CHAPTER 3
1449 Words
I squinted my eyes in confusion.
When did Clare get to New York?
“Wow.” Lando said. He stood up and hugged her.
“this is such a nice surprise.” Owen said and hugged her.
“Clare, wow. You look so good.” I complimented her.
“you too.” we hugged and she took a seat beside me.
“The twins invited me, and they are not even here yet.” Clare said.
Typical twins.
“Let me call them.” Owen took his leave to call them.
“So what are you so up to?” Clare asked me.
I am unemployed. You?
“I had an interview yesterday, but I haven’t gotten a response.” I responded and felt bad for myself.
“Hope you do.” she smiled.
“What of you?”
“nothing much. I just got back to New York. I want to work in my dad’s branch here.”
Yeah. I forgot to mention, she is rich.
Scratch that, her father is rich.
He owns Construction firms in different parts of America.
But why in New York?
Why are they all coming back to New York?
“Can I get your orders?” the server came and asked us.
“Yes.”Owen said, coming back with the twins.
“Clareee.” Michelle, on of the twins, screeched.
They hugged one another.
They were really close in high school, they were like sisters.
Miguel, the other twin, shook Lando and hugged me.
“Maya.” Michelle finally noticed my presence.
She took a sit next to Owen, opposite me.
“So, how was the Italy trip?” Michelle asked Clare.
Ouuu fancy.
“It was nice.” She kept her answer short, like she didn’t want to brag.
We finally ordered and got served.
I ordered a Chicken souvlaki and it looked like heaven on a plate. I was in love, that I forgot where I was.
“Maya. The food is bussing?” Owen asked.
“I love it.” I said with my mouth full.
“This restaurant is one of the restaurant my dad is buying.”
I almost choked.
“Really?” Michelle asked.
“Yeah. So I came for a taste test, to scoop the place.”
I gulped down my food and re-arranged myself.
“Wow, that’s amazing.” I said.
“So, Richard.” Miguel said.
“I Can’t even imagine, he is getting married, who would’ve bet he would settle down.”
“Yeah. I am happy for him tho.”
“yeah, same.”
”Maybe. I would send you guys an invite soon.” Owen said winking at Hannah.
She was shocked.
”Owen. This is not how you are proposing right?”
“No darling. I didn’t forget, helicopters and doves.”
They started cooing each other and I tried looking elsewhere.
Michelle and Clare are deep into their conversation. Lando and Miguel are also in another conversation.
I low-key felt out of place. I took my phone and texted Zara.
ME: I wanna leave this place so badddddd.
ZARA: It’s not going well?
ME: I feel out of place.
ZARA: hmm. You want to go home? I am almost home.
ME: I guess. I would try to leave.
“Okay guys, drinks are hereeee.”
Owen said and I dropped my phone.
He dropped the bottles on the table, and I tried figuring out how to wiggle out of the situation.
“I-” I started but Owen dropped a interrupted me.
“let’s cheers to the good life and many more.” Owen said and we clicked our glasses.
I drank mine and gagged when the bitterness kicked in.
“not a drinker, huh?” Lando said with a smile on his face.
“I drink but I am not a fan of this brand.” I tried sounding classy but I have no clue what I just sipped.
He nodded and went for a second drink.
I tried gulping everything down without looking like a novice.
“I had no clue you were coming to New York.” Lando directed to Clare.
“Yeah. It was by chance, I guess. I am happy I get to meet you.” she confessed and I felt so small in the middle of both of them.
I cleared my throat, and left for the toilet. I was getting a bit tipsy.
“Woah. What is wrong with me?” I asked myself as I looked into the mirror.
Someone walked out from the stall and I felt embarrassed.
I washed my hands, took one last look at myself and I left the toilet.
Clare is already seated in my seat. Owen and Hannah are cuddly and drunk-talking to one another.
“Maya. Hi, sorry I took your seat.” she said when she noticed my presence.
“It’s cool.” I guess.
I sat in hers and tried looking for a cab before the alcohol takes over.
I locked eyes with Michelle and it was a bit awkward, because we aren’t that close.
“wow. You guys should get back together, or do you have a girlfriend already.” Michelle started spewing outta nowhere.
Lando just laughed it off.
“stop it Michelle.” Clare said blushing.
I just scoffed, internally, of course.
“I need to take my leave.” I whispered to myself.
“So, are you inviting me over?” Clare asked Lando.
“It depends.” he flirted back.
I need to remove myself from this situation.
I got a text from Zara. She had already gotten home.
It is getting pretty late and I have no clue when Lando is going to leave.
“Lando.” I said.
He glanced at me showing his dimples.
“I’ve got to go.” I said in a whisper tone.
“Oh, you want me to take you.”
“No no. I am good.” I am not ready to get in the middle of both of them, and we were both tipsy, I need my life, I have a ‘job’ on the line.
I ordered a ride and said my goodbyes.
“Hi.” I greeted the driver as I entered.
I sighed.
“Long night?” she asked.
“Not really.” I sighed.
A tear almost left me eye. It is quite a cold night.
Lando and Clare.
They fit.
They are both rich, both smart, both ambitious, plus they dated.
I need to focus on myself and not get sucked into their drama, but how can I not when they are right in-front of me.
I called Zara to let her know that I am on my way back.
The driver put on some RnB and I remembered my dad.
I miss my dad.
He passed when I was in high school and it crushed me. I didn’t know him for that long because he was always at work and I needed him, especially at times like this.
He always played RnB when he got home during the weekends, and I always sat in the living room mouthing the lyrics until I got it.
I sniffed.
I looked at his phone number wishing he was at the end of it waiting for my call.
I couldn’t.
I hated it.
“arrived at your destination.” The map app said interrupting my thought.
“Thank you.” I said as I handed her the money.
I removed my heels and walk into my apartment.
“Heyyy.” Zara welcomed me stuffing the donuts in her mouth.
I took one from her and stuffed my face with it.
”You look good. Love the edges.” she complimented me.
I gave her a smile and headed to my room.
I took off the dress, cleaned off my makeup and washed my face.
I brushed my teeth and took a quick shower while blasting Jon Bellion.
I got out of the shower and got a notification.
Lando:Hope you got home safe.
I smiled and replied.
ME: yeah. Thanks.
I wanted to turn off my phone before getting another notification.
COLOR ME INC.
My heart skipped a beat or two.
I opened the email.
‘I write to inform you-” I closed my eyes then opened it again.
“-that you have been Offered a job at our company.”
I screamed and threw my phone on the bed.
“Oh my God, what happened?” Zara said out of breath.
“I got it.”
“YOU GOT IT.”
“I GOT IT.”
She screamed.
I screamed.
We both screamed.
- Writer
