Chapter 2- Out of sight, out of mind

                                Remy

The first person I told about the break up was Aliyah. She was the only other friend I had managed to make. I met her on the first day of college and we immediately clicked.

It came as quite a shock when I broke the news to her over the phone, amidst sobs. 

“Slow down babe, it’s difficult to hear when you’re talking and crying at the same time.” she complained gently.

“Just come over when you have the chance, I feel like shit.” I hung up before she could reply and continued to wallow in my pain.

It took three hours for her to get to my place since we didn’t stay close to each other.

As soon as I opened the door, Aliyah’s bright smile vanished immediately she saw the state I was in. I must have looked pathetically miserable.

I hadn’t showered since the day after the breakup. The same grey sweat pants and black polo clung to me.

My platinum blonde mop of hair–dirty and greasy, was tied in a very messy bun, and I had a blanket draped over my shoulder as if I had the flu. 

She followed me inside and nearly screamed at the sight of the place. It was a disaster.

There were piles of dirty dishes on the kitchen sink. Used up tissues on the floor and empty take out boxes beside them.

“Remy, what the hell happened here?” she inquired, setting down her bag on the only couch that wasn’t occupied. She decided to pack a few clothes so she could stay with me for a little while.

“Life”. I responded, giving her a weak smile as I flopped down back in my former position.

“Nah ah, this isn’t life. What the hell did August do to you?”

Hearing his name made me wince in pain. It still stung like salt on an open wound.

Without another word, Aliyah quickly got to work. She disposed of the contents on the floor into a trash bag then moved to the dishes.

Within minutes she was in front of me with my favorite flavor of ice cream in one hand and a spoon in the other.

“Lick and talk.” She ordered.

I obeyed.

We spent the next couple of hours cussing at men. At how incompetent they were. August in particular.

She couldn’t believe he dumped me so suddenly, if anything she thought I was going to be the one to end it. He was the golden retriever in the relationship after all.

Aliyah was the type of person you needed when you had a crisis–calm, funny, bluntly honest and knew just the right things to say. 

We went through my phone and she made me delete all pictures and videos I had of August. 

“Out of sight, out of mind.” She explained.

That was almost two months ago. Two months since I last saw him,  since I last heard his voice,  since he broke my heart.

It took me longer than I expected to get over August and I hated myself for that.

After staying with me for a few more days, Aliyah had to return back home because she had some work to attend to. 

I was sad to see her go, somehow I wasn’t a hundred percent sure I could function on my own.

Still, she had a life to get back to and I had to face mine head on. 

Everyday, I catch myself staring at my phone to see if I’ll get a text or call from him, everyday I get disappointed. It was like he disappeared from my life totally, like he was just a figment of my imagination.

Then one Saturday morning, bored and restless, I decided to do something I knew Aliyah wouldn’t be proud of. I decided to go to August's house and confront him.

I knew his routine, so I knew that at exactly 9, he was going to be on his way to his photography studio downtown.

My plan was to drive over to his house before 9, go straight to his room and break down the door if need be.

I made sure to take extra care of my look. I slipped on the tightest bow cut jeans I owned- one that accentuated my figure nicely, a black tank top that exposed a little cleavage and my ankle boot.

I left my blonde hair loose so it flowed down my back to my waist. August had always loved red lipstick on me, so I made sure to apply a generous amount.

After nodding at my reflection in the mirror with satisfaction, I grabbed my purse, phone and car keys that were on the kitchen counter.

I got into my silver SUV- a gift that was given to me by August after my graduation, and turned it on.

The engine revved at my first attempt, the car momentarily turned on then off.

I swore under my breath as I gripped the steering wheel. This wasn’t the time for this, I had a mission to get to and I had zero patience.

The engine jerked up as I tried it the second time, leaving a fulfilled grin on my face. I drove in silence all the way there, thinking about what my first words would be.

I’d been to the Wilmers mansion more than a thousand times. It’s always been my second home.

As I drove through the familiar driveway leading to the main entrance, I took in how serene the environment looked, I could never get enough of it.

The grand fountain shimmered in front of the estate, surrounded by a lush garden full of blooms. 

Memories of my childhood were in that garden, including my first kiss with August. 

Tuning out the memories, I parked my car in the garage, took a deep breath and got out.

As I walked to the front of the door to ring the bell, I was stopped by a voice.

“Hey, Remy. What’s up?”

I turned around and saw Cory Wilmer, August’s step brother. 

He had on a black singlet and track pants with running shoes. 

His muscular body glistered with sweat showing evidence he had just returned from a run. His brown hair was tousled falling over his forehead.

“Hey,” I said. “I’m good. You?”

“ Can’t complain. You look nice, are you heading somewhere?”

I blinked, suddenly aware of how I was dressed. 

“Thanks, I’m actually here to…”

Cory’s phone rang, saving me an explanation. 

He motioned for me to come inside while answering the call.

The house looked exactly the same. Grand, spotless and intimidating.

The first thing that gets your attention when you walk inside is the huge chandelier that hangs under a grand white piano.

It’s in the middle of two sweeping staircases. One of those led to August’s room.

I followed Cory quietly into the kitchen and took a seat 

in the lined up chair opposite the long kitchen aisle.

I was too busy with my phone to realize Cory had finished with his phone call

Now in front of me, he held up a bottle of chilled water and raised his eyebrow, asking if I needed one.

I nodded and took it, offering a smile. After taking a slight sip, I covered it up and set it down.

“So,” I said carefully. “I’m assuming you’ve heard?”

“Heard what?” he asked, taking a seat opposite me as he chugged on his water.

Was he really going to pretend like he didn’t know? I knew that Cory had somehow heard about the breakup, he was just acting dumb.

I frowned. “About August and me.” I couldn’t even complete my sentence. It was still hard to accept.

“Oh, that? Yeah, we heard.”

“We?” I asked, confused. 

“Yeah everybody knows he broke up with you and left for Germany” he said, taking another gulp of his water.

Wait what? I’m sure I heard wrong.

I froze. “What?”

“Yeah, the whole office has been talking about it since it happened, that’s why no one actually questioned your leave. They know about the situation.”

If the whole office knew about the breakup it’s really none of my business. That wasn’t my problem. My problem was what I just heard.

“What do you mean Germany?” I asked, feeling uneasy in the chair.

“You didn’t know? August travelled to Germany about  two months ago.”