OLIVIA
Kate has never acted like that before in my presence. She spoke to Rene in the most profound and sublime words ever, with such confidence and audacity that defied the natural mind.
What I witnessed before my eyes was more than extraordinary. What baffles me is the fact that Kate has never spoken to me in such a manner before. I lost count of how many times I treated her like a piece of shit. Yet, Kate remained loyal to me, like a pet dog to its owner.
“How are you feeling now? What just happened?” I asked Kate multiple questions, my lips shaking. I was scared that Kate would pull that madness on me.
“What happened? Sorry, I can’t recall anything. I just want to forget about Rene,” Kate stood up. She appeared strong again after gulping the chilled water from the glass.
I didn’t make any effort to ask her further questions. I just sat down, waiting for her to speak again, and she did.
“Did you see the shocked look on her face when you accused her of attempted murder? She couldn’t even deny it. We should call Officer Matthew immediately,” Kate urged me, taking out her phone and dialing some numbers suspected to be Officer Matthew’s.
With a move too fast, I snatched the phone from her. I was slowly overcoming the fear that Kate had infused in me.
“We are not calling anyone. Just let Rene go. Just like you said, we shouldn’t talk about her anymore,” I commanded and returned the phone to her.
“Besides, why are you here? It’s the weekend already. You should be resting at home. Are you going to a party?” I digressed from the actual discourse. I was done letting Rene take over our minds as though she owned them.
“Don’t tell me you have forgotten?” Kate said to me. She seemed to be heading in a direction I wasn’t aware of.
Puzzled, I asked, “Forget about what? I can’t seem to recall anything. Did we both plan to step out today?”
I was curious to find out. It was my first time seeing Kate dressed outside her office attire.
She looked different and more attractive. If she hadn’t worked with me for years, I would have argued that she wasn’t the Kate I knew.
“Today’s Adrian’s party, remember?” Kate reminded me.
Instantly, I regained my senses.
“Oh, the party? How on earth did I forget that? What the heck is wrong with me?” I exclaimed in shock.
I sat on the couch and facepalmed. Just when I thought I wouldn’t be stepping out for the whole day, here comes Kate with the spoiler.
“It’s never too late. How about you go back to your room, have your bath, get dressed, and meet me down here?” Kate suggested. “Besides, the party begins in an hour. I believe we can keep up with time.”
I obeyed Kate and went back to my room to have a cool bath. A few seconds after I left the bathroom, I heard my phone ringing.
I rushed to get it, only to discover that it was Adrian on the phone. He had been calling me for hours without a response.
My heart skipped a beat. Twenty missed calls from one person? It had never happened before, let alone from someone like Adrian, who isn’t my husband.
This time, I ignored the call on purpose. I needed time to think about what I was going to tell Adrian to calm his nerves.
There’s no denying the fact that Adrian is upset with me for refusing to answer the phone. Especially on the most important day of his life when I ought to prove my worth to him.
It didn’t take me long to return the missed calls to Adrian. I thought he was going to ignore my calls as payback for what I did to him. Fortunately for me, none of that happened. Adrian answered the phone on my first attempt.
“I am sorry for refusing to answer the phone. Rene was at my place earlier. I will tell you about it at the party,” I briefly explained to set the record straight. Waiting for Adrian to speak first after what I did to him might be suicidal.
There was silence from Adrian’s end for a couple of minutes before he finally spoke. “It’s fine. I thought you were never going to show up. I can’t wait to see you. I love you.”
“I love you too. I will be there in a bit,” I responded and ended the call. That was the only time I acknowledged my love for Adrian. I could imagine the look on his face when I said that.
The call from Adrian was the sweetest thing that had happened to me in a while. We barely spoke for ten minutes, and I was already feeling butterflies in my belly. The feeling was magical, and I wished it would last forever.
Considering the limited time, I didn’t waste time getting dressed for the big occasion. Who needs to apply too much makeup when I already have the smoothest face ever? If I weren’t the CEO of Penhurst Company, I would thrive in the modeling industry.
I looked in the mirror to admire myself, and all I saw was the fictional Cinderella waiting for her charming prince.
My long, beautiful gown, adorned with precious stones, made me appear like a bride.
“You’re a smart money woman. You’re courageous. You’re excellent, brave, and magnificent. You have the world at your feet,” I spoke to my reflection in the mirror to boost my confidence ahead of the adventures to come.
For the first time in a while, I was more than proud of the woman I was becoming.
Cyril hadn’t completely divorced me yet, and I was already fleeing like a bird in the sky. If this is what it takes to be free again, I would rather stay single for the rest of my life.