Chapter Eleven

Karen Donna

Having my boss trust me enough to tell me his personal issues makes my heart leap with joy. 

He's being buying me coffee every morning and a bag of chips is always on my desk every morning.

I take it as a kind gesture, but some people like Elizabeth and Alex don't believe shit like that. They're thinking Peter has a thing for me. Gross.

"You broke up with Mr Logan yet?" Elizabeth raises her brow at me as she applies another layer of red lipstick on her lips. I stare at her from the mirror as I wash my clammy hands inside the washbasin.

"What do you mean?" I ask. 

She turns to me, fixing her skirt. Her face is filled with extra makeup. "Isn't it obvious he's cheating."

I sigh, cleaning my hands with a towel, my eyes dart to the mirror. I see my reflection. I'm looking more skinny than the last time. 

"I don't know Liz, I think Ralph got the wrong idea about them going out," I say, trying to convince myself that nothing is going on between Mike and Jane.

"You're crazy," she spat out turning back to the mirror and applying blush on her cheeks. "The red flag is already showing girl."

"I think I should ask him." I reach for my phone in my pocket, but it's snatched out of my hand immediately. 

Elizabeth shakes her head, truly she's mad at me but I don't budge. Asking him is easy. 

"And you think asking him if he's cheating on you is a good idea?"

I nod. "He never lies to me."

She rolls her eyes, letting out a frustrated breath. "I know you're stupid in love, but you don't have to act like a crazy pregnant lady who got dumped by her man." She moved closer to me, her fingers wrapped around my phone tightly. "I have to be straight with you, don't fucking call him! He will lie to you." She spat out, ignoring how I'd feel about her words. 

"I'm not trying to hurt you, or separate you from your boyfriend, but think about this. Why do you think Mr Logan sent you this far away. I mean, he has a lot of relatives around Oak Hill, but he decided to bring you this far. It's like a two hours flight, and a seven hours distance by road from New York to Oak Hill. Think about why he sent you this far, far away from him."

I blink in surprise. Why haven't I thought of it yet? Is Elizabeth playing with my fucking mind?

Tears is stinging my eyes, but I blink them back. Everything is becoming clearer now. He sends me far away from him so he can screw my bestfriend without me being the obstacle. 

I trusted him, I trusted Jane. I trusted the both of them.

"Chill. You just have to get it off your mind. I'm sure he'll come around."

With that, Elizabeth walks out of the toilet and back into the office. I'm left alone to ponder over her heartbreaking words. 

My boss and I have some meeting with the board of directors, and few people who want to merge. 

I pack up, ready to leave. Although, I haven't been in my right state of mind, I didn't let my relationship get in the way. I make sure to do my work properly. Peter is back to his old self, and I distance myself from him.

"You look upset." Alex says, placing his bag on my desk. I ignore him and continue packing up. "Jeez, did anyone provoke you?"

"No, Alex, I just want to be alone." I almost snap at him. He knows best to leave than bother me. I'd apologize tomorrow for being rude, but I just want to be alone. 

I perceive a really delicious aroma coming from my kitchen as enter inside. Voices are heard in my kitchen. I almost crawl out of my skin. Is there a possibility someone broke into my house. 

I use my eyes to search for any weapons, but finds none. I guess I'll use my hands to strangle whosever is in my kitchen.

"Oh, you're here." A voice says behind me. I jump up in fear, squeaking in the process. 

Annie?

I hold my chest, trying to calm my rage breathing down. "You scared me." I say, a smile forming on my lips.

She pulls me into a bone crushing hug. "I'm so sorry, we wanted to surprise you."

We?

I let out a chuckle. "You did, but in a scary way." She laughs, and releases me from her tight grip.

"I'm sure you're hungry,go shower and my cousin will serve you dinner."

I nod, a bit happy someone cares about me to the extent of making dinner for me.

By the time I go back to the kitchen, food is already placed on the table. 

"Hi, I'm Sapphire. I've always wanted to meet you." She pulls me into a hug before I can speak. I don't even know her. 

"I'm Karen," I smile at her. 

She smiles shyly. "I know. I'm Mike baby sister. He's said a lot about you." 

Ohh, Sapphire, his baby sister he talks non stop about. I've never met Mike's family throughout the six years we dated. I've always been too busy to visit New York, and they are too busy to come over to Oak Hill. 

I would have been so excited to see her if Mikeand I were still as cool like we've been.

A hand pulls me to sit on the dinning table and I stare at the dishes, silently praying Annie didn't cook any of it.

"I'm a chef." Sapphire starts. "I just joined Annie, and my parents are being supportive."

I nod, not feeling too comfortable about the discussion. I chew on the carrot and swallow them. "That's great." I manage to say, not trying to make it look awkward.

"It's so nice meeting you Karen, mum can't wait to see you at our family dinner on Sunday." 

"Family dinner?" I ask, taking off guard by her words.

Annie and Sapphire nods, grinning from ear to ear.

"Peter didn't tell you?" Annie asks, shoving a spoonful of food into her mouth.

"No," I shook my head.

"It better I tell you now. Everyone wants to meet you at the family dinner on Sunday. We always do it together."

Mike said so few years ago. He always went down to New York every weekend from Oak Hill for their family dinner, except he's busy then he'd stay back.

"I'll have to ask Mike if he'll tag along." I say. They nod, and resume talking to themselves while I ate my dinner.

I am stressed and want to go sleep, but Sapphire and Annie wouldn't let me. I didn't notice how tired I was. I am upset but don't want to yell at them. 

"What movie do you want to watch?" Sapphire asks, placing her laptop in front of us.

I yawn loudly, making sure they notice how tired I am. "I'm really tired and still have a lot of work to do."

"Don't worry about that, I'll have Peter excuse you tomorrow."

I shook my head. They can't just show up at my house and tell me how to live my life. Isn't it obvious to them that I want to be alone?

"We have a big deal tomorrow. I have paperwork's that is due for submission tomorrow."

"Don't worry Karen, we got you."

I stand up, ignoring their calls. I enter my room and lock myself up. They can go fuck themselves, I need enough rest. My relationship with Mike is crashing to the ground, I don't have the time to play around some girls who have their life planned out already.

I'm just a girl who wants a better life for herself and her family, not a girl who plays around with rich kids who have everything.

I like their personalities, I like that they are trying to get close to me and not make me feel lonely, but there is a point in life where someone wants to stay alone. 

I pick up my phone and log into my I*******m. A lot of message and mentions continues chiming into my phone.

I tap on the message icon and sees message from different people, but one catches my attention. 

A verified account is in my DM. I read the name. 

PeterWellington_

I gasp in surprise. He sent me a message, and is active. 

Why will my boss ever think to message me on my I*******m, and how did he get my handle.

I tap on his message, after contemplating if I should. He means no harm.

___________________________________

PeterWellington_ 

I never knew you're on I*******m. I'm definitely not stalking you.

____________________________________

The message had been sent three weeks ago. This is the first time in three weeks I managed to go to my I*******m.

I decide to type in a reply.

__________________________________

Kar_en

I'm not much of a social media person.

________________________________

I see him typing and decide to go offline.

My phone dings, and I go for it. It's a different message from an unknown contact. I tap on it. 

I almost drop my phone on the floor just staring at the picture staring back at me on my phone.

My hands are shaking. I can't help but cry.

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