Chapter 2: Did he really travel?

Three days have elapsed since George traveled. His phone ain't going through and he hasn't made any attempt to call me. 

Every time I try his number, it sends me straight to voicemail.

He promised to keep in touch and if this is how he goes about it, then he must be so good at it.

Damn!

I can't concentrate on work this Saturday morning...I just can't. All my thoughts are on George and I keep on asking myself if he's okay.

But since he promised to keep in touch, I decide to give him the benefit of doubt. He always sticks to his word and this time won't be different.

My mind is still preoccupied in thoughts when my phone rings, startling me and making me snap from my reverie.

“Hey bitch! Long time... ”

It's Kate Dominique my one and only best friend.

“Hey gal....”

Oh my gosh! I've been so much preoccupied with trying to reach George such that I forgot she existed.

However she should also have called me as well since she is on leave.

“So, what are you doing after work?”

“Kate, there's something you need to know. I need to confide in you.” I sigh heavily. I've never felt comfortable involving people in my problems, not even my very best friend.

“Spit it out girlfriend. What are friends for?”

She sounds excited and at the same time anxious.

“It's George. He traveled three days ago and he hasn't...”

“...called?”

She finishes my statement, cutting me short.

“Yeah! How did you know?”

I'm curious already.

“Don't worry about that dear. I just guessed!” She says. “How about we meet over for coffee then you can fill me in all the details?”

“It's okay dear. I'm leaving the office in the next... let's say thirty minutes...”

I say, checking my watch.

“The usual place...”

She says excitedly.

“The usual.”

I hear giggling from the other side as she hangs up.

Placing my phone back on the table, I lean back on my chair and sigh heavily.

Three damn days and I'm already missing him like fuck! His masculine voice, his touch...oh! How I miss running my fingers on those Abs!

I'm so addicted to this man. He just knows the right places to touch his woman.

His woman?

Do I even know how many women he's touching abroad on his business trip?

Furrowing my eyebrows, I brush the damn thoughts off my mind and bury my head on the office desktop.

I've been working for Greenlight's Enterprises for over two years now. I joined the company immediately after college though I did my internship in another.

Being the boss's PA ain't a walk in the park. I have appointments to book, schedules to plan, meetings to attend, reports to prepare and many more tasks.

That's why I'm in the office on a Saturday afternoon while my boss is away on a vacation with his young family.

Shutting down my desktop, I sigh heavily as I assemble everything in order, throw my phone in my handbag and stand up. Giving the place which happens to be my office one sweep with my eyes, I storm out towards the elevator.

My boss's office is in the fifth floor therefore using the stairs ain't in the picture.

Once in the ground floor, I bid goodbye to Helen the front receptionist who's grinning from ear to ear, chewing her gum as usual.

She doesn't seem to be in a hurry at all.

I step in the parking lot and upon unlocking my car, I climb in, throw my handbag at the passenger seat and start the engine. I'm glad that I didn't carry my laptop today.

I reverse out of the parking lot and once I'm out of the compound, I join the highway and drive towards the city center. 

It's a short drive and within no time, I'm looking for a parking space in Sparkles restaurant.

I spot Kate's car and I'm glad she's already in there.

Picking my bag, I lock my car and walk towards the entry of the restaurant swaying my medium sized hips sideways.

Kate has already secured a place and she's busy scrolling away in her phone.

“Hey girl..”

She lifts her eyes and upon seeing me, she springs on to her feet, hugging me passionately.

Something on her finger catches my attention and I disentangle myself from her embrace.

“Kate? Seriously?” I'm now holding the hand with ring bearing finger.

She notices my discomfort cum concern and holds my other hand, leading me to the table.

“I'm so sorry girlfriend. It happened so urgently I couldn't in...”

“...invite your best friend!”

The irritation is evident in my voice.

“It's not so dear. You won't understand...”

“Make. me. understand!” I snap at her, emphasising each and every word.

“He wanted it to be a private thing Darlene. He didn't want people to know...atleast not after the private wedding.”

She explains.

“Private wedding? Come on Kate, when did Tony and you start keeping secrets? Did he even inform George? When did he get back to the country? I thought he'll be in the states for three years!”

I'm confused as it is. 

“Tony? Didn't I tell you that Tony and I broke up three months ago and he's now married to another woman?”

“Yes you did...but you never told me you've move on with another boyfriend!”

The more she drags the whole story, the more she keeps me in suspense.

“Don't worry your pretty head dear, you'll soon meet him.” She assures me. 

“Guess what dear, we've already moved in together and the wedding will be in two weeks time at the beach...I'm having a beach wedding girlfriend!”

She says excitedly.

Everything is so confusing.

Three days silence.... private engagement....moving in together...two weeks time...beach wedding...

Something doesn't add up.

Is my friend I trouble? Has she involved herself with a dangerous person?

Why the privacy? Why the rush?

Secrets!

Our coffee is served and I swear I can see Kate stealing sideway glances as I sip on it.

“What?”

I ask her when I catch her in the action..

“Nothing girl. Just wondering how life will be when I finally get married.”

She chuckles.

Marriage!

George hasn't even proposed leave alone showing any commitment.

“Speaking of which, George hasn't called me since he traveled with his boss on a business trip!”

I says, fiddling with my half full cup of cappuccino.

Her head snaps abruptly but stabilised her posture pretty quick.

Clearing her throat, she eyes me intently and manages to speak.

“Mmm...uh... Sorry for that. You know these men now. Trust me, he'll soon call. Maybe he's busy or network problem...”

She manages to say.

“I hope so...”

She nods as she continues sipping her coffee.

After the coffee, food is brought and we eat happily as we chat...though the thoughts of Kate being privately engaged still baffles me.

*****

It's quarter past six in the evening when we finally leave the restaurant after eating and drinking.

Kate turned down my offer to buy her wine telling me that her 'man' won't take it lightly with her if she gets home reeling of alcohol.

I just buy her some soft drink as I gulp down glasses of my favourite red wine, letting out all my frustrations on the poor drink.

I keep bugging her to take me to her new house where they've shifted with her fiance, soon to be husband but she's adamant. I finally give up.

When I finally arrive home, it's already dark and I slump on my couch, fishing out my phone and trying George once more...

The same old reply..

*Please leave your message after the tone.*

Crap!

As I lie on the couch reminiscing on our meeting earlier today, I remember all our gisting.

There's a time I had a slip of my tongue and told Kate that George loves hitting it from behind...

And her reply was...I knew so!

Funny enough, I didn't take it serious upto now.

She's just funny...very funny.

*****

I wake up with a start.

It's still dark in the room and I feel uncomfortable in my sleeping position.

I try to turn and I land on the carpeted floor with a thud.

Oh my!

I passed out on the couch.

I collect my self up and fumble with the switch.

It's almost midnight.

I switch off the lights and walk towards my bedroom. Tomorrow is on a Sunday and I'll be free the whole day...I can sleep all I want....