Eve…
I had stopped crying for a while and I was just quiet now. Jason tried to call me before but I didn’t pick up. I just watched it ring until it cut.
I couldn’t take it.
He still had the guts to call me?
What did he want to say?
Did I get the divorce agreement?
Have I signed it?
“Eve..”
“Eve..” Max’s voice jolted me from my reverie.
“What are you going to do now?” Max asked and I shot him a look.
“What can I possibly do?” I thought as I looked away instead of answering his questions.
“How about you go home and get some rest?” He suggested and I felt tears pull to my eyes.
“Home?” I mumbled.
“What home?” I snapped as the tears started to pour from my eyes a second time.
“What home max?, My parents home?, Jason’s home?” I asked.
“Eve, I know I said a lot of stuff earlier but what if this is all a big misunderstanding?” Max said, making me scoff.
“A big misunderstanding?” I chuckled.
“How?”
“Is it some kind of test?” I said doubtfully.
“Eve, try to be positive.” Max said.
“Max, I gave him my all.” I mumbled as I sobbed harder.
“I gave myself to him.” I repeated like I was some sort of broken stereo.
“I know sex means nothing but what I felt between us was love.”
“I thought things had changed, I thought he was ready for me now.”
“They say there’s truth in wine, he was drunk, he wanted me, he asked for my consent.”
“What kind of person asks for consent from a girl he doesn’t like?” I yelled angrily.
“Eve, you have to ask for consent or it can be considered sexual assault, you can’t base his feelings on him following the law.” Max said and I hissed.
This wasn’t the time to be logical but he just had to rub it in.
We both sat in silence as I was lost in my thoughts.
“Can I stay at your place?” I asked after a short while.
“My place?” He asked and I nodded.
“Yes.” I nodded again.
“I’m staying with Ethan now, I sold my place.” Max said after a long pause.
“You moved in with him?” I asked, surprised.
“Yes.” He mumbled.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, forgetting my current predicament.
“I wanted to tell you today but this happened, I didn’t want to worsen your mood.” He said.
“Your happiness can never worsen my mood Max.” I said getting up and giving him a hug.
“Thanks.” He mumbled against my shoulders.
We disengaged from the hug and sat in silence, both of us to our own thoughts.
“When he gets here, I’ll ask him.” Max said after a while making me nod in agreement.
We waited for over an hour with Max saying a lot of funny things to lift my mood up.
I couldn’t be more grateful for a best friend like him.
It was already past eight in the night. If not for the documents I received, I would have gone home by now but I can’t bring myself to go to that home and face Jason after what has happened.
Besides, I’ll have to move out from his house once it’s finalised. Maybe I could use the opportunity to look for a new job like I’ve always wanted or do something else that’s just as meaningful.
I wouldn’t be bound to act properly like a rich man’s wife.
Look on the bright side, Eve
At least I’m no longer poor.
In the contract, he said he would pay me enough money when we get divorced, maybe I could use it to start a business, open my own bakery or something.
But can money mend a broken heart?
Ethan came after an hour of waiting and Max asked him.
He agreed to let me stay for as long as I could. He is truly a good man, I’m glad Max met him.
At Least, one of us will have a happy ending.
“Could you go with me to the house to get some of my clothes?” I asked Max and he agreed.
I got into the passenger seat while Max called the shotgun seat, like I was going to sit there before.
Soon, we were on our way to Jason’s mansion.
We arrived at the estate gate and the security let us in the moment they saw me at the back seat.
We drove to the mansion and Ethan parked right outside the large gate instead of driving inside. It would be a hassle anyways so it was the right thing to do.
“Eve and I will go and get her briefcase while you wait out here babe.” Max said, giving Ethan a peck on the cheek and getting a sheepish smile in return. I smiled sadly as I watched their interaction.
I got down from the car and went in with Max.
“Eve, where have you been?” Grandma Nini said the moment she saw me in the passageway.
“I…” I paused. I was speechless. What could I possibly say?
I was so distraught by the divorce agreement that I couldn’t come home.
Home? I’ve considered this my home for a long while now that I have to leave, it’s so hard for me.
“Grandma Nini, I’m sorry.” I said, giving her a small hug.
“Mother, is she home?” I heard Mia’s voice coming from the living room.
“Yes, she’s home.” Grandma Nini said taking me to the living room to meet Mia.
Max followed suit behind us, wanting to give me comfort as I told them I would be leaving.
Mia gave me a hug immediately she saw me.
“Where were you?” She asked worriedly.
“I’m sorry for making you worry.” I apologised.
“It’s fine.” She said, patting my back softly.
“Could we all sit down?” I asked.
“Why?” Mia asked.
“Just sit down if the child says you should sit down..” Grandma Nini said making Mia pout and I smiled.
“There’s something I have to tell you.” I said and paused, giving them a little suspense.
“Go ahead child, we’re all ears.” Grandma Nini said.
“I’m leaving.” I said making the both of them look at me with wide eyes.