Chapter 41: Chapter 41

The next afternoon I contemplated confronting Raphael. Tomorrow is Friday, in other words, The Charity Ball day. The day I’m going to meet Sinclair Family. And Raphael has yet to discuss minute details with me like timings, where to meet etc., I won’t let myself assume that he is going to collect me at my home. It would be out of his way which is a waste of time. And Raphael Sinclair doesn’t waste it if he could help it. But where is the guy? It’s not like him to avoid a person or a situation. But it’s pretty clear he is avoiding me. Generally, when Raphael Sinclair is inattention, it’s in your face noteworthy. Even though we are not glued to each other 24/7, I would know when he is voluntarily steering clear of me.

Not to point out the obvious, but he didn’t come home last night. Which is a first? And here I thought 100% attendance is guaranteed. Had to rely on the fantasies to pass my boredom, my inner self complained while sighing.

You are barking at the wrong tree, I mused. Shall I wait some more or ask him? It’s not like it has been ages since we had our last talk. Hell, it’s not even 24 hrs yet, but when your relationship is on a ticking time bomb, you value every second of it. Maybe he is eluding due to our dual word vomits that have happened within days?

Did you hear that? my diva asked me.

What?

That alarm is blaring through the rooftops.

What alarm? I don’t hear anything.

Of course, you don’t. It says CLINGY CLINGY CLINGY

Funny. Not.

Oh god, I still have to buy a striking dress that shouts- look at me, I’m here to make a mess. I must project my inner Raphael for that. In your dreams. I can do it when the occasion calls you to know, I said sourly to my diva.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

‘Excuse me’, called someone with a voice that is the opposite of the polite word they are using. I looked at the sound of her voice and registered a beautiful face that is etched with the arrogance that only rich people can acquire.

‘For fuck’s sake, are you dumb, bitch?’, She said nastily.

My nose promptly went out of joint at her crude language. I’m a bitch. I gladly own that about myself. That doesn’t mean I use or support crude language (unless the occasion calls for it, of course), especially if it is aimed at me. I wanted to punch her in the nose and say, how is that for a bitch? Alas, I’m in the office. I want no one to question Raphael Sinclair’s choice in secretary. I looked at her carefully taking notice of her attitude until I could suppress my anger. She is one of those women who were obsessed with their figures, appearance, street cred, and tended to be on the insular side. It’s bad to judge a book by its cover, but when the cover is as appealing as her personality, I can safely say I’m on point.

‘I’m sorry but Mr. Sinclair is currently not in his office’, I said after I cooled off, giving her a big fat smile that is as fake as her nose. Who is she? One of his exes? Oh my god, is she Elizabeth? What does she want with Raphael? Does she have an appointment? Did Raphael call her to meet him? Is that the reason he was avoiding me?

Before I gave myself a severe heart-attack I promptly asked her, ‘Can I have your name please?’ (She doesn’t deserve a ‘may’)

‘Name? you don’t know who I’m? Are you new here? Strange for someone who looks so young to hold a position that demands a certain experience. Sleeping through the ladder, are we?’, she sneered at me giving me a once over.

Oh no, you did not go there. At her crude remark, I removed my sheathed claws. Let’s play word games.

‘Speaking from the experience, are we? I don’t know about your ability, but I have the capability that is required to hold this position. What about you? Tired from swiping the daddy’s card?’, I gave a smirk. Score one for me.

‘You…’, she tried to speak but I cut her off.

‘Yes, me. Are you trying to humiliate me by using your extraordinary intelligence in speaking English coherently? Because honey I’m impressed. Congratulations. Now scoot’, I said motioning with my fingers for her to leave.

‘I didn’t pay you to speak disrespectfully to those who ask about me Ms. Anderson’, Raphael said firmly entering the foyer.

Oh shit. Caught with hand in the cookie jar or my case bitch war. Today is not my day. I peered at Raphael with an innocent look. But the gaze he directed at me is not like anything he has given to me till now. It’s a stare that implies disappointment mixed with something. I won’t say it’s hatred, but it’s close to it. For the first time, I’m at the receiving end of his hateful stare. That’s not just it. He engulfed her in a side hug. He stood with a protective stance over her. Protecting from me. What had I said to make him behave like this after what we have shared? I felt the rebuff register in my solar plexus even as a spurt of anger brought my chin high and made my voice firm.

‘Yes sir. I agree with what you said. But you did pay me to enquire about whoever comes to ask about you. And that’s what I did’, I said with politeness I didn’t feel.

‘So, putting down someone for their intelligence is what I pay you for? In that case Ms. Anderson, I believe you need a salary cut’, he grunted withholding his anger.

Who is this guy? Each word that is emitting from his mouth is like a stake to my heart. I thought I knew him. But this is not him. This is not my Raphael. Serves me right for falling so fast and so hard for him.

‘I didn’t mean to sound like that’, I muddled with my explanation, a crack appearing in my façade.

‘I don’t want to hear what you mean Ms. Anderson. No excuses. Now I only want to hear an apology from you to the lady’, he said with his fist hitting on the table.

What’s wrong with him? It’s not like I was spitting venom on her. A few words don’t deserve this treatment. But I swallowed my humiliation and turned to her. ‘I’m sorry’, I gritted each word out.

‘Let’s go’, he took her hand and locked his office. He locked. I stared at the door willing it to open, to give a glimpse of what is going on the other side. A slow tear rolled on my cheek. I quickly wiped it away. I don’t have to be here to face another humiliation. One is more than enough. I quickly sent him an email saying I’m taking a half-day leave. Hopefully, he is engaged with her enough to let me pass by.

It’s really sad to lick the wounds given by your boyfriend. Vodka. That’s what you need, my inner diva said.

Great. For a girl who detests anything alcoholic, Raphael is sure to make me into one.