CHAPTER 17
ROWAN
“I found you a psychologist,” Ailey announced as she walked into the house with Maggie.
While Maggie headed to the kitchen, Ailey walked up to me with paper bags in her hand.
“Don’t tell me you went shopping this early morning?” I inquired and she shook her head.
“Of course not. I only went out to get a few things. I was craving cupcakes and I found a bakery not far from here, I just hope it’s nice though. April recommended the place to me and I trust her judgement,” she replied before taking her seat beside me and I turned to her.
“You met April?” I inquired and she nodded before Maggie walked up to us with two empty plates.
“Yeah, I bumped into her outside. We had a few discussion and I think she’s really a pleasant person,” she explained and I scoffed.
“Your definition of pleasant must be different to mine, right? The April I know isn’t pleasant at all,” I told her and Ailey shook her head before opening the plastic bag to place the cupcakes on the plate.
“That lady is pleasant. I’m sure you don’t find her pleasant because she doesn’t treat you like a god or something or maybe because she didn’t succumb to your sexual wants,” Ailey teased and then offered the cupcakes to me.
“I’m not interested in cupcakes and April. You know I don’t do girls like her, she’s too small and for cupcakes, isn’t it unhealthy to take sweets in the morning?”
She rolled her eyes and then crossed her legs.
“Of course not. You can wait for breakfast then. Anyway, I mentioned getting a psychologist for you,” she went back to what I didn’t want her to say.
I’d stopped seeing a psychologist since I believed I was over that phase already but after the shooting case, it just felt like everything came rushing back and now my psychologist wasn’t even in the country again and Ailey deemed it fit for me to start all over again.
“How come?”
“April,” she replied with a mischievous smile and I ran my hand through my hair.
“I already contacted the psychologist and she’ll be coming over today.”
“What do you mean?”
“It means her appointment is 2pm this afternoon, normally, she doesn’t go home for consultation because she has a clinic but your case is special since you can’t go out,” she explained and I sighed.
“I don’t think I need to see a psychologist though. It was only a nightmare.”
“You haven’t gotten over it yet. It’s not really hard to get consultations okay? Don’t be bitchy to the lady later,” she warned and I looked away from her to the blank TV.
“Aren’t you going home?”
“Are you sending me away?”
“Of course not.”
“Then, don’t you like my company at all? Am I bothering you?” She accused as her tone changed into a pitiful one and I turned to the dramatic Ailey.
“You know I don’t mean that but you said you’re taking a break from work so I believe you’ll want to enjoy your life.”
“I’m enjoying my life as it is but since you want to live a boring life, I’ll go catch fun.” She stood up abruptly and I shook my head before grabbing her hand.
“I was only joking, okay?” I told her while trying to wear an apologetic smile.
“You know you can’t live without me, right?” She questioned and I scoffed. She jerked her hand off and made to walk away but my voice stopped her.
“I can’t live without my best friend,” I called behind her and she turned back to me with furrowed brows before returning to her previous seat.
“I’m living later in the afternoon.”
“Are you still mad at me?” I asked and she shook her head.
“Not really. Is April not coming today?”
I shrugged.
“She won’t be here until Friday. It’s only thrice a week and she comes according to her schedule and convenience, can you imagine that?”
“It’s her job and I don’t think you need to choose any day yourself since you’ll always be available so, this shouldn’t be a big deal. Just think of how to get well, okay?”
Just before I could reply, my phone vibrated in the pocket of my sweat pants and removing it, I realised it was a message from my secretary, probably about the new game animations we were to develop.
“I’ll go in now,” I told Ailey as I made to stand up.
“I can’t believe you’re still working even while at home,” she said while trying to help me get up.
“You know I can’t do without working.”
“That’s why everyone sees you as a workaholic. Another reason your dad thinks you’re the better fit for Oriental Holdings, you should cut yourself some slacks and take this month as a break. It would be nice if you could just travel somewhere for vacation,” she said as we both made our way to my room.
“I can’t just leave my work hanging.”
“Whatever, just take it easy.”
“Just ensure you don’t disturb me too,” I told her as I moved to the desk at the corner of the room and she rolled her eyes.
“I’ll bring your breakfast when it’s ready though,” she ended and then left the room.
Ailey should have been named Angel or… should I say devil? That lady is so bent on disturbing my work if not why would she choose this moment to sing that evil song and turn my living room to a karaoke bar.
Her horrible voice filled the whole house and no matter how I try to caution her, she couldn’t hear my voice so it wasn’t until I called her that she realised she had to tone it down. Thank goodness, she turned the whole damn thing off.
Ailey could be a sweetheart most times but she was definitely a pain in the ass and yet, she was my best friend.