Something In Between Love

CHAPTER 1  

I navigated my way through the crowded sidewalk, the sweet scent of food emitting from the food trucks by the side of the street floated through my nostrils, a ghost of breeze blew through my dark brown shoulder-length hair as I sprinted, the slit on my dress spread, revealing my caramel thigh as I rush through the crowd, I stumbled slightly when my stilettos painfully pinched my feet.

Tears marred my vision, and my breath caught in my throat when the painful memory flashed before my eyes. 

I couldn't believe Felix Jones had finally shown himself to me. But why now? after 2 years of going AWOL? I didn't care to know now, the urge to slap him hard across the face was stronger than anything I had ever felt. 

My relationship with Felix Jones was nothing peculiar. He showered me with sweet words dripping like honey and clinging to me every second and when I shared my dreams of building a home he proposed to me right there and I thought this could finally be it. The dream of having my own family. 

Only to wake up the next day and find out everything from my account had been cleared out, and some things in the house had been taken. I couldn't believe it until I saw a scrawl on a dirty piece of paper on the table that read; "All is fair in love and war" he had always liked that phrase. 

He ran off with what I had toiled for my whole life, everything went down the drain. 

I desperately searched online and every source of communication I could use yet it was like he had disappeared from the face of the earth. 

When I finally found his vacated rented apartment I found out he was married. He has a wife I never knew existed. 

Only then did I concede with my Mother's words, that men were indeed nothing but trouble.  

My parents didn't have a happy marriage, they were cordial enough to live under the same roof. 

When my Dad died my Mom got fired from her job and we slowly slipped into poverty, she became a shadow of herself. 

I stopped school and decided to roll up my sleeves, wait tables, and take on part-time jobs to provide for the family. 

Mom hardly spoke, when she did, she would only murmur how love was never enough and how it brought nothing but trouble.

One day, with cold eyes, my Mom announced her plans of getting married to a professor in Canada. I was enraged, with tears shining in my eyes I said;

"I don't support this, I won't allow you to do this." 

"Am not seeking your permission Em, and there's no need for you girls to come, you're a woman now, stay and take care of your sister. Make sure you marry a wealthy man someday and live well." With those spoken words, she departed. 

Once in a while, she would send gifts, which I refused to accept time and time again. Then they stopped coming altogether, five years now and not a word from her, all I knew was that my Mom now sired two daughters. 

The ringing of my phone drew me out of my reverie. I peered down at the screen, and Beth's name flashed on the screen. 

I ignored it and crossed the busy street, causing a slight havoc. 

I finally stood at the other side and my eyes searched for the silver car, but it was nowhere in sight. 

My phone rang again, I knew my persistent friend wouldn't stop calling if I didn't answer.

"Why in the world did you run out like that?!"

"Richie found him Beth," my voice trembled. 

"Found who?"

"Felix, b-but he's gone– he's gone again, how will I find that bastard again…"

"Wait, wait, wait. Don't tell me–But how, why now?"

"I have to go after him, Beth."

"What? No, snap out of it Em, at least not now, he's not worth losing your job over. The boss will go ballistic if you're not here. Now compose yourself and get your ass here!'' and the line went dead. 

I slowly dropped the phone from my ear and crouched down. I struggled to keep the sob that threatened to break out of my throat. How dare fate bring Felix Jones back into my life again and demand me to endure it.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

I hurried into the building, where Robert Crest, the founder of Sunshine Publishing's retirement party was being held. I pulled my shoulders back and entered the beautifully decorated hall, the scent of delicious food and cuisines wafted through my nostrils as I delved deeper into the magnificent bright room, the room was flooded with high-class, pretentious sophisticated guests, clad in formal attire, mostly colored black or gray. 

The men mingled with the willing but snobbish ladies who blushed and suggestively and playfully slapped the shoulders of the men. 

I rolled my eyes and navigated further to my colleagues standing beside one of the long tables, they were all looking grim for a reason I already guessed. 

I approached them and Beth's expression relaxed when she saw me.

"How could you run out like that?" Beth whispered, almost too loudly to be identified as a whisper. 

"What did I miss?" I tried to sound nonchalant when I already felt like throwing up in fear. I dreaded what would become of me when Sebastian arrived and surveyed the event. 

"How could you be so irresponsible, we were in the middle of greeting the guests!" Danny– my colleague, gritted out with malice. 

"I'm sure you handled them well Danny," I said swiftly, ignoring his jab. I had gotten accustomed to his maliciousness towards me, after all, I was here for a reason, which was to save up to buy a house, pay my sister's tuition for this year, and resign. 

Therefore any nasty comment directed at me I smiled through it with gritted teeth. 

"Danny…" 

Beth started to speak but I stopped her with a gentle hand on her shoulder. 

Beth has always been one to never let things go.

"You should have let me pull his tongue out."

"Not worth it," 

She rolled her eyes and sighed nervously. 

"Well, I hope the Stallion approves of the work we've done. We've been planning this event for days, sleepless nights included," Beth murmured as she chewed her nails, a habit she displayed at every anxious thought. 

I held her hand and gave it a squeeze with an encouraging smile. 

"He will. Just wait and see." 

"How are you so calm?" Beth asked and observed me with a suspicious frown. 

I shrugged at the question. 

Beth scoffed, "He has never given as much of an approval nod to anything we've worked on so far. Let's see…" She held up her hand and counted her fingers.

"He flipped once in the presence of investors and called you mean, nasty names which caused you to bawl uncontrollably in their presence, and once he asked you to make coffee for the whole board room. Then he asked us to throw out the event's cake because the nutmeg made him nauseous. We had to get another cake which took an entire night, need I go on?" Beth asked with a raised brow. 

I sighed nervously, her words starting to get to me. I truly hoped this time would be different. 

Over the years I have come to seek his approval. 

"Did you check to see if Sophia's dress was delivered okay?" I asked Beth. 

"Delivered two hours ago," 

"What about Mr. Rob? The maroon tie?"

"Done!" 

"Mrs. Crest…"

"Also taken care of, my goodness! You might as well be working for the whole Crest enterprise,"  Beth teased and  I rolled my eyes. 

"You know it's my job." 

"That's true."  

Abruptly, I had a shiver down my spine and a burning sensation in the pit of my stomach. He took great pride in the fact that his commanding presence called attention to him. 

"Asher,

where were you?" with his thunderous voice my heart missed a beat.