Chapter 86: leaving the past behind
MONALISA'S POV
Donald and I were just returning back to my apartment after a lovely evening stroll. We walked in, talking and laughing when I found Tricia looking so lost and moody lounging on the couch. I immediately snapped my fingers at her face, breaking her thoughts.
Tricia quickly forced out a smile and got to her feet, offering to serve us some chilled drink.
I excused myself from Donald and followed Tricia to the kitchen.
"You are lost. What's wrong and hey Tricia, don't hide anything from me. I have already chested a lot of things so out with whatever you are hiding"
"Come on Monalisa. I'm not hiding anything from you. Trust me"
"Your eyes say otherwise. Don't lie to me. Is it something that you think will hurt me? What's more painful than losing almost everything"
"Oh, it's nothing"
"Tricia!
"Okay fine."
"I'm listening. Tricia"
"He wants a divorce "
"Who? Are you married? Did you hide your marriage from me?
"Don't be ridiculous Mona. I'm talking about Jayden"
"Are you married to him too?
"Monalisa! Jayden sent divorce papers. That's the document I've been hiding away from you since morning. He needs you to sign it immediately and send it back before Friday"
"Jayden did so?
"Yes and...he already signed it"
"Oh I see"
"I'm sorry ladies but I could actually hear you girls. Did you just say that her husband sent divorce papers and he already signed it?
"Yes he did. He wants Mona to sign and send it back before Friday"
"It may not seem to be a good time, but don't you think this is enough reason for you to leave everything behind, forget the pains of the past and move on by coming with me to New York city? What do you think?
"Mona, Donald is right. It's best you leave L.A and go somewhere else, breath in fresh and new air from a different environment and start anew. Bess, all I want you to do is to be happy"
"You guys are right. Fine. I'll move with you to New York city and have a fresh start. Here comes new Monalisa"
"Designer Monalisa" Donald teased me.
I chuckled "Oh yes, maybe"
"This is good news. Which definitely calls for a huge celebration. I think we should go out and have dinner. Bills on me and Donald "
"Hey! It's your treat, take full responsibility "
"It will be so ungentlemanly of you to watch a poor woman like me to chest the entire bill. Wouldn't it be unfair "
"It would be unfair if I had said it's my treat but since you said it's your treat, it's not unfair "
"No. I didn't say it's my treat. Monalisa help me out here. I'm your best friend "
"Ah! About that. I'm her best friend. We've been friends since childhood and we made an oath to remain each other's best friend till eternity. You're just a third wheel to this friendship "
"My goodness. That hurts and that was rude of you Donald. Look, the best best friend relationship is between two ladies who knows what it means to be ladies, easily share their worries and secrets with eachother and talk about how silly and annoying men can be and not two opposite genders where in the long run, one would fall in love with the other and scared to open up, hiding under the guise of best friend to do things a boyfriend does for his girlfriend, yet a coward to profess his love and get jealous every now and then when someone else comes into the life of their best friend. You call that best friend? Nah! That's foolishness "
"Are you trying to say something to me? You should thank your stars that I was made and trained properly and raised to be a nice and lovely gentleman to women. I bet if it was Jayden, he would have hit you "
"Oh! Just say you are not man enough "
"Tricia that's enough! And you Donald, no more arguments. Since I already accepted to go with you, I think I need to do some packing but that would be after or night out. So who is taking care of the bill?
"I will take care of the bill as a nice gentleman I am and to prove that I'm Monalisa's one and only true best friend"
"Oh gush, not again. Tricia please grab your purse and mine too".
"Sure. I'll be right back and it's not yet over, Dun Donald"
"You...!
"Cute couple " I teased them
"What!! No way!! Both echoed.
"Just kidding" I giggled.
We arrived at the restaurant and placed our orders. Tricia's bickering is definitely wha I will miss most when I'm away. We had a lovely meal and got ice cream.
We had fun that night, checked out the karaoke before heading home. Donald had given us a ride home.
Donald walked me to the door, putting his hands in the pocket of his trousers as he talked to me.
"I can't wait to have you over in New York"
"Have me over? Ain't I traveling with you?
"Yes you are. I'm glad that you made a good decision "
"I'm glad that I made this decision. I head inside. I feel exhausted and sleepy"
"Sure. Enjoy the rest of your night and have a good night sleep "
"You too. Goodnight "
Donald took his hands out of the pockets and pulled me closer, giving me a warm hug. He placed a kiss on my forehead, just as usual. He was fond of kissing my forehead back then.
He started this when we were kids and he never stopped.
I broke off from his arms and we waved each other goodnight.
I went in and shut the door.
Tricia was still in the living room, waiting for me to come in.
She spread out her arms and I ran into her arms to receive the warmest hugs of the century.
Tricia and I after a brief talk retired back to our various rooms.
I had my bath and got into something comfortable.
I laid on my bed, unable to sleep. I was really sad. I couldn't stop thinking about Jayden. How we met, our relationship, how he proposed to me and how my life was perfect with him around me. I couldn't digest the fact that Jayden truly wants a divorce and had sent the divorce papers to me. Tears rolled down my cheeks.
I grabbed my pillow and held it close to my chest as I sobbed. I was deeply hurt. All through our night out, all I did was hold a fake smile and fake laughter. I couldn't stop thinking about the fact I'm about to become a divorcee without doing anything to deserve the divorce. I wept bitterly.
I eventually cried myself to sleep.
However, I was hopeful.
Tricia helped me pack. The day we were to leave, Donald spent the night at my place.
The next day, Tricia dropped us off at the Airport. We hugged goodbye to Tricia.
Tricia and I could barely let go and control our tears.
We eventually let go and bud each other goodbye.
Tricia got home and was surprised to see someone unexpected at our door post.
"Jayden?