Chapter Nine
597 Words
Maya called Sarah back right away. Her friend's voice sounded tense.
"Hey, can you meet me for coffee?" Sarah asked. "There's something I need to tell you."
"Of course," Maya said. "Is everything okay?"
"Just meet me at our usual spot in thirty minutes," Sarah said. "I'll explain everything then."
Maya ended the call and turned to Leo. "I need to go meet Sarah. She sounds upset."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Leo asked.
"No, it's okay," Maya said. "I'll call you later."
She gave him a quick kiss and left. As she walked to the coffee shop, her mind raced. What could be so important?
Sarah was already there when Maya arrived. She sat at a corner table, her hands wrapped around a mug. She looked up as Maya approached.
"Thanks for coming," Sarah said.
"What's going on?" Maya asked as she sat down. "You're worrying me."
Sarah took a deep breath. "I saw something today. Something about Leo."
Maya's heart sank. "What is it?"
"I was having lunch with a friend near Leo's office," Sarah said. "We saw Leo having coffee with a woman. They looked... close. My friend knows her. Her name is Lisa."
Maya felt the air leave her lungs. "Lisa? His boss?"
Sarah nodded. "They were sitting very close together. And he was holding her hand."
Maya shook her head. "No. That can't be right. Leo told me it was over between them. He gave me a key to his apartment today."
"I'm sorry, Maya," Sarah said gently. "I know you want to believe him. But I saw what I saw."
Maya felt tears in her eyes. "When was this?"
"About two hours ago," Sarah said. "Right before I called you."
Two hours ago. Leo had been with her two hours ago. He had given her the key. Then he went to meet Lisa?
"I need to go," Maya said, standing up suddenly.
"Wait," Sarah said. "What are you going to do?"
"I don't know," Maya said. "But I need to find out the truth."
She left the coffee shop and walked quickly down the street. Her hands were shaking. She pulled out her phone and called Leo.
He answered after two rings. "Hey, beautiful. Did you and Sarah have a good talk?"
"Where are you?" Maya asked, her voice tight.
"I'm at home," Leo said. "Why? You sound upset."
"Were you with Lisa today?" The words came out in a rush.
There was a pause on the other end. Too long of a pause.
"Leo? Answer me."
"I was with Lisa," he said finally. "But it's not what you think."
Maya felt like she might be sick. "Sarah saw you holding hands with her."
"It wasn't like that," Leo said quickly. "She was upset. She was crying. I was just comforting her."
"Comforting her?" Maya's voice broke. "Why does she need comfort from you, Leo? Why are you even seeing her?"
"Can we please talk about this in person?" Leo asked. "Let me explain."
"No," Maya said. "I don't think I want to hear your explanations anymore."
She ended the call and turned off her phone. The tears came then, hot and fast. She leaned against a building, trying to catch her breath.
How could she have been so stupid? How could she have trusted him again?
The key in her pocket felt heavy now. Like a symbol of her foolish hope.
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Questions for you:
Do you think Leo is telling the truth? What would you do if you were Maya? Should she have heard him out?
- Writer
