I blinked twice in horror as my mind replayed the exact incident. It was a Thursday morning when Alice had called to talk about the meeting with the client but why was it repeating?
My head was banging harshly, disrupting the calmness I needed to understand what was going on. I dashed back to where the mirror stood and reached for the scar to be sure it wasn't makeup or a silly prank by Audrey or my step mother.
Why would they want to prank me anyway? Not after they've both driven 9-inches swords into my heart a few hours ago.
A sharp rap at the door sent me out of my throughts and I asked the person to come inside. The door knob twisted and Audrey's slender legs peeked at me from the entrance, I immediately got defensive. Has she come to hurt me again? I wouldn't back down this time, I'll throw her stylishly insultive words back at her now that I knew how conniving and evil she is.
“What are you still doing in your pajamas?” She queried giving me a once-over look which I could clearly see held disdain unlike the “elder sister” protectiveness I used to see in those set of eyes with that same stare. I wonder how I've not seen that glint of disdain all these years, I guess she really is a good actress.
“Being the only grown ass lady who still puts on matching pajamas, I couldn't help but admire my childishness in the mirror this morning.” I responded in a rather sassy tone and watched carefully as Audrey tried to mask the surprise that slithered into her facial expression.
“Mum said I should get you down for breakfast but it seems I'd have to chase you into the bathroom and get you prepared for work.” She sighed as she eased herself into the welcoming softness of my bed. I stifled a snort.
Nice acting, “sis”!
As I waltzed into the bathroom, I began to understand the magnitude of what had happened few minutes ago. Audrey and I had met at the same time some months back in my bedroom just before my meeting with the Russian client with her acting and speaking the same way she'd done.
NO! IT CAN'T BE?
People do not reincarnate?!
What would have facilitated it?
My heart rate picked up. How can it be possible that I had an accident, got into a surgery, passed out and is back to my bed some months prior to the incident?
Heat accumulated in my underarm and the banging in my head increased. Weakly, I turned on the shower letting the water fall heavily on my head and body which was still in my pajamas. If it was possible then I will utilize this second chance and stop them from treating me the way I was treated.
*******
Clad in a knee-length dusty brown coat over tucked in blue v-neck shirt and blue female office pants with dusty brown boots and blue accessories. I looked pricer than 50 cents and a lot more confident than I'd have looked in my previous office wears. I wonder why it never occured to me that I wasn't going to get any respect from the way I'd dressed like the office clerk to stakeholders meetings.
“10 minutes to the meeting with the client.” My secretary sing-sang from beside me. Dad had let me use one of his junior secretaries in order to put me through how his schedule was and help me settle in quickly when I had first started working here.
“Mm-hmm.” I nodded after sipping the semi-hot cup of coffee she'd offered me. I turned to face her, giving her a sarcastic once-over look and just as expected, she dressed like she worked in the day care. I guess the accident had also changed my taste in dressing because seeing what she was putting on already made me nauseous.
“Your wardrobe needs a fix, Ellie.” I blurted out as I pushed the door to the meeting room open and waltzed straight to my seat at the head. As I did that my brain played the exact scene from months ago with me almost crawling to the seat due to timidity.
I want to confess now that my dressing that day had greatly contributed to the lack of confidence.
Ellie took her seat beside me avoiding my intense gaze but I wasn't going to stop there, I patted her palm calmly.
“You can fix this.” I whispered then pushed my seat back to welcome Mr Damien Crawford. His choice of clothing which wasn't called to my notice previously, took me off my guard.
What connection did the accident have with dressing? Or was this need etched in my mind for the longest time and this was my way of living that desire?
We shook hands and I led him to his seat with my practiced smile not the goofy one I went for each time I got high with excitement.
The meeting proceeded from there with Ellie doing most of the talking which wouldn't have been the case months back. While we all listened to her practiced speech, my mind drifted to and from the last time I saw David.
My heart was almost bursting within me due to the hurt I felt from his betrayal. He's been my man for 4 years filled with toiling, attacks from his family and occasional pressure from mine. He'd become the centre of my living, my entire essence and I watched my sister pick each one of those precious moments we've spent and smash them with dedication into millions of pieces. Forcing myself to get back to the meeting I was presently in, I understood what was making my heart squeeze tightly against my chest.
It wasn't hurt from betrayal but anger from sheer hatred and a dedication to get revenge.
As if on cue, Ellie called me to conclude the presentation and I used five minutes to etch myself and my project into the minds of every man seated in that room including Mr Damien who struggled to hide the sparkle of admiration in his eyes or the tiny smile that stayed on his face throughout my speaking time.
The older men applauded when I had finished but Crawford decided to be a cock. He titled his head sideways and formed a displeased face before letting us know the reason for his acting.
“For a woman who claims she loves her offer you do know how to pass seductive glances at your clients.”
I chuckled while every other person gasped including… Ellie even though she tried to make it a lot inconspicuous.
“I can't say for sure if that's true because other men here would testify that I've not done such to them. Unless, of course, you're the only one getting these “seductive glances” because that's the reason you're here?” I arched my brow to further highlight the question. My response could be likened to “You're the one thinking dirty, don't put it on me?” My tone was as placid and respectful as anything but he was the only one who knew I had a mocking glint in my eyes as I spoke.
The meeting was postponed because Mr Damien received a call, interrupting our stance to stare each other to the grave. He had to leave and we couldn't get his approval or disapproval of the presentation which had happened the same way months back only exempted the snide comments and extra confidence.
As I watched his car pull out the driveway which was under the meeting room, David’s face filtered into my mind and took some time to decode the expression.
He looked tired and helpless as if he'd been pushed to say those words to me. Also, whenever he was lying he didn't look at my eyes, had I just judged the man that had loved me for four years? How could I miss that guilty stare on his face?
In addition, he had wanted speaking to me before the accident but Audrey stopped everything. This was just one of her master plans which had trapped David in a cage. She knew about his family policy all along and must have used it to get David to see differently.
Oh poor, David. I need to get to him.
If he could look at my eyes again and remember everything we've been through, he'll throw Audrey to the side and run into my arms.
I grabbed my keys and headed for the door with everything in me screaming, “David!”