Stephanie blurted. suddenly rolling her sleeves up and reaching for her phone which was lying on the nightstand.
I quickly grabbed the phone out of her reach.
“What do you think you're doing Steph?”
“What do you think?” she snapped. “He can't just manipulate people like that. Not my friend, no! And not after what he put you through at the hospital”
I sighed. It was almost funny because what could she do? She couldn't exactly take on a man as powerful as Alexander Hayes and I don't mind too much.
I don't want him to get mad because he'll somehow find a way to take it out on me.
“I love that you're looking out for me but I'm a grown woman and I can take care of myself,” I said in the softest tone.
She was silent for a few seconds and then she let out a frustrated groan. “Fine! But if he tries anything again, you tell me, okay?”
I let out a chuckle as I nodded my head, playfully pushing her out of my room to go get dressed for the send-forth party she'd be accompanying me to.
****
“Are you ready yet? We need to be out of here in five minutes else we're going to be late!” I yelled from the living room at Stephanie, as I put on a pair of earrings, already set to go.
I felt confident in my knee-length red dress with a very small slit up my thigh and black stilettos.
I was about to call out to Steph again when she emerged from the room looking like a fashionista.
She had on a pair of tight jeans, a pink tank top, a leather jacket on black heeled boots. She looked gorgeous!
“Wow!” We both said at the same time as if on cue. With both of us laughing, I said “You do realize we're going to an office party and not the club right?”
“Well, who says we can't do both,” she replied, winking. We both cracked into laughter as we left the apartment.
****
Getting a cab was almost a chore. It's a Friday night after all so I'm not surprised but we were already an hour late! I should start considering getting a car! I thought in frustration.
My new job pays well and in a couple of months, I might just be able to.
Speaking of cars, just then, a black SUV parked in front of us. At first, I didn't pay attention to it until the driver started honking in a bid to get our attention. As soon as the tinted glasses slid down, I was shocked at who it was.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, wondering if he was stalking me.
“Oh c'mon Soph, is that how you say hello to a long-lost love?” Michael blared and I cringed. His presence makes me feel uncomfortably cringe.
“Anyways” he continued, “I noticed you both would like a ride and I'm here as your knight in shining armor to take you to wherever you want to be”
“No, thank you–” I blurted out.
“Yes please, we're extremely late and we'll need this ride” Steph implied, cutting me off, already opening the door to the back seat of the car to sit.
I had been too hurt and embarrassed to tell Stephanie about the circumstances of my breakup with Michael but I just couldn't help feeling betrayed by her at this moment.
I didn't have a choice but to get into the passenger seat of the car. A few minutes into the drive, my eyes traveled down to the wedding band on his left finger.
“Congratulations,” I said without the slightest hint of enthusiasm. It almost sounded like I was being sarcastic. or maybe I am. I just didn't care.
“What?” He looked at me with confusion written all over his face. I nodded towards his left hand.
“Oh, this?” He remarked, lifting his hand. “We're all going to have to get married at some point right? Even when we don't feel like it”
I had a feeling that he was trying to convey a different message to me. Disgusting!
“So where are you two beautiful ladies heading to?” he added.
Before I had a chance to say anything, Stephanie chipped in “Hayes Industries, Soph works there now and she's just taking me for a small office party”
I didn't appreciate her giving out that much information! Especially to this creep sitting beside me who I already have this weird feeling was stalking me.
I wouldn't blame her though since I never actually told her details of what happened between us.
“Nice” was all he said with his knuckles almost white from how hard he was gripping the steering wheel.
“Strange”.
“So” Stephanie began from her position in the back seat.
“What exactly happened between you two? The tension is so thick in here I could cut through with a knife”
Please please, please! I don't want to have a conversation that has to do with Michael and me. What's wrong with Stephanie? I muttered.
Thankfully, Micheal didn't respond either.
“What are you doing in New York?” I quickly asked, not that I cared but just trying to change the subject.
With a mischievous smirk on his face, Michael responded.
“I relocated here some months back, so I guess I'd be seeing more of you”.
I hated being near him and I was so relieved when he parked in front of Hayes Industries.
I got out of the car and without even a backward glance at him, I stepped inside with Stephanie following closely behind.
“Okay, what was that about Steph?” I yelled in anger.
“What are you talking about?” She asked, looking a bit confused.
“What was that with Michael?” I clarified even though I suspected she knew exactly what I was talking about.
“Don't think too much of it. We needed a ride but you were too stubborn to admit it. We're here now aren't we?”
I said nothing.
“Don't be angry, love” she implored, sliding her hands over my shoulder. Like I could ever stay angry at her!
The party was almost over when we got in. Yet it was bubbling with music and a few co-workers were still milling around holding a glass of wine.
I spotted Mary at the far right corner of the room, looking gorgeous as always and quickly headed over to her.
“Hi Mary” she turned to the sound of my voice and her smile completely lit up her face. “Wow Sophia! You look amazing!”
“You know I can't hold a torch to you,” I said jokingly and we both laughed.
“Mary, this is Stephanie my best friend and Steph, this is Mary, former secretary to Mr Hayes and soon-to-be mum” I added winking.
“Thanks for coming, girls,” Mary said. I introduced Stephanie to a few other co-workers, and then left her to mingle while I went to get our drinks.
“Ms O'Brien?” a voice came from behind.
I turned around to the voice and found Trent from the technical team.
He was a fairly tall guy with a nerdy vibe owing to his huge black-rimmed glasses. His hair was a nice shade of platinum, going well with his olive complexion.
He has been a nice guy to me around the office and we were slowly turning into fast friends.
“Oh hi Trent”
“Well” he started, but then scratched the back of his head awkwardly “-—I was wondering if I could take you for a drink sometime? Or maybe we'll go out for lunch?”
“Sure!” I obliged. Like I could ever pass up on free food.
His eyes were wide as saucers like he wasn't expecting to go out with him.
His lips pulled up into a smile “So you'll allow me to take you out to lunch sometime?” At this, I let out a chuckle “Of course”
He laughed but it was cut short when Steph appeared by my side demanding her drink. I introduced both of them.
Although Steph was already pulling me away as she turned to Trent “ I'll find you later to talk, but right now, I need to get our drinks before she gets sidetracked again!”
We all laughed.
After a few drinks and some office gossip, it was finally time to go. When we got outside the building, Stephanie announced “It's time for the second part of the evening, The night is still young so let's hit the club!”
What?! She must be joking for I laughed at her childlike playfulness and was almost sorry to disappoint her when I said “No Steph, I don't want to go”
“Does it look like I'm asking?” she said, giving me her famous i-am-not-leaving-you-any-option look. “Soph,” she continued, still trying to cajole me. “I just want you to accompany me. You don't have to drink if you don't want to. I'll be by your side all night and I just want us to have some fun”
And here I thought we had fun at the party we just exited from. “Fine!” I reluctantly succumbed.