Her Con Artist

CHAP-4

Seating in the car, i looked at the messages and emails that i received over the day.

First one belonged to Zara.

Take care bro :)

She replied to my message that i send her yesterday night on my way back home telling her i am going home with a colleague of mine.

I was finish with my work for today, which was really hectic. I was waiting outside Zara's apartment to pick her up for our dinner. Funny, i read her message now as i stood outside of her house. I put my hand the car horn and she came out as soon as the horn sound finished. She came near the car glaring at me for horning. I shrugged my shoulders as i gave her a toothy smile to rile her up. She shoke her head and sat inside the car.

Leaving Zara at her place i drive out and was not feeling going home. So i decided to just drive around the city. Looking at my mobile to know the time it was 9 o'clock, putting up a music, i started my journey. Just driving here and there, lost in my thoughts. I applied break as the signal turned red, waiting for the signal to turn green, i looked around the area. It was far from home, i thought. Looking up at the large builinyg which stood proudly in the area, my eyes stayed zoomed in on the company's logo- TSB CONSTRUCTION. 

Below it was many more logo's of it's branches. Green land, Smartly connected, Idea route and a few more.

My mind going back to the past on it's own accord. Painful memories came rushing back in. My hand held the steering wheel tightly, my teeth grinding with emotional pain that i once forgot.

You were never better and never will. Just useless and a dumb b***h.

Loud horning brought me back to my reality, with shaking hands i drove the car. My breath caught in my throat, i need to stop. Stopping the car around a dark alley, i breathed in.

Calm down. You are fine Monica. You are doing great.

He never cared about you, never loved you, never considered you as his.

So stop thinking about the past. The painful days are over. He has no power over you now, he can't do anything.

Yes, breath. You can do it.

It's fine. Its going to be fine.

Repeating these things, i calmed down and was able to breath properly. My anxiety sky rocketed as i saw that company's logo. Grabbing the water bottle from the back seat, i opened the cab quickly and drank in one go. Popping sound came as i pulled it away from my lips, breathing heavily. I leaned back in the car seat amd looked outside, to see exactly where i was. I was in a dark street with an alley on my left. Suddenly i saw three people in the alley, two were smoking leaning against on wall while the other was leaning against the wall opposite to theirs. I could only see their silhouette not their faces or anything. I was unfamiliar with the area, so i searched it on the gps. Finding the direction to my home back, i clicked on the arrow to start showing me the directions. I don't know why, but i looked up in the man's direction and at the same time, a man lights up his cigarette and i was able to see his face. It was Russell and the man next to him was visible due to the light falling on his face made me see his face too. He was Josh, the other man who was leaning against the wall, walked forward approaching the guys and i could see his side profile now. He whispered something to them and he looked at my direction. Instinctively, i drive the car as i let my hair fall at the side of face making a curtain. Hoping they didn't see me as i drive away. Putting my foot on the race, i increased the speed as i looked back at the side mirror and found them at the road looking at my car which far away from them to see anything.

Nice. I was about to get caught. No wait! Why did i do that!? I wasn't doing it on purpose, it was a pure coincidence. Well anyway, it was too late to go back now.

I drived for an hour and reached the house finally at 12 o'clock. Parking the car, i ran to the house as it was really cold outside. During shower, i thought about what happened earlier.

What were they doing that shady area. Were they hiding? Or were they a part of gangsters?

Many crazy thoughts came into my mind. Tomorrow party will answer my questions.After a shower, doing my usual skin care routine i went to bed. Picking up the phone, i looked at the schedule for tomorrow.

Oh i completely forgot about tomorrow's evening party.

Sending some files to my boss, calling it a day and slept.

Going through the usual routine, wake up, get ready, go to work, listen to your boss, work, work, work, eat  and work and then home. But today there was a change of scenario. I was free after two meetings and signing some files. I came back home with a good mood, well of course because i was free early.

I received a message from Ella, in which address and time was told to me. Time was 5 pm. I looked up at the corner of my mobile screen and saw the time, it was 2pm.

Ah, a lot of time.

What should i do now?. I thought, siting on my bed with legs crossed and  wearing baggy clothes. I looked around the room, it was cleaned and perfectly arranged. I sighed, falling back to lay on the bed like how they do in movies. But it turned out to be bad. As i fall back, my head hit the headboard and i groaned in pain. Rubbing my head, i laughed at my stupidity and a few tears also left my eyes. Rolling my eyes at myself, i walked towards the launch to watch something. I watched the episode of a tv series, Mind Hunters, my phone's alarm started ringing. It was time to get ready. Switching off my tv, i walked back in the room. It was time to select my clothes. It was cold outside so i dressed warmly, pastel pink knitted high neck, blue jeans, black boots and long black coat. Braided my hair into french braid and wore light makeup. I was ready by 3:45 pm, taking my purse and mobile, i locked the door. I drive the car with full heater on and stopped at a bakery. I bought two cakes for them, a gift from me, as i was visiting them for the first time. Dalton's mother always said, to never go empty handed to anyone's house you are invited for the first time. My mother wasn't alive to teach me these things, so her mother played a role of mother in my life.

I followed the directions and reached a small town where houses vary in sizes but they all were beautiful. I saw many cars outside a specific house, i looked down at the screen and found it was my destination. Parking behind a Rover, i walked out and picked up the cakes. I walked on the paver stone walkway and reached the door. With my elbow, i ring the bell and waited. The door was opened after a few seconds and i was greeted with Keith. He smiled as he saw me, opened the door widely for me to enter.

"Welcome. I hope you weren't lost on the way." He asked, as he closed the door behind me. I waited for him, felt awkward going in alone.

"No. I followed the directions on the map." I said, to which he nodded and walked past me and i followed behind him.

It was a small but cozy house, made of wooden. I could hear loud chatter from the moment i walked inside the house, it was getting loud as we closed near a huge room. I stopped as everybody looked up at the visitor.

"Hey!. Welcome." Ella said, coming towards me with a big smile.

Giving her a small smile, i extended the bags of cakes towards her. To which she gasped as she looked inside.

"They are my favorites. How did you know!?" She said, looking surprised.

I shrugged and chuckled as everybody laughed at her child like act.

"Come take a seat." Josh said, standing up and pointed towards the chair.

Giving forced smiles as i meet eyes of any people on my way to take a seat beside Lexi. She waved at me, i nodded my head back.

"Guys, this is the friend we were talking about. Isn't she gorgeous?." Owen said, pointing at me with smirk.

I sat there with a blank expression not flattered by his comment. There were two women and three men whom i haven't met before. Owen told ne that they were their close friends, i nodded my head as my eyes met their curious ones. The party went smooth with quite fun, it was good which i didn't expected. After eating, we were sitting outside in the loan with fire in center as everybody huddled in a circle around it. The weather was a but chilly with little breeze but the fire made it warm for us. It was a nice experience. I felt an outcast sometimes when they started talking about their inside jokes. Holding the bottle of canned beer, i looked up at the dark sky with stars beautifying every part of it. I found Ursa Minor, Hercules and Bootes in the sky. They are the stars shapes in sky, which you can find if you know how they look. I smiled as the good old days came into my mind. All the chatter around me disappeared as i looked around the peaceful sky, lost in my own thoughts.

If i were to born into a different family, would've my life followed the same sequence of events like this?.

I wish i was a star, away from all the heart breaks and betrayal. No one to depend on, just alone. Peaceful life it would have been.

Sighing, shaking my head, i put down the beer and looked up as only few people were sitting while the others were either inside or they left.

"I should get going now." I said, looking at Josh, Ella, Keith and Owen.

"Thank you for coming. Get home safe." Ella said, giving me a hug.

Waving bye, i walked back to my car with a gloomy feelings.

I need to get a grip. It's past, now move on.

My past was like a charcoal stain on my life that can't be erased no matter how many times i try. But i was not going to give up, i will never give him the satisfaction of bringing me down.

With a new sense of determination, i drive my way back to my home. Following the same routine, sleep, wake up, get ready, go to office, eat, work, listen, work, work and sleep.

A few days later, i met Josh and Keith in a mall and on their request ate ice cream together. I got quite close to them, Ella and Lexi now then call me and talk about random things. It was good to have more people in my life. I just hope it turns out to be good. For once i was not being conservative and careful. Two weeks later, i was extremely bored on a weekend. So i decided to have a small get together at my home. I texted Ella and Owen and told them to tell other guys on my behalf as i didn't had their numbers. Then i messaged Dalton and found he and Zara were meeting their families together. Well yeah, it was just us then.

I cleaned and organized the things around the house, cooked some food and ordered the rest from restaurant. Taking a shower and getting ready, i wore comfy clothes and switched on the heater of the living room. To make the room warm. Sitting on the sofa, i went through my social networks to kill time while waiting for them. It was 4 when the bell rung, standing up, i ran a hand through my head and walked towards the door. Putting my one hand on the side of peephole and get closer to see who was outside. I saw large face of Ella and Owen, while the rest were standing behind. I moved back and opened the door for them.

"Hi!!" Ella said, coming forward to give me a hug which i wasn't expecting at all. My hands were at my side as she was hugging me.  I awkwardly chuckled while pushing ehr away. It was uncomfortable to hug someone to whom i wasn't too much close.

I lee them in and signalled towards the sofa, indirectly telling them to take seats. I went towards the kitchen which was on the right of the living room. Pouring juice in the glasses,they were whispering among themselves as i entered the living room, upon my arrival they stopped and looked up at me. I found it a bit weird but let it go. I sat on the side couch and looked at each of them with a small smile on ym face as each one of them picked their glasses.

"I hope it was a safe tavel here." I asked, trying to loosen the environment.

I never had so many people at my place and so it was a bit awkward for me.

"It was totally fine. We find it easily." Owen said, nodding his head as they took a sip later.

I nodded my head and clasped my hand in front of me.

"You don't have many pictures here." Lexi said, looking around.

"Yes i don't have." I simply said, shrugging my shoulders.

"Are they your siblings? Though you all don't look alike." Josh said, narrowing hus eyes as he looked closer at the picture hanging on the wall.

"No they are my friends." I said, brushing my baby hair out of my face and put my leg over the other.

"Right right." Josh said, while looking at the other pictures of us. Eric just looked around here and there, while listening to our chatter. He didn't spoke much or he was being like this as if he feel uncomfortable. Russell well, he was just looking bored

"You don't have pictures of your family." Ella said as a matter of fact, looking back at me from the pictures on the wall.

"My mom died so i don't have any pictures of her. Except my memories." I said, looking at them to which they all went silent. Even Russell looked sympathetic.

"What about your dad?" She said in a lower tone as before. She was sorry for me and looked hopeful.

"I don't have a dad. The man who i used to call me dad, kicked me out his house." I said, with a shrug and crossed my arms over my chest.

Lexi and Ella gasped in surprise, Keith and Josh looked sympathetic while Russell and Erick looked down at their hands. Probably feeling sorry for me.

"How did you manage all this? " It was Owen who was went silent when topic of my family came up.

"Owen!." Josh and Ella said together.

He scratched his head and bit his lip feeling guilty.

"It's okay. It's all cause of my hard work and help from close friend." I said, pushing my hair behind my ear,

We all went silent after that, they were looking here and there except me. They all wore guilty expressions but didn't said anything.

"Your apartment is really beautiful. Did you decor it yourself? Lexi asked, probably felt the need to break the ice. For which i was thankful for.

"Thank you. I bought the things with my friend Zara, and did all this myself. Came out nice." I said, nodding my head in happiness feeling accomplished at her compliment.

"Absolutely. Oh wait, You can become a decoration advisor." Keith said with a wonder expression on his face.

"Haha. May be i will do it in future." I said  with a wink. We all chuckled at his cute statement. Even Eric smiled a bit.

"Are you guys hungry?" As soon as words left my mouth, everybody except Russell and Eric nodded their heads quickly and yelled yes.

Chuckling at them, i stood uo from the couch to prepare the things. They all were nice, everybody came to help me in the kitchen. Keith and Ella took care of warming up the things, Eric and Russell were taking plates and all the things to the table. Lexi and Owen were fighting over the pieces of pizza, which was largest and which was the smallest. I cut them into almost equal sizes they must have find one or two of different sizes. Josh took dishes to the table as i passed him after putting them on the plates. It was a nice warm meal with teasing, laughs and we all got to know each other. Even Russell opened up. It was evening when we all started to play random games, i went to kitchen to make some popcorns. As i was lost in my own thoughts i didn't hear someone come due to the loud noises outside.

As i turned around,i bumped into Eric, who held me by wrapping his arms around me. I looked up at him, his blue eyes met mine. I was mesmerized by his eyes, they were the purest color of sea blue with grey outlines. They held the sense of calm and furious at the same time. He looked surprised and moved back with his hand on my arm now.

"Thank you." I said, embarrassed.

He nodded his head and was about to speak when the microwave bell turned on.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I held the corner of the bag and took it out, but the pain was not bearable now.

"Ouch!. Ah s**t!." Gasping and yelling, the bag of popcorn fell from my hand and fell on the floor safely.

I blew air onto my red finger, which was burning with heat.

"You should be careful with these things. You don't have anyone to look after you." He said, softly, picking up the bag and put it on the shelf.

I said nothing, and kept blowing on my finger. Then i put my finger under the cold water which immediately cool down the burning. And i sighed in relief.

"I am taking this. Come when you are done." He said and walked out.

My mind went to his words, no one has ever said those words to me. He sounded sincere and sorry?. I don't what but it was sweet.

Shaking my head to get rid of the thoughts, i walked back in.

In the middle of games, we somehow landed on truth and dare game. There was a but change of rules, who ever chose dare has to drink the alcohol. Nobody had issue with it. And guess what, who suggested it. Russell was the one who said it.

I sat beside Eric and Lexi, as he spun the bottle. I was a bit dizzy due to a lot alcohol that i drunk like a cow.

It landed on Eric and he chose truth. I immediately rose my hand to question him. They nodded their heads for me yo go for it.

"I feel like Eric is the head of group. Am i right?" I asked, blinking.

"Yes i am." He said, with a shrug.

We continued to drink, play, laugh, that i was closer to pass out. That's when they called a day and decided to go home. They were nice enough to clear the things before they went home. Barely, holding myself up, i waved them bye and quickly walked towards my bed. As soon as my head hit the soft pillows, i was out.

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