SOMETHING FISHY
1666 Words
CHRIS’S POV
I finished talking with Richard and went to get my food when I saw the person that had come into the hall. It was Cynthia.
I never knew she would come to that kind of party but it made sense since she also owned a hotel. Since she didn’t see me, I decided to keep my cool and avoid her, so I quickly faced the other side but surprisingly, she came right to my table.
The awkwardness was too much but I didn’t waste any time before I stood up and fled the table. I rushed to the restroom to calm my racing heart down and told myself over and over that it was okay and a lot of time had passed.
After a mouth and hand wash, I exited the restroom only to bump into a group of men talking about someone. I couldn’t care less until I heard them mention Cynthia Anderson of Glamour Group. My legs pause automatically to listen in on the conversation and I didn’t know when I threw hands.
“She’s too snobbish and proud. I wonder why she’s acting so high and mighty”, one of the men scoffed and took a sip of his champagne.
“Who? Are you looking for a hot chick to pass the night with again?” his friend cackled
“Not that. Have you ever heard of the Glamour group?” he asked, and his friend nodded.
“Yes, I have. It is the biggest group in New Zealand and one of the biggest companies in the world. They are not a joke” the friend described
“Good. You know the Chairwoman is late and her daughter has taken over the company now. I met her here surprisingly and I approached her. I asked for her number to make some connections but she turned me down. Too much pride for a divorcee” he stated with a scoff,
“She’s divorced? Wow! At such a young age. I guess rich problems have some problems too” the friend laughed.
“I don’t understand why she’s so proud as a divorced lady. She should be jumping at the opportunities of a man reaching out to her. What is the essence of having that much money without a man? Such a waste. I guess her cockiness was what made the husband leave her” the man jested.
I couldn’t take their nonsense anymore and pushed the man from the back, making him stagger.
“What right do you have to put her down that way? Is everyone liable to take your nonsense? You are the loser for complaining and being bitter for getting turned down by a woman who is rich enough to buy your generations. Instead of snooping around another woman’s wealth, save your dying hotel in the desert” I yelled at him and the man couldn’t believe his ears.
He paused to look at me for some seconds before a soft “Ah, now I see. You are the ex-husband” flew out of his mouth.
“Yes I am. Is that a problem? Whatever happened between us is not your business. Keep your mouth out of the elite’s business and save your sinking business. The last time I checked, your hotel was listed among the failing business. Don’t you think that comes first instead of chasing skirts around? A CEO with a misplaced priority heading to his own point of doom”. I lashed out at him
We were getting noticed and people were focusing on us. He noticed and saw that I was getting the upper hand, so he just dropped the conversation and told me to be careful, which I knew was an empty threat.
Lifting my eyes, I met Cynthia, who was surprised about the scene she was witnessing. I just avoided her gaze and turned to leave.
“Wait!” she called out and my legs froze.
I wanted to ignore it and pretend as if I didn’t hear, but she was faster, she rushed to me and pulled me by my clothes.
“Let’s not act childish and make it more awkward” she gritted, and I turned to look at her.
“How about some minutes? You can spare me that much, right?” she asked and I nodded slowly.
“How have you been?” I managed to mutter and she responded that she was fine, as I could see.
“I never knew I could run into you here” I continued, trying hard not to stutter.
“I am a hotel owner, so it’s not out of place” she replied and sighed.
“Thank you for defending me even though you didn’t have to” she added, and I was shocked.
Cynthia just thanked me? Really? She was someone who wouldn’t even look at me when we were married. She never appreciated anything I did for her and would always ignore or complain. I didn’t want to think much about it because it might be due to the fact that we haven’t seen each other in a long time. People don’t change easily.
“Don’t mention it” I told her, and fixed my glasses.
“Seeing how your boss sent you here. You are as competent as ever. Well, you are Chris after all, the one with the Midas touch” she complimented and released her folded arms,
“Enjoy the party”, she concluded, and left my presence
The breath I sealed in was released at that point and I puffed out a huge amount of air from my swollen lungs.
“Her appearance is still as scary as ever” I muttered to myself and went my way.
****
Aurora witnessed the scenario and suddenly burst into laughter as they walked out of the hall.
“Why are you laughing? You are making me embarrassed!” Cynthia remarked.
“Did you see how he defended you back there? I guess he still has the responsible vibe”, Aurora said, and Cynthia stopped at her words.
“Weren’t you stuffing yourself just a few minutes ago, so you could beat him up and pull his hair off?” she asked in surprise.
“Well, he changed my mind with that defense. He’s decent to some extent, so we all should move on too” Aurora responded shamelessly and she was rendered speechless.
“The way you switch sides is alarming”, Cynthia mumbled, and Aurora suddenly paused.
“I need to get the pies! They were looking so yummy!” she declared and Cynthia couldn’t believe her ears again.
“See you later darling. I can see you are tired already, so go home and rest,” she added, and rushed back into the hall.
Cynthia shook her head as she watched her sprint inside like a rabbit before a small smile appeared on her lips.
“She always do what she wants. Such a cutie” she remarked, and walked away to rest up for the day since she would be going out of Malta with the first flight the next day.
She was about to enter the car when she heard a familiar voice call out to her. On her turning, she saw Chris rushing towards her with a serious look on her face which made her wonder what he wanted again.
With a shaky breath, after closing the distance, he extended his hand “Here”
She had left her clutch behind. Her eyes widened at the sight of it because, even at that point, she never realized that she had lost something. Everything that happened had messed with her brain.
“Ah.. I didn’t even realize that I had left this behind. What was I thinking? Thank you” she muttered in a low tone, but it was audible enough for him to hear
“Don’t mention it” he responded firmly, and turned to take his leave when her voice stopped him.
“I can see that you have been fine. That’s what I wanted anyway”, she stated, and he turned to face her once more.
“You are glowing too. I can see the work you have put in. It’s nice seeing you once again, this time with no resentment attached”, he confessed.
A smile crossed her lips and faded as fast as it came. Her fingers played with each other as she thought about what to say next.
“You came alone?” she asked further.
He needed no one to tell him that she was asking if he came with his girlfriend, Kate, who was also her ex-best friend. He didn’t understand why she asked anyway, because they both knew how crazily busy she always was, even before all the dramas.
“She’s at her company. Always no time for anything else except her world” he responded with a light chuckle,
“That’s true” she supported and they kept staring at each other, thinking of what to say next, when Aurora rushed out of the venue to where they were standing.
“Oh! Seems like I am interrupting something” she blurted out as she stopped abruptly and turned sharply.
Cynthia’s hand was faster than Aurora’s legs as she pulled her back with the edge of her dress.
“Interrupting what? I was waiting for you” she gritted, an awkward smile on her face.
“Really? Let’s go then” Aurora blurted out and Cynthia sighed with her eyes closed,
“You are a psychologist but you cannot take a hint” she growled with a low voice and turned to Chris, who had already raised his hand for a farewell.
“Take care of yourself”, he beat her to it and left quickly.
“Something is smelling fishy here” Aurora giggled and ran away before Cynthia’s clutch got connected to her body.
- Writer
