Chapter 2 – Drunk and lonely.

“Don’t worry Fiona, Clover explained the circumstances.” Gian says, “only a few people left until the meeting starts, you may have your seat.”

I behaved the best I could, as I walked to my seat, Carl’s ridiculous bruised face is hilarious, his swollen lip makes him look so funny. He is boiling with anger as he watches me seat, and I am the happiest I have ever been.

I start to have my notebook and pen ready to write the minutes of the meeting when Gian asks, “what happened to Mr. Coon?” but luckily, I catch myself before laughing aloud.

“He got attacked by some thugs last night.” Heath answers, I cannot help but grin at the way he is trying to cover up he was beaten up by a girl, no pressing charges then.

“Oh… how unfortunate, at least he came out alive,” I said, “by the look of injuries he could have died.” I continue to mock the angry Carl.

“Oh… aren’t you worried about your boyfriend?” Gian whispers to me, which I respond, “we broke up long ago.”

“I am lucky to be alive that… those hooligans should be in jail.” Carl says glaring at me, I cannot help but laugh at his face which comes out this time earning side eyes from both my boss and Heath.

“Oh... sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh, he just looks like a disfigured cow when he speaks.” I let out my terrible joke, which Gian glared at me disappointed.

“Miss Lennon?” Heath glares at me, “do not speak of my assistant like that.

“Oh... sorry, I didn’t mean to mock Mr. Coon, I apologize.” I say, watching Carl happy because Heath defends him, maybe it is Heath he is in love with, hm… this is a new discovery.

We are interrupted by the other presidents who join the room and the meeting commence and I begin to take minute to the meeting.

“Thank you for coming Mr. Duncan and thank you for investing in this project I promise you will not regret it.”

Gian chimes as he bid goodbyes to other president who had come to the meeting, it was enormous success, with the help of Mr. Duncan’s huge yacht company we will be able to modify our trading relationships.

They say their goodbyes before we ourselves get on with our respective work. I make sure I catch up with all the work I have missed getting off that jailcell stench.

“Miss Lennon, you need a lift home?” my boss asks, since I usually let Clover drive to work, he always drives me back, so his wife does not have to, pure gold of a husband this one.

“Yes, let me get my things ready.”

After a long ride, my lonely apartment stares with its gory eyes, 26 years rotating around the sun, spent nine of those years dating and get dumped.

 One would think the pain subsides after being dumped for the eighth time because ‘you earn to much that I do, how do you expect me to be a man?’ or the 10^th time because, ‘your friends are just hotter than you, why would I settle?’ I still think it should have ended with my first breakup when the jerk said, ‘you think I liked you and you gave me your virginity? You are such a sl*t.’ he should have landed in the hospital when he told me that.

I change into comfortable clothes and open a bottle of wine, let us drown this pain, “Bottoms up” I chime to my lonely self with my first glass. “Hope my next relationship is my last.”

“Bitch why didn’t you call me?” I heard my other friend and roommate Selby come into the apartment.

“Ugh…. Sorry, did not want to bother you with more troubles,” I say pouring another glass of wine.

“Don’t you have work tomorrow?” she asks as she sits with me on the couch bringing a glass of her own.

“I do I am just having a few glasses.” I say sadly, I watch how she pitied me.

“But you should have called so we can beat him up together, remember we got suspended for beating up those bullies if seventh grade.” We both laugh at how crazy we were.

Unlike Clover I had known Selby all my life and I appreciate her so much for walking this thorny path with me.

“To putting bastards in their place” she raises her glass, and we make a toast, well I am to get a boyfriend again and if he is as bad as my previous ones, I am to put him his place, I hope.

“Beep-Beep-Beep-Beep.”

The sound of my alarm woke me the next day both Selby and I slept on the couch, the floor is decorated by about five wine bottles, just a few glasses I said.

“Ugh… Sel wake up we should get ready for work.” I say and hear her groan at my words.

I quickly take a shower so I can at least get rid of the headache, I make sure I am not late again since yesterday I was late for too many hours. But a phone call halts my progress, I think Clover is punishing me for something.

“Are you here yet?” I asked nervously, my shirt still unbuttoned and my hair still all over the place, I had not even worn pants yet. She better not have arrived.

“Oh... hey love” her tone immediately tells me what I need to know, she is not here.

“You should have told me sooner that you were not coming Clover,” I grumble before she could even tell me she is not here. I let out a sigh of relief, at least I will not get scolded.

“Sorry love, I was rushed to the hospital last night and I didn’t get a chance to call you, but I got a replacement to come and get you.” She speaks.

“Oh my god, are you okay? Should I come to the hospital? Oh lord did something bad happen, no need to send Gian he needs to be with you all day.” I say in panic completely abandoning getting ready for work.

“It is nothing bad, just come by my house after work or during lunch you will like it, by the way Gian is staying with me, I have sent someone else.” She pauses for a while, “um…”

“What is it, Clover? Is something wrong?” I ask worried because of the long pause, but I hear a knock on the door, and I assume it must be the girl Clover sent, “wait let me call you back I think your driver you sent is here.”

I rushed to the door completely forgetting one thing, I was still in my bra and panties and only had an unbuttoned white shirt on. “Clover must have sent you.” I say as I open the door, but I wish that I had worn pants at least, because there he was, Mr. Heath Theodore Duncan.