52

“I just can't believe he would do that.” I sniffed and sat on one of the couches. I wanted to get things over with. If he had not been hesistant with accusing me like that, he was not worth my time at all.

“What can I do?" Cornelius was trying his best to make me feel better and although I did appreciate it, it was not being helpful.

“I just.. give me somewhere to sleep.” I buried my face in my hands. “I'm so sorry for calling you out of nowhere and for having him embarrass you like that, I'm really sorry.” I sighed.

“I have only one bedroom, you can take it for toonigt or as long as you plan on staying here.” He stood to his feet. "I'll take this couch.” He pointed at the three seater across from me.

I would normally suggest taking the couch but I was too stressed out to argue with him or spend the night in an uncomfortable position.

“Thank you.” I nodded and stood so he would direct me to the said room.

“I'll make it comfortable for you.” He shook his head and disappeared. I was good that he was not questioning me and triggering unwanted emotions.

I remained seated that way until he returned.



*

The next day at work felt tasking because I was particularly unable to get Chad off my mind.

I was tasked with promotional assistance as directed and was bumped out that Chad had made no moves to call me since the previous night. Not that I would answer his phone calls anyway.

I was occupied the whole time and it was like an immediate sign that announced that work had just got a lot more consuming.



"I can drop you off at my house if you are willing." Cornelius said over my shoulder as I cleared my table after closing hours, packing a few things in my bag and ready to leave the office. "I'd love to keep you company but I have my second date with her today and I'll be leaving after a quick shower."



"It's fine Cornelius." I shrugged at him and followed with a smile, "drop me at a hotel instead, there's one close by." I couldn't go to my apartment just yet. I still was not emotionally stable to clear things at the moment. "You've done the best thing ever. I'm not going to be a burden and make you stay back." I assured him.



"What if the man from last might comes back or tracks you again?" He was genuinely concerned for my well being and that warmed my heart.



"He wont." I smiled, leaving the office with him tagging behind.



As soon as we walked out of the premises, my phone beeped in my hands and I turned it to my face.



My expression changed when I saw that it was a text message from Chad but I wore my smile almost immediately just so Cornelius wouldn't notice my dropped face.



*I really need to talk to you.* the text read.



I locked my phone and shut it right down my bag.



I followed Cornelius into his car and was excited when we got to the entrance of the hotel because my ears were bleeding from how he talked about his supposed date non stop.



She was perfect, I got it.



"Thank you for doing this for me Corn, I really appreciate it." I leaned forward to hug him.



He pulled away after a quick hug and shook his head with a smile, "please don't call me that." He chuckled. "do you need any financial assistance?"



"Nah, this is a pretty affordable hotel." I reminded him and turned around. "I'll see you." I called, walking into the small hotel for cheap stakes like me.



*



I was relaxing in my working clothes, lying on my bed when my phone beeped again. It was a voicemail from Chad that I wasted no time in deleting without bothering to listen to whatever its content were.



I closed my eyes and my ringing phone snapped me out of what was slowly fading into a well deserved nap to get rest.



I picked it up aggressively, determined to shut it down when I saw who the caller was, it was none other than Tom.



I was a bit disappointed Chad wasn't the caller but I answered the phone call, sitting up and placing my feet on the floor.



"Tom?" I squinted my eyes, "why did you call, what's going on?"

"Hey Nikki." He sounded dry, like he wasn't in the mood to have this conversation. Well he brought it on himself, I didn't start the phone call, he did. I thought with a shrug.

"Hi?"

"Um, how are you?" He cleared his throat, acting all formal. I definitely was unable to resist the urge to roll my eyes at him.



"I'm okay. How are you?"



"Fine, fine. Okay so I was going down to get a coffee don't ask why." He began, like I cared. "Then I saw this woman, I believe she's your boyfriends ex." He exaggerated the boyfriend word like a childish moron but what caught my attention the most was the word ex. Chad had only one ex that I knew of.

"Rebecca?" I frowned.



"Yep, that's the one, she is the same person that contacted me to let me know you were no longer interested in our rela...anyway, to the main story. She was with a different person and I heard her telling him she played you two and now that caught my attention, so I pulled my hat down and sat across from them." He continued and I was drawn by every sentence.



"She said something along the lines of faking her pregnancy. I think she is actually trying to get pregnant or something I don't know, I couldn't catch it all. I don't know what yall are facing in your relationship but whatever it is, I thought you should know about it." He sighed.



"Oh goodness, Tom, are you sure about this?" I stood to my feet.



"Yes I am. Don't even ask me why I care. Even though we are no literally together, I couldn't help but care when she said something about playing you, I dont know."



"I could fucking kiss you right now." I grinned, "thank you for this, I'll call you later." I said dismissing.



"Yeah." He simply said.

I ended the phone call and took my search back. I hurried to dial Chad and waited for him to answer.

Although I was clearly not a fan of how he had made his assumptions, I definitely wasn't going to make him feel guilty over something he didn't do.



I tapped one foot impatiently and folded the other hand across my chest.



He finally answered the phone up and called in a low voice, "hello?"

I squinted my eyes and sensed the difference in his tone immediately. "Chad? What's wrong?"