chapter 2

Renee

They didn't seem to notice me as they were so engrossed in their heated make-out session.

It was like watching real-life pornography. His hand trailed down to her ass, giving it a good squeeze and making her moan out.

Her mouth formed an ohh as his other hand fondled her breast through her dress, his mouth latched on her throat, suckling on it like a Popsicle.

It was as if my legs had a mind of their own. ‘come on Renee, move!’ The little voice in my head kept yelling at me but my legs weren't cooperating.

Tears rolled down my cheek one after the other. I couldn't watch them anymore.

My eyes closed, I inhaled a deep breath to calm down, and willed my tears back in. I wiped the stain on my cheek.

I will never cry for a man and definitely not one that stoops so low for his secretary. My eyes fluttered open, I could feel the fire blazing in them.

“harrumph.” I cleared my throat to gain their attention, my voice low and raspy.

The sound broke them apart, Monica tried to smoothen her dress but she was doing a bad job at that.

The dress was wrinkled and creased, bearing the testament of what just happened.

“Ohh Renee. We didn't know it was you. Mr. Walker and I were a little bit busy. That's why he didn't return on time with your ice pack.” her swollen lips curled into a mocking grin.

I put on a sweet innocent smile on my face. “Whoops, my bad for busting in on your suck-face session!... In the middle of a party.”

I could feel his eyes burning a hole in my face, compelling me to look at him but my gaze was fixed on Monica.

Because the moment my eyes clash with his, my resolve will come crashing down and the tears I have been holding will bust out.

“Renee, I can explain. It's not what you…” he started explaining but I didn't want to hear anything from him.

My hand raised abruptly, halting him. “Save it. I don't wanna hear it. I should have known coming to your party was a mistake.”

With that, I turned, my heels clicking out a sharp rhythm on the porcelain floor.

“Renee wait…” his voice faded into the air as I fled the scene. Weaving past the confused attendees, I didn't stop until I busted out of the company entrance.

Luckily, there was a yellow cab in the waiting line of the premises, so I hastily boarded the cab. “Go. Go. Go.” I shouted.

I saw Ivor reaching the entrance just as the cab driver zoomed off.

The driver looked through the rearview mirror. “Where to? Ma'am.”

I gave him the address and nestled into the soft leather seat. My mind chastises me for running away.

Well, what should I have done? Wait for the next humiliation?

Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes, my heart clenched, overwhelmed by a maelstrom of anger, sadness, and frustration swirling inside me.

‘How stupid I was to think he felt something for me? Of course, he is a man. A man with needs but does it have to be with his secretary?’ I muttered, sniffing while wiping my tears with my thumb.

His handsome, flawless face flashed into my mind, as he stood in the kitchen, oblivious to the turmoil he'd unleashed inside me. My anger melted away instantly, leaving me vulnerable to the inescapable truth. ‘I was hopelessly ensnared in a love that defied all conventions, a love for the man I shouldn't desire - my father's best friend.

But if he decides to choose his secretary over me— his goddaughter then so be it.

“Ma'am, we are here.” Came the driver's voice, tugging me out of the haze of my thoughts.

I paid him and walked to my front porch. Unlocking the door, I went straight to my room, collapsing on the bed.

The weight pressing on my heart finally crashed down on me as my dam of restraint broke and tears began flowing, streaming down my face, my body shaking with uncontrollable sobs.

****

Morning sunlight peeked through the window, stirring me from my slumber. My eyelid fluttered open. The bright light almost blinded me.

Sitting up, I stretched my sore muscles, looking down on my dress as confusion etched on my face. ‘Why am I still in this dress?’

Suddenly, a flash of yesterday's event came flooding back, Ivor’s lips on Monica's, his hand sliding down her ass and fondling her breasts, my dramatic exit, leaving my parents at the event.

My parents! With wide eyes, I jumped down from my bed and rushed to their room but they were nowhere to be found. “Mom? Dad?”

I ran downstairs, almost tripping and I heard the clattering of utensils so I walked into the kitchen, the irresistible smell of bacon and freshly brewed coffee greeted me.

My mom was standing in front of the gas. “Mom? Dad?”

They all turned at the same time. The hardened glare that made it to my mom's face tells me I have a lot of explaining to do.

“Young lady, you better have a very good excuse as to why you left the events yesterday.” a stern frown etched on his face.

I shifted uncomfortably, avoiding his gaze. “Uhm. I… I… the…” I couldn't find the right words to explain my actions.

What would I say ‘Sorry Dad. Your hot sexy best friend, who had been keeping me up all night was the reason I left.’

“I am sorry Dad. It won't happen again.” I muttered.

“You are sorry, do you have any idea how worried we were when we couldn't find you?” My mom seethed, her eyes narrowed in disappointment.

“Your godfather was so worried that he sent multiple guards to search for you.” My dad added which came as a surprise.

Oh, hell no. He didn't tell them the truth. This man's got to be kidding me. So he literally pushed me into a trap to save himself?

I can't stay here, I will leave today and erase everything about him, starting with his phone number. If he wants to play dirty then I am down for it.

I tiptoed to my mom's side and hugged her, leaning my head on her shoulder. “I am sorry Mom. I was tired and you guys were nowhere to be found so I left.”

Mom sighed deeply before her head rested on mine. “It's fine, baby. Just notify us next time so we won't be worried.”

“Thank you, mom.”

An hour later we were done with breakfast, “Mom, Dad. I'll be going back to the dorm.”

They both turned around at the same time. Something they have been doing a lot lately. “What?”

“Yes, I have an assignment to turn in tomorrow and I am still behind so I better go back and finish it.” The lie slid through my lips.

“Alright, honey. You better go back on time. Go pack your bags and your dad will drop you off.” My mom said, but I don't want that.

“No, I will be fine alone Mom. Dad can drop me off at the bus station.” It's a three-hour journey to my school and I know dad hates driving so he will be happy with my suggestion.

I went back to my room to arrange my bag, just in time for my phone to ring. I checked and it was the devil himself.

I held the phone till it stopped ringing then I saw the notifications. Twelve messages, ten from him and two from my best friend. Twenty-five missed calls. I didn't bother opening them.

“Honey, are you done?” Dad's head peeks through the door, his body halfway in. Just as I finished packing.

“Yes, Dad.” He came in and took the box from me while I followed behind him.

My phone starts ringing again making me curse out loud. I turned it off all together.

***

The drive to the bus station was a quiet one. Dad booked my ticket and we said goodbye with hugs and kisses.

I board the train before putting on my phone, I start checking the messages one after the other.

Ivor: Renee, your parents are worried. Where are you?

Ivor: answer the phone.

Ivor: answer the goddamn phone, Renee, or else.

I didn't bother checking the rest as my hand hovered on the block button on his contact.