The Inevitable Lies

Chapter 7

"Leave them Mrs. Olsen I'll take care of the dishes." Zoe spoke when my mother attempted to start washing the dinner plates.

We were currently crashing at her house until ours was clear for living. And even if it wasn't for the police telling us to not enter until all the evidence was collected and everything set, we still wouldn't want to stay in the house for a couple of nights.

The image of the blood splattered across the walls and on the floor turned my insides upside down.

"Yeah mom just go play with Ash or something, we'll do the dishes." I piped in.

My mom felt uncomfortable leeching at Zoe's so she wanted to pay for her stay by cleaning the house and buying groceries.

My mom hesitated for a little while before I pushed her put of the kitchen.

" Come on mom leave. Zoe and I want to talk about boys in private." I joked, earning a laugh from both Zoe and my mom.

It's been a long time since we've spoken about boys.

"Sure Katie whatever you say." My mom chuckled as she left the kitchen.

I went up to Zoe who was already standing by the sink and joined in on washing.

"So, got any idea who might've did that to your house?" Zoe finally asked. I didn't want to open up that conversation in front of my mom lest she got more worked up.

I sighed heavily and looked up at her.

"I got a message." I spoke, earning Zoe's full attention.

"What?" She gaped with wide eyes.

I fetched out my phone and showed her the two messages I got earlier.

"Bestie? What the hell?" She voiced out the same reaction I had. "You have another best friend besides me?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

I narrowed my eyes playfully at her. "Seriously Zoe, did you see me interact with anyone besides you and my mom for the past couple of years?"

Ever since we all graduated from college, our group stopped meeting as much. Some of us travelled, some got married and we just all got busy with life and drifted apart.

We still keep in contact though but to the very minimum. The only one who I see and talk to almost everyday is Zoe and that was it.

Zoe poked out her lower lip like a baby and I pushed her lightly on the arm.

"Who do you think it is then?" Zoe finally asked a relevant question.

"I don't know but I have a feeling."

Zoe kept looking at me, waiting for me to say a name.

"I'm not going to say who it is until I'm sure. I don't want to wrongly accuse someone of something." I finished.

"Oh come on Kate, just tell me. It's not like your giving your statement at court." Zoe whined.

I shook my head. "Later. I'll tell you later."

"Oh, Mark and Rae are back by the way." Zoe said, completely changing the subject.

My eyes gleamed with happiness. "Really? When?"

"Jasmine told me that they got back last week but only made it known to the group yesterday. They want to have a reunion."

"That would be great!" I said with excitement. "Did you guys agree on a time and place?"

"Not yet. We want to choose a time suitable for all of us so no one is left out."

My smile was wide and my heart was dancing in its place.

I was really missing our group and knowing that Mark and Rae are back from Dubai made me ecstatic.

They were lovers at college and Mark finally got the courage to propose to Rae at our graduation.

He made sure it was a fancy, huge proposal in front of everyone.

And she said yes.

But soon after the wedding, Mark was deported to Dubai for his work and of course, his wife tagged along.

"Okay just tell me what you guys have in mind and I'll make sure to free myself that day."

We chatted along about our memories at college. Zoe made sure to not go anywhere near memories containing Caleb in it, even though they were a lot.

My mind contemplated on whether I should tell her about him being my boss or not and I found it very difficult to decide.

If Zoe knew, she won't miss the chance to go up to the hotel and beat the leaving s**t out of Caleb in front of everyone.

The thought made me laugh but I kept it hidden.

Zoe and I finished cleaning the kitchen and I went out to take Ash.

"He slept." Mom smiled up at me as she cradled him in her arms.

I smiled softly back at her. "I'll take him to bed and go to sleep myself."

"Goodnight darling."

--

"Good morning Laura." I greeted the elder lady as I made my way to my desk.

She was standing by my chair, placing some files from her hands.

"Good morning dear. Thank God you arrived before I left. No need for this note then." She let out a small laugh as she tossed the yellow sticky note into the bin.

"These files have been sent to Mr. Frost from sales and I thought I'd get them to you personally."

"Why didn't the sales team contact me directly?" I asked with curiosity.

"Oh, the departments here still don't know much of you. Some don't even know you exist." She joked but I couldn't find any humour in what she said.

"Anyways, things will get better when you're introduced at the hotel's annual spring party."

"Spring party?" I mouthed my confusion.

"Yes, it's a yearly party held at the hotel during spring. Mr. Frost uses it as a means of tightening the connections with his investors and VIP guests. People also get discounts and special offers of that day so you can imagine how high sales go up. It's one of Mr. Frost's marketing strategies."

My eyes widened in surprise. I didn't beg Caleb to be this smart in working. Didn't seem like the part in his past jobs. Or maybe it was because I saw his goofy side a lot so I couldn't imagine him being all serious and logical at work.

"That's really nice." I said poorly.

"It sure is. Ah that reminds me! You should go follow up with the projects management team and event planners. They've already been working on it for five months now, but since you're officially the secretary, you'll have to keep in touch with all the progress."

"Oh. Yes of course. I'll contact them immediately."

The elevator door dinged, driving Laura and I's attention to the man emerging from it.

Caleb walked out with his authoritative aura. Something I was still not used to.

Brian followed with a goofy smile.

"Morning princess." Brian waved and my eyes bulged from their sockets.

Caleb's head quickly towards Brain, I though he'd get a whiplash injury.

Part of me wanted to make Caleb know that he doesn't mean anything to me now and that I could still guys. But the other part didn't want to steep that low. I was a mother and I honestly didn't feel like going along with any guy.

"I told you not to call me that." I replied sternly, avoiding any eye contact with Caleb.

"No can do sweetheart." Brian joked around.

Caleb let out a low, inaudible growl, almost inhumane. He meant to keep it to himself but it was quite enough to be heard.

"Stop goofing around We have work to do." Caleb barked in a low, menacing tone as he went straight to his office.

"Whats wrong with him?" Brian asked to no one in particular.

"I'll see you again soon princess." He winked at me before following after Caleb but I offered him no reaction.

"Those two." I heard Laura chuckle behind me. I almost forgot that she was here. "They're always bickering like some married couple."

"Have they been friends for long?" I asked.

"I'm not sure really. They've been friends for as long as I was here but I heard others say that Brian was the only one who stood by Caleb's side when he was at the pit."

Her words made my brain travel to the time we were getting a divorce. He just got fired out of his job and had some debt to pay.

My heart hurt. It stung like bee.

I was willing ti give up everything for him at the time. To stand by his side u til it was all good. To support it with whatever I could.

But he decided to leave. Just like that. Without notice, and for no specific reason.

I felt a little jealous from Brian. From the fact that Caleb allowed him to step in as support during that time. And my anger grew.

I hated Caleb for it. And I hated myself for letting him do that to me.

"I see." They were the only words I could muster to say without showing any kind of emotion.

"I have to go get Mr. Frost's coffee and then go check on the event progress with the team." I excused myself.

"Yes of course dear. Go on ahead."

I left the hotel feeling all kinds of emotions and to top it off, Starbucks was very much crowded.

My mind drifted off to nowhere. My chest felt empty and I struggled to contain my anger.

It took forever to get Caleb's latte and just as I turned around to leave, someone bumped into me, smashing the coffee into my clothes.

The hot liquid seeped through my blouse and for the first time in two years, I cried my heart out.

I wasn't crying from the steaming hot liquid on my skin. On the contrary, it kept my mind a little off of things I didn't want to think about.

But my eyes couldn't take it and burst into tears that turned into full on agonising sobs.

"Oh my God I'm so sorry. If it hurts so bad let's go to the hospital." The girl who was the reason behind my coffee spill started apologising. And I could feel her panic increasing by the second as my sobs continued.

I heard and felt people gather around us, some trying to dry the coffee with tissues and some urging me to go to the hospital but I couldn't pay them any attention.

My ears rang and my head buzzed. My burning chest and hand were the least of my worries.

I fi ally calmed down and assured everyone that I'll be okay. It was hard to leave Starbucks and convince everyone that I don't need to go to the hospital.

Luckily for me, a Starbucks employee gave me another latte for free.

I silently went up to Caleb's office and placed the cup on his desk, making sure to keep my head low and well hidden.

"Go to Mrs. Fox and get me the progress report on our summer party." Caleb ordered as he kept his face glued to his computer.

I cleared my throat, finally able to swallow the lump nesting inside.

"Yes, okay."

I turned to leave but Caleb's voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Kate." it was the first time he used my first name since I started working here.

I remained glued in my place, keeping my back to him.

"Yes Mr. Frost?"

No more Caleb. No more emotions. No more sadness. No more anger.

I heard Caleb suck in a breath.

"Turn around."

My feet felt weak and stoned to the ground but I slowly turned, but still kept my head fixed to the ground.

I heard Caleb's chair friction across the parquet floor and felt him come closer.

I avoided eye contact at all costs, even when he reached out and held my hand up.

I winced from the sting His hand cause by touching my burnt skin but bit my tongue to keep it from going loud.

Unfortunately, Caleb heard.

"What happened?" His voice wasn't soft or comforting. It was rather angry and edgy.

I pulled my hand away from him. "Nothing Mr. Frost its just a little accident."

Caleb was about to say something but the opening of the door abruptly stopped him mid way.

"Oh, you're here." Her nasally voiced echoed through the room.

My heart was too tired to react towards her.

"How many times do I have to tell you to knock before you enter Jayeline?" Caleb asked in annoyance but the brat giggled and walked up towards him, joining her arms with his.

"Excuse me." I turned to leave once again but this time Caleb didn't stop me. He had no reason to.