“Phew.” I breathed out in relief as I relaxed in my armchair. My lovers were out at a business meeting, giving me some minutes to myself. This was the first meeting they had gone to since they joined the company officially as their CEO, and I was the one who forced them to go. I needed some moments to myself, without having them breathing down my neck every chance they got.
I checked the time on my wristwatch, smiling when I realized I had two hours before their return. It would be enough to rest my limbs and think of the future.
Having accepted them as my lovers and gone public about it. Oh, I forgot to mention it. Someone from the office thought it would make a headline and posted my story on the firm’s page. And by someone, I mean Chris. She wasn’t wrong about making headlines because it did.
I was livid about it because she didn’t tell me. I was worried my lovers wouldn’t want it, since they said nothing about a forever thing. And by forever, I don’t mean screwing them whenever I wasn’t sore, but commitment. To know they would always be there for me, with me, and for us.
Right now, they have yet to say anything concerning that, even though they agreed to an interview about our affair. I couldn’t tell what was going through their heads, and what their replies would be. I was nervous. Deep down, I was convinced they would come clean about our relationship, and officially announce to the world that they were taken, but I couldn’t help my fears.
What if what we had was just a temporary thing? What if what they wanted was just to fuck until they were tired of me?
Would they still remember their promises? To stay with me forever? Was that real, or just their way of getting me to stick around with them?
I wasn’t worried about the public’s reaction to the news. That one didn’t matter to me. All I cared about was my lovers’ opinion.
I looked up when I heard a knock on my door. Frowning, I asked the person to step in. My brows furrowed further when I saw who it was. Ever since she begged to be friends with me, Imelda had always tried to strike up conversations with me whenever she saw me out there, but she had never stepped into my office before.
“How are you doing?” She inquired as she walked towards me, grinning. “I was waiting for you outside, so we would have lunch together, but you didn’t show up.”
“I had some things to take care of,” I replied with a smile, trying not to look surprised. “What are you doing here?” I kept my tone neutral.
She waved her right hand, smiling as she sat down without waiting for me to ask her to do so. “I came to check on you. Isn’t that what friends do? They check on each other.” She made it sound like it was the most natural thing for someone like her to do.
“What changed?”
“Pardon?” She blinked.
“Why did you suddenly want to be friends? Last I checked, you were a thorn in my flesh. Why did you suddenly change your mind?”
This question had been on my mind for days now. I had always wanted to ask her about it but didn’t get the opportunity to do so.
“…. Well…” She smiled as she joined her hands together on my desk. “I realize I haven’t been good to you from the time you joined the firm, but it’s nothing personal.”
“Nothing personal?” I lifted an eyebrow at that.
She sighed. “I was jealous of you, okay? You were always smiling, and I was…” She exhaled. “I saw how laid back you were, compared to me, and wished to ….” She closed her eyes for a second as if thinking of the perfect words to use. “I wanted to be like you.”
“What?” I blinked, wondering if my ears were heard right. Imelda, the bitch, claimed she was jealous of me? Now this was news.
Damn it!
This would have made the headlines had Chris been around to hear it. It was such a pity.
“I’m sorry for everything I have ever done. I apologize for the bad things I’ve done and said to you.” She looked up, her eyes glistening with tears. “I realize it will be difficult for you to believe me, but…” she sniffed. “I just want to be friends with you.”
Her tears moved me. This was the first time she had looked so emotional. There was no trace of mirth in her face, and I knew she meant every word that came out of her mouth. Imelda was like a peacock, always spreading its feathers whenever anyone looked her way.
For her to apologize to me would only mean one thing: she was ready for a change.
“It’s okay.” I placed my hand over hers and smiled. “We can always start afresh. Just because we started on the wrong foot doesn’t mean we can’t correct it.”
“Really???” She perked up at that. “Are you serious about this?” She blinked.
I nodded, smiling. “We can be friends.”
“That’s wonderful!” She got up from the chair, beaming. “Thank you so much for this opportunity to start over with you, Bella. I’m glad. You won’t regret your decision!”
I hope I don’t.
“What do you say? Should we go for lunch?” She asked, grinning like a kid. I couldn’t say ‘no’ to that. Not when she was looking at me with stars in her eyes.
“I guess I can spare some time for lunch.” I got up from my chair. “The company’s cafeteria, or do you have any place in mind?”
“You choose.” She stood next to me, grinning. “I’m game for whatever you decide. Where should we go?”
“The company’s cafeteria, since we have little time.”
“Great!” Smirking, she reached her hand out to me in invitation, but I stepped back. “Oh.” Her face fell as she dropped her hand to her side. “I understand. I guess I’m going too fast.” The smile returned to her face. “Let’s go, then.” She took the lead, almost skipping on her steps.