CHAPTER 9
726 Words
We settled into a table by the window side. A waiter came around to give us the menu. Few minutes later, the waiter came back to get our order. "How was college?" Chris asked me, sipping the cup of water the waiter brought when he came back for the menu. "I went to college in Los Angeles and majored in Accounting, you?" I asked. He answered "I went to a business school, here In New york." "You recently just got back from Los Angeles?" He inquired. " Yes, about 3 weeks ago" I answered. "If I may ask. What brings you back to New York?" Looking at me skeptically, he asked . "You don't have to answer if you ---" he started saying. "Its fine. I came back to take over my father's company. But before I can do that, I have to gain experience from one of his friends. So presently, I work as an assistant for Graley's transport Ltd" I said to him. I lied (ish), technically I only said half the truth which isn't lying. "Nice" he said, scratching his head. "Mabel, I am sorry about everything that happened in high school " he apologized, looking everywhere but my face. "I know I f****d up and I am really sorry. Few days after our Graduation, I came around to look for you. But I was told you went to college and your mum told me never to come looking for you again" he said in a sober voice. "Chris why ---" the waiter came with our food, interrupting me. He set our drinks on the table and then turned around to go grab our food. I continued "why did you choose me of all people, to get back at your ex?" I asked, genuinely still confused. "To be honest, I actually did like you. I was going to date you and forget all about Tania. But the moment Tania saw me with you, she wanted me back. She started spreading rumours about me, saying I couldn't last in bed and stuff. my reputation started tanking. I know it doesn't make sense now, but it made sense to me back then" he said, stopping to look at my expression. Then he continued "To save face, I went back to Tania and threw you under the bus. I am so sorry" "And all these explanation is supposed to make it all go away?" I asked, fury written all over my face. "No! No! Not at all. I intend to make it up to you. What I did was wrong and I strongly regret it" he said, calmly. The waiter came back with our food, set it on the table and asked " Do you need anything else?" "We do not, thank you" I said to the waiter, still trying to calm myself down. He turned around, and left. "Chris, it's fine. It's all in the past now" I said taking a bite out of my food, not wanting to relieve the pain. "I promise to make it up to you." He said, with finality in his voice. We both started eating in silence. We finished eating and our bill was brought to us. Chris settled the bill and we stood to leave. The drive home was so quiet, we could almost hear each other's heart beat. Almost. Few minutes later he pulled up in front of my house. "Thanks for seeing me today " he said, then leaned towards me and pecked me. My heart started beating uncontrollably and I froze. I quickly came back to my senses, jumped out of his car and almost ran inside.
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Immediately I entered my room, i saw Grace seated on my bed. " Hey babe" she said, looking up from her phone. "Hi" I replied, suddenly feeling tired. " How was your date with Chris?" She said, a serious look on her face. "It was alright. He basically just wanted to apologize" I told her, omitting the fact that he pecked me and i liked it. I recounted everything he said to me but still didn't say anything about the peck. "Just be careful with him, Mabel." She said, looking at me with concern. "I will" I replied her. "Now, tell me about the guy you met at the party" I demanded, giving her a knowing look.
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