Chapter 79
KATE
For one single day, I feel like everything is in its rightful place. I don't need to worry about practically anything, except for John's persistent messages. On that night when Ryan pulled me away from dinner, I made up an excuse saying that he needed my help to urgently resolve work matters. I'm not sure if he believed me, but I'm certain he found the situation very strange. After that, John started sending me messages asking if everything was alright. I briefly replied yes, explaining that I was traveling for work. Then I turned off my phone, and only now do I realize that I haven't touched it since I arrived. As expected, there are some missed calls and messages. Not only from John but also from Lisa.
From: John
Friday
Are you traveling with your boss?
From: John
Today
Kate, are you okay?
From: Lisa
Friday
Kate, what's going on? Ryan was here, and I just realized that something is very wrong.
Why aren't you answering? I'm worried, are you okay?
From: Lisa
Today
Kate? Answer me.
What should I tell John? Well, I lied when I said I was traveling for work. However, I had no knowledge that Ryan would follow me, so technically, I wouldn't be lying. And why does he want to know if I'm with Ryan? Jealousy? But we don't have anything serious yet. Besides, even if we did, Ryan would still be my boss.
I type a message to John.
From: Kate
I'm fine. Why did you ask if I'm traveling with my boss?
And another one to Lisa.
From: Kate
Everything is fine, sorry for not answering. I'm a bit busy. As for Ryan, everything is resolved. I think I'll be coming back home tomorrow. XOXO. Love you.
Done. I go back to finish my makeup. How am I going to resolve this issue with John? I need to talk to him in person, without Nathan finding out, otherwise, he'll create a scene. As I prepare myself, my phone vibrates with a new message from John.
From: John
Because you work with him.
P.S.: Did you think I was jealous? Well, if you did... you're right.
The message knots my stomach. He was flirting, and I feel terribly guilty for doing this to him. He was an incredible person, and the sex was great.
From: Kate
Alright. I'm accompanying my boss. We need to talk when I get back.
He responds immediately.
From: John
Great. Shall we arrange it later?
From: Kate
Of course.
I quickly reply before putting away my phone. I have to go, I made plans with the girls at 8. It'll be wonderful to see some old schoolmates, especially Ana and Rebeca. It's been so long since I last saw them. Quite some time.
What will Ryan be doing at this moment in the hotel? Am I going crazy considering going back to him? After everything that happened, it seems so senseless to go back. It feels like I'm going against everything I established for myself about the reasons why I should stay away. But I'm deluding myself with a small possibility that this could work out. And I admit it's a foolish attitude. Should I go over all the reasons to stay away?
1. To be considered the slutty secretary who sleeps with the boss; not just by everyone, but also by his wonderful family;
2. He's a jerk, a womanizer, authoritarian; controlling, egocentric;
3. I'll get hurt because I'm completely involved with him;
4. My career is at stake. Everything can go downhill.
Do you need more Collins? And what do you have against all these solid arguments? His word? He says he likes you. But what do those words really mean? He could be lying just to keep sleeping with me. But he was willing to commit, or was he lying about that too?
He said he was willing to try and accepted it on my terms. He came here and claimed he can't be without me. Maybe he deserves the benefit of the doubt. However, I'll follow my intuition and do things my way. I won't think about the future, I'll just enjoy the moment. Can this feeling be fleeting? Isn't it? Maybe I won't get hurt, and no one will ever know we had something.
I type a brief message to him, curious.
From: Kate
I wonder what someone like you is doing at this hour, in a place like this?
I go downstairs and find my father watching a baseball game in the living room. I approach him and kiss him.
"I'm heading out."
"The car keys are over there. Will you be back late?" He points to the keys on the table.
"I'm not sure. But don't worry. I'll be fine."
"Take care, dear."
"Don't worry. Love you."
"Love you too."
I close the door, and shortly after, I feel my phone vibrate.
From: Nathan
Working. It seems like I can only focus when you're away. But I prefer you to business. Where are you?
NATHAN
It's past nine, and she still hasn't responded to me. Always trying to annoy me, which almost always ends up getting me aroused.. At least a part of me was happy to know that we're back, although I didn't know in what way. Officially fucked, but at peace. I type another message.
From: Nathan
Damn it! Respond to me, Collins.
Maybe she'll at least curse at me. I wait, but I receive nothing. Is she okay? If this continues, I'll go crazy. I dial her number. But she doesn't answer. I call again, and still nothing, until the third attempt...
"Do you want to drive me crazy?"
"Hi? What's going on?" I hear shouting and music in the background.
"What's happening over there?"
"Ryan... I think... Shut up! No!" She shouts at someone.
"Kate, where are you?"
"Party, remember?!" She laughs loudly. "Get out!" Is she drunk?
"How much have you been drinking, Kate?"
"Well... maybe just a little... a tiny bit."
"Where are you? You need to tell me where you are."
"No! Mr. Ryan. No. You're so bossy." Damn it! She's really drunk. I need to know where she is.
"If you don't tell me, I'll come to your house."
"No! You won't..."
"I'll have to talk to your dad."
"No! Why? You're such a party pooper..."
"Let's do this... if you tell me the place, I won't come."
"Fred's Bar. The address is... well, I don't, don't remember."
"Kate..."
"Promise me you won't."
"Kate... try to remember!"
"Promise."
"Okay. Tell me the address." She hangs up. This can't be real. She's drunk. How can she be so drunk? I need to find out where she is. I call again, but she doesn't answer. *Fred's Bar.* It shouldn't be that hard to find.
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