Phoebe and Elaine were busy compiling the last file for the final line up of the artists that would be featured in the upcoming exhibition.
“Umbra didn’t reply?” Phoebe asked, walking to Elaine’s side
“I just checked now and he hasn’t sent in a reply” Elaine answered
“That is serious. This is a golden opportunity for him, I guess he has a stronger reason for forfeiting the chance” she sighed as she took the file from Elaine and walked towards Lawrence’s office.
She was about to pull the handle when Elaine’s scream pierced through. She turned quickly in shock to see whatever the issue was and saw Elaine rushing towards her with her phone clutched tightly in her hand.
“He replied! His reply just came in” Elaine announced with joy on her face and Phoebe didn’t know when she burst into a huge smile
“Yes! This is it! This is how it should be!” she screamed and rushed into Lawrence’s office.
Lawrence was busy painting at the side of the room and the scream from outside seemed to have disturbed him for a bit. He was staring at the door with his paint brush dripping globules of paint.
Phoebe had understood why he was staring like that and quickly apologized before running to inform him that Umbra has sent in a positive reply.
“I guess he knew it was a rare opportunity after all. I can’t wait to see the face behind such a masterpiece” He grinned
“Make sure he’s the highlight of the exhibition and pour more attention into him. I just can feel some special energy between us. It’s like a stroke that is familiar” he instructed and Phoebe assured him that she will do as he had said.
***
Amber finished for the night at the office and clocked out late thanks to the pouring orders after the visit of Harvey L. She went to the restroom to relieve herself and was washing her hands when the memories of what happened the previous day came back to her.
She stared at herself in the mirror and wondered what went wrong between the both of them. She is obviously busier than him but she still made sure not to neglect him no matter what. She would sacrifice her weekends just to be at his side and catch up for the ones they couldn’t do during the week. She never suspected him or raised any issues with him, she was honest in her feelings and perfect in all ways but he still went ahead to cheat on her.
She would have not been that pained if it was a random person or stranger but it was with her roommate! How could he do something as hellish as that to her? How can he even think of laughing with her in his arms while he was busy smashing her roommate? She felt like a fool for the times they would hang out together and she would believe that nothing was wrong, she was so ignorant that she couldn’t see the signs they had been giving.
They had gone out to watch the newest movie released at the theater and Emily went to the rest room. In a minute’s time, he also stood up and went to the rest room. She was so into the movie that she didn’t realize that both of them were taking too long in the rest room. When Emily came, her two top buttons were undone and Eddy’s lip was kind of red. They had made out in the restroom and he had cleaned his mouth but the effect of the lipstick was kind of evident on his lips.
She just wiped the faint smudge from the corner of his lips for him without reading meaning into it, she thought it was from her lips.
The other time she went to the beach with them, she was busy running around to get in line for one of the beach’s mat, she came back to see them split apart all of a sudden. She didn’t know that they had been touching each other below when she was gone.
Different scenarios that she didn’t count then were starting to make sense to her and she could not help but scream subtly. She felt like a clueless fool, an idiot who couldn’t even realize that many things were happening right under her nose.
They had gotten a couple perfume to cover up for their scents should in case it gets on their bodies, they were busy tracking her movements to know if she would come home late or early. She was a pawn on their chess board.
“Trash” she muttered as she wiped her face and hand before leaving the restroom.
She wanted to lodge at a hotel but she kicked against it as she stepped into the hotel.
“Why am I running away? It’s not like I am the offender” she said to herself and walked out.
She took a cab back home and saw that Emily was not around. She cooked some noodles, showered and went to bed immediately, she was tired as hell.
****
Tom drove into the compound late at night after coming from one of the meetings and saw a familiar car in the compound. He went inside and saw Stephanie laughing with his mom as they picked some veggies in the kitchen.
“He’s really running late today, is this how late he works?” Stephanie asked glancing at the time
“He seems to be so busy these days, I always lament about how late he works but he wouldn’t even listen to me” his mother, Anita sighed
“I hope nothing is wrong at work” she also muttered with a sigh and they both turned at the sound of his footstep
“What are you still doing here by this time? Don’t you see it’s late?” he asked and Stephanie burst into a smile
“I was just asking of you and you walked in, is this fate?” she said ignoring his question
“You should go home, it’s late” he said to her and walked off to his room.
He was about closing the room’s door when Stephanie barged in, she retrieved his bag from him and walked to the closet to help him drop it. He stood there looking at her with a confused eyes and she walked back to him with smiles all over her face. She helped him with his suit jacket and was starting to loosen his tie when he slapped her hands away.
“What do you think you are doing right now?” he frowned and she chuckled
“I wanted what it would feel like to welcome you home after a day’s work and it’s amazing, just like I have expected. I came to drop some fresh fruits for your mom, I had picked them up at the mart earlier. I remembered how she loved the peaches I brought the last time so I stopped by to drop some for her. You should also eat out of it, it’s good for your body” she narrated and tapped his chest lightly.
“Don’t you think you are crossing the line? You are making people think otherwise” he argued and she laughed for a bit
“However they are thinking is none of my business. I am getting to know you, what you are like, what you love or dislike from your mom and that’s enough for me. I have to bear that much as I am waiting, but know that I will not wait too much” she responded and worked her hands up his shoulders before wrapping them around his necks
“Women hate it so much when they are left hanging, you should quit the hard to get game” she whispered to his ear and blew a little hot air on it before winking
“Sleep well, like a baby” she added and rubbed her hand around his chest before moving out of the room while he stood there speechless.
She opened the door and saw Anita coming with a tray of fruits to the room.
“You are leaving already? You have been waiting to see him for some hours” Anita exclaimed
“He’s so tired due to the stressful work at the office, I will come around next time” she remarked and started walking towards the door
“That’s a pity but he should have at least kept your company for a bit” Anita muttered and walked her to the door.
“I will come by next time” she said and closed the door behind her.
She had gotten into her car and was about igniting it when she felt a knock on her door, she lowered the tinted glass to see Tom standing there.
“Where do you think you are going to after doing all that?” he blurt out while trying to catch up on his breath.