The big shock
1629 Words
This was it!
I was finally going to see Quan, after a year of not seeing him.
I was ecstatic at the idea of having to share a house with the same man whose mere thought could make me aroused.
I nursed crazy ideas about Quan in my head, desire spiking through me.
As my flight descended, I shot a text at Quan, informing him that I had just arrived at the airport.
I got a response immediately.
I clicked on the message, reading it.
“Great! I’ll be sending Samson over. He’s my assistant and he has pictures of you, to help him identify you in the crowd.” The text read.
My stomach fell as it dawned on me that Quan would not be picking me up.
“His assistant?” I scoffed, disappointed that I wouldn’t get chance to hug Quan with the excuse of meeting him out of excitement.
Things played out according to his plans and Sampson sighted me in the crowd. We held small after exchanging pleasantries and he directed me to the car he came with.
By the time we arrived at Quan estate, my heart was already pounding with excitement. I took in the serene view, impressed. The entranceway was flanked by massive stone pillars, and the driveway was lined with lush, green hedges.
"Alora, feel at home. If you need help with anything, I'll be downstairs" Sampson told me after he ushered me to the room Quan had prepared for my arrival.
I yawned, feeling sleepy and tired.
My bags laid on the bed and I picked them up and dumped them at the corner of the room.
"I needed to see Quan and the bags could be unpacked later," I reasoned.
*************
“It’s been an hour since I arrived” I said out loud, breaking the silence in the living room as I turned to look out of the window.
The sun was already setting.
Sampson was seated on the couch. He raised his head, and smiled at me. “Are you about to ask about Quan?”
I folded my arms on my chest, frowning, “Yes? Where is he?" My voice rang out, laced with anger." His number is not connecting. Is he not aware that I am here now?”
Sampson laughed, adjusting himself on the chair. “Now, you will only end up getting worried sick. Quan is a busy man. He knows you’re here, but something quite urgent has kept him away. He shall return soon, I promise you”
I sighed in response and went up to my room. It was at the far end of the hallway. I slammed the door behind me in anger and grabbed my phone from the small bookshelf by the wall.
Then, I strolled over to the window, the familiar sounds of the city outside muffled by the thick glass windows distracted me for a moment.
I leaned by the window, still pissed off that I was yet to see Quan.
I closed my eyes and forced myself to focus on other things.
Chris.
Ever since I arrived, not a single thought about him had crossed my mind, because I was far too caught up in my anticipation of seeing Quan.
He knew that I had relocated to California for my internship and I would be staying over at my Dad’s best friend’s place.
Why hadn't he called me yet? I wondered in surprise. Didn't he care at least to check up on me or even ask if I had arrived?
Perhaps, he was busy with work, I reasoned. He worked from home as a software developer and was mostly occupied with various projects.
I rang up his line and it went to voicemail.
I exhaled.
"I should probably let him be," I mumbled. I went over to the bed, and against my will, I dialed his number again.
It rang for a few seconds and he answered.
“Hey, Babe” I called out, trying to sound as excited as possible.
“What?” His voice was laced with irritation.
"Are you alright, Babe?" I asked him, confused.
He grumbled a response which I didn’t understand, so I ignored that and asked him to guess where I was.
“How would I know?” He asked, in the most nonchalant tone ever.
“Babe!” I snapped. “You mean, you don’t even have an idea where I could be?”
“Tell me”
“In your city. My flight got here some hours ago. I was even expecting your call, Babe. I really can’t wait to finally see you again. It’s been a long while—”
“Uh, I need to go..I have something to fix” He cut in.
I froze.
This was not Chris.
My boyfriend had never had me question my worth in his life, but the man I was talking to had made it clear that he wasn’t even interested in holding any conversation with me.
“Okay? Call tomorrow morning, Babe” I said, deflated.
“Whatever” He retorted.
There was a beep on the line. He had just hung up on me.
Sadness crept into my mind as I got into bed, but I shrugged it off.
I just wanted to meet Quan! I was expecting to see him for far too long. It had been a year of not seeing him. Would he look different now?
Would he still regard me like a young teenager, just like he did the last time we met?
Questions swarmed in my head as I waited for Quan to get home.
Another hour rolled by.
He was still not home yet.
I waited.
I jumped out of bed and decided to visit Chris. It was almost midnight, but I couldn't bear the thought of not seeing either Chris and Quan the very day I moved into the new city.
I ordered a ride to the middle of the town where his apartment was. I knew where he resided because he had once texted his address to me during our conversation, but I wasn't sure he still lived there. I decided to try my luck.
I wanted to surprise him; perhaps, he was having a bad day and that was the reason he had been so cold on the phone earlier.
Soon, I arrived at the apartment and stood outside the main door for a few minutes. I took in a deep breath, psyching myself up for the surprise.
Then, I reached for the door handle, and turned it slowly. I heard voices inside, and with one push, I opened the door and stepped inside, ready to run into Chris' arms, but what I saw stopped me in my tracks.
There, in the living room, was my best friend, Olivia.
She sat in Chris' arms, her upper body bare, her lips locked with his in a kiss.
As soon as I stepped into the room, they both looked up at me, panting.
I clenched my fists, willing myself to get a hold of the situation.
I blinked twice to be sure my eyes weren't making things up. What was Olivia doing in Carlifonia?
The last time we spoke, she had been away at her ill grandfather's place, tending to him.
Olivia and Chris?
The two people I trusted the most with my life!
How did I never suspect this duo?
Had I always been too blind to read the handwriting on the wall.
They were having an affair behind my back.
The room started to spin around me and I forgot how to breathe but I manage to get out one word. "Olivia?" I said, my voice breaking. "What are you doing here?"
She looked up at me, deviant.
Nothing!
Her face showed no emotion.
No surprise and no guilt, like she didn't care. Chris, on the other hand, looked caught off guard, like he hadn't expected me to walk in.
Soon his expression quickly shifted to annoyance, like I was interrupting something.
This was just too much to handle.
Why were they so unmoved?
My legs trembled and I felt tears well up my eyes.
Olivia finally spoke up. "What are you doing here?" she asked, in a cool and detached voice.
I flung my bag at her, "No, you tell me what you're doing with my man!" I yelled.
She rose to attack me but Chris held her back.
"The next time you dare to hurt her, I'll make sure you lose your front teeth!" He growled at me.
Huh?
Did he just say that to me?
"Chris! Are you being serious?” I asked, hoping he would convince me that I didn’t hear him properly.
“Just leave, Alora”
“You should be ashamed of yourself! Is this why you haven't called me all day?" I pointed a finger at Olivia who peeped at me behind his back.
He turned to smile at her. Then he placed a hand on her stomach, "At least, she offers me something you failed to give me."
My eyes grew wide with confusion.
" She's carrying my child, but you? You want to be done with college before you can bear a child for me and—"
"Oh, shut the f**k up!" I cut in. "I shouldn't be listening to this trash you're spewing."
"Then, get out!” Chris said, a smirk playing on his lips, "I don't care whether you go to hell or stay on the road to it. Just leave, I never loved you anyways"
His words hit me with force, but I didn't show it.
"With all pleasure!" I hissed. "f**k you two."
With that, I spun around and stormed out of the apartment.
- Writer
