The characters from the game belong to Capcom. The OC's and story background belong to me.
Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
A/N: I'm not English native speaker, so you might find some typos or grammar mistakes, I do apologize for that.
Back to Edonia and to work, Chris headed to a meeting while Kate stayed in the office checking the documents as Chris had ordered.
She was in his desk when she heard knocks on the open door. Looking up she saw Piers asking permission to get in.
She giggled, "You don't need permission to get in"
"I do…it's still the boss's office"
"But you are…his left arm…as I'm the right arm"
She laughed, "What do you want?"
He sat on the chair before the desk and looked straight at her, "I just wanted to check on you…Chris didn't get into many details but he got so worried about you and even made you his priority, so I'd like to know what happened. How you're feeling now…"
She rested her back on the chair and crossed her arms a little bit. Despite being in more friendly terms with Piers, it was still disturbing staying alone with him and open up with him.
She giggled, "I appreciate your concern but it was nothing serious. Chris and Mr. Lionel overreacted about my condition but it was all due to the hangover"
"Nothing serious? He said you had panic attack"
"Hangover"
"And that you fainted"
"I was hungry! You know I'm not me when I'm hungry…or sleepy…and both!" she laughed in disguise
He let out a sigh and remained staring her. He knew her well enough to know she was just giving futile excuses. He leaned closer to the desk and allowed himself to demonstrate his concern about her. There was a while they had broken up but he still cared about her and still felt bad for ignoring her when she most needed someone.
"Kate…you don't have to lie to me… I know there's only two things that affect you immensely like that: your bastard brother and disturbing dreams. I take the bet that it's the latest option, am I wrong?"
"Why do you care? As far as I remember you ignored me when I most needed you!" she said defensively
"And I regret it deeply"
"So now you want to make amends?"
"I wouldn't put it that way…I really do care"
"Why?"
"Because I do! Can't I?"
"No you can't! you had your turn and you threw it away. Your ignorance made me humiliate myself to my boss!"
"And he lost his fiancée because of you" he said in impulse
She let out a heartily laugh, "Now the truth came out. You don't care. You're just jealous!"
"Jealous?"
She nodded in confirmation, "Yes! I saw your look…it was just like everybody else's when I arrived with him. You don't believe I was sick. You think I was having a "couple's time" with him"
Piers rolled his eyes and gasped. He thought for a second in not replying, but the table was already made and it was about time for them to discuss it once and for all, "Now I remember why I always thought we'd never work and as you brought those things up, let me tell you something: You mistake intelligence from arrogance. You think you're superior because you have a quick learning and because of that you think you're better, that you know all about people and everything… that's presuming, and not knowing it!
In general, nobody really cares what you do or who you fuck…
So if you don't want to talk about something, just say it. Don't get presuming things you don't know! You can't know! That's a dumb move you do. Having a high intellect without humility makes you dumb and arrogant and that's why people step away from you. Nobody wants someone that can't step off the pedestal and throwing their shit on them.
And more importantly: I don't give a damn if you sleep with Chris because the time for me to be taken by surprise is gone as I know you live with him! I admit that initially I had a moment I felt a bit jealousy but then I reflected about it and I moved on. If you're romantically involved or not…I don't really care! All I know is what you or Chris tell me. I don't ask.
and if you want things to change for the best for you, be a better person and less inconvenient.
Now excuse me, I have work to do"
Kate listened to Piers' lecture, surprised with his calmness. That was not his usual as he tended to be a temperamental man. His words echoed in her mind as she watched him stand up from the chair and head to the door without looking back.
It passed a matter of seconds but Kate's fast thinking took it all in frame and made her sigh with resignation, "Piers…" she called him as he touched the doorknob
He turned around to see her.
"I'm sorry, and I really mean it."
"No problem"
"There is a problem"
"Which is?"
She stood up from the chair and walked over him, "Despite the harshness of your words, I believe you're right, somehow…despite not agreeing with all"
"I was honest"
"I know…I appreciate it"
"So what's the problem?"
She looked down biting her lips, "My honesty now…if you want to know as we are already washing the dishes…"
"Just say it"
She inhaled letting out a heavy sigh as she looked up at him, "I miss you…I feel lonely. I talk to many people but I could only count on you and Lucy. Too many things happened in a row and I didn't have time to digest properly…especially that I had lost you. I never really thought you would fall in love for real with someone else as we used to have such a good time, and I'm not only saying it sexually, but in general when you weren't acting weird and rejecting me."
"It's complicated…"
"Yeah, I've heard that a lot. From you and from Chris… but it makes me wonder if it's really only me the problem?"
"No it's not…not in our case"
"Why not me then?
"Kate…we tried many times. In less than a year we had so many ons and offs…"
"Mostly because of your weirdness"
"That's why is complicated, but I don't believe a relationship works when based on so many uncertainties"
"Life is uncertain!"
"Yeah, but I couldn't take the risk to hurt us even more"
"Bullshit!"
"No it's not! Kate we always end up arguing!"
"Because you're temperamental!"
"And so are you!"
"But I never had doubts!"
"And I did! Do you really think I want to live in a volatile relationship? I already live hell at work, I don't want a mined ground at home too!"
"You're exaggerating!"
"The point is, this would never work…not with me ever being sure I could love you"
"Love is complicated"
"No it's not…I don't have doubts about Merah"
She covered her face as the tears came out, "So why are you here? Why do you care? Do want to torture me or something?"
"No! I don't want to torture you, but you don't need to be romantically involved to care about someone"
"You're my ex!"
"And I thought we were alright…"
"No, you assumed wrong. Nothing is alright! I'm living a crappy life, going through hell in my mind and the only person I can count on is Chris… the juicer I never thought I could relate to and the real mined ground!"
"You can count on me too, that's why I'm here"
"No Piers, I can't count on you! I still cannot accept you chose Merah over me!"
There was a disturbing moment of silence. The dishes were still too dirty. Would they ever get clean?
With all that said and nothing else to be added, Piers let out a long sigh, "So deal with it…because…it's really over" he said calmly before opening the door and close it as he left the office.
Kate, the young brunette, fell kneeling abruptly to the ground as her legs weakened while she busted into tears. Alone. Only her sobs could be heard in the silent office. She took awhile to recompose before the phone rang and she had to pass the message for Chris.
Piers rejoined Chris at the training camp, frowning more than his usual, which caught Chris' attention.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine" he said almost on a sharp tone
"I'll need you to handle things here for a couple hours"
"Going to another meeting?"
"No, not exactly"
"So you're going on a date?"
Chris gasped, "No, it's not a date. I'm going to have lunch with Angelina"
Piers made a face, "Ahh, so it's a date"
"No Piers, it's not a date. It's just a lunch with a friend"
"Right!"
Chris ignored the younger soldier's incredulity and gave him instructions before heading to his office to give further instructions to Kate.
Katerina had redone her makeup while still in the office when she heard someone opening the door, and immediately she kept the makeup into her purse and pretended to be working on the computer.
"Any messages or news for me?" Chris asked as he entered the office and walked over his desk to open the larger drawer and took out his bag
Kate was sitting on his chair and watched his moves, noticing he had taken a shirt, his wallet and a bottle of perfume, "Yes, the U.S. base asked about the progress report"
"Tell them 98% of the work done. We only need Janet's numbers report and Piers' to send it all in one file and return home" he said as he took off his uniform shirt and changed to a green shirt
"Okay, and when do you think we will be returning home?" she replied enjoying the view of Chris' naked torso
"As soon as we get all the reports done, but I believe we may return tomorrow. It depends on how quick you can be in the info compilation"
"I'll be quick as I can"
"I know, I believe your efficiency" he said giving a quick smile
Kate smiled back, not being able to keep her curiosity, "Are you going somewhere?"
"Yeah. I'm going to have lunch with Angie"
Immediately Kate's smile faded and her face became shadowed, not being able to say anything else.
"I'll leave the business phone with you and if you need to call my for any emergency call me on my private number"
Kate moved her feet restless, keeping the very serious demeanor.
"Did you hear me?" he asked
"Yeah" she replied in a sharp tone with her arms crossed
With no further lines, Chris left the office. His perfume fragrance in the air, while the shadowed brunette remained sitting on the chair. Her blood boiling as she tried to control the urge to give a loud scream and throw her anger on the objects.
Zena Restaurant, Edonia
Chris crossed the street after parking his car so he could get in the restaurant at the corner of the building.
As he entered, he searched the tables looking for Angelina and saw when she waved at him as she was sitting on the bottom table near the veranda window.
He leaned down to her face to greet her with a kiss on cheek when he noticed the little fire-head girl sitting next to her making him smile.
"I hope you don't mind I had to bring Olivia with me. George is working and my mother had to go to an appointment…"
"No problem at all. I was looking forward to meet Olivia someday" he said sitting on the seat before her
"That day has arrived!"
"Yeah. She's so cute. I can see the resemblance…beautiful as her mother"
Angelina smiled embarrassed and proud, "Thank you. She's a great girl and my world!"
Chris nodded with a soft smile, "I can see that"
At that moment a waiter stopped by their table and registered their order.
"So, did I disturb your work with my sudden invitation?"
"Not at all. The work is almost done. Probably we'll be leaving tomorrow"
"So I got you on the last day…great timing!" she said jokingly
"Yeah you did."
"That's a relief. It was worthy spending 2 days and a full night to finish my new project"
"Really? What project is that if you can tell me?"
"I can tell you is all about you"
He giggled, "You're getting me curious"
"I'm not that good with suspense but it's something I want to give you…actually I need to give you because all the time I was working on it I felt like I was listening to voices telling me to give it to you and someone else…"
"You're not good with suspense? You're totally in suspense mode! I'm super curious now"
She laughed, "It's in the car. I'll give it to you when we leave, but I hope you will like it and that you don't mind taking an extra content in your luggage"
"If is something from you I don't mind at all"
"It's not that big…"
"You're teasing!" he jokingly
"Just a bit…"
"Naughty Angie!"
She grinned, "I can be naughty sometimes"
"I'm sure you do!"
Angelina couldn't help the laugh and could feel the hotness on her face due to the blush as she seemed to catch a double sense in his words, "Stop it. I'm sure I'm blushing already"
"I love when you blush. It's cute!"
"I must be looking like a red tomato now"
He giggled, "No you're not"
"I doubt it"
"Don't doubt me. It's true. You're dealing well with the blush"
"You make me blush often…"
"I could make you do other things often, but…I'll keep it to myself in respect to your boyfriend" he said in a joking way
Angelina opened her mouth and covered it with her hand as she made a surprised face, "Chris!"
"I can be naughty sometimes"
"I have no doubts Teasing Chris!"
"Sorry. Don't get me wrong… I'm just kidding." he said feeling embarrassed
She laughed, "Who only sees that serious face doesn't imagine moments like this!"
He laughed, "I like having my secrets!"
She giggled, "And after this naughty moment, what's new on your end? Did you go to the Festival in Bohma?"
"Yeah I did"
"Did you like it?"
"Yeah, it was good leaving the routine"
"Did you try the Bohman beer? I hope you didn't lose control as it did happen to me because the first time I tried it I got higher than I expected and I ended up doing things with my boyfriend that I normally wouldn't so…"
"Yes I did try it and I kind of got in trouble after that"
"Oh dang, you passed the limit and you did something you shouldn't" she said in a playful tone
Chris widened his eyes in surprise. Mute.
Noticing Chris' reaction, Angelina made a face as she apparently had a right guess, "Oh boy…is that what happened?"
"You said you did things you normally won't do…"
"Yes I did and your face tells me you did the same…or kind of the same…"
"Is that an 'expected' side-effect of the beer?"
"I don't know…I'm not used to drink…so anything can happen when I drink…and that's why I avoid drinking…" she stuttered
"I see…"
Their meals arrived, spoiling their moment of revelation. Despite the curiosity Angelina didn't insist on the subject as she noticed Chris' tangent replies avoiding details.
When they were finished with their meals and after Angelina finished feeding her daughter they left the restaurant and headed to her car and talked during the walk.
"So the day after tomorrow you'll be back to your routine…" she looked away briefly, "And go home with Kate?" she asked breaking the ice
Chris nodded in confirmation, "Yeah, Kate, Piers and Janet" he replied not getting the real sense of her words of 'home with Kate'
She let out a sigh. She shouldn't get bothered about that. Actually, why was she bothered about that?
"May I ask you something personal?" she asked with a contended tone
"Sure"
"Be honest with me"
"I don't lie Angie and much less to you. I have a lot of consideration for you"
She smiled faintly, "I have a lot of consideration for you too"
"So what do you want to know?"
She let out a distressed sigh, "I don't know if I should ask that anymore…but like I said before I don't want to cause you any trouble but knowing you live with someone else and after observing you…is Kate more than just your secretary or more than just a friend?"
"You're bringing that up again…"
"I need to be sure that I'm not causing any trouble for you"
"You don't cause any trouble for me"
"But I saw the way she looks at you…and at me…she doesn't like when I'm near you…and the way you treat each other…it's too friendly for just a boss-employee relationship"
Biting his lips, Chris looked away frowning. Kate seemed always to come between in whatever he did in his life recently. That made him question himself if he was doing the right thing in helping her in everything he could.
"Do you really want to know what happened in the Festival's night?"
"You don't want to answer about Kate?"
"It's all about Kate"
Angelina didn't like the way she felt now. She could sense a harsh truth coming at her way. Despite preferring the awful truth, it was still disturbing having to listen to it, but she hated more omissions than the hurting truths.
"So tell me…"
"Things have changed since that night. We have come closer…"
"Closer?"
He nodded
"Did you sleep together?"
He cleared his throat looking away briefly, "Kind of…"
"Kind of?"
"I don't want to get in details about the first night"
"I don't need those details…I hate when I ask something I really don't want to know…"
"But you asked"
"Yeah and you gave me a 'kind of', so that got me confused"
"You're not more confused than me"
"Why?"
"Because I don't know what's going on with me since the night of the Festival"
"You can tell me…"
"I crossed the line with Kate and I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing in helping her as everybody thinks we are a couple and then I have these dreams that I see her but at the same time it's not her and I don't know why it keeps repeating and I don't know why I can't step away from her!"
"Why do you want to step away from her?"
"She puts me in trouble! I lost my fiancée because of her. I have risked career and my reputation for her. I have spent most of my time with her and I don't know why I'm doing this and I hate not knowing why!"
"Have you ever gone a week without a rationalization?" she asked
"I'm not rationalizing anything."
"No?"
"What do you want me to say Angie?"
"I want to know why you're so angry…"
Chris looked at her astonished. Angelina seemed to be able to read through him. The anger. The anger that consumed him at times. The anger that made him stop the good moment he was having with Kate the night of the Festival. The anger that made him not giving in.
"Kate is a good person. A bit crazy and ambitious, but she's good. She has good intentions and I pity her condition. She doesn't deserve this…mess."
"You're like a volcano about to explode Chris and if you see the universe conspiring for to be with her…don't fight it. Maybe she's the one that will transmute all that anger you feel. I may not know her, but from what I observed, she has a strong personality. She has fierce that shows she's a strong woman and not a broken doll as you may see"
Chris gasped, "Why of all people are you the one telling me this? I can't love because I love someone else…"
"And why aren't you with the one you love?"
"Because I can't be with her… She's taken!"
Angelina swallowed and stared at her daughter. A heavy sensation cored through her. She couldn't believe she was saying all those things either. She wasn't fond of Kate, but she had George and Chris was just the man that saved her and someone she barely met despite having so much in common – She had George…
"If she's taken and is not willing to cause a revolution in her life for you…So you don't have a reason to not try with someone else. Love is built and it's not an instant magic like in the fairytales"
"I know love is not like in the fairytales"
"So why the fear? Can't you see it's making you angry?"
"There is no place for love in my life... But I don't know another way. I wish I could change, I wish I could switch jobs and be able to do other things, but that's my job! I know that my work doesn't let me live with anyone."
"But Kate is better than anyone to understand your job routine. She's there with you day and night, or do you have something against having a relationship with a coworker or with a subordinate?"
"I don't give a damn to hierarchy and my most significant relationships were with coworkers"
"Aren't you attracted to Kate?"
"Yeah, but…why Kate?"
"Because she's your Achilles' ankle. Even I can see that"
"I just wanted to help her… I don't want to hurt her…"
"You won't. The universe is screaming at you to give her a chance…I have a feeling that she's the one for you…"
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Will you step away from me because of her?"
She bit her lips in distress, "I'll be living an ocean away from you with my family while you will have yours with Kate…"
He gasped, "This is not going to happen, Kate can't have children"
Angelina made a face, "Adoption?"
"You are already drawing my future when I myself don't know if I will give her a try"
"I just want the best for you Chris…if not with her, then with someone else…who knows…"
"I want the best for you too…but you didn't answer me, will you step away?"
"Not if you want me to…"
"I don't! I may be exaggerating but you're the best thing that happened in my life recently!"
"Likewise Chris"
"So what do you have for me?"
"Are you calmer now?"
"Yeah"
"Okay…so let me put this young lady on her seat and then I'll give your gifts"
"Gifts in plural?"
She laughed, "Yeah. It's for you and someone else…"
"Ah come on…stop the suspense"
She was quick in arranging her daughter and opened the trunk to get two medium-sized rectangular packages.
"I remember you told me your birthday was earlier the month, so consider this as a birthday gift"
"Thanks, but what is it?"
She giggled, "Can't you make a guess about the only talent I have?"
He laughed, "You have many talents. I can't pick"
"Come on…you know what I am known for"
Chris made a face pretending to be thinking hard, "Humm, a painting?"
"Yes, a very special painting!"
"Because is for me?"
She laughed loud, "No, cocky man! Because it's made by me of course" she joked
"Hahaha. Why is it so special?"
"Because that came from a dream. A very vivid dream…which I call inspiration. There's a whole context in all the elements of the figures and I tried my best to put it all on the frames and I couldn't stop thinking to give it to you, so as an obedient girl here it is"
"Can I open to see it?"
"Sure!"
Chris opened the paperboard and took the frame carefully from it. He was impressed with the rich details of the back of a couple walking holding hands on a seemly water path while apparently they carried something on the other arms. He could see their profiles as they stared each other smiling warmly. There was a soft aura around them. A loving aura. The man had broad shoulders and short hair, he was wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and brown trousers. The woman, at the man's left side, had very feminine traits and she was wearing a long white dress with a red ribbon on her waist level, long curly brown hair, red lipstick and he could see the female had green eyes.
Chris was not a man to get looking at many details and that was all he could notice on the painting.
"It's a lovely painting. Who are they?"
Angelina giggled with a shrug, "I don't know. George told me the man resembles you…"
"Me?" Chris laughed
"Well, maybe it's because there were some moments I really thought of you but… I don't know… so will you keep it?"
"Sure! Why not?"
"Because you don't seem to be an art man and I'm sure this is not what you expected"
"No, it's definitely not something I expected but I like being surprised. I will definitely be very careful to bring it home and place it where everyone can see when I get visits!"
"Are you serious?"
"Yes! I'm flattered in getting a painting from you! And for free, come on!" he said jokingly in the end
Angelina laughed and gave a light slap on his shoulder, "You so idiot!" she said in a playful tone
"So, what about the other one?"
The redhead made a face, "That one you cannot open yet."
"Okay…but why not?"
"Because it's the special part of this work…you can say it's the two sides of the same, but the other side is not meant to you right now"
"You're speaking like Lionel!"
She let out a loud laugh, "Oh really? Maybe it's because we relate a lot and I have spent a lot of time with him"
"I'm sure of that"
"So well…you'll have to be patient and wait the right time to see it, and please don't take a peek before you deliver it to the receiver"
"Oh, so I have to deliver it?"
"Yup"
"And who is the receiver?"
Angelina made a naughty smile, "Won't take a guess?"
Chris was able to read her and made a face, "Kate?"
"Yay! You got it!"
"Why Kate?"
She gave a shrug, "I'm just the messenger here…don't ask me explanations"
"She will ask me an explanation!"
"Just say it's a gift the universe wanted me to deliver to you"
"She won't buy it"
"You can't know…but if there's a case she won't accept it, you can give me it back as I have accomplished my mission"
"I won't you give you back! It's my two-faced birthday gift!"
"Oh yeah…that's a good option too."
"Thank you anyways"
There was a sudden moment of silence as the realization they had to depart their ways. That was a good lunch break for those two. They had good moments, funny moments and even tense moments, and now the sad moment. It was time for them to resume their routines at work, at home – with their families.
Chris put the boards on the ground near the car so he could give a goodbye hug to his ginger friend – and soul partner. That was a long and cherish hug. Her thin body fit perfectly his arms as it enlaced her thin waist, while her arms enlaced his neck. The floral scent of her perfume on her hair smelt delicious to him. He didn't want to let go of her. He had hope that she had taken his hint about his real feelings for her during their crazy talk and small argument. He couldn't say it loud as he did want to respect her relationship with George, but he couldn't let that pass on white and let her unaware that there was another option for them if they ever desired to cause a revolution and leave their routines.
Angelina enjoyed the sensation to be in his arms –she enjoyed it more than her reason allowed. She could feel his heartbeat against hers. He was as excited as her. A part of her wished she was the one he was talking about he had real feelings. That omitted part of her –her beast – would enjoy to go on an adventure with that man, but the other part of her kept her grounded and constantly reminded her that she was already settled with someone else. She had a daughter with someone else. A good and kind man named George. He didn't deserve her beast to be ever released so she took in all the hope and forbidden wishes and tried to release herself from that brave soldier.
They exchanged gazes. There was a fire in the hazel eyes. There was passion in the emerald-like ones.
For one last moment Chris allowed her to read through him as he continued holding her very close to his body. He knew she was good at guessing. Reading him.
There was incompletion in that story – their story.
For one last moment Angelina allowed her beast to take control of her reaction and she could read Chris' signs as he refused to let go of her and leaned over to give her a kiss.
But she could also read his beast – his anger.
And in the last moment she turned her head to the side and felt his lips kissing the corner of hers.
There was flame in that partial contact. Both felt it.
None allowed it to burn.
Chris released her. Apologetic. Embarrassed for trying to cross the forbidden line.
She blushed not only because of the embarrassment for almost cheat on George, but she blushed due to the fire triggered in her.
"Have a safe trip Chris…"
"Thanks. Take care Angie…"
On his way back to his car, Chris saw a souvenir shop and decided to enter it and buy some souvenirs to his friends. It was his way to tell them he was thinking of them during his absence during trips.
BSAA Office, Edonia
Kate was restless in Chris' office. She counted the hours of his absence. She was having one hell of a day.
"Lunch…my ass!" she cursed checking the time again.
One hour that tripled.
In three hours Kate did nothing but to keep in control her sudden fury. No report. She wanted to have an outburst. Scream loud. Curse that bastard.
But why?
She had no right for it. He was nothing hers, but her boss and a "friend".
In three hours she had done only 1% of all she had to do. Of all Chris had trusted her to do.
Tired of staying sitting, she decided to head to the reception again to see if he was back. As she stood up huffing, she headed to the door. When she touched the doorknob she noticed the door opening and quickly moved to the side to not be hit.
"Chris!"
"Hi Kate" he smiled faintly
"You're finally back!"
"Did any emergency happen?" he asked as he passed by her
She could smell a floral fragrance on him and she bit her lips and squeezed her hands as she controlled her boiling blood.
"Did any emergency happen?" he asked again looking back at her
"No" she replied sharply
"Did you send the report already?" he asked as he unbuttoned his shirt to put his uniform shirt again
"I'm not finished yet"
"No problem. I'll finish it with you"
"No, you don't have to…it's my job"
"I'm already back, it's my job too"
"I'm just going to the toilet room for a while"
"Where did you stop?" he asked taking his seat on the desk
"I told you I will finish it!" she almost screamed
Chris looked up at her with a serious face which made her feel embarrassed.
"Sorry…"
"Are you alright?" he asked
"I'm fine! I'll be right back"
Chris rested his back on the chair, thoughtful. Distant. Recalling the remarkable moments of the afternoon. Bittersweet memories.
He still couldn't believe he almost kissed Angelina.
He wasn't that kind of man and disrespect other relationships – or his- as loyalty was a strong trait on him. A deep principle he always carried.
He checked the computer to distract his mind, noticing Kate's progress on the report. He giggled with the no progress at all. Kate failed that task…
"I saw the way she looks at you…she doesn't like when I'm near you"
He recalled Angelina's words.
Was his lunch break the reason for Kate's failure? Too much coincidence.
He thought again remembering her reaction when he arrived. She was clearly "different". There was one Kate before he left and another when he returned.
Girl's Toilet Room
Kate faced her reflection in the mirror. A shadowed reflection.
"He was with her… that son of a bitch was with her… I could smell her on him…Angie the sly!" she murmured several times as her blood boiled as she imagined scenarios that only made her even angrier
Her face suddenly changed when she heard a toilet flush and Janet leaving the cabin.
The women stared each other through the mirror reflection. Kate tried to disguise her demeanor but she knew Janet had heard it. The other woman didn't or couldn't even disguise she didn't hear it.
"What are you looking at?" Kate said annoyed
"I know it's not my problem but I won't pretend I didn't hear you… do you want to vent?"
"Do I look like I need to talk?"
"Yes you do… I can relate to you"
"As in?"
"As I have been in that situation when I was younger…not taken seriously when I gave my all to the man I was in love with. My friends told me he was not a man for me but I insisted. In resume, one day I found out or confirmed he had others. I felt the betrayed, angry. I couldn't understand why he had done that to me. I did everything he asked, everything he wanted but in the end he had another favorite toy and I ended up fighting with her. I suffered a lot for a long time and felt like a piece of crap, until one day I realized I was too good for him. He was just a player, a moron. A waste of time torturing myself and then one day when I had forgotten his existence and allowed myself to see other people, he learned of it and called me saying he wanted me back"
"And what did you do?"
"I sent him to hell"
"Did it work?"
"No. he cursed and got calling me until one day I blocked him, changed numbers and ignored him every time we ended up meeting because of fate"
"There are many jerks out there"
"True but don't let it consume you. They're not worth it not matter how hot the guy is. They take you for granted and then they get tired of you. In the beginning everything is like a fairytale and they the most perfect things on earth, they lead you on…then the dream become a nightmare…but in the end you are the one with the power to decide how much they will affect you. How they will destroy you or make you stronger. Cursing the other toy won't solve it, not even beating them will solve it because in reality they are just a toy in the player's game."
"She's the sly type"
"It doesn't matter…your real anger is not about them but yourself. You're angry with you for believing him. For wanting him just for you. For loving him…"
"I don't love him"
Janet made an incredulous face, "Kate…I know I cannot tell you what to do and you won't really follow my advice, but try to reflect in not letting it consume you. I know it's harder when you keep seeing the person that hurts you but remember to not let it consume you…don't let the anger consume you. You're smarter than that shit you're feeling. Don't let a man blur your makeup" the woman said in support before leaving the room
Kate stared the mirror half thoughtful, half angered. Janet was right, she was smarter than that shitty life and situation. Piers was right, she just needed to say it.
Inhaling deeply and letting out a long sigh, she recomposed herself as much she could before returning to the mined office.
Chris' Office
Chris worked on the report when he saw Kate entering the office. She seemed calmer after spending one hour in the "toilet room".
"Are you working on the report?" she asked pretending nothing happened as she sat on the chair before his desk
"Yeah. You can go back to the hotel or whatever you prefer to do"
"I want to help you finish it. You gave me a task and I didn't conclude it. The two of us will finish it faster so we can return home and I find another place to stay"
"Find another place? We already talked about it. We made a deal"
"I know we made a deal but deals can be changed. I'm changing it"
"Why this sudden change?"
"It's not sudden. It's necessary"
"Will you tell me why?"
"I'd rather not"
"Is it something I did?"
Kate bit her lips reluctant, "no…"
He could catch the lie in her tone.
"Let's just finish the work…"
"Sure, but before we get back to work I'd like to give you this" he said opening the drawer and took small package from it, "I hope you like it. It's not as fancy like the one Mr. Lionel gave you but when my eyes laid on it I immediately thought of you"
"What is it?"
"Open it"
Her eyes widened, her mouth opened when she saw the necklace with a pendant in shape of heart with a heart shaped red gem in the middle.
"Red is your favorite color, isn't it?" he said breaking the silence
"Yeah…"
"Let me help put it"
"No…you don't have to…"
"I want to!" he said standing up from his seat
Kate lifted her hair ponytail for his better vision. Her skin shivered when she felt the soft touch of his fingertips on her neck skin.
"It's simple and fake gem…but…"
"But I loved it!"
"Really?"
She made a large smile and looked up at him, "Really! I don't need fancy things to be happy"
He smiled back at her. The old Kate was back.
"Heart things are priceless!"
"I bought it from the bottom of my heart…"
"Why?"
His voice totally failed with that question. His lips moved but his vocal cords were mute. He only moved his head not knowing what to say, "Just because…" he said with an unsteady voice
She smiled from ear to ear, "Thank you! It's my favorite gift ever now!"
Out of sudden she jumped on him and caught him into an embrace. The friction of her body against him made his legs tremble with the strong shiver he felt.
A weird sensation that made him feel a slight panic.
"Maybe she's the one that will transmute all that anger you feel… I don't want to hurt her… You won't. The universe is screaming at you to give her a chance…" he recalled Angie's words
There was a complete different sensation between the embraces of those women. Angie's sheltered him. Kate's intrigued him.
Soon he realized his eyes were shuttered closed as he opened it to realize the young brunette looking up at him.
"Reknow"
He recalled it and seemed to have listened to it so close to his ear.
"Are you okay?" she asked in concern as she released from him
"I'm fine…"
"I'm sorry…" she said apologetic
"Don't be…" he said grabbing hold of her right hand as she was at his left side
A weird sensation cored through her as well, triggering something inside her.
.
.
"What does it mean Chris?"
"I don't know…But let's find out…together"
Thank you Pin and Xaori for the reviews! :D You guys kick ass!
Thank you all for following, reading and for favoriting. It means a lot to me!
Now I apologize for the long absence, but I needed this time just for me. I'm still working on things and life is taking a lot from me lately, but I won't drop this work. There are still many messages to be given and I will stick to it :D
Stay tuned!