries and huge cheeseburger in front of him. “Come to mama.” I said to it, rubbing my hands together as I took the burger in both hands and opened my mouth wide.
Before I could take a single bite, my mouth froze open and the burger sat sadly in my hands just centimeters away from my hungry needy teeth.
I blinked at the sight in front of me. Entering the half-empty McDonald’s was a tall lean woman dressed in ankle length floral dress with a matching hat and black sunglasses on her face. Even with the lame disguise, I could recognize her – Diana Reynolds.
And just like that, I felt my hunger fading away.
I groaned mentally and rolled my eyes as her heels clicked nearing me.
I kept the burger back on the tray wiping my hands on the tissue and waited for her to take a seat opposite me.
Unconsciously I looked at myself – I was wearing a pair of old sandals, gray track pants and a loose green t-shirt that had faded print of ‘Don’t talk today.’ Ironically it seemed like she couldn’t read it.
Compared to her, I looked like a roadside beggar. An unamused and indifferent one but still a beggar.
“What?” I demanded as soon as she sat down opposite me. The chair next to her had the honors of holding her rich Chanel mustard yellow purse.
Diana didn’t reply, she lowered her sunglasses just a little using one forefinger, glaring at me through the gap.
I rolled my eyes at her antics. If she was trying to be intimidating she was failing at her job.
“How did you know I was here?” I asked her curiously.
Diana just shrugged. “I followed you.”
I felt my jaw drop and my eyes widened. “Followed? You mean you have been stalking me?”
“Followed.” She corrected. As if that was much different from stalking.
I twisted my lips in repulsion. “I am starting to think you want to marry me not Alex.”
Diana glared at me, I could hear her teeth grinding against each other as she tried to not snap at me.
She took a deep breath before keeping her folded hands on the table. “Let me marry him.”
I raised one eyebrow. “No.”
Diana pressed her lips together. “Let me rephrase that. I am going to marry Alex Bianchi.”
“And I am going to marry Ryan Gosling. You don’t see that happening do you?”
“I cannot lose my company.”
I sighed, feeling an incoming headache. “What makes you think I care?”
“I will pay you a million dollars.”
That shut me up. I blinked at Diana’s impatient face still unable to believe her words. I tilted my head, trying to wonder what to reply to that. Sell my boyfriend for one million dollars. “Not many people like you, do they?”
Diana flinched not expecting that reply. “Excuse me?”
I breathed deeply. “As tempting as that offer is, my answer remains no.”
Diana stared at me. “Two million dollars.”
My face twisted in disbelief. “What is wrong with you? Did you fall on your head as a child?”
“How did you know?”
I leaned back on the chair, sighed heavily. “Look Diana, I am not breaking up with Alex.” I said, looking at her rigid face. “And I never subscribed to your issues so don’t spam me.”
The anger on Diana’s face was pretty evident. Her eyes narrowed at me. “I don’t like you.”
I gasped, putting a hand over my heart and faking sorrow. “Oh oh, my heart!! My poor heart. Just doesn’t care.”
If looks could shoot daggers, I would have two million daggers stabbed to my face. “If I lose my company I will haunt you.”
“Just marry someone else. It was a contract, it’s not like you two loved each other.” I suddenly froze the quick realization sinking into me. I stared at the wide eyes of Diana. “Oh my God, you love Alex.”
Diana was prompt to reply. “No, I don’t.”
“Yes you do.” I pointed at her blushing face. “You love Alex.” I accused.
“No I don’t.” Diana repeated, shaking her head wildly, making the floral hat drop on the floor.
I still couldn’t believe that this was true. “Oh my God. You slut. You love my boyfriend.”
Diana scoffed, her recently dyed black silky hair neatly tied in a bun while mine were loosely hanging around my shoulder. I hadn’t even combed them. “He was mine first.” She argued.
“He is mine now.”
“You stole my boyfriend.”
I could feel the volume of our voices rising but didn’t care. “He doesn’t even like you.”
She pointed at herself. “Have you seen me? Even the puppies like me.”
I gasped at her, pointing my forefinger. “Don’t insult a puppy.”
Her lips formed a straight unamused line. “Do you really think you are good enough for Alex?”
“No.” I started mentally smirking at the victory smile on Diana’s face. “I think I am more than enough for Alex.”
Her smile fell. My smile rose.
“He’ll never love you. Will you be okay with that?”
I frowned at her. “Will you?”
“Yes.”
I did a combination of scoff and snort. “What stupid love is that?”
“The real one.” Diana answered. “He can’t love not after what his mother did.”
Diana stared at my blank face, before smirking and tilting her head. “You don’t know what happened to his mother.” She noted with undeniable joy.
I shrugged, pretending to be okay with that. “I do.” I lied.
Diana smiled in triumph. “Oh really? What happened?”
I started to scratch the back of my neck. “She- well she died.”
“Everybody knows she died. Do you know after what?”
“I know!” I exclaimed defensively.
Diana’s long painted fingers drummed on the table, annoying me more. “What did she do Myra?”
I swallowed hard. “Well um it was very tragic.” I guessed. “I don’t want to talk about it.” I fake shuddered.
Diana laughed, actually laughed, head rolling back, loud cackling, extremely exasperating laugh. “You don’t know!” she exclaimed in a high-pitched voice.
“I know!” my voice rose.
“You little liar.” Diana waved her finger at me and all I wanted to do was – break her nail and shove it in her throat just so she could shut up.
“The pet store called. They want their bitch back. You better get going.” I sassed angrily.
Diana didn’t seem affected, she just grinned at me. “The trash called. They want their bullshit back.”
I grit my teeth wondering how she suddenly got good at sarcasm. “Where is your mute button?”
“I lost it when I fell on my head as a child. Now I just have a sex button.”
I glared at her, my eyes narrowing. “I can’t even pretend to like you.”
Diana sighed, a smile still on her lips. She grabbed her purse from the chair next to her and stood up. “I wish I could say it was nice meeting you but it wasn’t.”
I smiled at her sweetly. “Maybe don’t follow me around then, you stalker.”
She turned to go not bothering with a reply, just as she was leaving she looked back. “By the way, you really don’t know what happened with his mother do you?”
I instinctively grabbed at the now cold fries, aiming them at her. “You better get out before I throw these on you.”
Diana parted with a winning laugh.
I slumped down on the chair, groaning and throwing my head back. I stared at the uneaten cheeseburger and fries not feeling hungry anymore. “Damn you Diana. You should have come after I had eaten.”
I couldn’t help but wonder what exactly had happened to Alex’s mother and why was it such a big issue. And most importantly why did Diana know about it but not me.
I stared at my phone, still no calls or messages from Alex. “You are dead meat.” I swore, getting up and taking the tray to the counter. “Pack this please.” I couldn’t throw away the food, hopefully I can microwave and eat it later.
I waited till the food was packed, looking around. My eyes stopped at the hat on the floor, Diana forgot to pick it up.
I grinned and picked it up, admiring the rich texture and design. This was definitely a designer hat. The rich and their rich obsessions.
“Do you want me to keep that in the lost and found?” the male worker pointed at the hat as he placed the packed order on the table.
I smiled at him. “It’s mine.”
His eyes widened as he took in my disheveled outfit and then the chic hat. “That is yours?” the guy asked again.
I picked up the order and put the hat on my head, winking at the guy. “It’s called fashion darling.” And with that I walked out.
I was dressed in grey crumbled track pants, an old faded green t-shirt, flat sandals that were more suited to be worn in the bathroom and then a floral rich hat that stood out.
As I walked down the street with grocery bags and a McDonald’s take-out, people stared at me and I smiled at them. “It’s the latest trend.” I told them, strolling happily till I reached my room.
“I didn’t steal your stupid boyfriend but I definitely stole your hat.” I muttered to myself as I placed the floral hat on the living room table.
Athena should have seen this, she would have been impressed. I thought with a giddy smile.
I fell down on the couch horizontally, taking deep breaths. I quickly typed a message to Alex – ‘We need to talk.’
And before I knew it I had drifted into a deep slumber. Again.
How can I feel so sleepy all the time, I’ll never know.
~~~