Chapter 16

Hector found that it was rewarding to spend all day immersed in work, refusing to think about the littlest things that bugged a person or give in to one's feeling of anger or pain. He sat there before his drawing board, Ignoring his buzzing phone. He'd since stopped checking who it was that called when he realized it was Nora calling over and over. She even sent a few texts messages which he also refused to open. His doorbell rang. He jumped. Suddenly conscious of himself. He hoped, as he walked to the door that it wasn't Nora. He was not sure what he'd do if it turned out to be her. He didn't know if he would slam the door in her face or usher her in, in his cheerful manner. He opened the door a crack, still indecisive of what he should do and met a smiling face at his doorstep.
"Hello, Hector"
Westmoreland greeted in his usual cheer and Hector's face which had previously been knotted in a frown that made his forehead wrinkle with lines came loose. He smiled, only from his lips.
"Westmoreland, Hello"
The man had addressed him by his First name, an informal way of addressing a person yet he wasn't sure they'd spoken enough to address themselves by their first name but he'd reciprocated anyways.
"Can I come in?"
Westmoreland demanded. Hector felt a slight twinge of panic as he nodded and opened the door wide to let in the English man.
"Westmoreland. Good evening, Howdy".
Westmoreland found a seat for himself. He shoved stacks of fashion and cuisine magazines off a couch and plopped on it in the most uncourteous manner Hector had ever had a mere acquaintance do in his house. Hector clears his throat and asked again.
"Howdy, gentleman"
"I'm alright, got any scotch?"
" Yeah, sure".
He strode off to the kitchen to get two glasses and Scotch. What the English could possibly want, he didn't know. He was standing before westmoreland in the next few minutes, handing him a glass.
"You seem to have been very much In doors these past few days "
Westmoreland observed.
" Yeah, got a couple of work to complete. I have my office set up at home".
" Oh, I see".
" Yeah".
Hector's phone began to ring again. He ignored, he picked up his glass and sipped it's content with so much interest. Westmoreland looked at him while the phone buzzed.
"Is there something you'd like to tell me, Westmoreland?"
Hector asked, getting uncomfortable sitting next to the man without as much as a good conversation.
"I wanted to say Hi, I've seen your car everyday in the garage and and I thought it was unusual of you "
" Do you spend time Monitoring me ?"
" No, why should I do that?"
" Well, like I said earlier, man, I've been caught up to my wrist in real big work".
" Okay. Thought I could sit around here a bit. I haven't seen Nora around here in a bit, hope she's good".
Hector clenched his teeth. The man was getting nosy and it irritated him.
"She's good".
"She hasn't _"
He stopped and sipped his scotch as Hector studied him through stern eyes.
"She's good, I already told you"
Hector insisted as he stood up .
" Okay. I never thought to ask, Hector, what do you do ?"
" Oh_"
Hector sat down again. The man's calm poise made his questions look ordinary and concerned even though he'd decided in his mind that he was a nosy neighbor.
" _i am an architect"
"Oh, reason enough to have your office in your apartment".
" Yes"
Hector didn't ask him what he did and where he worked and Westmoreland did not think it wise to tell him out of his own volition. They sat there, side by side. Hector's breathing fast and impatient while Westmoreland exuded a calm that contradicted his. He looked around occasionally and mumbling
"Maybe you could use an acquarium around here, say on your antique mahogany table?
It's so nicely polished ".
" Thank you "
Hector mumbled under his breath. He was getting impatient and he began to speak to westmoreland.
" Actually, before you came, I was very engrossed in my work, if you would excuse me, I'd go back to the office, it's okay if_"
The doorbell rang. Westmoreland stood up and adjusted his large glasses.
"I should leave now. That could be Nora ".
Hector was taken aback by the suggestion. He felt his heart skip a beat at the possibility of Nora standing by his door. He escorted Westmoreland to the door wordlessly and opened it to a frowning Lennox. He was delighted and amused at the expression on Lennox's face.
"Gentlemen, I'll excuse you now".
Westmoreland shrugged past Hector. Lennox watched him walk past and stepped in.
"Man, how're you. You seldom show up around here what's with the Impromptu visit?"
"you weren't taking your calls, imbecile".
" I'm sorry about that "
Hector apologized as he walked behind Lennox to take a seat hebind him. Lennox saw the empty glass there on the side stool and smirked.
"That was your neighbor?"
Hector sighed.
" Yes, he didn't exactly say what he wanted ".
" You entertained him"
Lennox said in a sardonic voice
" Is that why you're here?"
"Shut the hell up".
" Help yourself around here. I'll be in my office"
He bagan to strode out only to be halted by Lennox's stern voice.
"Get back here, man".
Hector rolled his eyes as he began to retrace his steps.
"Lennox, what's wrong. Fuck, I didn't even ask how your trip went"
" You're not as good as I thought you were, then"
Lennox grinned.
" I've had my own issues, I'm sorry".
"I knew. You don't usually ignore your calls. You call back if you miss one"
" So?"
" I kind of figured out you could be on the verge of committing suicide".
Hector guffawed.
" My life is much too precious to be tampered with"
" I thought so too"
Lennox replied. His voice was suddenly unenthusiastic.
"What's wrong with you, Hector?"
"I broke up with Nora"
Hector blurted. Lennox was stoic as he watched him raise his had and rub his temple for a bit before he continued
"She cheated on me with her boss, Pete. That was on the same weekend you were in your brother's wedding".
Lennox felt his throat go dry as the thought of the wedding reminded him of Kimberly.
"You'll be fine. Kim's been avoiding me since we got back. She doesn't take my calls, makes us the same, man".
They laughed, only briefly before Lennox announced
"I got myself a ride"
Hector was wide eyed for only a scenod before he began to throw Friendly punches at Lennox.
"That's good news, dude!"
They cheered to Lennox's new car and to more contracts.
Lennox brought Kim up again.
"Max wants me to marry Kim".
He said. Hector was expressionless like he'd just heard some banal term. Lennox looked at him, anticipating a response.
"He really likes her, then".
Lennox shrugged.
"I think so. He found out we weren't engaged or even in a serious relationship and he wasn't mad. That was so unlike Max".
He said sullenly. Hector regarded him for a moment before he asked.
"Don't you want to marry her?"
Lennox was amused and he didn't try to hide it.
"You're the funniest, silliest creature I ever bumped into".
" How does it relate?"
" The girl doesn't look like she wants to marry me! I'm not the one who doesn't want her, I'm afraid she's the one who doesn't want me. She's been trying so effectively to steer out of my way and cut whatever little ties we had. I've not even spoken to her since we got back".
" You don't know if she doesn't want you If she didn't look you in the eyes and say it".
" Wait, what_"
" Dude, a woman would look you in the eyes, say the evilest words to you and still squirm under your touch. If her body needs you then she definitely will have no choice but to need you too".
" How do you think you're making sense?"
" Does Kim want your body? Desperately?"
" I'm sure she wants my body but not desperately".
" That's a good start. Talk to her".
" I haven't set eyes on the blonde say_"
" She will eventually come back to her apartment for any reason. Let me talk to her when you notice she's back".
" This is heading _"
" Man, I'm trying to help you"
Lennox sighed. He could always count on Hector, that, he knew for a fact.
"I want to talk to Nora too. You're not happy"
" Nora's got nothing to do with this".
"I want to help too"
" You don't owe me anything, Lennox_
He grinned mischievously
"And, I just want to talk to Kim. Don't count on her wanting to walk right into your arms after I talk with her. I'm no magician".
Lennox was smiling.
" I wasn't exactly expecting you to be of any help. I was just going to humor you".
Hector shrugged.
" Right. And, you don't have to talk to Nora. The same virtually cheated in cold blood. She knew what she was doing. She even lied that Pete came to take a nap at hers. Such a fat ludicrous lie".
" Shit sounds painful".
" I'm done with the whore in Nun's clothing, man"
"
Maybe she was just being human and gave in at the spur of the moment"
Lennox said warily. Half expecting a blast from Hector but Hector was calm enough to laugh before replying
"If she had any respect for what we shared, I would be on her mind and my hurt face would form in her head while Pete made advances at her...that's if he made the advances".
"He sure did.
Lennox defended
Nora doesn't look like the kind of girl that will make advances at a man, especially not one she's not dating".
" Look at you defending the innocent Nora Macpherson!"
" Calm down, ass hole. Maybe she's not very used to being in a relationship with you, yet".
" That's a valid excuse".
Hector replied contemptuously
" I guess I'll just spend the day with you here".
Lennox said as he slouched on the couch. He was worried about a lot of things which included Hector's fury towards Nora and Kimberly Foster who had suddenly disappeared to some goddamned place. He wished from the depths of his heart that he could find her, wherever she may be, grab her by the elbows and bring her home only to spank her beautiful backside crimson red. He sighed. His own thoughts felt childish and insane to him. Hector fixed lunch and they are in silence. Lennox admired his culinary skill but refused to compliment him until after the meal.
"It's her loss"
He said, pushing his plates aside.
" Whose loss?"
Hector asked, amused.
"Whatever woman ditches you. She'd never find a replica of you anywhere. What man cooks so well? I can hardly boil water for coffee".
" So, Kim won't be losing anything if she kicks you in the ass and asks you to get out of her face"
" I'd kick her ass onto my bed"
" The cops might get involved"
" Shut up, fool!"
Hector burst out laughing.
Nora was sullen again and it bothered Abbie. Abbie was sitting on Nora's desk, cheering her up and doing a good job of it when a bouquet was delivered to her table . Fresh rose flowers that she so loved.
She skidded across the room to her desk. She thanked the guy who'd delivered it and gushed over it.
"These are so lovely! Nora see these!"
"I'm not blind, I can see them just well from here and we both saw the delivery guy walk in "
Nora replied unenthusiastically.
" But who could have sent me flowers ?"
Abbie mused. He hand instinctively flew to her temple in an attempt to get her to think.
"Why not see inside the damned bouquet?"
" I'm trying to take a wild guess".
" You're terrible at it".
Nora replied
"It has to be Wilbur!"
She said at last . Nora rolled her eyes.
"Who's he? You never told me you had a date".
Nora said. She was surprised at her own sudden interest.
"No. He asked me out just yesterday. I turned him down remorselessly. He's such a loquacious little man!"
" Oh. Where did you two meet?"
" He paid for my coffee once at a coffee shop after sharing my table. We got talking and he got my cell phone number"
" And you two went for a date"
" That was yesterday. He wouldn't let me have my mouth full with food. He's such a talker and he made me reply all his questions".
Nora started to laugh, more from the look of Abbie's contorted face.
"Why not see who sent the flowers? I'm so sure it's not Wilbur".
Nora said. The laughter was still on her face. Abbie fished out the written note.
"You look very good today. Enjoy your day.
Love, Warren".
She looked up with the paper in her hand.
" It's Warren, oh, Nora, I'm not sure I want this".
She said. Nora quirked an eyebrow.
" What then do you want?"
"Anything that isn't work place Romance is good for me ".
Nora felt her stomach tighten with disgust at herself at the mention of Workplace Romance. She wished earnestly that she hadn't had the one time affair with Pete. Her face fell. Her teasing smile was gone and she could feel the Nausea creep up her tummy again but she shrugged it off. With whatever strength was left in her.
"I see"
She said, her throat suddenly dry.
" What's that expression on your face?"
"It's nothing, Abbie. You like Warren too don't you? What was he talking about the other day?"