CHAPTER 6

Lisa stood at the door, ready to attack whoever was trying to break in. She gripped a six-inch stiletto, its pointed heels raised high in a perfect attack pose.

“What in the world are you doing? Are you trying to kill me?” I asked, still in shock.

She had already swung the heels the moment I opened the door, but it barely missed my face.

“Is that even an ideal weapon if you were really in danger?” My brow furrowed in disbelief.

“Why are you here? She tossed the shoe into a corner. “What happened?” She asked again, following me inside.

“What do you mean, ‘Why am I here’?” I shot back. “Am I not allowed in my own house?”

“Don't act so cool with me.” She looked serious now. “I wasn't expecting you back tonight. You never said you were coming home. I left you countless messages, every single one of which was read, and none were replied to. So I assumed I was interrupting something… but here you are.”

“What do you mean you weren't expecting me home tonight?”

“Bitch! I swear you didn't think you would either.” She said, laughing so hard.

“And since when do I need to leave a notice before coming back to my own house?”

“You know what I mean.” She sighed. “So spill. What happened? Because I know something definitely went wrong.” She sat beside me.

I took a moment to breathe, and she waited patiently.

“I think I messed up,” I said, feeling the worry settle in.

“With Aldwin?” She asked patiently.

I shook my head, “Ralph.” I said plainly.

“What happened to Ralph?” Her eyes widened in realisation, “Fuck! He was there too. Oh my God.” She rubbed her temples. “ It was a mess indeed.”

“It was,” I admitted. “You know, it's Aldwin… how could I say no?”

“About that…” She said, lowering her eyes at me, with a questioning look.

“He brought me home and…”

“Really? I thought…” She cut in.

“Would you let me finish?”

She gave an assuring nod.

“It's not like I planned to get married tonight. I think it was an accident. I just got unlucky.” I said, sniffing back the tears. “There wasn’t even a ring. I sound crazy, don’t I?”

Lisa shook her head gently, rubbing my shoulder.

“I mean, it was random. Too good to be real.” I sniffed. “But for a brief moment, I wanted it to be real. The look on his face said otherwise, though.” I let out a hollow laugh.

“What am I even thinking? Aldwin Ellison? No way.”

“I get it. It was all for show. Honestly, when you first told me, I doubted it. I thought you had just run into him at the bar and were spinning a story.”

She adjusted on her chair and continued more gently. “But you are not crazy. He's not just any man, and he's the crazy one for asking a total stranger to marry him. He knew exactly what he was doing. With his status, it would be hard for almost any woman to say no.”

“Let it end with the night, though. He mentioned he'd send someone to pick me up tomorrow, but I'm not holding onto that. The whole thing was awkward. He couldn't even hold a simple conversation. Just acting all cold and superior.” I sneered.

“He is superior, though,” Lisa replied in a mocking tone.

We both laughed.

“He smelled like a million dollars,” I added, shaking my head. “Everything about him looked expensive, from head to toe. That commanding aura of his… It’s impossible to ignore.”

“You are drooling, girl.” She laughed.

“I wouldn't have been able to hold onto my dignity if he’d asked to do it in the restroom. Gosh, He's so hot.”

“My friend is done for.” Lisa couldn't hold her laughter.

“So Ralph was there in all of this?”

“Yeah, he was there.”

“And he witnessed all of that, yet remained composed?” she asked, gesturing with her hands.

“He left after that,” I said quietly.

“He must have felt broken, or don't you think so?”

“He'll understand.” I shrugged.

“Stop being selfish for once, you should consider his feelings too.”

“I know. But it's not like we have anything real going on.” I tried to justify my actions.

Lisa shook her head, a displeased pout on her lips, “I need my beauty sleep; it's late already. Goodnight, girl.” She headed to her room.

“Goodnight,” I replied, stepping into mine.

I took out my phone and sent Ralph a casual message, but he didn't respond.

It was past 1 a.m., and I had a morning shift. Expensive wine really does hit differently. I managed to change into my nightwear and dozed off as soon as my head touched the pillow.

***