Second Chances

8. Elton

The house was eerily quiet as Elton stood by the window, simply processing everything that had transpired in the last 24 hours. His parents had left a couple of hours ago, but not before he was reprimanded by his father once again to 'get his act together'. Of course he was going to get his act together, only not in the way they had hoped. For now, he was impatiently waiting for Keith's call. Why was it taking so long for him to decide? What he had asked him to do was actually nothing compared to what he was used to, then why the hesitance? Just then, his phone rang.

"Yeah, Keith."

"I will do it, but I have a condition," came Keith's firm voice, no traces of humour in his tone.

"Okay... And what is it?"

"Listen, I know you have suffered enough and everything, but you also need to understand what you are asking me to do. I have a specific type in girls that I chase, and from what I have heard from you, your wife doesn't really sound like my type but I will still try because we are friends. "

"Fair enough. What's your condition though?"

"I need to first see how she is, I mean.... We should have something in common, at least for me to convincingly pull this off. Are... Are you getting me?"

Elton cleared his throat. "I... I don't understand. How are you going to check that?"

"After I interact with her for at least a couple of days. If I realise she isn't my type, I am dropping out of this and you will have to find someone else..."

"Keith, man! You can't do this! She isn't anyone's type! If you are expecting some leggy chick who parties every other night and talks fashion, forget it," Elton couldn't hide the disappointment at Keith's behaviour, as he was purposely trying to wiggle his way out of it, all the while pretending to help him out.

"El, I know, you have mentioned this enough. And I am agreeing to your plan despite this. All I am asking for are, ummm... preliminary meetings, if you can say that. Let me at least gauge a few things before committing to this act," Keith tried to reason.

"Okay, fine, as you wish," Elton relented.

"Great! So tell me, how soon can we do this?"

"I.... uhh... I don't know actually. She has gone somewhere, some place, and I have no idea when she will be back."

"You don't know?"

"Isn't that what I just said?" Elton made no effort to hide his irritation.

"Don't you think you should know about her whereabouts, considering what we are planning?" Keith was amused. If he didn't know where she was or her plans, how in the world was Elton planning to go pull this off?

"Oh! Yeah... I mean, once she comes back? I guess I cou..."

"And don't you think it would be a bit abrupt to suddenly start developing an interest in her? El, man, you are smarter than that!"

"Don't you dare patronise me! I know what I am doing and how to get results. You mind your own business and I will mind my own," he replied rather gruffly and disconnected the call, without letting Keith speak.

How dare he say that? He was smarter, more intelligent than Keith. Of course he would figure out a foolproof plan. What did Keith take him for? He mentally huffed as he tossed his phone on a couch and started walking towards Adrianna's room. If he couldn't talk to her to get to know about her schedule and her likes and dislikes, he would have to go through her belongings to get an idea of the kind of person she was. He was intruding, he knew that, but he rationalised that was the only option to end this suffering for the both of them.

***

Elton had been in Adrianna's room for more than two hours, and there was nothing important that he could find - no diary, no schedulers, nothing. What the hell did this girl do in her free time? It didn't even look like she had any hobby! No wonder she was obsessed with him, as she had nothing else to do! What kind of life was she leading? Typical daddy's little princess who knows to do nothing other than squander her father's money on niche brands. His feelings for her were getting worse by the minute, feeling intense dislike for this woman who seemingly didn't have a personality. As a last resort, he checked her closet, being careful to not misplace her belongings that were neatly placed. Looking around, he saw a concealed dresser and proceeded to inspect it.

Birthday cards, congratulatory cards, handmade gifts, each section seemed to be dedicated to certain people in her life - parents, some girl... and him. Elton didn't bother looking into the one that had his name, he knew all too well that it would only end up ruining his mood further. He focused on the photos and gifts that featured some girl with Adrianna. So another childhood friend who, luckily, wasn't a male else Adrianna would have trapped her too. Coming back to the task at hand, he had made a headway, even though it was a minor one. Seeing how the photos captured silly moments and each milestone in both their lives, it was evident the two were still in touch and did meet pretty regularly. Great, so he could have that girl followed and that way he would know Adrianna's plans too. He was pleased with himself for figuring out a way which wouldn't involve an angry uncle Jeffery demanding an explanation for having his little princess tailed. He smiled smugly as he left the dresser open and walked out to get his phone. He would need a few photos of this girl if he were to go ahead with his plan.

While Elton had figured out how he was planning to use this girl in the picture to make Keith pursue Adrianna, Keith, on the other hand, couldn't help but marvel at the fact that Elton was simply so unprepared for someone who was desperate to get out of his marriage. Though it had been hours since their phone call, Keith was still a bit upset at the way Elton had talked to him. Was he always this defensive of his shortcomings? Was that why the business had crumbled under hi... No! He wasn't going to think so lowly of his friend. He was going to help him get out of an unhappy marriage and then Elton could go on and get married to Esther, and everything would be fine again. He was simply overthinking things.