Episode 9-Duped

“Are you sure you’re gonna be okay?” Daisy Cabello, Andrea’s long-time friend questioned over the phone with a concerned tone after Andrea narrated her ordeal to her.

“I think so, I already took the day off, so…I’ll be using this time to rest” Andrea replied in a tired voice while she trailed down to the parking lot where she had her ash CUV parked. As much as she would like to focus on preparing for their upcoming show at that moment, she just wasn’t in a proper mental state to go through with it.

“Yeah, you should take a rest today. You’ve gone through a lot, I can’t imagine going through that really, I’ll probably be in jail right now because I’d have killed that son of a bitch, I must have been blind to think he was someone decent” Daisy gritted harshly over the phone, it was evident she was upset. Andrea chuckled and pressed down on her car button as she approached her car in her business casual attire and her mini bag, her peep-toe heels clicking as she approached her car.

“Yeah thanks, so, how is it going over there?” Andrea asked. Daisy Cabello is Andrea’s childhood friend, being together since middle school and seeing each other through high school and college though she’s two years older than Andrea. Just like Andrea was her bridesmaid during her marriage to that Doctor she was dating, she had wished it’ll be the same for her, but unfortunately, her wedding has been cancelled, well…Daisy didn’t mind, she knew whenever and wherever it's her turn she will be at her beck and call, for that reason Andrea was glad.

“Oh yeah, it’s not bad. Peter’s just being a little difficult” Daisy sighed over the phone. She was her brand show co-ordinator as well as manager. Because of her brilliant social skills, stuff like hiring models and recruiting photographers was left to her and this time, she had to go all the way to France to recruit a French rising photographer for their upcoming fashion show. It seems collaborating with this rising star would take more effort than expected.

“Does he not like our conditions?” Andrea asked pausing for a minute since being unable to collaborate with Peter Dumont might delay their schedule and tumble their plans.

“Yeah…but you don’t have to worry, he said he’ll get back to me in two days-

“If he doesn’t like our proposed conditions, have him state his. If it’s complaisant, we will agree to it but if it’s not, we’ll negotiate it and if he won’t agree, then we’ll have to start looking for a replacement, we can’t waste any more time. The show’s in a week and a few days, we’re tight on schedule Daisy-

“I know, I know. I’ll try harder and contact you on the details once he’s done making his decision” Daisy promised before they both ended the calls with a reciprocated goodbye after which Andrea resumed walking towards her car.

“Andrea” The voice of the last person she wanted to see boomed in the silent underground parking lot as she got closer to her car. Not wanting to respond to his call, Andrea slipped straight into her car and started the engine almost immediately, throwing her mini bag right into the passenger seat before Danny could get close. “Andrea” His persistent call never ceased as she drove out of the car garage without a second thought while looking at Danny’s fading figure through her car side mirror.

She sniffled, her eyes clouded with tears she was struggling to hold back as Danny threw his hands in the air in utter frustration. Andrea felt she’d had enough but she couldn’t stop herself from thinking about him till she arrived back at her apartment.

Dumping her bag on the side sofa, she collapsed on the longest sofa in her dark room as she felt rather lazy to turn the lights back on though she just walked past it since it was at the entrance. The darkness doesn’t scare her like her emotions, the silence doesn’t baffle her like Danny that continues to invade her mind and probe her tears while her heart throbbed painfully in her chest.

She’d always thought he was genuine with her despite his flaws and imperfection. She never had a reason to judge his smile or question his affections which appears to be overflowing for her. She must have been stupid to mistake his patience for love, those times she’d cross the line with him and he’ll shrug like he forgive her, pull her close and tell her he loves her, was she a fool to believe it all? Andrea sank in the loneliness and the darkness claimed her consciousness, while her mind drifted so did her consciousness before she gave in to the emptiness and eventually fall asleep. It wasn’t even evening yet when she slept and yet she woke up the second day.

“Didn’t think I was that tired” Andrea mumbled as she rose from her sofa, straightening her strained neck since she had slept in a rather uncomfortable position. She didn’t feel like going to work the second day so she had coffee and left for grocery shopping. Her day was at first, uneventful, but towards evening she decided to work from home. Video calling her design team who were all so worried about her since she didn’t show up for work.

Assuring them she was alright she got into selecting their main item for the show, as well as the colour that would go best. Andrea fall asleep working after instructing her team what to do, and then she woke up to a call from her dad’s housekeeper Uncle Martin.

“Hello,” She said into the phone she managed to put to her ear as she lazily lifted her head from the scattered design template and drafted patterns on her table which few stick to her chin and had to be pulled away.

“Miss, I’m sorry to tell you but your grandfather collapsed” Her eyes grow wide as she was instantly drawn out of her dazed state.

“What?” Andrea rose to her feet in her hoodie and slackers grabbing her car keys as she rushed out of her house.

“His blood pressure rose beyond normal” Martin’s tired voice scared her even more. Her thoughts grow muddled since she was sure her father had always kept his blood pressure under control and never once joke with his earth. She never had to worry since he was earnest and diligent with his meds schedule after all, he told her he intended to stay hale and healthy until he’s gotten a grandchild. Why would he suddenly collapse now she wondered, her heart racing as she rushed down to her car and straight for the hospital as fast as she can. Even when she asked Martin, he only insisted she comes in person.

“Martin” Andrea rushed to the over 50-year-old bald man standing in front of the VIP hospital room she guessed her grandfather had occupied.

“What happened?” Andrea was panting as she pulled herself to a stop in front of the hospital room.

“The president fainted after receiving a call from the bank,” Martin’s croaky voice was laced with remorse and his sympathy was evident in his feature. “Apparently, 700 million was pulled out of the company’s account, claiming to be the show funding, all in cash and the bank approved of the withdrawal before they called your grandfather but the president never approved of that money but-” Andrea fell to her knees.

“Danny…it’s Danny isn’t it?” Andrea was shaking after hearing the news. Her brain was a mess, the fatigue of having to race to the hospital in a hurry piled with her mental exhaustion nauseating her.

“I’m sorry Rea, we’ve already reported this to the police and they’ve started looking for him, I’m sure they’ll catch him soon” Andrea was no longer listening. She couldn’t stop calculating, where Danny could have gone.

“I have to find him” Andrea muttered to herself before turning rising to her heavy feet that were weighing her down. It was all her fault, she should have never agreed to promote Danny to the financial team manager, how is she supposed to solve this?

“I’m sure it’s gonna be alright, I just have to find Danny” Andrea mumbled. Hastening out of the hospital just as fast as she rushed in. She drove to Danny’s apartment and though it was locked she felt grateful for once that she had his passcode even though she hardly visit him. Judging from his empty closet and empty rooms, she was sure she’d fled and then she started to regret not knowing much about him, not even his family home that was in Ohio. She felt stupid she could only look for him in three places and she wasn’t there, not even his best friend Brian knew where he was.

“Miss Morgan, don’t worry too much, we promise to bring him back and get back every penny he took” Those were the police promises after having her told them everything she ever knew about Danny, their relationship and his relationship, at least the one which she was aware of.

Andrea didn’t have the energy to drive back home after visiting the police, feeling drained, empty, confused and dejected Andrea dragged her weak body back home. Walking the rain that looms above her. Not minding the shrilling cold as she took sluggish steps back home. She wished the rain could wash away the disappointment and betrayal she felt but it only made her heart as heavy as her drenched clothes and how she wish the clattering sounds could drown the noise of her wailing heart.

Andrea halted in her steps on meeting Oliver in front of her apartment door waiting for her, her purple set pajamas were just as wet as her hoodie and slackers and those home slippers he had on brought her attention to hers as well, she’d forgotten to change while rushing out in the evening.

“Andrea” He called gently, her voice laced with worry and concern but Andrea just stood, staring at him with a blank expression on her face as the voice in her head kept whispering for her to die, after all, feeling like she’d reached her limit.

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