Chapter 20 BACK TO SQUARE ONE
Scene: Inside Mr. Dawson’s office with Patrick and his assistant sitting in front of him.
Author’s POV
Betty is now serving the coffee for Mr. Dawson and his two visitors. She is too engulfed in carefully putting the mug in front of her that she did not notice who they are.
“Thank you.”
With the mug suspended on air, familiarity washed over her as the voice become clearer to her senses. She slowly lifted her head in the direction of the voice. The same pair of brown eyes are looking at her with adoration.
It’s Patrick. On a gray-clad suit looking so lavish and out of the way how she knew Patrick a year ago. Eyes locked together unable to process what to say to their visitor today. She jumped in surprise when Mr. Dawson held her hand and took the coffee preventing it from spilling to the table.
“Ms. Hernandez, can you please bring my reports to Ms. Heather of the Legal Department?”
Tom felt like this encounter will not do any good, so he tried his best to get Betty out of his office. Patrick is smiling at her waiting to say something. But she is clearly not in the mood to lose her cool once again, and instead ignored him completely. Shame and anger are evident on her face but still managed to control it. Tom is clearly not liking what is going on from visiting the company unannounced and acting coyly as if nothing happened between the two.
She nodded at Tom with a confused and disoriented expression. She personally doesn’t know what to do, thanks to her boss that saved her from future humiliation.
She heard them started talking about business while she sauntered out of the office with counted and heavy steps. Questions started to flood her about Patrick’s sudden visit to the company. Is she ready now to face him? What would she say to him? Yes, she already moved on but things are different if you unexpectedly come see face to face the person who once ruined you. She is all over the place once again. And she doesn’t like it. Not every bit of it.
“Betty.”
She yelped when someone touches her elbow stopping her from walking. James is looking at her with a worried expression. It’s been so long since she last saw this guy.
“Are you alright?”
“Uh, yeah. I’m okay.” She answered still in the dazed how things went too far. It’s like things happened at a fast pace. It is all happening in a flash right before her eyes.
“Are you sure? You look sick.”
“Uh, maybe just tired. Would you mind going to the cafeteria with me?”
The cafeteria has been their local spot when they had something serious to talk about. With the usual soft buzz of the customers inside, their conversation blended in just like themselves. You can hear the usual bickering about work and common problems. These four walls are their only witness about their issues.
“Betty, I heard everything on the news and from Elizabeth. I told you to call me if something goes wrong. We’re friends, aren’t we? Don’t leave me in the shadows next time.”
We’re friends, aren’t we? Lie that almost sounds true. The fire in James’ heart is still burning. The desire is getting stronger, but in order to make things work out, timing must be considered. This is basically not the right time to be selfish. He realized this woman needs support than any other people around him. She doesn’t need someone to add up her problems, but a friend to support her mentally and physically.
“I’m sorry. I was caught up in the moment and I was scared that time. I also don’t like you to be part of me. Especially when I’m still struggling with something.”
The definition of being there physically but giving the wrong intention is what bugs James the entire time. Should he tell her? Should he confess now? He should be the one taking her home, embrace her when she feels blue and be with her when everything’s blurry. He must not give up or surrender. It’s not the time yet. For in every good intention, good thing awaits for you in the end.
“Please, just call me if you want someone to talk to. Or if you need help with anything.”
Betty loves the idea of having someone aside from Liz that is ready to help her. Yes, she knew that James is also up to something. Only she doesn’t know how to deal with it now especially since a lot of unnecessary hardships were on her hands right now.
“Okay. I promise.”
Liz appeared behind them carrying a glass of her favorite matcha tea.
“Betty, I came to your boss’ office to check in on them. Your boss has a meeting this afternoon but his visitor is still there. Do you know them? They are so serious talking. Like I was actually waiting for your boss to swing a bat on the other guy. Who is he?”
The moment she will tell them about Patrick, she already exposed herself to the world. Just to think of it, the main reason why she has been hiding and lived herself in the shadows is all because of one man.
They’re all her friends after all. Maybe this could be the answer for her to move on twice as she is doing right now.
“My ex-boyfriend.”
James and Liz stared at her like she had grown two heads. How come a commoner and ordinary girl came in a relationship with one of the VIPs of the company. Investors like Sullivans are categorized as an influential investor in the company. She remembered Patrick, or Ricky for short once told her that his father owns a business and he has been working part-time for their company while still in college. No wonder Patrick used to give her expensive gifts and given his bratty image and bad boy persona, he indeed had something to show off.
“Come again?”
“Patrick. Patrick Sullivan. The guy who is in Mr. Dawson’s office….. is my ex-boyfriend.”
“Really?! That guy? Man, he looks straight from GQ magazine. Sorry Betty, but are you sure?”
James glared at Liz for blatantly commenting on her ex-boyfriend. At some point, she is not helping this time.
“What happened to you two? If you don’t mind me asking.” James started carefully choosing his words not to scare Betty from opening up.
“He cheated. He took engineering and I took economics. We were best friends. We met while we were still in high school and since then we clicked and decided to be best friends. Whatever it is your definition of best friends, that was what we were. Inseparable and we know each other’s secrets. He was my first. In everything. Just name it, I had given my all to that guy.”
Pity is painted to James and Liz’ faces as they listen to her heartbreak story. Looking back to the days that haunted her, she found it therapeutic to finally open up. It’s like letting go of your heaviest burden and let someone share it with you.
“Well, he is a jerk. Total jerk. He is handsome let me give that to him, but you don’t deserve to be treated that way, Betty. You deserve the best. If you want someone to tell your stories, we’re just here for you. You poor woman, I never realized you were going through such horrible heartbreak.”
“But I’m okay. At least moving on, not until now. It feels like I am looking at myself two years ago once again. And besides, it was a year ago. I don’t even think of him too much, not until I saw him first in Europe and nowhere.”
“So, Mr. Dawson knew the guy?”
“Yeah, he and Patrick’s family are close friends. So when he figured out about my past relationship with him, we decided to fly back here to LA, though we still had one more day to stay in Europe.”
“Let me see that guy. I’ll knock the living daylight out of him.”
Liz stared at James with disbelief and confusion for overreacting.
“Stop saying nonsense, James. You just can’t beat someone. You don’t want to lose your executive position, right? Stay out of trouble then.”
“Executive position?”
James guessed it could also be the right time for him to expose himself to Betty. They met in a very unusual situation so he thought it would be best to stay low to keep in touch with her. The very first time he saw her, something strange grew in him. She is different, it’s true. Different from other girls he ever once with. There’s something in her that draws attention.
“I have known James for almost a year now, but I never knew he is in an executive position. I thought you were just a secretary or assistant like me.”
“What? No. He is the Vice President of Budget and Treasury, Betty.”
“Liz, you’re exposing me way too much faster.” James scratched the back of his head as he took Betty’s face.
“Then I should start calling you ‘sir?” A humorless laugh escaped from Betty’s mouth. She may found this funny but she can’t get her mind off of Patrick.
“No, please. No, don’t call me ‘sir’ please. Things would just get more awkward for me.”
They fell into silence like they just ran out of topics to talk about. The three of them are spacing while sipping their coffee.
“You know, I feel like drinking tonight,” Liz muttered while eyes fixated on the entrance of the cafeteria.
“Me too.” James chimed in gulping his coffee in one drink.
Soon they are interrupted with Betty’s phone ringing flashing Mr. Dawson’s name. They must’ve done with the meeting. She can now go back to her normal work routine.
“Hello, Mr. Dawson?”
James and Liz turned to look at her eavesdropping to the conversation.
“Right now, sir? Okay, I’ll be right there.”
“Guys, I have to go. Mr. Dawson wants me to be in his office.”
“Okay, Betty. James and I have something to talk about. You go ahead, we’ll be right there in a few.”
In the span of several months working with Mr. Dawson, Betty had grown to walk faster and always in a hurry. She arrived in the office in no time, with disappointment settling in her gut. Patrick is still in the office lounging reading some documents.
“Let me introduce to you, Mr. Sullivan. My assistant Ms. Hernandez.”
Patrick’s head snapped over in her direction. Time stopped when their eyes met. As if they’re all sucked in a vortex back to their past. Longing, hurt, pain and confusion danced in their eyes.
“Yeah. I know Ms. Hernandez. Right, Betty?”