Bridgette eyes widen the moment what she saw on Duncan's phone. "This is a joke, right?" She ask. "I hate when people play sick jokes."
But, the expression on Duncan face, Bridgette knew he wasn't lying. "Trust me, I'm the last person who wish this was fake. It's true. Look it up on the internet," Duncan said.
"Wait? Is that why you came to the library?" Bridgette ask, still holding the phone in her hand.
"You went to the library?" Geoff ask. Amaze that Duncan even knew what that was. "When we're in high school, you didn't even step foot into the library?"
"I remember Courtney telling years ago that the public library carried news articles. She working on a project, I don't know," Duncan said. Even though this was serious right now, he knew that Geoff would never let this go.
"Let me get this straight? You came to the library, to confirm this?" Bridgette index's finger pointed towards the picture, on the top font of the article. "Was Courtney that important to you?"
Duncan grabbed his phone out of Bridgette hand. "Anything I say, you won't listen."
"Well, I'm listening?" Bridgette said. "So ...?"
"They were together for two years before Courtney disappeared." Geoff budded in. "And, before you say anything Bridge, they were once madly in-love with each other. Despise them being two different people. Courtney really did make a huge impact in Duncan's life."
Duncan was glade that Geoff stepped in. He wasn't ready to blurt that out loud. Because he wasn't great with emotions, sometimes.
"This is too much," Bridgette admitted. "I—I need to go. My head is started to hurt." All these years of knowing Courtney, how could she not figure this out.
"Wait." Duncan stopped Bridgette from leaving the doorway. "I think you know what I am going to ask."
Bridgette turned around and faced Duncan right into his teal eyes. "I know," she says. "I can't ask her, Duncan ... I guess you should know this, not like she is keeping this a secret ... she's engaged, Duncan."
Those three words hurt him. "So that guy—"
"Yes." Bridgette nodded her head. "I'm sorry, Duncan. She's been through enough. I don't want to trigger her anymore, like you are doing." And with that, Bridgette closed the door shut to the apartment, leaving both Duncan and Geoff still in shock over this.
"I'm so sorry, man." Geoff said.
"No," Duncan replied. "I'm not giving up." He got his signature red converse on and ran as fast as he could to the parking lot. He saw Bridgette getting into her car. "Wait." He slammed the car, to make sure she would stop.
"What the—" she out of the car. "Are you asking for a death wish?"
"I know I'm not the guy who would be Courtney type, but ... what Geoff said up there was true, but he didn't say the whole story," Duncan said. "Tell Courtney I want to talk to her. And, before you say anything, I know she has a fiancé ... I just want to talk to her. You can be there, if you want."
"And what if she says no?" Bridgette ask.
"If she says no, then I'll leave her alone," Duncan said.
Bridgette thought for a second, before answering, "alright. I'll ask her, but I can't promise you what will happen ... you need to move on, Duncan. Courtney has already." Bridgette went into her car and drove away.
Courtney walked herself inside the house, where John was sitting on the chair reading the newspaper.
"Were you waiting for me," Courtney ask, walking closer to John.
John looked up from his newspaper. "Why would you say that?" He ask.
"Because I know well enough that you read the paper this morning?" Courtney brushed John's short hair with her fingers. "How was your day." She sighed.
"What was with the sight?" John ask. Courtney sat next to him, right on the couch where the chair he sat on.
"It was a busy day." Courtney couldn't tell John what happened, since she doesn't know what's happening either. "Why didn't anyone tell me being a lawyer is hard. And worst of all, Dad tried to invite me to this social event."
"I know. He called me at work, too."
"Did you agree to it?"
"I told him that we'd talk about it later ..."
Just as Courtney was about to speak, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it." John prompted the newspaper onto the coffee table and walked to the front door; a couple seconds later, he came back.
"Bridgette?" Courtney got up from the couch. "What are you doing here at this hour?"
"We need to talk." Bridgette looked at John. "Alone."
"Can this wait?" Courtney says.
"It can't."
"Go," John said. "I'll get super started." He left the living, to the kitchen.
"Whatever this is about, make it quick."
"Come with me." Bridgette grabbed Courtney wrist and walked herself to outside.
"What the hell is wrong, Bridgette?" Courtney jerked her wrist, breaking free. "And here I thought He was acting wired.
Bridgette bite her lip. "First off, you know I love you very much ... gosh, I don't know how to even start this?" She the right side of her forehead.
"Okay. Now you are scaring me."
"I—I know who the person you bumped into." Bridgette knew she couldn't said that in better way, but it was too late. That's what she said.
"What?" Courtney said. "Are—are playing with me?"
"I am just as shock as you are. You know the guy I'm seeing?"
"Geoff, yes I'm familiar with him."
"Well, he is roommates with him ... his name is Duncan."
"Duncan?" Courtney ask. "Duncan? Look—I ... what?"
"His name is Duncan. And that is all I know." Bridgette could tell what she saw in the article, but knew that would just be over pushing her limits. "The reason why you bumped into him, was because he was taking a break from that music shop, where is just happen to be near your clients place.
"Okay? Why dose he know me?" Courtney ask.
The door to the front open. John was standing at the doorway. "Are you staying for dinner, Bridgette?"
"I just ate. I actually need to head back. I have a late shift ... I'll call you later." Bridgette walked away, to her car and drove away.
"What was that about?" John ask?
C'mom, Courtney? Think of something? The first thing that came out of her mouth, "she—she needed some advice for a gift for ... Geoff. Yes. A gift for Geoff for his upcoming birthday." She hated herself for lying, but John wouldn't understand this.
"Okay. You better get inside, or you'll a cold."
"Yeah." Courtney walked herself into the house.
The next day, Courtney was walking to work. She had her black purse hanging at her shoulder, while her phone was busy with beeping from texts. As she walked further the down the street, her feet stopped to a certain store. It was another long day at work.
This must be the store, Courtney thought, remembering what Bridgette said. Who was this guy. And how was he connected to her.
Without thinking, Courtney walked inside the store.
"Is there anything you need?" Trent said, noticing Courtney standing here.
"Um, no, yes ..." she shake her head. "Actually, yes, you can help with something ... is a worker, uh, Duncan here?"
Trent looked at her with a funny eye. "Wired request, but okay." Turned around and shouted, "Duncan there is someone who needs your assistant."
Courtney could hear footsteps coming closer. "You know you can actually come inside the break room to tell me something—" Duncan stopped when she saw Courtney standing there.
Courtney heart beat fast. Her hands were shanking. There was no turning back. This was it.
"Hello, Duncan."
