Chapter 27: THE POOL

When Alda called me up this morning, I couldn't pick up her call because of the guilt that I was feeling deep inside me. After she dropped a few missed calls, I knew I had to call her back, or she would start suspecting something. I waited until my lunch break before dialling her number.

“Hey Anna, what's happening? I haven't been able to reach you since Saturday night.”

“I'm sorry, Alda. I had this presentation this morning, and it took all my time to prepare it.”

“You could have given me information; you left me worried. I thought you were angry at me.” 

I heard the concern in her voice, which added to the guilt I was feeling. 

“I'm sorry for getting you worried, Alda.”

“It's okay. Do you think you can come to my office? Xender will be coming this afternoon; we both have to decide on the design we are working on. If you are going to come by, I will introduce you.”

“I will see if I can get permission from work and leave early.”

“Okay, I will be waiting for you.” She said that and ended the call. I sighed out, as I couldn't imagine facing her. I had to tell her the truth.

I can't keep this to myself, or the guilt will kill me. I will just put the blame on Seth; I'm sure that can work. I took a deep breath before heading to my boss's office to deliver the last document for our last client.

Knocking slightly on the door of his office, I waited for him to give me permission to step in.

“Are you going to keep disturbing my peace with that stupid sound you are making?” I heard him bark at me from inside the office. Why is he gloomy this afternoon? Our business with the client went well, and he already sealed it up with the money paid.

“I'm sorry, sir,” I apologised as I stepped in.

“You better be; I don't know why I have unreasonable jerks around me as my workers!” He cried out in anger.

Something definitely happened; anytime he was all worked up like this, something triggered his anger.

“I'm sorry, sir,

“Keep your fucking apologies to yourself!. Your apology is not going to get me the millions of dollars that I am about to lose. If I knew that Mr. Barnard was going to withdraw his funds from Mr. Sebastian’s company, I wouldn't have invested at first. Fuck!!!”

His words had me shocked. Alda's father is withdrawing all his funds from Seth’s company. Does that mean Alda is really divorcing Seth? Why didn't she tell me?

“Sir, here are the documents you requested. Can I get off work a little early today?” I asked, waiting for his anger to explode.

“I think that will be better; I need to think about my next step. Have everyone dismissed for the day; I don't need anyone else coming to knock on my door just like you did,” he said as he paced around the office.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Just get out already." I happily walked out of his office and informed everyone of our early dismissal from work. I wasn't the only happy soul; having to work for someone as rude as my boss is another whole new level.

I went up to my office and grabbed my bag as I left for Alda's office. It was only three o'clock in the afternoon. I am so going to make something good out of today.

Like going for a swim just to clear my head. Maybe I will drag Alda along with me. A smile appeared on my face as I heard the news of Seth losing about half of his investment in a few hours.

That serves him right; next time he won't mess with Alda again. When my cab driver dropped me off at Alda’s office, I wanted to call her but decided against it. Surprising her won't hurt, would it?

When I walked in, I was immediately informed by the security guy who was on duty that Alda wasn't in her office.

He said she was on the last floor of the building at her photo shop. I thanked the guy, who I assumed recognised me as Alda’s friend, before heading down the hallway.

I walked into the room, and the first sight that my eyes embraced was of Alda sitting with Xender while they talked. They were both seated close to each other and felt comfortable too.

Xender said something that made Alda laugh, and I saw the happiness in her eyes. How can she be so happy and comfortable around him? I know Alda; she doesn't let just anyone close to her.

Does this mean there is something serious going on between her and Xender? What if they are both having an affair already? The guilt I was feeling inside me a few minutes ago died down like someone washed it away.

I tried controlling my emotions, but it wasn't working for me. How can she be so happy while I am having a bad day?

“Do you want me to get you a glass of water?” I heard Xender ask her.

"Yes, please,” she replied. Xender left to get the water while I approached Alda. I wore my usual smiling face, hiding my anger beneath it.

“Alda,” I called out, and that drew her attention towards me.

“Anna, you are here; I'm surprised.”

“I know right, my boss was having a bad day about losing a million dollars over Seth's company.”

“Wait, what?” From the expression on her face, I could tell she wasn't aware of what had been happening.

“You didn't know; your father withdrew all his funds from Seth's company, and everyone who invested with Seth because of your father also did the same.”

“Oh my God, so that's what my mum meant when she said Dad wasn't going to let Seth off that easily.” From her words, I could tell something had happened.

“Alda, did anything happen between you and Seth again?” I anxiously asked.

“Let's talk later, maybe after my little discussion with Xender.” 

“Oh, okay.” Did she just choose Xender over me? I tried maintaining my smiley face, but I was finding it difficult. When Xender came back with a glass of water in his hand, he handed it over to Alda.

He didn't even acknowledge my presence around him. Was he unintentionally ignoring me, or was he being a jerk?

"Xender, please meet my best friend Anna.” Alda said as he introduced me to him. Smiling so brightly, I extended my hand towards him for a handshake, but he stared down at me for a while before considering shaking my hand.

“Nice to meet you, Anna,” he said, and he separated his hand from mine. That was it—no compliment, no smile? I asked as I stared at the man that I had dreamed of a thousand times in my head.

He was talking to Alda so comfortably, but it was different with me. He acted like he wouldn't have spared me a glance if not for Alda. I angrily turned and headed for the door. I need to leave here now!.

"Anna, wait up, are you going without me?” Alda asked as she chased after me.

“No, I just need to make a quick phone call, and I will be back.” I said this to her before leaving the company. I stepped outside before dialling Seth’s number. How could he let this happen under his watch? Alda can’t divorce him, not now. I need to find a way to get Xender’s eyes on me.

“What do you want, Anna?” Seth asked when he picked up the phone.

“Is that how to be polite?” I asked.

“Can you not mess with me this afternoon? I am not in the mood!”

“I know everyone who invested in your company is asking for a refund. Too bad you might be losing your company to those people.”

“Did you call me to mock me? Is that it?” 

“No, I called you to give you tips. It seems your wife is already moving on, even without divorcing you.” I just wanted to get him interested in the topic.

“What do you mean?”

“Remember the morning I came asking about Alda? Well, it turns out Alda was in another man's arm all through that night. She was wrapped in the embrace of another man who gave her the comfort she needed.”

“And you actually want me to believe that? Alda is a naive, scared little lady that will never think of cheating on me.”

“Wow, I love your trust, but aren't you curious about how she got so close to Mr. Xender Armstrong? Haven't you ever wondered how they became so close, like they were long-lost lovers? I will leave you to ponder that and make up your mind.

You are about to lose everything; I will suggest you fight and save some certain things.”

With that, I ended the call with a satisfying smile on my face. I really want to go for a swim. I went back inside and found Alda still talking with Xender.

I stood by their sides and observed them both. If I hadn't known them before, I would have mistaken them for a couple. I was more than happy when their conversation finally came to an end.

“Finally, I thought that was never going to end,” I said to Alda when she approached me.

“I know; I'm also tired.”

"Well, it's a good thing I have the best place reserved for us.”

“You reserved a place for us?”

“Yeah”

“Where?”

“At the pool, let's go swimming, Alda; it's been like forever.” I said it in a pleading voice.

“Fine, but I don't know if I'm going to be swimming.”

“That's not a problem; let's just go.” I finally convinced her as we both waited for her driver to pick us up. 

Alda's POV

I can't believe Anna dragged me out to the pool this afternoon. And she has been seriously acting strange since she arrived at my office. 

I wonder if her boss was too harsh on her. I wasn't really in the mood to be out swimming, and I also couldn't expose my bruised skin out in the open.

“Alda! Are you sure you don't want to join me?” Anna called after me as she stood close to the pool, ready to dive in.

“Nah, I'm good; just go ahead.”

"Okay,” she replied before she dove into the water. But something caught my attention: Anna's underwear. I could swear I have seen that design somewhere.

I walked up to the pool and watched her swim around the pool before she stopped in front of me. I couldn't stop staring at that underwear; it was the same design as the one I saw the day I went to see Seth.

“Anna, is that the new trending design?” I said, pointing at her underwear.

“What, this? Hell no, I'm the only one with this design. I had someone make them for me; do you like it?”

“Yeah, it's beautiful,” I replied to her with my voice cutting off. If she is the only one with that design, then how did I find an underwater with the same design at Seth's house?

“Alda, are you okay?” 

“Yeah, yeah, I'm fine; I just need to quickly use the bathroom.” I turned and immediately headed for the bathroom, but I failed to see the smile that crept into Anna’s face.