Chapter 80: someone who knows me
MONALISA'S POV
I was really shattered by Jayden's behaviour towards me at his place. He didn't believe a word we said t him and he believed Cynthia instead.
We dropped Godfrey back the hotel. He apologized for the turnout of the event and regretted deeply for hurting me. He blamed himself for listening to Cynthia and coming down to L.A. I forgave him and turned to leave.
"I'll be returning back to California this weekend. I wanted to inform you, and I hope you beat this soon"
"Yes I will."
"You are not angry that I'm living amidst all these troubles?
"No I'm not. You need to go home, to your woman and tell her what had transpired"
"Why?
"Cynthia is cunning and scheming. She might try to blackmail you with this. It's best your partner knows. Yes, she will be mad at you for your foolish act and might want to break up but explain things to her and make her know that the reason you told her the truth is that you do not want to hide anything from her. Got it?
"yes. Thank you so much for your advice. Gush I hate myself for listening to Cynthia. You are such a nice girl and would make a wonderful friend. I wish we could have fresh start when the dust settles"
"Maybe we could"
"Fine then. I'll try to call you from time to time to check up on you"
"No don't. I don't want your girlfriend worrying over nothing. She might thin that I'm trying to get back at you or take you away from her since I lost my marriage because of you"
"Ouch! I'm such a terrible person"
"No you are not I should head back to the car. I guess Cynthia might be worried by now why I haven't come yet"
Godfrey chuckled. "Oh Cynthia. She's quite a funny and crazy character. She's definitely for keeps. You are lucky to have her as your friend"
"I know right. Fine then. Have a safe flight home"
"Thank you" Godfrey pulled me in and gave me a warm hug and then freed me from his arms. "Take care"
"Yes I will" I bid him goodbye and left for the car.
Cynthia was already outside, her gaze and attention fixed at the reception.
"Thank goodness" she said raising her hands up. "I thought I would have to come find you"
"Funny. I'm here now"
"So tell me, what took you so long to come out"
"Nothing much. Just him apologizing and me doing the forgiving. Ah! He'll be returning back to California this weekend"
"What! And you let him leave!
"Why? What was I supposed to do? Ask him not to leave"
"Yes. He's the very reason he is in this predicament"
"Girl, I can't put his life on a halt because of one mistake he made and someone took advantage of that mistake to hurt me. He's got a life to live and a woman to love. Halting his life for this means bringing myself low to his level when he had come into L.A for his revenge"
"What? but..."
"Tricia, let it go. Letting go is the fastest way to heal. Meanwhile, he complimented you"
"He did?
"Yes. He likes you. I mean, he likes the fact that you are abstract and willing to go to any length to make me happy. In his words...she's definitely for keeps"
Tricia's cheeks turned red and her lips curved up in a smile.
"He said all that? Well, he's lucky. I would have gone in there and drag him out for trying to bail on you"
"Oh please Tricia. Take me home. I'm exhausted."
"Yes"
We got into the car and hit the roads. I let down the window the cool air fall on my face.
"May I say something Mona?
"I'm listening"
"You are such a strong lady. Trust me, I would have broken down in front of Jayden. Fall on his feet and ask him to take me back"
"Are you trying to make me feel better?
"No. I'm being honest with you. Just ignore this tough and bitchy attitude of mine. It's a charade. I'm not really tough. I do envy you, your personality, such calm personality. How you handle issues calmly without throwing a fit. I knew that I can't be like you...so I decided to tough up, maybe it would be my morale booster" Tricia tittered.
"Really?
"Yup. I would have cried buckets of water that would be enough for our entire neighbourhood to take their bath"
"What! I giggled. "oh please Cynthia"
"That's more like it. Keep smiling Monalisa. I've got this gut feeling that Jayden will come to you, maybe not soon but he won't be too late when he realizes his mistake and come to you"
"Thank you for that. And for this issue...I'm not tough, neither am I always calm in resolving issues. I did cry buckets of water, but they weren't much, maybe I didn't have enough tears in my tear gland"
"Hmm...maybe"
Tricia took the next turn and we were home. She parked the car and put it off.
Tricia and I went in and fell on the couch. For a few minutes we said no word to each other, just sat there in silence. I was lost in thought.
"Godfrey isn't at fault, Cynthia is. No, she isn't. she has always hated me so...she is free to do her worse to get me out of my marriage. I mean, she has always had an eye on Jayden before I came into the picture. So who do I blame" I thought. ""Aha! I said out loud.
"Aha what?
"I know whose fault it is. Who is the cause of all my problems"
"Who is that?
"My mum"
"What?
"Her presence ruined it all. I need to meet mum" I immediately took out my phone from my bag and step aside. I dialled mum's number and waited patiently for her to pick up the call. "Yes, hello. Monalisa speaking"
"My daughter. How have you been?
"Let's meet up right now!
"Yes dear. Where?
"The hotel you lodged in"
"I', afraid I can't go back there"
"That's because I'm heading to the airport. I'm leaving today"
"What? you are leaving. What time is your flight?
"It's 3pm"
"Oh! I glanced at my wrist watch. "It's 1pm. Text me your location. I'll come to you. Bye" I hung up and returned by to the living room.
I quickly grabbed my bag to leave.
"Hey! Where do you think you are going to?
"To meet my mum"
"Why?
"We still have issues to iron out and she's on her way to the airport"
"To do what?
"She is leaving. I need to catch up with her. Talk to you later"
I rushed out to get a cab.
I met up with mum at the place she had informed she was waiting for me.
I went in and had my seat.
"I'm glad to see you my dear"
"I'm not glad to see you, mother"
"What? what's wrong?
"I'm here to thank you"
"Thank me? What for?
"For ruining my life once again. Thank you very much"
"What are you talking about? I ruined your life? How?
"by coming her. Refusal to stay away from me. You met my enemy and told her my life now she ruined me and my marriage is over"
"What!
"Oh please, cut the pretence mum. You ruined it all. If you must know, she found Godfrey and he came down here and took his revenge on me. My husband threw me out of his house and his life. We are getting a divorce. Maybe if you hadn't come here in the first place and blurt out everything to a total stranger... maybe I would be home happy. I hate you so much and do not want to see your face again. This is final goodbye. You deserve the award for the world worst mum"
I got up and strode out of the restaurant.
While waiting for a cab, my phone rang. I got a cab to school to meet the school principal.
I just got fired, apparently Jayden called up the school management to fire me for wanting in character. I lost my marriage and my job. My pleadings weren't heard. I gathered my things and left the school in tears.
I was walking absentmindedly on the road, my head was filled with thoughts and I didn't notice when I walked into the middle of the road.
My box was up in the air and my documents flying around and then I was on the floor unconscious, bleeding on my head.
A guy about 180cm tall, on jean trouser, white polo shirt and jean jacket ran to me. He looked worried. I couldn't see his face clearly to know his facial features.
He ran to me and lifted me from the floor.
Before losing consciousness, I heard him say my name.
"MONALISA, don't die. I just found you" then he carried me back to the car and ordered the driver to drive to the hospital.
"Don't die"
The last words I heard before finally losing consciousness.