OLIVIA
“Hey, chill. Why did you jump off the bed like that? I thought you said you didn’t want to see anyone?” Kate teased me with a burst of wicked laughter.
“Stop it.
That’s not funny,” I quickly cautioned her.
Weirdly, Adrian had to meet me in this pathetic condition. We weren’t going on a date, but I wanted to appear smart and agile in his eyes if we were going to be long-term business partners.
“Did he say he wanted to see me?” I asked Kate, even though I knew Adrian was here for me. What could he possibly want to do with Kate?
“Isn’t it obvious?” Kate rolled her eyes without actually saying anything.
“Why these questions? Does it matter who he came to see or what he came for? I thought you were down with migraines?” Kate asked. She was surprised to know the reason for my eagerness despite my condition.
“Kate, this is one business I’ve been waiting all my life to seal. If this isn’t the right time to make that happen, then I don’t think the appropriate time would ever come,” I said to Kate and approached the wardrobe searching for an outfit.
I finally found one.
A red, beautiful gown.
“This would look nice on me, right?” I smiled at Kate like a teenager going on her first date.
“It’s just a meeting, ma’am.
What’s the fuss about?”
Kate smirked.
“Does it matter?
The last I checked, it’s never a crime to look smart for a potential client,” I forced a smile.
“Are you falling for Mr. Adrian? Don’t tell me this is what I am thinking?” Kate probed me. She was starting to get suspicious of my recent attitude.
It’s magical how the presence of Adrian unleashed the angelic side in me. I forgot what Cyril did to me. At this point, I did not care if Cyril stayed out late for eternity. Closing the deal with Adrian is the only thing that mattered to me.
“Be gone, Kate.
Tell our guest I’ll be out in a bit. I need to have a quick bath,” I stylishly discarded Kate. Her presence was starting to inconvenience me.
“I’ll be gone.
A little advice for you.
Don’t act too desperate,” Kate silently said and walked away.
I felt attacked by what she said about me. After her departure, I started to realize the truth behind her observation.
“Am I being desperate?”
I asked myself.
Emotional attachment is the last thing I want to engage myself in right now. I haven’t recovered from the mess Cyril is making me go through.
“Kate is right.
I need to stay focused,” I returned the red gown and replaced it with another decent outfit.
I quickly took a good bath and stood in front of the mirror admiring my beauty. I was depreciating. The veins on my neck are already popping out. I’ve lost so much weight within the last few hours. I couldn’t tell if it was work stress or emotional stress caused by Cyril lately.
“No man will ever be attracted to you in this condition. You suck! Just stay decent. Don’t try to be sexy,” I said to myself.
I left my face natural with no makeup on. What’s the point of looking sexy to someone who doesn’t even give a fuck about me?
Majestically, I sauntered to the living room with a hint of doubt. My recent traumas looted my confidence and rendered me useless. I wasn’t comfortable in my skin anymore.
From afar, I spotted Adrian. He looked so smart and handsome. He was the perfect illustration of a charming prince and me. Cinderella? That’s not even possible.
He looked dapper In a Dark suit and a well-polished black pair of shoes. It would be hard for anyone to believe that he didn’t show up to take me out for a date.
I compared his outfit to mine. Disgusting. We are like two worlds apart. More like Beauty and the Beast.
We weren’t in a relationship neither was it a dinner date, yet I felt inferior. I had the urge to change into a better outfit until I thought about what Kate said about appearing too desperate before Adrian. I wasn’t even certain if he came to discuss business with me.
“Hey,” Adrian called me from afar.
He caught me unaware ares. Oh, shit.
Not good,” I muttered and freaked out. I quickly faced the wall to do a cross sign.
“Hi. Are you here already?” I waved at Adrian and struggled to walk to where he was.
“Like seriously?
But I thought?” Kate was about to speak when I shut her up. I knew she wanted to talk about my Change of outfit. She wasn’t expecting to see me appear in a casual outfit after bragging about my plans to appear gorgeous.
Kate sealed her lips immediately and sat down. She understood the assignment and didn’t utter a word afterward.
“Wow! You look stunning even in a broken mirror. Not even your present condition could conceal your beauty,” Adrian teased me. I was flattered and confused at the same time.
I can’t recall the last time someone complimented my good looks the way Adrian did. I doubt if Cyril ever remembers my existence, let alone acknowledging my beauty.
“Quite fascinating.
I loved the flattering.
You must be good at it,” I joked to Adrian.
“When you said I looked gorgeous in my condition, what were you talking about?” I asked Adrian. I was curious to find out why he said that. Not even his flattering or sugar-coated words could take the curiosity away from me.
“Oh, that?
Kate told me about it.
I’m sorry about that. How are you feeling now? I hope you’re getting better?” Adrian disclosed.
Immediately, I narrowed my gaze at Kate, and she looked away to avoid eye contact with me. I wasn’t impressed with what she did. I just wanted to focus on the deal. I wouldn’t want my client to get involved in my private life.
“I’ll just excuse you two.
I’ll be in the guest room,” Kate stylishly walked away to avoid my wrath.
A few seconds after her departure, I received a text. I checked my phone and discovered it was Kate.
“Don’t get too comfortable. You are not divorce yet,” I read the text and laughed. I forgot how to be upset.