BELLA
“Why don’t you have lunch with us today?” Blue asked as he walked over to my side and stood behind me. He didn’t touch me, but I could feel his presence, like a heavy blanket behind me. “We’ve missed eating out with you.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t.” I turned to face him. “Why don’t we have lunch together, tomorrow? I will be free then.” I smiled at him.
“Why not today? Where are you going?” Fred came over to stand next to Blue. “We haven’t had lunch together since you returned to the office. Why can’t you make out some time alone for us?”
“Because I can’t.”
“You can’t? Or you don’t want to?” Blue furrowed his brows, looking like he was trying to understand me.
“I can’t. I promised someone that we would have lunch alone today,” I explained, hoping they would get me.
“Imelda?” Fred scowled.
“Yup.”
“Why are you so stubborn, Bunny?” Blue peered down at me. “Haven’t we told you not to -”
“She’s not as bad as you made her seem. She’s a good person.” I placed my right hand on his chest, looking up at him as I tried to make him see things the way I did. “She’s genuine about her repentance. She wanted to be friends.”
“But I don’t trust her.” Fred shook his head. “No one changes their character as fast as she did. A leopard can never change its spot.”
“What are you insinuating, then?” I stepped back, frowning. “Are you questioning my judgement? Trying to tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about?”
“That’s not it. We just… Can’t you see it’s all an act from her? I know you badly want her to be telling the truth, but you can’t ignore the things she did. She’s -”
“She’s my friend.”
Blue sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “We know she’s your friend. we just need you to be vigilant around her. Why don’t you take Chris with you for lunch?”
“For what? Still hell-bent on calling me a poor judge of character?”
“No, that’s not it. We just want you to be careful.” Fred stepped forward, reaching out to me, but I drew a step back, recoiling as if he tried to harm me. His face fell as he dropped his hand back to his side. He exchanged looks with Blue, who had the same expression.
“I’m always careful. You don’t have to worry about me.” I forced a smile as I glanced towards the exit. “If there’s anything you need, you can always call Chris to get it for you, okay?”
“Bunny -”
“It’s time to leave,” I announced, interrupting Blue. “Imelda must be waiting outside for me. I don’t want to keep her waiting for long.”
“Bella -”
“Bye!” I rushed towards the door before any of them could stop me, and they didn’t. I knew how effortless it would be for them to catch up with me, but they didn’t do that.
Exhaling in relief when I realized they weren’t going to chase after me, I walked down the hall, smiling at my colleagues. Chris was working on a project with Andrew, the new tech guy the director employed a few weeks ago, so there was no one to stop me from leaving. I didn’t tell her my plans though. I knew and would try to stop me, like my mates.
Imelda was waiting for me at the exit, with her back to me as she peered down at her phone. I smiled as I approached her, wondering what it was she was looking at that had her so engrossed.
Walking towards her, I took the opportunity to admire her dress. The wine-red body-con gown brought out her hourglass shape. With the beautiful gown paired with silver heels, she looked like she was going to a gala and not the office.
The moment I reached her side, she turned as if she heard my approach. Her face broke out in a beautiful smile when she realized I was the one. “I thought you wanted to ditch me.”
“Ditch you? Nah, I always keep my promise.” I grinned as I reached out for her hand. “So, where are we going today? The same restaurant Chris introduced us to?”
“Not that one. I just saw one online.” She accepted my offer by letting me hold her. “They make the meanest steak, according to the reviews I found online. Should we check it out?” She showed the picture to me, waiting for me to give my consent.
“I guess we can check it out. It wouldn’t hurt to do that now, would it?”
“Not at all.”
….
Imelda drove us to the place since she was the only one who knew the direction. It made little sense for me to take my car when we can use hers, without getting cramped. There were only two.
Halfway there, her car broke down. We were far from the office and the highway. To get to the restaurant faster, she had to take the shortcut.
“Not again,” she groaned as she got out of the car, and I did the same, worried.
“What’s wrong?” I walked over to her side to check on her. “What’s wrong with the car? Gas?”
She shook her head, looking down at her tyre. “I got a deflated one.” She pointed towards the tyre. “I didn’t check on it before I left. I should have done that, but -”
“It’s alright. I will just call Blue. They will send a car to get us.” I turned to head back to the car, so I could get my phone, but she stopped me.
“You don’t have to worry. I’ve got it covered.” She fished her phone out of her purse and dialled a number. “A friend of mine will be here to pick us up,” she declared after conversing for a few minutes.
“Oh, that’s better.” I leaned on the hood of the car. “How long will they take?”
“Five minutes, max. He said he’s close to this place.” She walked to where I was and joined me.
“Okay.”