Our plans
1362 Words
Valerie.
“I am your mother, you listen to me!”
Mom pursued me outside while I opened my car door.
“I'll be fine mom.” I sighed.
“Val, where to?”
“Some important shit.” I closed the car door and she banged the window.
“What is wrong with you? Can you not?!”
“Mama, I'm about to start the car.” I warned and then kicked the engines.
“You're sick. You literally just got discharged from a concussion. Oh for God's sake. Val baby. You stubborn thing. Where the hell are you going?”
“I promise this is serious. See you later!”
I twisted the steering wheel and backed out slowly. My mom took steps back and I shifted into drive. Drove straight to TonyTowers, Nathan's workplace.
I didn't have a pre-plan but I just drove there and pulled up at the parking space.
I went into the lobby where I walked to the receptionist.
“Hi.”
“Good morning, do you have an appointment?” She asked.
I took a deep breath. “Yes. Valerie Adams. I'm here for a branding consultation with Mr Nathan. I'm a freelance strategist from setale corp.”
The lie was smooth. And I could get caught….
“I wasn't told of any appointment.”
“It was last minute.”
“Okay. Mr Nathan is up. I'll just follow you up.”
“No! I mean, no. You see. He wouldn't like that.”
She was quiet before she finally spoke. “Fine, you can go. Fifth floor. Second door to your left.”
“Thank you.”
I put on my shades and walked upstairs. Passing through conference rooms, without having an idea of where I was headed to, I stopped. What now? I just barge into some office? Do I confront him or smash his coffee mug on his head?
I was lost but then, I heard voices from a corner. It was a lounge. I really could sit and rest from tiredness.
Then I knew who I saw immediately. Alina. Nathan's new girlfriend. The one he brought to the hospital. I decided to take a seat and pull my shades but she and the two ladies with her didn't notice my presence.
“He's cute actually.” The red haired lady giggled.
“Yeah. But he's not mine.” Alina sighed.
“What do you mean?” The second one asked. For no reason, I began to eavesdrop.
“Dad likes him in the company but I can't marry someone who lies about being single to other women and denies me.”
Wait. What? I'm sure I heard that right.
“Nathan? My boyfriend? I don't believe him. I feel he's a liar but he's so damn good in wrapping it up like he's the protagonist. This s**t got me feeling gaslighted.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. He thinks he's clever but I know deep down he's got multiple women.”
So Alina knew? Yet she was still with him. Interesting.
“That's too bad.” Her friends consoled. I just kept listening until both friends stood to leave the lounge.
“Aren't you Nathan's ex?”
“Huh?” I turned around. It was just me and Alina. Was she talking to me?
“Yes. You. I remember your face. You're the lady from the hospital.”
“Oh. You do.” I cleared my throat.
“Have you gotten over your memory loss? Is that why you're here?”
I laughed. “Maybe. Well, I think we have a lot more in common.”
“Is that so? Who are you?”
“Nathan's supposed wife.” I flashed my ring and she gasped. “Okay. Ex–fiancee.”
“You got ten minutes.” She gestured for me to come sit beside her.
I collapsed on the lounge chair close to her and sighed.
“Let's just say I was his fiancee until I had an accident. Initially, when I woke up, I decided to do something stupid on the hospital bed.”
“What?”
“You know I just wanted to tease my boyfriend a little bit and I decided to pretend like I lost my memories, telling him I don't know him but of course, I only wanted to see his reactions, then, boom! Just like that he told me I had amnesia.”
“f**k…” Alina whispered. “Hold on…. you're joking right?” she laughed.
My face was still. It wasn't funny. “No, I'm not.”
Her smile faded. “That asshole. Hold on, how long have you been dating him?”
“About 2 years, what about you?”
“I think 8 months.”
“He's been lying to me. To you.” I bit my lips.
“And he's been a big cheat.”
“Why didn't you kick his balls or confront him when you found out?” I asked.
“Because— How about you? Why didn't you do the same when you told you about having amnesia?”
I sagged my shoulders. “I wanted to know the reason behind the lie.”
“Same too.”
A wave of silence passed through and we deeply inhaled and exhaled sharply.
“We've both been playing.”
We talked together.
“Does Nathan know you're here?” Alina asked.
“No. That's why I'm wearing a scarf and shades. I watched him from the parking space and walked into the building. I didn't expect to hold a conversation with you or see you. I just wanted to see the miserable asshole.”
“So he still thinks you're in the hospital?”
“Yes.”
“Still assumes you're suffering from amnesia. I mean without even thinking what the doctor would say about your actual condition. That guy's a total dick.”
“Girl, I'm confused.”
“Men are…..” Alina scoffed.
“Pathetic.” I finished. “Nathan's such a jerk.”
“He's an asshole!” She screamed out loud. “Big fat liar. w***e. Stupid. Player. i***t…
Scumbag, fool.”
I smiled, my thoughts drift.
“Define revenge.” I raised my brow, my lips curling into a smile.
“Huh?” Her eyes widened.
“I mean, Nathan doesn't deserve either of us. He played and used us. We have standards of our own right?”
She chuckled and then popped a champagne bottle open.
“I think I like wherever you're headed.” Her smile was very pronounced.
“You of all people, Alina Towers. Nathan is cheating on you? He didn't think that your father, the owner of this company, could fire him if you reported him?”
“Girl, that was the stupid part I played. He kept on assuring me he's the most loyal man on earth to ever exist. I had to question myself if the proof I saw was me being crazy. I loved him so much I did stupid s**t and messed up crap. I even made daddy promote him.”
“Girl, I would have squashed him up like a tomato. Take his f*****g bag and throw him 10 floor down to the ground.”
I clenched my teeth and rolled my knuckles and we both started laughing.
“What's your name?” She smiled. “s**t, I forgot what Nathan called you at the hospital.”
“Valerie. Valerie Adams.”
She poured the liquid from the champagne bottle into two fluted glasses and handed me one.
“Thank you.” I whispered.
“You're welcome Valerie. Let's crush Nathan.”
“Let's destroy him. With your help as the daughter of the man running this company, we can do unimaginable things. Watch him crumble from his office.”
“Perfect. I love your energy.”
We giggled.
“A Toast…” I raised my glass and so did she. “To the anticipated downfall of our ex….Nathan…”
Our glass clinked and she sipped.
Alina rushed. “Wait, he's on his way here—right now.”
- Writer
