priceless

The end is the new beginning

I booked Qatar Airways for my flight back because I've heard the recommendations and I can gladly say they deserve their awards.

I check in my bags, and go the lounge to wait for my flight. Whilst I have a quick snack and go to the massage chair because of the stress I'm dealing with.

About 40 minutes in, they call my flight details to board as we will soon be taking off. I get in, drop my hand luggage in the cabinet.

Then an airhostess comes by offers me the menu, a pair of silk night wear and tells me to notify her when I want to shower.

When she's gone, I realise I never said a proper goodbye yet to everyone but then again it was just a mini vacation and I'll have to do some calling when I land to sort that out.

I notify the airhostess that I need to shower, get my stuff. By the time I'm out and back on my sit, I've decided the food I'm eating and what I'm now watching Enola homes.

I pause and decide to sleep because of the jetlag, I'm feeling.

The flight is quite long , there weren't any stops. I couldn't handle that, it's exhausting.

*********

I'm back from jamica and to my home in auckland, New Zealand. I text david (the driver) to come pick me up, whilst I wait for my luggage.

Whilst I did enjoy the flight, I miss my bed and I need a long bath. I text Michelle Michelle hermione to let them know I'm back safe and resting and binge watching umbrella academy as I might take the week off to reset.

Whilst I've had a very longer shower, I check my phone and see lots of messages from almost everyone on my contact.

But I sit order some food , put my phone on airplane mood and reply to everyone's messages because I feel guilty for not replying immediately and I understand when someone makes you feel like you are ignored it's not a nice feeling.

I know Daniel would probably insult me because I didn't text just yet. But I will probably pass by rather than making him feel like he always has to come over to my place.

I need to show that more.

While I'm watching my series, I see calls coming in but I chose to call them later when I have more time to talk at length because calls are exhausting and I can't keep track.

I eventually stand up and get changed to a cute little outfit because I need to see Daniel.

I quickly text him regardless to see if he his around.

Daniel

"Hey, are you around" I'm asking

"Yeah" he responds

"What are you doing, right now" I'm trying to understand

"Hugging my pillow and wallowing in despair whilst replying to you" He says sarcastically

I roll my eyes

"Sure, his majesty" I say sarcastically

I'm pulling up to his building and walking to the front door, I'm thinking of barging into his house like he normally does but I decide to be decent incase I might see something that's supposed to be a secret.

Ding dong

"You're here" he says with less enthusiasm than I expected

"Umm...yeahhh" I respond

"Relax, I'm kidding" he says jokingly

"Better" I say in response

I enter and make my self feel at home because I'm not holding back.

"So, Where's the food and my drink."

I say whilst looking at him wondering like has seen a ghost

"Daniel!! Are you coming " a new voice shouts

A girl struts into the leaving room like she owns the place whilst wearing one of Daniels shirts, which is funny. Like girl you aren't the first person in here.

She looks at me like I am her competition which I shocking, cause well damn. We both look at Daniel but I'm holding my laughter because an explanation is needed.

"Who, is she" she asks

"It's work I promise" Daniel is telling me

I'm snickering because this is such a funny sight

"Layla can we pick this up another time " Daniel says

"You're choosing her over me" layla says

Girl, was that a question. I would have replied But I chose peace today. She goes back in and gets dressed into something more appealing for my eyes.

She gives me a dirty eye as she walks out but I couldn't care less.

"Don't forget your shoes", I throw out as she leaves

"Well you have a lot of explanation to get to" I say

"It's nothing it was just work, she came over to help me sort out some papers and we decided to get some food."

"How long" I ask

"5 months" he responds

"Exclusive or no labels" I say

"No labels" he replies

"Frustrating or understanding" I ask

"Mid" He says with low enthusiasm

"Wow, I leave and you open a new world " I act shockingly

The irony, hahaa

"Well you just went on a trip and obviously I know you didn't just walk in here empty handed " He says

"Well true but I mainly did work" I reply

He looks at me with the I know you are lying face

"So if we check your phone we won't see at least 5 missed calls and loads of messages" he asks

"Nope" I respond

"Okay, let me have it" He says

I refuse and try to change the subject. Sadly my phone fails me as I see messages coming in.

Daniel looks at me , laughs and says

"Good to know, I'll quickly whip up something whilst your job is to sit and say everything from start to finish".

I roll my eyes , whilst dragging myself to the kitchen.

I sit and explain, what happened before I left, the wedding, the three musketeers, the cute little kiss, the flight. Which was over an hour conversation and at this rate we have eaten desert.

Our conversation cuts short and he has to take a phone call and at this rate I decide to reply to the musketeers on my phone because, I do not like the fact that I have to leave peoples messages on my phone it's so frustrating because what if I open it by mistake 🤦🏾‍♀️. Even worse because I might forget to reply , it's happened before guys.

Whilst, I do that I explain to Alex that it wasn't so serious. It was just a one time thing and apologies again to him and the others; then a few business calls whilst Daniel is taking his sweet time.

At this rate I stand to meet him and his making a quick snack and I'm like

"Nigga, I've been waiting on you"

And he's like

"Noo, I've been waiting in you. I've been hearing your voice notes and lovely conversations"

I hide my face in embarrassment and sigh,. We decide to play some games while Daniel interrogates me about my choices in the opposite gender.

"So who are you going with" he says

"I do not know, yet" I reply

" you have so many lined up at your feet and yet it's so hard to decide" he makes a sparky comment

"What about you and your work bestie, does she feel that way?" I say in return

"We both know it's nothing serious" he claims

"Righttt, And you're certain you both are on the same page" I say as a follow up

"When it's time to battle that I will, I'm nort saying that to avoid it but if we have agreed on something then let it be rather than getting envious but not telling me anything later on" he replies

" what about you, what if Alex decides to show up then what?" He asks

"I doubt that, cause I mean it's not normal to just fly in" I reply

"And if he does" he says

"I'll tell him the same thing I said before , it's nothing serious and I can't be forced to like someone I don't. " I say in a serious manner

"Its really not the best because everything will be forced then I'll be seen as the person who made him leave everything to come for me and yet I'm doing the barest minimum." I say

" I get you" he says

"Yeah, it's getting a bit late I should be going." I say, looking at the time

"Are you good?" He asks

"Yeah, I am. I've ordered my uber " I say

"Ubers here!!"

"Okay, I'm coming. Let me change real quick" dan says

Daniel follows me downstairs and hugs me once more before I get into my car

" okay, bye love text me when your home safely"

" I will, byee.

I walk downstairs and get into my car. The car ride isn't so long, but I shouldn't be going back this late. We eventually arrive at my crib and I pay the lady and walk upstairs to my apartment.

I get upstairs have a quick shower and text Daniel, I got home safe.

I know sooner or later I will decide or not on who, but soon enough; not right now that's certain.

I hope back into my bed, put on my ac and scroll on t****k for a while till I fall asleep.

**********

The next morning, I'm awake seeing news from Malcolms face plastered on TV, The headline crawls along the bottom: "Business Titan Malcolm Hargrave Returns to Market With Major Acquisition."

I feel a flicker with irritation. but I ignore and I call hermione and Michelle if they would be down for a sleep over but I'm not sure about Michelle because she just got married maybe they would be on the honey moon already.

Instead, I pull my phone from the coffee table like it's a lifeline. I check the time early, but late enough to matter. I scroll for Hermione's name first and press it, thumb hovering over the call button for just a beat before I tap.

"Hey," she says instantly, like I was half expecting silence. "Morning."

"Morning," I echo, already sliding into the vulnerability that feels stranger than any first-class flight.

"Hermione, would you be down for a sleepover tonight? So we can all catch up?."

There's a beat on her end, quick but perceptible. "Absolutely. I'll bring wine."

I haven't said anything about why I need her not the headlines, not the unshakable tightness in my chest but she doesn't ask. She never has to. That's what makes her Hermione.

Next I dial Michelle fingers hesitating because part of me feels guilty even thinking of her now. She just got married, goddamn it. Probably in a whirlwind of honeymoon bliss right now. I picture her on some sun-kissed beach, hand in hand with her husband, so far removed from my emotional landfill that I almost put the phone down. But something stronger nudges me onward.

The call goes to voicemail.