The Love Cube

Chapter 20 :Web of Lies

After successfully avoiding all the places Estella would probably find her, Heather finally decided to leave her house to get a breather. Apart from her cousin, Derrick was also another problem. She had been surprised to see the other's message, especially its content. It had taken her down memory lane with that one text. Luckily, no one had contacted her about their relationship, the only people who could have already known about their current status. Grace's invite had been heaven sent, especially serving as a distraction from her thoughts. She could imagine who the person Grace wanted to introduce her to,having already had enough of the goggly eyes she always made at her phone throughout the week. She was happy for her friend, it had been such a long time since the other spoke of being interested in someone and it meant a lot she wanted to introduce them to each other.

Ever punctual, Heather had already made it to the bar fifteen minutes before time. She was not a frequenter of the establishment, especially with how most of her colleagues populated it. At the door she scanned the room and found Grace, who was still unaccompanied. Noticing her, Grace waved and gestured her towards the back where she had gotten them a table and a bottle of red wine already on it.

" I guess I was too early,'' she said as she finally got close to Grace, who stood up to hug her.

" As expected, but they will be here soon,'' she replied excitedly.

Heather took the seat that gave her back to the rest of the bar and, in consequence, the door too, so whoever the guest was she was not going to see them as they got in and made their way to them.

" You ordered my favorite,'' she said, surprised as she poured a glass for herself.

" Its coincidental that you both like the same one. '' Grace replied as she kept distractingly looking at the door.

" Then they have great taste,'' Heather continued. She was among the few who liked the particular brand. Kingsley and Ben both didn't like it either when she had ordered it during meals when they were together.

That had made Grace smile proudly. She was barely three sips into her drink when Grace stood up waving towards the door.

'" He is here,'' she announced.

She did not bother to turn her head and patiently waited for them to make it close to their table, their cologne hitting her nose before she saw him. It couldn't be who she thought it was right? That smell was ingrained in her mind and belonged to one specific person but it was impossible it was him, she thought.

" Derrick meet my boss Heather,'' Grace's words were enough to make her blood run cold as she turned to meet the other's face whose smile had faltered, then he recovered before Grace noticed.

What kind of sick joke was this ? She wondered while staring at him unmoving.

" Surprise!'' Grace continued, still not aware of what was happening between the two ex-lovers.

Derrick was just as surprised as Heather was and he could see the gears turning in her head thinking he had orchestrated the meeting.

" You did not tell me that I was going to meet your boss, I would have been better prepared,'' Derrick said while trying to save the awkward moment. Heather had not said a word yet.

" I just wanted to surprise both of you after your announcement today,'' Grace continued, seemingly forgetting her boss had been silent all through. She ended up offering Derrick the seat that was next to Heather and he wondered how the night would go.

Would she confess knowing him? Or were they still acting like strangers ?

" Nice to meet you,'' he offered his hand to Heather and she took it, clenching her jaw, her grip painfully tight. He got the message.

" Nice to meet you too,'' she replied, her smile tight before she dropped his hand and swallowed the drink in her glass in one go.

" Excuse me, I need to use the restroom'' she quickly excused herself from the table, almost knocking down a waiter as she rushed out.

Heather felt like she couldn't breathe, suffocating at the table. Derrick had somehow trapped her. Had he texted her earlier with the intention of seeing her and cornering her to speak to him? She was curious how both had met. Was it pure coincidence or was Derrick using her secretary to get to her? Taking her phone, she finally decided to text him.

Why are you doing this? I thought you were giving me space ?

She sent the text to the man who was outside.

Derrick felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and decided to see who was seeking him. Probably one of his relatives, as congratulations had been streaming in since that afternoon.

I had no idea she would do this. I am sorry.

He sent back the text and found Grace looking at him and he felt a bit guilty.

" Everyone, including childhood friends, are texting me,'' he said, playing it off.

" More cheerleaders I see. I lead the fanclub though,'' she winked, not even asking more questions busying herself with her drink.

Grace was a great woman but he did not miss her flirtations and he felt awful about her. He had approached her with the intention of using her to get close to Heather but she had become a good friend.

Did you know who she was?

Another message lit up on his screen.

" You are so popular today, Grace commented as he read the message and he gave her non-committal hum. He was not going to lie to Heather.

Yes. I was desperate.

Heather confirmed her suspicions and she felt awful. Not only did she now know Derrick's true intentions towards Grace, but now she was also contributing to them by not saying the truth and playing along with the act . There was no way around it. She would end up hurting her friend either way.

Deciding not to sit through the night,she quickly texted Kingsley to ask him to save her.

Stuck in an uncomfortable meeting, send help.

She sent the message before leaving the restroom as she had been there for a longer time than expected.

She made her way back to the table where the two were still quietly speaking to themselves.

" I thought you escaped through the window because of how long you stayed in there,'' Grace commented .

" Sorry. I thought about it though.'' she replied, laughing quietly, and she caught Derrick's smile.

She could imagine he recalled that one dinner where she was meant to meet his parents and had almost escaped and he had caught her as she was making the climb. How embarrassing. If they were on better terms, that was something they could have laughed about .

" Now that we have broken the ice, you guys can get to know each other some more,'' Grace said, her eyes sparkling. She had not missed the awkward atmosphere between them when they had met.

Before Heather could speak, her phone rang and Kingsley's name flashed on the screen. Just in time she thought picking up the call.

After some pleasantries, Kingsley informed her that he had just seen her cat climbing outside her balcony. She played along, knowing very well both Derrick and Grace could pick out bits of information from the call. She ended the call by assuring him she was leaving at that moment.

Grace, concerned, asked what was happening that was causing Heather's sudden departure.

" I got a cat. My neighbor just informed me he has just seen her leaving. I forgot to close my balcony door,'' she lied. Lawyers were the best known liars and Grace believed her, even offering for them to join her Derrick, even nodding a bit enthusiastically.

He knew.

Heather was allergic to cats, no way would she ever own a cat.

" Just celebrate his night. My neighbour will help me find him. Don't worry. Will keep you informed,'' she replied before making her escape.

Now she needed to find a cat to temporarily help sell her story. As she drove out of the parking lot, she called Kingsley, inquiring if he had a cat who he could loan her.