Chapter 27: Chapter 27

ZOEY

Losing her job was not the only price Zoey had to pay for the false accusations she made against  Caleb. She was left confused as to the power in play concerning what was happening to her, she not only lost her job but her landlord also gave her a quit notice from her apartment, a petition was also filed as to bearing false witness and making Caleb suffer, she knew he was not from a wealthy home but what surprised her was the lawyers fighting his case, they were high profile lawyers that usually represented celebrities and wealthy businessmen.

Left with no choice, broke and homeless; she decided to do some snooping around. The information she was able to gather made little or no sense to her but an awful feeling nagged at her, so she decided to reach out to Caleb, find out what was amiss, and maybe have a piece of the pie.

With one mission in her mind, she boarded a bus and began her journey to new york city. The journey would take hours before they finally arrived so she asked for a seat by the window hoping to stay clear of any small talk with any of the other passengers, her mind was troubled by her past atrocities so she didn't want any other avoidable interactions.

The humming sound generated by the wheels of the car as they moved soothed her, it was preferred to bickering with anyone. Tucked safely in her jacket to ward off the morning chill, she rested her head on the partially closed window and watched as each tree and house they came by faded away into the background. That was how her perfectly beautiful life had faded off after she was found guilty of falsely accusing Caleb.

Zoey's mind wandered to those days she and Caleb had been dating, he had been the homely type of man that preferred to stay indoors, watch films, cuddle, and make love while she, on the other hand, loved the outdoor and nightly life with wild sex afterward. It was during one of her partying with friends at the club that she met Philip, Caleb's lecturer. At that time it was unknown to her who he was. They connected on the dance floor, both intoxicated already from too much beer.

Philip's hands had been all over her body that night and even though she was intoxicated she was still aware of what was going on and allowed it, she loved the feel of his hands on her body. They had sex in one of the rooms in the club which she regretted afterward especially after she came back home and met Caleb waiting for her, unsuspecting of what she had been up to.

Two days afterward she ran into him at the school and was even more surprised when Caleb introduced him to her as his lecturer.

“Nice meeting you ma'am.” the lecturer held her hands and watched her, his eyes twinkled in mischief

“Zoey, the name is Zoey.” she stammered

Just then a friend called out to Caleb who excused himself leaving them both behind for some minutes.

“Can I see you tonight?” Philip asked serious all of a sudden

“No, I have a boyfriend whom I love.”

“Spare me the bulshit, you are a wildflower and Caleb is too soft for your type.”

“And you know my type right.” she furrowed her brows, angry that he might be right

“Allow me to give you the excitement you crave. Give me your number and I will call you.”

“No.”

Caleb reappeared and held Zoey's hands “we have to keep going to avoid being late for class.” He said and started walking away.

“Hope to see you soon, Zoey,” Philip called out and left

Zoey ignored him and walked away with Caleb, but she was shaken within. He was Caleb's lecturer and she had sex with him. But excitement bubbled within her, their one night together was still fresh in her mind.

“Your hands her cold.” Caleb rubbed his palms over her hand, “Do you need some cuddling; you know I'm always here for you”

“I would like that.”

“We'll make sweet passionate love after class. Is that a date?” he smiled at her

“Yup.”

But all her thoughts were on Philip and somehow she ran into him later again and he invited her to his home.

She came an hour later, looking unsure. He lifted her from the door and kissed her deeply before taking her to his room where they made love and stayed in bed throughout the day.

Caleb kept calling her phone which was on silent and he grew restless and worried, she apologized when she resurfaced and lied to have been researching for an assignment at the library. Caleb had no reason to doubt her and her affair with Philip continued until luck ran out on them and they were caught.

Zoey shifted on her seat as memories flooded her mind, she should have apologized to Caleb and simply ended their relationship rather than frame him up. But Philip had persuaded her to do it promising to secure her a good job once she graduated. She only realized now that he was only trying to save his job and never loved her as he had claimed earlier.

With just one stupid lie she had hoped to destroy one life but ended up destroying three people and their families.

As tears streamed down her face unabated, she wondered what her life would have been like if she had not had an affair. In the absolute resolution, she promised herself that she would find Caleb and make amends. Hopefully, he was still the same old shy Caleb.