FAULTLESS EX- HUBBY

UNINVITED

Two days later,

“Ems, dearest. I have one request, but not for myself... Kindly talk to Josh.” I told Emily while having coffee and cream puff inside the pantry area.

I saw Emily's eyes rolled, and she repeatedly shook her head. Then she scoffed and gave me a mocking remark. “Gosh! Don’t tell me his deep brown pitiful eyes made you agree to help him?”

“You are quite precise there! Yes, I was convinced by those pitiful eyes,” I giggled.

“Freakin Jerk! No way, honey,” Emily mumbled. Her blood was still boiling whenever I mentioned Josh in our conversation.

“I am just worried that you’ll end up like me. If I was more matured when it happened, I might be able to handle the situation better.” I said and looked her in the eye.

I know my friend was tougher than me. I saw her cry for a day, and that was the day right after the break-up, and since then, she didn't lose a tear. I wasn't sure if she was hiding it from me, but I have never seen her cry since.

“Are you having second thoughts about Andrew?” She asked me all of a sudden, perhaps trying to divert the topic about Josh.

She would like now to talk about Andrew and me--brilliant.

“Nope! I am just citing an example. Both you and Josh are more mature than I am. Supposed it happened to me at this time? I will definitely handle it more maturely,” I smiled at her sincerely. I didn't want her to take the same route as I did.

“No way! I am good now. Let’s change the topic. Honey,” she appeared so strong.

I shook my head. I knew Emily wanted to escape my further questioning.

Then I tried to follow-up on Josh's letter.

“Last one Ems., have you read his letter?” I was really doing it for Josh, and I really saw the regret and suffering in his eyes. He surely deserved the chance to be heard, and at least he was willing to fight for her.

But Emily wouldn't listen to me. “No! I have no intention of reading it.”

The worst...she even smiled at me naughtily. My friend was really stubborn.

Resignedly I muttered, “Okay! I just did my part. It’s all up to him now.”

I gave it my best shot. I heaved a deep sigh.

Then Emily remarked...

“As you said, a womanizer is a womanizer. Good and pretty little bitches will not be enough for them!”

We both laughed. I didn't push it after that.

Emily seemed to recover nicely. She was better than me. It took me over three months before I could talk and smile while undergoing my three months of divorce proceedings, and I was able to smile when it finally ended. Then, I went back here and settled for good.

I silently uttered... "Kudos, Emily! You are a toughie! You're better than me."

It was 4:15 pm when we took our coffee break, and it was 4:30 pm already, thirty more minutes, and the end of another day for me.

“What will you be doing tonight?” Emily asked me spritely.

“My thesis, I am in my final chapter. I will submit it next week for comments.” I said expressionlessly.

“Oh, I see. I wanted to invite you for a drinking spree again.” Emily remarked.

“Dearest, I have classes for my masters tomorrow. It's not possible.”

This time, my masters' classes and thesis were my priority, and it was my passport to escape my pathetic life.

“Okay! Okay! Just finish that shitty masters', then let’s go out of the country after you graduate,” Emily remarked.

Gosh! I couldn't be like her, I didn't have enough resources. Then I told her...

“I can’t afford it yet. I have to pay for my graduation, and my dough will not be sufficient!”

“Pffft! Don't worry. It’s my treat, I will pay for everything.” Emily dismissed my financial handicap easily. Spending on trips was no sweat to her but it was different for me.

I wasn't surprised by her offer, but I couldn't accept such extravagance. Maybe if I have enough money to spare in the future, I'll surely travel with her. I missed traveling a lot. Oh gosh! that memory again...

Then I gently refused her offer. “I can’t accept that, Ems!”

“You cannot say No to a gift!” she exclaimed.

“Ems...“ I looked at her thoughtfully.

“Stop it, Trish. It's on me!” She insisted.

I was about to argue with her when we heard the receptionist's voice coming out from the intercom.

Trish, someone is looking for you. Reception, please!

“Who could be looking for you at this hour? It’s almost the end of office hours!” Emily complained.

“Maybe from the bank? I will go ahead.” I usually get a visit from them around this time.

“Let’s walk together. I will get something from the Marketing Department.” Emily stood and walked with me.

“Okay!” I agreed with her.

We were giggling as we walked along the corridor. I was always happy when Emily was in the office. We enjoyed our friendly chat, especially if it was almost the end of office hours aI did the work for the day.

As we approached the reception desk, my lips were still arched from the giggles we exchanged, but when I saw who was on the couch waiting for me. My entire body froze, and I just stood from a distance and looked at the man while I was rooted on the spot.

Emily, who was shocked at the expression she read on my face, asked me...

“Hon, what’s wrong?” Then she followed the direction of my gaze.

“Freakin, sexiness, was he the one?” she remarked softly.

The man waiting for me was looking in another direction. But he stood up and faced Emily and me when he sensed that we were looking at him.

Emily whispered. “ I wouldn’t mind if he's a womanizer. That man is freakin delicious!”

“Emily, shut up!” my eyes were fixed on my visitor.

“I will see you later or call you later!” Emily said, and she left me and proceeded to the Marketing Department.

I gathered my bearings and walked in his direction. I saw curious glances from my office mates, and they were, of course, curious as to who the handsome beast was.

“Andrew!” I uttered his name without any sign that his presence affected me.

“Trish, why don’t you answer my calls?” He uttered irritably.

“What calls?” I twitched my eyebrows and raised them a little.

“The one you blocked.” He hissed at me.

I just remembered an unrecognized number calling me at least ten times a day for two days which I blocked out of irritation. I never thought it was him and even if I know it was him, I wouldn't answer his call.

How in the hell, he had to show up in my office looking stunningly handsome? He wore a long-sleeved white shirt without a tie, but he still looked stylish, classy, and elegantly gorgeous!

But why was he in my office in the first place? The thought that the office did not know that I am a divorcee made me worry a bit.

How the hell would I handle their questions later?

Then I answered his question...

“I did not know it was you! And I don’t accept unregistered callers.” I reasoned.

“Alright!" he bobbed his head, "Let’s talk later, Trish. Your time here will be over in 10 minutes, right?” his voice was really something. I wondered how he managed to maintain it that way.

“We can talk here. We can use our conference room--” I offered, no need for us to go anywhere.

“No--We cannot discuss it here. We need to have a serious talk Trish,” Andrew shook his head repeatedly. His grey eyes looked intensely at me.

“Why not here?” I was surprised. What else needed to be discussed among us?

“We need to talk outside, Trish. Unless you want them to know that you are still married,” he smirked.

I stared blankly at him.

What kind of s**t was he talking about? We were divorced, and I'm no longer married!