Webs

SOPHIA P.O.V Today should mean more, but I didn’t even remember what day it was. I looked, glaring. At something? I only remember titles, events and names now. I stood before my latest artwork. A masterpiece. Vibrant colors danced across the hall. I stared at the placement of the pulpit, lost in its simplicity, and its delicate craft. The open bar, ooh... People moved about like an army of ants around granules of sugar. To the outside world, I was probably admiring the direction and the perfection in which my directives were carried out. Is this what my life has become? I helped plan events for Microsoft, Tesla, and a book launch for a best-selling author in the country, and I also anchored a royal wedding two years ago. I have been opportune to be amongst the wealthiest people on earth, the most influential and powerful names as well. I was a renowned name in the business. A revered, young and innovative event planner who was, well, pretty decent at her job. “Your work brings joy to people, and it eases their burdens, sweetie. That’s purpose enough.” My mom would say. Was it? I stared deeper, my soul reaching out—a cry for help. I yearned for more. “Sorry to bother you ma’am, you have a phone call,” my assistant, Carol, dashed to me, bringing me back to reality. Her palm vibrated aggressively with the unrelenting buzz of my phone. “Who is it?” I took my phone off her palm. I needed no response, a smile flashed through my face. “Hello, girlfriend.” I nodded in Carol’s direction. A gentle reminder I needed no chaperone. For whatever reason, she obliged. Hm. “Hey baby girl…” the line on the other end paused—a long pause. I know my friend; that is never the end of whatever she had to say. “Um, don’t tell me you are at a fortune teller’s place or with some god no one’s ever heard of again.” “Haha, hilarious.” She didn’t laugh. “I was just surprised to hear noise in the background. I want to be sure I’m on to my friend please, whoever this might be.” My laughter betrayed my resolve. I couldn’t hold it in, I had to cry loudly like a hyena. Oh my gosh. “What do you mean? I am not a ghost. Of course, I am not always alone Di, don’t do this to me. Is this what you tell Michael about me?” “Uh breaking news girl, Michael has known you since you were padding your chest with tissue papers.” This girl! She would never let me forget, would she? “It was one time. One time, Di. It was one time!” My throat was on my side, it screamed those words so loud the ants stopped for a second. Yikes. Sorry. My heels clinked hastily away from the hall as I headed out the back door. “What was that noise?” “Oh sorry, I should have closed that gently. What are you up to?” Ooh, such a beautiful sky. I strolled around, my phone well placed close to my ear. “What do you mean what am I up to? Wait. Please don’t tell me you have forgotten.” Oh, oh. I could tell her face had gone from smiling to rock-solid now. Her bossy tone had tapped in… “Hello? I know you are there, so you better start talking. Now.” “Er…” I struggled to piece my words together. Even my legs struggled to move. Not like I had anything to say to be fair, but nothing came to mind. Blank. Zilch. Did I forget a date with her again? “Wow. So much for a best friend. You definitely aren’t picking up any best friend of the year awards anytime soon, that’s for sure.” “Come on. Don’t do this to me. I have been working nonstop. Don’t make me hate myself, baby. Please. Talk to me. Please?” She probably rolled her eyes now, satisfied that her best friend for twenty years sought forgiveness for what she had no idea she had done by the way! “You know, if you weren’t my best friend right now, this would have been the end of whatever relationship we had.” Word for word, I was in sync. Ah, I sighed. I caught my smile through the car window before me. Mm, I looked great. I took an extra moment to admire my full self before walking away. “I know, baby. I apologize. Are you ready to let me know what it is I did to offend your majesty?” “Ah!” I jumped. My phone fell to the ground, face down. “No, no.” I picked it, hoping for some miracle. God please, do not let it happen. Please, lord. I guess he didn’t see my name on the attendance list for the last couple of years because my silent prayer was all it was. A hope. Damn. “That doesn’t look good.” Really, Mr.? That is the best apology you could muster? I snarled at him, my eyes telling him all my mouth held back. Fuck. “Is it broken?” I scowled. Who was this man? And what is the need for so many unnecessary questions he poured? “I didn’t know one could get startled by the opening of a car door though.” Excuse me??? He closed his door and walked towards me. His strides were graceful and purposeful. “Let me see.” He extended an arm, requesting for the broken phone. “Why would I do that? I have no idea who you are and you are yet to apologize f…” My phone buzzed, redirecting my attention to it. Ugh. Why can’t I take this? I swiped my thumb across the broken screen. “Ouch!” I yelped. A shard of glass pricked my finger and blood slowly appeared from underneath my skin. I cursed under my breath. This was bad. Could it get any worse? I was wrong. He came across me and laughed boldly in my face. “You know it was a bad idea to press your skin over broken glass, right? I assume you should know that as a six-year-old.” “Are you calling me stupid?” He raised his hand, backpedalling. “You should let someone treat that. It could grow into the size of a balloon and the pain. My god.” He mimicked an explosion with his mouth, shaking his stupid head. “See ya.” He walked away. I wish I could slap the smirk off his face. “Aargh!”