What next?
1657 Words
Willa
Despite knowing his stance, my heart still longed for his presence daily, wishing he would return to say it was a joke to step on my toes but as the days passed with no words from him or even a consolation, the bleak reality became clearer.
“Madam, please stay a little longer…” Laura pleaded. It was impossible to not go grow fond of Laura, the only motherly figure present for those three years.
“I will miss you so much.” She soon broke in tears, pulling me into the emotional rollercoaster which I dreaded.
“Come on, Laura…”
“Fine, can I have your contact?…I’m gonna wanna reach you…ma’am.”
I was quick to decline her request. It was enough that my heart was bleeding but heeding to Laura’s request would give Damian the chance to reach me again.
Despite the announcement of my flight in the airport, my legs remained glued to the ground awaiting the final saving, eyes on the entrance wishing he would call me back.
“Let go, Willa….he’s not coming.”
I mutter to myself, pulling my bag into the airplane. A faint call of my name rose in my head, surely was in my head hence I turned not, rather focusing my energy on what was ahead-New York.
My eyes opened to meet dad holding breakfast on the bed. My flight had arrived late at night giving me the privilege of sneaking into my room to lay my head.
“Good morning, dad.”
He curved a smile “morning dear…I made you breakfast..” he placed the food tray on my thighs. I’ve missed his cooking and the soothing aroma.
“Your bacon still tastes…bland.”
“Come on give me my flowers.” He bowed, rising gently to hold fast on the documents on the table. s**t! I forgot to keep the divorce papers in my bag last night.
“How is Amanda…seen her lately dad?”
I ask attempting to move his focus from the documents but he probed deeper.
“Yeah…she returned to scrape off what was left of my company account… Willa…what’s this?”
He numbered with his fingers nibbling the documents.
“What does it look like, dad? Damian and I…are done.” I scoff attempting to hide the itch in my eyes, I can’t cry in front of him.
“I thought you said….”
“Dad, please! Do you want me to enjoy my breakfast… or break down. Damian is old news, I’m back now…. Or you don’t want me too?”
The tears I longed to hide soon burst forth, paying no mind to Dad’s presence. It hurts and it’s piercing.
“It’s fine, baby.” Dad patted me repeatedly. At least a welcoming embrace to run back to.
“Now, you’re here…what next?”
“Business….shoots!” Jolting from the bed, I reach for my towel.
“What?”
“I have an important pitch with some investors….”
I totally forgot that I used the i***t’s settlement to buy some important contacts to help dad’s company, it’s all I have now.
Damian
it all feels different without her. I was sure it was her silhouette I saw at the airport but she didn’t react at the mention of her name. The empty shelf reminds me constantly of the buzz I used to enjoy in Willa’s presence. Her smile whenever she designed the dining table. I should have known better than to treat her like trash because of Vivian.
“Dammy, I can’t do this anymore!” Vivian yelled.
It was the plague I was struck with ever since Willa’s absence. Constant nagging and debit alerts, nothing feels the same.
“Are you deaf? I said I can’t do this anymore!” Vivian reemphasized, her body vibrating in anger.
Heaving a sigh “What is it, this time?”
Her eyes widened not from shock but in her usual way whenever she was ready to nag.
“This time?! Just come and see!” Before my lips muttered a restricting comment, Vivian was dragging me downstairs to the kitchen. She let go of my arm and proceeding to the fridge.
“See!”
My face concocted a question mark, my nonchalance was heavier than her overreaction.
“No drinks, not even a damn vodka! Nothing!”
Really? So all this fuss was for alcohol.
“Just get it, Vivian. You have my credit card.” Her lips formed a smile but was soon returning back to normal.
“That’s not my job, it’s the job of your stupid housekeeper!” Her raging fingers pointed at fidgeting Laura. How did I even miss her standing right there.
“Sir, I’m sorry…Madam asked me to…”
“Madam?” Vivian retorted advancing to get physical.
“…sorry…Miss Willa asked me to get rid of all the alcohol in the fridge so you….”
Vivian’s hand nonetheless found expression on Laura’s face.
“b***h! Stupid! I’m your madam now!” Vivian roared, her hands seizing Laura by the collar. Swiftly, I separate the duo, apologizing to sobbing Laura. This is madness.
“Leave me, let me teach her…to respect her boss!”
Vivian yelled, struggling from my grip.
“Willa stop!” I yell, freezing the moment. s**t!
“Wow!… I hate you, Damian!” She yell running upstairs. How did Willa’s name make its way to my mouth? Her absence is ruining my life! Turning to weeping Laura, I help her up.
“Please get me the Range Rover key…”
***
Getting to the office only to meet a more disoriented atmosphere. My staff in a pleading game with some clients. I really have no time for this, I make my way directly to my office ignoring the ruckus in the reception. My home is on fire, office in disarray and my head spinning.
The loud bang on the door was a returning call for me.
“Can I come in?” Smith asked. If there’s anyone I don’t want to see it’s definitely him. A best friend with enough information to run my errors in my face.
“No…” he still barged in, making his way to one of the office chairs, his leg recklessly positioned on my table. He fixed his eyes on me with no words for some minutes before breaking the silence.
“What exactly is wrong with you, Damian White. Three lost cases in three weeks? What’s happening?”
For the first time in a long time, he wore a genuine frown, that didn’t scream sarcasm or scorn but genuine concern.
“I don’t know, Smith. Everything is going south…I can’t even think properly…” I confess, letting go of the hurt I held in.
“Hope this isn’t affecting your marriage?”
His question prick the other side of me. I had kept my divorce a secret from even my father.
“We are divorced now and…”
“Wait!” He raised his hands to my face.
“Just last month… you were telling me of your new fondness with Willa…so… what changed?”
“Vivian came back… and honestly right now I have no control of my life anymore…her absence has disrupted everything!” Stamping my legs on the tiles. Almost like Smith needed some minutes to digest everything.
“You’re a very accomplished lawyer, the best I’ve ever met but… how you lack critical thinking still marvels me.” He let his legs down from the table proceeding to the dispenser to get some water. His words slowly began to cut deep, why didn’t I seek counsel.
“You f*****g love, Willa!” He yelled in his usual dramatic manner. “And you choose to go back to that gold digger!…. Now we all have to pay for…your poor choices.”
“I loved…Vivian and…”
“Exactly! Loved!… not anymore, Damian….you have to get your life back in order, man.”
“It’s too late… Willa is gone…”
The reality of her absence hit again. Her warm body pressed against mine and her scent filling my nose in the morning. I need to get my life back, I returned back to the reception room and in the strength of Smith’s charge I began settling the issues with some of the clients, restoring the office back to normalcy. My heart found rest even as I drove back home. I need to be honest with myself, Vivian and I are done. I don’t know where Willa might be exactly but I would surely find her. I park my car, charging into the house, wearing a smile not like the weary frown that drove me out.
“Hi, Laura. How’s the….face?” I ask signaling the spot where Vivian’s slap hit. She nodded back affirming her health. Her wry smile reminded me of how warm this mansion used to be when she and Willa would stay in the kitchen making dinner.
“Where’s she?”
She pointed upstairs. I too every step ti the room in faith. I have to end it all. The smell of cigarette welcomed me into the room; empty bottles littered about.
“Took you long…enough to come…and apologize.” She stuttered, struggling to maintain footing. Her hands wrapping itself around my shoulders, bringing the smell of booze closer.
“I’m…not here to apologize… I came to tender the truth…” it felt easier to voice in my head than it is to voice out.
“I don’t love you anymore… you don’t belong here.”
Her hands were quick to untangle themselves off my neck. Staggering to the bed, she let out a hysterical laughter.
“I may not belong here… but my baby does.”
Baby? What the hell is she talking about? She’s too drunk to be lying.
“What baby?”
“Your baby, Damian….I’m pregnant….you’re gonna be a…daddy!”
- Writer
