Chapter Eight

Karen Donna

I walk into the coffee shop with Elizabeth. My eyes scans the place with just a few people. The place is quiet and chilly.

We walk to the booth. Settling down, we look through the menu. I'm shocked at the prices of food and coffee at the place

"I'm not so paying." I say to Elizabeth, my eyes fixate on the menu.

Elizabeth scoffs, shaving the menu out of my hand. I'm paying dummy. And go for the less expensive things or I'll be forced to take some bucks out of your purse.

I roll my eyes, definitely not moved at her empty threat.

Elizabeth beckoned to the waitress. We placed our orders and get into a conversation before our food arrives.

The sweet smell of iced latte fills my nostrils as I sip it.

"So," Elizabeth began staring at me. I watch her mouth move as she chew and swallow the muffin in her mouth. "How did you meet Mr. Logan?"

A smile creeps up my lips just as the thought of Mike. I can never stop loving him, all my life. He's been always for me and my family. I am sure he been sending them money and gift as I'm away. An opportunity to finally help.

Elizabeth clears her throat, "You are smiling already. I see the love there."

I nod, taking another sip of my coffee. "He is perfect."

She rolls her eyes, clearly irritated by how love struck I sound. "Just tell me how you guys meet."

I notice her irritation, but wave it off immediately. "We meet at our favorite cafe back at Oak Hill."

I pause and watch her relax. She's watching me. I continue," we bumped into each other, and I ended up yelling at him. I was seventeen and nonchalant. " I laugh, reminiscing every moment in the past.

"We saw each other often at the Cafe, and in two years, we found ourselves being closer than we expected to be."

"Hold up, so you guys dated from when you were twenty till date?" She asks and I nodded. "Holy shit! That's really long. I can't even date someone for six month."

True, but when your with the right person, you find yourself being falling in love with them everyday of your life.

"How old are you now?"

"Twenty six."

She gasps, holding her chest, dramatically.

"That's wat too long girl, you deserve more coffee."

Let's say Elizabeth and I are getting along slowly. She's fun no doubt. But being in love with my boyfriend was something I can't wrap in my head around.

I look at the time, it almost past lunch time. "We should get going now." I shove the last piece of my muffin in my mouth.

We paid and left.

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I hate to see an angry Peter. He snaps at every little mistake I make. He wouldn't let anyone into his office, and he keeps breaking things.

"It's normal." Alex says.

I nod, gulping. I am scared of seeing that part of Peter everytime.

I turn to Alex who was in his office, that said something to me. He staring at me. "What?"

"I said it's normal for Mr.Wellington's anger. I'm used to it."

He is, but I'm not, I can never be used to someone who breaks stuffs when he's mad. Never.

"Okay." I decided to drop the topic.

The rest of the day is quiet as graveyard. We had few meetings that I had to cancel because my boss was trying to cool off. He only attended one meeting, and it was the one he worked hard for.

I pack my bag, ready to leave when a call comes into my phone. Ralph names flashes on the screen.

"Hello?"

"Hey sis," he calls. His voice Is unusually down. Ralph is the happy type. You will hardly see him sad. Even though he is hurting, he tries to cover it up with his signature smile.

"What's wrong Ralph?" I swear I hear sniffling, his he crying? Curiosity get the best of me.

"I am sorry Karen, I tried to talk to her."

My heart skips, I dumped my bag on the floor in fear. Fear grips me as I think of the worst that is about to happen.

"Tried to talk to who Ralph? Talk to me!" I am going insane. My head is spinning, what might have gone wrong?

I heard shuffling, then hushed tones before someone else spoke up. It's Mike. A part of me is happy he's there, while a part of me is troubled.

"Thank goodness, what's wrong, is mum okay? Did something happen?" 

"Chill Karen, just take a breath. You will be fine."

I take in few deep breath, but my lungs feel tight that it can't take in enough air.

"Come on, tell me." I cried. Is Jane okay?

"Your mum slumped."

I choked on air.

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My head is spinning. My legs are shaking. I am on the bathroom floor, crying my eyes out already. 

Coming over to New York isn't the solution. I feel bad for leaving my family back at Oak Hill, alone. 

The tears streams down my face, soiling it. I'm broken.

I dial Jane number for the last time, and she didn't pick up like the others. I resume crying again. I'd loose my mind if they continue ignoring me.

Elizabeth walks into the bathroom. I jerk up immediately and runs to her. She flinchs, taking aback of how I rushed to her.

"Jeez Karen. Get off me!" She shoves me away.

"Please lizzy, I need your phone." I say in a rush. 

She blinks, "my phone? And why the hell are you crying?"

I am not ready to answer any question. I only want to know how mum is doing.

"My mum is dying, I need your help." I cry.

Pity flashes in her eyes as she watches me. Quickly, she hands her phone over to me. With shaky hands, I type in Ralph number. I knew he'd always talk to me no matter what. He picks up immediately.

"Ralph, it's Karen." I hear him breath a sigh of relief. 

"Mum is fine. Well that's what the doctor said. Mike and Jane don't want me to tell you a thing."

"Why?" I ask in disbelief.

"Jane asked him not to, and he agreed without hesitation." That sends a weird feeling to my mind. They are close but not Mike having to listen to her to ignore me. Everything smells weird and it really is disturbing.

"Are you okay Karen?"

I gulp. "Yes."

He sighs. "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on mum."

"Thanks Ralph." I stops, then stare at Elizabeth who is looking at me. "Can you do me a favour?"

"Sure, what's it."

"Can you keep an eye on Jane and Austin."

"Karen-" he tries to protest. 

"Please Ralph." I beg.

"Okay, I will."

   

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"You think he's cheating on you with your bestfriend?" Elizabeth questions, pouring herself some apple juice from my fridge.

I look outside, the sky is pitch black. The moon already surfacing, brightening the city.

"I'm not sure. I hate this feeling." I pause my lips and look up at Elizabeth who is sipping her juice. 

"I know Mr Mike logan to be a big flirt. I'm not tryna get you two to break up, but you really should watch him closely. He flirts with me too."

My heart squeezed. Did it mean he has been cheating on me like forever?

"I don't know honey, but you just have to keep calm and watch him closely. I'll help you."

"How?" My lips say for me.

"I don't know, but if there's a way, I'll do anything. Never cry for a man, besides we ain't sure if he's cheating." I nod, lowering my eyes to the floor.

She places her hand on my shoulder, squeezing it slowly. "What you should be bothered about now is your mum, not Mr Mike Logan or Jane."

She's right. My family before them. 

I watch her stand up, fixing her skirt, ready to leave. "I know I did not give you a good first impression, but I hope this covers for the first time."

A smile cracks on my lips. She totally made up for the first time. "Thanks Lizzy. I don't know how I'd repay you."

A huge smirk lingers at the corner of her lips. 

"A coffee date with you is a big way to repay me."

"Deal, but you're paying."

Her smile is replaced with a frown. "B.itch."

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