Chapter 27: Chapter 27
Chapter 27: Overhearing
Kendra’s P.O.V:
When I woke up the next morning, Victor wasn’t in bed with me, but there was a note stuck to the pillows that said he’d gone to his office to report his arrival and to take up any necessary assignments if there were any. But he’d also left a post script saying that he wanted to have dinner with me.
For once in a long while, I didn’t want to bolt out the door as soon as the coast was clear. I felt relaxed and satisfied and sore in all the right places, but I guess that’s the side-effect of getting my act together. I haven’t been with a partner in over six months and even I have to agree that going seven rounds all in one night was a bit too much.
Stretching my arms above my head, I rose from the bed butt naked and went straight for the shower. Since I’d taken home all the spare clothing I had in this apartment, I have to make a quick trip home for some fresh undergarments and a change of clothes. It didn’t mean I wanted to move in with him or anything. We had a great time and I enjoyed every second of it, but I still had to be cautious with Victor, because not only was he Grace’s younger brother, he was also the man I’d hurt badly once. I don’t know what he’ll do this time if I end up breaking his heart again.
And it will happen. Of all people, I had to be honest with myself that intentionally or unintentionally, I just might end up breaking his heart again and this time it’ll be forever. And I don’t want to let that happen to him. Victor is a good man at heart and I don’t want him to hate the idea of loving someone just because I wasn’t the one for him. A even though I hate the thought of him being with someone else, loving another woman the way he did me, touching her, kissing her or even holding her hand, I knew in my heart that I wasn’t the one for him. And no matter how much I wanted to stay with him, to keep stealing these tender moments out of time, I knew what would come out of it eventually.
Shaking all negative thoughts out of my mind, I got dressed in yesterday’s clothing and taking a paper out of his notepad, wrote a note and stuck it to the fridge. Then I grabbed my purse and shoes and headed out the door
*
Once I’d reached home, I’d changed into fresh clothing and taken care of any work that I had pending. Thankfully work pressure was a bit low at the moment so I had some time to relax. I made myself a nice big cup of coffee and took the time to answer some emails. I even caught up with Ty and Grace. Ty was busy with her school work, as usual and Grace was out of town for a conference and won’t be back until tomorrow night.
At around seven, I got up from my bed where I’d taken a short nap and got dressed in a nice blue satin sleeveless dress that reached my knee and was loose fitting enough to be comfortable. I like to wear dresses instead of jeans or pants because they are airy and allow free movement. For jewellery I wore stud diamond earrings and a watch. Keeping my makeup minimal, I put on some cherry lipstick and eyeliner and was well on my way back to Victor’s place.
He hadn’t called yet, but that’s understandable since I did write in my note that I’d be back by seven thirty. And I think he’s probably busy preparing dinner. But does he even know how to cook? Knowing Grace’s parents, they’d probably pamper their son rotten while make Grace learn all the essentials because according to them, the woman should know how to do all the housework. That means he’ll probably be buying dinner from the restaurant near the apartment or he’ll order in from Daniel’s restaurant.
I took a cab to Victor’s apartment and paid the driver before climbing up the stairs to the apartment. I don’t know why but with each step I climbed, I felt something heavy settle in my stomach. Ignoring it, I reached the door and was about to use the spare key to unlock the door when I heard it, a woman’s laughter. And then:
“So, your done fucking some sense into her?”
“Oh, come on! I used that sentence once! When are you going to let that go?”
I rose from my crouch slowly, dread settling in my stomach making me feel sick. I found that the door was partly open and right the entrance to the door laid a woman’s high heels and a coat.
I didn’t need to see or hear anymore. I simply turned and left; my stomach in knots and my heart in a million pieces.
Victor’s P.O.V:
It was already evening by the time I reached home. I knew I’d promised Kendra that I’d be seeing her at dinner so I’d bought all the things I’d need to prepare dinner for her. But when I entered my house, I found a note stuck to the fridge that said that Kendra had gone back home to freshen up but she’d be back by seven thirty in the evening. Relieved, I began tiding up the house a bit before I started making preparations for dinner.
I decided to make us some pasta and some chocolate cake for dinner so I started working on the pasta first, boiling water and chopping up vegetables, but halfway through the cooking process, I heard the door open and someone enter the house.
Surprised that Kendra would show up early, I turned to find Gina instead, with a bottle of wine and plastic bag in hand that had McDonald’s logo on it. “Thought you might need some company!” She grinned as she took off her heels and placed the food on the counter.
“Well, you couldn’t have thought more wrong!” I sighed. “Weren’t you supposed to be with someone else today?” I asked her.
“Yes, I was.” She said in her saddest voice possible. “But it seems everyone just wants me to go away today...”
“Gina,” I warned. “I have a date today with Kendra and I really don’t want you to fuck it up.”
Gina barked out a laugh. “So, your done fucking some sense into her?”
“Oh, come on!” I shook my head. “I used that sentence once! When are you going to let that go?”
“Not until I know for sure that you guys are back together and that Kendra has stopped running.” She shook her head. “Look, I know you love her, that you’ve been in love with her for the past two years...but do you really think she’s the one for you? I mean, she did hurt you pretty bad before.”
“Gin, that was before. This is now.” I told her. “She’s changed, I know that.”
“Tonic, you’re my best friend and I love you, but you trust people way too easily.” Gina told me while shaking her head. “Even I don’t trust Sabine that much! Or I wouldn’t be here while she parties with Miss. Blonde Bimbo at a so called office party!”
“Ah!” I smirked. “So that’s why you’re here. Because the love of your life has an office party and she couldn’t take you with her?”
“It’s not like I’m dying to go there...” She grumbled while unscrewing the wine and taking a gulp out of it.
“But you’re jealous that she might be with someone else?”
“Hey,” Gin pointed a finger at me while she took another gulp of wine. “I came all the way here so I could be with her. The least she could do is invite me to the party.”
“Alright, how about you help me prepare dinner and rant on about Sabine at the same time?” I told her. “That way we can get both our jobs done and I can also introduce you to Kendra formally and you can psychoanalyze her as much as you want at dinner?”
“Deal!”
With that, Gina and I started preparing dinner while munching on some McDonald’s and sipping cheap wine. But dinner came and went with no signs of Kendra. At first I thought she might be held back due to work or might have fallen asleep. Btu it was 23 missed calls later that I got worried.
Why didn’t she show up? I thought we’d made some progress yesterday. Then what had happened in just twelve hours that made Kendra change her mind?