CHAPTER 2
1761 Words
CHAPTER TWO
“yeah. It has been.” I finally responded.
What is he doing here?
“The infamous Lando.” Zara said, completely embarrassing me.
Yeah. Lando and I have what people call history. We have history to the point that I hoped deep down we didn’t cross paths anymore, but here he is and here I am.
“I am Zara, Maya's close friend.” she shook him and I was thinking of how not to say anything embarrassing.
“Zara, nice to meet you.” he smiled at her and looked back at me, like he was expecting me to say something.
“umm. Lando, you are back in New York.” Of course he is dummy, he is standing infront of you.
“Yeah. I got back last month. Just finished my masters.” ugh. Lucky him.
“cool.”
I saw the bag of laundry in his hand and the PJ’s he was in. Don’t tell me..
“Yeah. I live two houses away from here.”
Wow. Yay.
I internally rolled my eyes and externally nodded at him.
The washer dinged and I couldn’t have been more happy.
I turned towards our laundry and put the clothes into the dryer while he puts his in the washer.
“So, what are you on about now?”
“I am planning on working at COLOR ME. Had an interview today.”
He raised his eyebrows and nodded.
“It is such an amazing company, I hope you get in.”
“Yeah same.”
Why is he in New York and behaving like the way things ended didn’t happen? Like I didn’t completely humiliate myself .
“We had a reunion last year, a lot of our mates showed up. Can you believe Richard is getting married?” I could hear the British accent.
“Richard? As in the player of the century Richard?” he nodded and smiled.
Okay, Richard tried to ask all the girls in our grade for prom. That’s how much of a player he is.
“Wow, I would love to be there.” I said.
“Tell me your number. I can send you the invite.” He took out his phone.
I hesitated, but I gave him. I mean we can be two civil adults.
He sent me the invite.
A month from now.
“In Paris?” aww, hell-
“Yeah. The love city.” Love, or no love, I have no job. How can I afford a flight to Paris.
“Okay. We’ll see.” I said to dead the matter.
We got our clothes out of the dryer and we left him in the laundromat.
“That is Lando.” Zara started.
“Yeah?”
“Girl, that is Lando.”
“Mhmm?”
“Lando is fineeeee.”
“Mhmm.”
“I see why you were hooked.”
I smacked her arm.
She wasn’t wrong. I even know I was hooked but you would find out later.
“I need to work on some projects.” Zara said as we got back and she left for the study room.
I grabbed some snacks from the kitchen and turned on some Netflix. I need to completely forget what happened today.
“Maya dear, pass the spatula.” Aunty Eunice said.
I am in my favourite pastry place in New York, COLAS. It helped me get past sad days, overwhelming days and Aunty Eunice, the owner, who is like a mom figure to me, helped me pass through the tough times as a college student, and I got used to running to her when I had a tough time, and she always received me with happy arms, and cupcakes.
“Here.” I handed the spatula to her.
I watched as she turned the batter.
I couldn’t stay at home all day. I haven’t gotten any messages from COLOR ME. I am very anxious.
“I guess no news from that company, huh?”
“yeah.” I sighed.
“It’s just a day. Plus, they would be stupid to not pick you.” She tried to make me feel better, and it was really working.
New customers came into the shop and I helped her serve them and earned a free cupcake.
I loved eating sweets, it always made me feel good, regardless of how many calories they have.
The infamous customer, Susan, walked in. I met her when I was in college. She always gets her morning coffee here and does most of her work in the shop.
“So, tell me. How was the interview?” she said as I dropped her regular. Coffee Latte with brownies.
“It went as planned but no feedback.”
I gave an inward smile.
“Don’t worry girl, come work for me if it doesn’t workout.”
Susan owns her own fashion store that has chain-stores around the U.S and Europe. She’s kind of ‘big-shot’.
“Yeah, definitely.”
I left her to get her work done.
My phone buzzed in my pocket.
It was Lando.
I really didn’t want to read the message, but I didn’t want to seem like the immature one. The past is in the past.
Lando: A few of our mates are meeting for dinner. Are you in?
Me: Mates?
Lando:Yeah.
I sighed in confusion. Do I really want to go back to the scene of high school. A lot happened back there.
But at the same time, I didn’t want to seem immature, and I guess seeing a few faces won’t hurt.
ME:Sure.
“Aunty Eunice. I have to go back home.” I informed her as I got my back from the chair.
“Okay. Take this, give it to Zara.” she handed me cookies and donuts.
“Okay, Aunty.” I collected them from her.
“Tell her to take a break from work.” she yelled as I left.
I got home a few minutes later, and put the baked goods in the microwave.
I headed straight to my room.
“I have no clothes.” I said to myself as I saw my half empty, or half full closet.
I wasn’t a outfit freak in college. I was more like a food freak. I always ate my feelings, I still do.
I went to Zara’s closet and, damn, she has amazing dresses.
I was in a bit of a dilemma. I can choose my subpar clothes from college or take Zara’s amazing two-piece dresses.
A few of our mates are meeting for dinner.
Ugh, I could have just found an excuse.
I video-called Zara.
“Hey girl.”
“Hi Zara. I am quite in a dilemma.”
“Oh. What?”
“So Lando invited me for dinner with some of our mates from school, and I have nothing to wear.”
Her eyes widened.
“He invited you?”
”Yeah."
“Yeah whatever. I have a dress from Tiffany in my closet on the right, take that, pack your hair up and please put on makeup.” she dragged.
“I don’t know if-”
“Girl, don’t start, and don’t tell me you were planning to wear your baggy shirts?”
“No. I wasn’t. I just-”
“Better. Girl, I have a meeting at five. Do what I said, OK?, when I get back we will talk.”
She cut the call before I could say a word.
Zara.
She is quite the best, but I don’t know if I have the confidence to rock a dress.
I take out the Summer Blue dress with a strap hand. It was so soft and had a nice feel. I never owned a dress except my prom dress. I was never a dress person, or had no reason to be.
I went to have a quick shower, took out my makeup kit, and worked my magic.
Tied my hair to the back. It really brought out my face.
I was never a fan of showing my whole face, but it kinda looks sexy, especially with the eyeliner.
I took one last glance at the mirror and I was impressed. I did a good job.
I texted Lando for the address.
LANDO: I can take you there, if you don’t mind.
I smiled at the text.
ME: Okay, sure.
I sprayed my Dolce and Gabbana perfume. I smelt like heaven.
I waited for him to get to my apartment suite.
“Hi.” I smiled as I got to his car.
“Wow, you look good.” he complimented.
“Well. I clean up nice.”
We set off to the restaurant, and I had no clue who was coming.
“Who is coming?” I asked out of curiosity.
“Not sure yet, but I know Owen, Hannah, and the twins are coming.”
“Wow. I haven’t seen the twins in forever.”
“Yeah. It has been such a while.” he said, and glanced at the rear mirror.
I nodded and slumped on the seat.
Silence took over.
“So are you coming to Richard’s wedding?” he asked.
Paris.
Never a place I thought of going. I felt it was a bit overrated and I ain’t got no money.
“Not sure yet, but I will consider it. Paris is quite far.”
“Yeah. Who knew he was a romantic?”
True.
We finally got to the restaurant and it was a fancy one.
I got down from the car, so did Lando.
“This way.” he led me to where they were.
“Landoooooo.” Owen reached for Lando and hugged him.
“Oh my. Is this Maya?” Owen turned to me, held my hands, and twirled me.
“You are beautiful.” he complimented me and I couldn’t help but blush.
“Owen.” Hannah said declaring her presence.
“Sorry baby.” he arranged himself.
“You two?” I asked and she nodded and grinned.
“Let’s have our seat.” Owen leads us to our seat with a silver plate, spoon and preppy stuff. I took a seat next to Lando.
“We are early.” I said, seeing the empty seats.
Owen nodded. “Yes the twins are not here yet, they said they had a meeting, and-”
“Hey guys.” someone interrupted.
“Clare.” Lando said.
Clare?
My eyes widened.
“Surprise.” she said, smiling.
When did she get to New York?
- Writer
