An Unpleasant Encounter

I arrived at work late the next morning, and ignored Gary when he demanded an explanation. I suppose that I am on a late streak. As I walked into my office and slammed the door shut with surprising force, I felt the eyes of everyone, including Abbey, on me. That only angered me more.

I sat myself down on my chair, smoothing my business suit down. I heard a knock on the door and realised that it was Abbey. I let her in after a few seconds of contemplating. She sat down opposite me worriedly, closing the door tightly shut behind her. Her neatly straightened black hair hung loosely down her front as she tucked a strand over her left ear.

"Hermione, what happened last night?" Abbey asked softly. I stared at her and then sighed, looking away sadly.

"Ron...he..." I shook my head as I felt sadness cloud me. Abbey urged me on, just like the great friend she was.

"Yes, Hermione?"

I decided to say it anyway.

"Ron's seeing someone else!" I blurted out, and began to sob.

"There, there," Abbey patted my shoulder calmly as she came over to my side.

I wiped away the tears, feeling humiliated. This was stupid. Why was I crying anyway?

"I know, I must be very...se-selfish," I stuttered through my tears. Abbey nodded along.

"I mean, it's not like I can just k-keep Ro...him to myself."

Abbey nodded yet again, this time more thoughtfully.

"How about we take some time out after work, hey?" She suggested.

I stared at her in surprise. Abbey wasn't usually one for offering any get-togethers with friends.

"Okay, if you say so," I smiled through my tears. I was lucky to have someone like Abbey a a friend.

~0~0~

"I understand how you are feeling, Hermione," Abbey said as we walked through the city streets.

"You do?" I asked in surprise.

"Yes, indeed I do. There was this...guy I knew from High School, and well we had been together for a little over a year, when we didn't have time for each other anymore."

There were still so many things I didn't know about Abbey. Come to think of it, there were still a lot of things I didn't know about all my friends! I suppose I'll just have to pay closer attention.

"After we left school, we had work and our relationship just didn't work properly," Abbey continued.

"And then what happened?" I didn't want to hurry her, but all the same I was eager to hear what she had to say.

"Well...he admitted that he was already in another relationship with somebody else when we met together a year later," Abbey murmured sadly.

"And I was angry too, at first. But then I learnt to get on with life and accept things for the better. After all, look where I am now," she said brightly.

I smiled warmly at my friend. She was already married with two children. What more could a woman ask for?

This was turning out to be a very interesting outing indeed. I liked Abbey...a lot. She was so nice and timid, but also very determined about what she does in life.

"Oooh, look at this gorgeous necklace!" Abbey exclaimed excitedly as we stopped outside a shop. I grinned at her, happy that she was in such high spirits.

I stood there beside her as she examined the piece of jewellery carefully.

That was when I saw him. He was arm in arm with a blond woman, and another couple was walking beside them. As much as I wanted to look away, I just couldn't. My eyes were glued to him. I felt very angry all of a sudden.

So that was who he was seeing all this time. Pfffft. Who says blonds are so attractive? I never thought Ron would date someone like that. She just seemed so...perfect. And by the way, that was not a compliment of any sort. Not at all.

I was relieved to find that the two couples had turned a corner and vanished from sight. I felt like walking up to the blondie and starting an argument, and let me tell you now, I am not the kind of person who usually would do that.

I turned to Abbey, who was still observing the necklace in admiration.

"Do you want to buy that?" I asked. She shrugged, but I could tell that she wanted it badly.

"C'mon, just buy it!" I urged, laughing. "Okay then," Abbey replied reluctantly after a moment's hesitation.

We both entered the shop.

~0~0~

I was now at home, munching on yet another bar of chocolate. Cadbury, this time. The television was on and I was staring blankly at a blond woman who was the news anchor. As she went on to talk about this year's risen road toll, I was suddenly reminded of that particular blond woman who had been arm in arm with Ron earlier today, giggling away like there wasn't a worry in the world. Overcome with a cloud of anger and frustration, I switched off the television rapidly and settled down with a novel, which I am sheepish to admit that the genre was 'romance'.

Like it? Or not? Please review! There will be more next time...and by the way, do you like the way the POVs are varying each chapter? Please let me know by posting a review or sending me a message! Thanks a bunch to everyone who has reviewed so far!