The message
887 Words
The loud annoying sound coming from my phone made me let out a little cry before turning it off. My alarm had been snoozed twice already and I knew it was time to get up . I usually leave some work clothes at Dave’s so dressing up was a breeze. It was 8:00am already and I was scrambling to leave the house because I had a meeting with Raf and some investors. Raf!..”Let’s see how you avoid me now asshole” I muttered while rushing downstairs.
“Good Morning babe,” Dave was drinking coffee, but beside him on the kitchen counter was my engagement ring.
I had taken it off last night and dropped it beside the chair where he slept. I wanted to forget it there deliberately.
“Dave I needed to shower last night and putting the ring on was uncomfortable so I took it off.”
I tried to explain even though I knew he wasn’t buying it.
His eyes stayed on me too long, like he was waiting for me to take it back. I rushed to grab it and then he held my hands.
“I know how you feel about the engagement. I'm sorry, I— I thought we were already at that point and it seemed like the perfect thing to do, I really love you M— could you think about it.” pressing kisses along my face he subtly took the ring from me and slid it back on my fingers.
I had made up a whole speech in my head on what I was going to say about the engagement but hearing him speak so genuinely, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him none of that.
“Yeah.. Okay.. I will.” I finally said.
“M— I love you.”
“I love you too Dave.” I heard a buzz from my phone. It was a notification from a cab service app.
“Oh shoot, my cab has been waiting for a minute now, I’ll see you later.”
Another ring came from my phone as I was entering the car, it was my brother, Lucas calling.
He was probably worried that I didn't come back home yesterday. I usually drop a message when I’m at Dave’s but yesterday was kinda a lot and I completely forgot.
“Hi Lu,” I said.
“Hello M— Omg I couldn’t get a hold of you or Dave, you were with him though right?” Your fianceee..” he said giggling. “M— how did I hear about your engagement from Mum?”
“Yeah.. he proposed, my phone was out, I wanted to call, I’m sorry Lu.”
“Nah he’s getting cancelled. Why wasn’t I invited? I’m calling Dave.”
“Congra f*****g lations baby sis! Come home after work, we need to celebrate this okay?”
“Yeah sure, I’ll get drinks.”
“Nah M, I’ve got dinner and drinks covered, just come home after work, have a great day today, love you.”
“Okay Lu, have a great day, love you too.”
My jaw tightened, the excitement in his voice, how he sounded genuinely happy for me, his sister, made my stomach twist. The feeling of guilt came rushing back. Sleeping with the man my brother was in love with, all the emotions I had suppressed resurfaced, and I hated myself for ever betraying him.
At the office, the meeting was about to begin, but there was no Raf in sight.
Hi, Emily, Is Raf not attending the meeting or has it been moved?
She was more agitated and irritated than usual.
“Mia, do you see the investors?”
“Yes I do”
“Okay and—“ she added.
“Raf was supposed to be in attendance, I was wondering if you knew why he wasn’t here yet or if the meeting had been cancelled Ma’m.”
“You’ve got a lot of time on your hands to be asking about the CEO. Please bring this energy to the meeting today. We’ll be holding it without Raf, so I need your A-game in there, okay?”
“Yes, sure. Do you know why he didn’t come in today though?”
“No—Who do you think I am Mia? His private staff?” She asked, walking away looking utterly annoyed by my questions.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean— Okay I’m talking to myself.”
“Get to the conference room,” she turned slightly and shifted her gaze to me, “Now please!”
“Oh Yeah, Yes— ma’am” I said, hurrying and picking up all the documents I needed for the meeting.
I heard my phone alert chime again. This time it was a text. “I’ll check it later” I muttered.
The meeting started and was going smoothly. I did my presentation and the investors really loved it. My colleagues did the follow up negotiations so I had time to sit and discreetly check my messages on my phone. I blinked twice and reread the message I saw at the top notification bar multiple times to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. “Hey Mia, we need to talk. It’s me, Raf.”
- Writer
