21

I brought the phone to my view and hung up after seeing that the phone call was from none other than Tom. I hadn't spoken to him in a while and had no idea why he would call at the moment but I was willing to strangle him for ruining what could easily have counted as a job well done.

"Um." I simply blurted, staring between Cole and his confused mother as she seemed to be waiting for an explanation. "He hung up on me. My phone rings a little after someone ends the call. It's just like a way of telling me not to bother with talking anymore, you know, that kind of thing." I lied.

"Oh." His mom nodded in agreement, "technology keeps advancing on a daily basis." She commented, "but oh my, dear, you didn't have to disagree with him, I'm totally okay with you two leaving right away if it's so important. I'd hate to be the reason for your rejection." She stood to her feet and came to stand beside me, helping me up. "God be with you dear." She took me by surprise pulling me into a hug. I took in the scent of her fragrance and I was certain it was the kind I would never forget, in a long time.

"A..amen?" I responded unsure, pulling away when I knew she was satisfied with the hug.

"You two hurry along now." She moved to stand in front of Chad and cupped his cheeks. "I'm proud of you and your choice and I'm sorry we forced Rebecca on you, I just really wanted your happiness, nothing more and I hope that you understand this." She sighed, "hmm?"

"Yes mom, we really must get going now." Chad snaked an arm around my waist and pulled me close to him, "bye mom, we will talk to you later." He assured her.

"Take care Mandy!" I noticed her glassy eyes and tried my best to ignore it. I had almost forgotten about the name, again.

"I will." I said and took my leave.

She stood outside and watched until Chad and I completely disappeared from sight after he drove us away.

I waited for him to ignite the discussion but when nothing was said, I craned my head in his direction and frowned, "what? Aren't you going to say anything?"

"Like?" He kept his focus on the road.

"Like?" I raised my eyebrows, "seriously, that's really all you're going to say?" I frowned at him, "I literally just spent these past minutes worried about what would happen if your mom found out we had been tricking her the whole time, and all you have to say is 'like'?" I snapped at him. It hurt to know he didn't care enough to express his gratitude at the very least especially knowing it wasn't exactly what I had wanted.

"I shouldn't have to say anything." He said in a low voice regardless of my rant. "You didn't do your job well at all. You messed up so many times, I only don't see why my mom remained gullible, you really didn't do anything, it was just luck." He said.

"That one is just tough Chad because I was really only trying to help." I folded my hands across my chest, "just drive me back to work. And send my pay in." I decided I didn't really care what he thought about me since I got paid regardless.

I remained silent all through the journey until we got to work. I tried to open the door but he stopped me from doing so, holding my hand, "wait."

"What?" I glared at him and waited for his response.

"You can't go in looking like that." He reminded me of the fact that I was still dressed as Mandy.

"Oh okay." I shrugged, "I'm not going to change out of these just because people will talk. No one cares, they probably think I was out and got the chance to look beautiful. It's only going to last today and nothing more." I said, getting out of the car and retrieving the bag filled with clothes he had bought for me in the back seat. I took them with me, leaving him in the car and going straight to my office.

*

Chad had David Park over and it was only ten minutes till it was time for work to close. The remnant period since we got back from work, he had stayed in his office and not surprising, he hadn't called for me for even a second of the day.

I hoped they would end their meeting really quick as I'd be unable to go home if they stayed till after closing hours.

My phone rang, jolting from me from my thoughts. I sat up from my position. I'd been resting my head on the table, waiting for this to be over.

The call was from Tom and I glared at the phone. "What is it?" I snapped in a whisper after picking up. "This is the second time you've called today and the first time you did, I was in the middle of something fucking important and you just ruined that for me!" I said to him, disregarding how harsh I sounded.

"Nikki?" He sniffed, interrupting my harsh words.

My eyebrows drew up in worry. "What's wrong?" I reduced my tone and waited for an explanation.

"My mom, she had a stroke today." He sniffed again.

My hand flew to my mouth, "oh my God, Tom, I'm so sorry." I stood to my feet, "I'm such an idiot, I should have returned your call but I got distracted by my anger." I felt bad within me. He must have expected my help with making him feel better.

"I'm sorry." I repeated, "where are you now?" I asked him. "I'll be there as soon as possible, text the address to me."

"O..okay. I'm in hospital with her, ill text you the address." He spoke in a low voice.

"Okay, just stay calm okay?" I tried to sound assuring.

"Come on." I said to myself and hung up. This was a great way to leave the office anyway. I would report this to Chad as a family emergency.

I smiled and sighed in relief, making my way to his office.

I raised my hand to knock on the door but put my hand down after catching what David said. "If you hate her that much, why don't you just let her go?"

Hate who?

"She's crazy. I don't know where I'm supposed to find someone else that won't have a problem with my constant threats. She's pitiful. No matter what I do to her, she'll stay." Chad responded, disgust laced in his voice.

"I can't believe you introduced that thing to your mother as your fiance." David continued.

"I needed a way to get rid of Rebecca as well." Chad reminded him. I put my hands beside me and my heart sank as I listened to their words.

"But still." David couldn't wrap his head around it. "She disgusts me, she stenchs like poverty."

"I know right. She's just so stupid. Like, no matter what I do, all she knows is money!" Chad was angry, I could tell, but his words were what he meant.

"So, like a whore but without sex?" David wondered.

"She's worse." Chad commented.

I was needy but it didn't mean I was willing to allow my dignity sink so low. I didn't think Chad had such resentment for me. I had no idea I was crying until my cheeks reminded me of their wetness. I caught a tear drop with the back of my hand and sniffed.

"Is someone there?" One of the men called from inside the room. I was carried away by my crying to pay attention to whose voice it was. I turned around on my heels and dashed back into my office.

I picked my hand bag and phone, disregarding the bag filled with the clothes he had bought.

I dashed out of the premises, leaving my shoes behind. My phone beeped in my hand reminding me that Tom had sent the text message to me.

I scanned my phone and paid attention to the address. When it was stuck in my head, I pulled a cab and asked him to take me to the destination.

The whole time through the ride, my mind was out of this world. Chad's words kept playing in my head. He was a character I would never understand. One day, he was hiring me to make him laugh, the next, he was talking bitter about me to someone else.

I caught my face in the rear view mirror. "Today would gave been a fun memory if you would have reacted like every normal person." I commented.

Huh?" The driver wondered.

"It's nothing, I'm not referring to you, just take me there okay?" I sighed.

*

I spent a little time with Tom in hospital. We reconciled over his mom and when the doctors asked us to go home, he refused to. He didn't tell me what had birthed her stroke and I didn't push things as well.

When I'd burst out crying in the hospital, he had thought it was because of his mom and he had tried his best to make me feel better.

It was almost ten at night by now. I closed the living room door, not bothering to take a shower, I hopped right in bed. I had spent the whole time in the hospital walking barefoot and it made me regret leaving my shoes in the office. It was the fact that he had bought them that pissed me off.

I lay on my bed without getting out of my clothes. Did I really present myself to be that cheap? Was that the reason for his words?

My phone beeped beside me on the bed. I sat to go through the content.

It was a text message from Chad.

You left early, why?

I frowned at the screen. All day long he didn't see me and he could only text now, and all he could say was that?

I deleted the message from him and thought about things. Chad was not the only employer in the world and I had made him feel that way. Even if I didn't go back to pizza city, I could get a paying job with a boss that wasn't so harsh.

I closed my eyes thinking about it until I finally gave in to sleep.

*

I woke up the next morning feeling energetic than the day before. Last night had felt like my long term boyfriend had just dumped me.

I sighed and sat up in bed. It was almost eleven in the morning. How could I have slept in that long? I picked my phone and realized I had two missed calls from Chad.

I hissed and got to my feet to get ready for the day...

Putting on plain jeans and a black shirt that was casual, I sat down to write before going to work. The fact that a little makeup from the day before could still be seen on my face was proof that I hadn't taken my time to have a proper bath.

I stood to my feet after making myself a little sandwich breakfast and got to the road that led to work.
*

"Nikki!" Chad called sharply, standing to his feet. "And what the hell happened to you?" I tried calling but you didn't answer any of my phone calls." He frowned, taking his seat one more time.

His eyes scanned my outfit, "and why aren't you in corporate wear?" He deepened his frown.

"Because," I sighed, presenting the papers in my hand forward, "I want to quit this job." I told him, unable to keep his gaze, afraid his facial expression would force me to change my mind.

"W..what?" Chad stuttered, unable to speak properly.