After watching Megan fall asleep, I quietly left the room to get some air. It felt hot inside, even with the AC on and so I just had to step out. As I came out to the balcony, I took a deep breath in and let it out, just then I perceived the scent of cigar. I sniffed in again to be sure before looking down to the floor.
There was someone seated downstairs by a dim-lit lamppost and it didn’t take me long to recognize him- Mr. Blackwood! I guess I wasn't the only one feeling this heat. Good thing he was outside, I could give him a piece of my heart while the heat within me was yet to die down.
I hurried downstairs, taking the stairs as I feared using the elevator by this time; what if something went wrong? I might just be stuck there for the whole night.
I got downstairs and quietly walked towards him, he had his back to me but he didn’t seem fazed by the sound of my foot as I approached, he remained still.
“Do you have a heart? Are you even human?” I blurted the moment I was close to him, still standing behind him. That was a horrible way to start any conversation but it was just the way I felt at the moment.
“You must be brave coming out this late at night,” he replied, without looking back, I have no idea how he knew it was me coming.
Inhaling a deep smoke of the cigar stick and then tossing it away, he slowly turned to face me. “This isn’t New York City, Princess, it is Botswana.” He said as a reminder, probably to scare me. I had no idea that he smokes until this moment. I guess there is a lot about this man that I still don’t know.
“I can take care of myself,” I blurted, knowing full well that I was bluffing, it was just my pride speaking.
“Exactly what I expect Princess, because I would not be responsible for what happens to you.” he said in a cold voice, even in the darkness, I could see the dark look in his eyes.
“Don’t try to change the topic. I asked you a question and I want an answer, Maxwell.” I boldly called him by his name. “Why would you do something like that to Megan? Do you know how much you hurt her feelings?” I queried, trying to keep my voice low as it was dark and quiet.
“Stay in your boundaries, Ann. It is Megan’s fault for misunderstanding the situation, not mine.” He spoke with gritted teeth, pointing a finger at me.
It was uncommon to see him showing emotions and that pricked my conscience and scared me just a little bit, but I was too mad to hold back
“Misunderstanding what exactly? You suddenly started being nice to her, you invited her personally to this trip, you were very sweet to her on the flight and let her sleep in your blanket, you treated her like royalty on arrival and even took her out on a date tonight, what impression did you think you were creating all that time?”
“Oh don’t give me that. Just because I was nice to her doesn’t mean that I do want to date her, or that I have feelings for her, but if those acts of kindness had given her such an impression, then you are to be blamed.” He spat.
“What?” I fired back with a crumpled face. “What are you talking about? How do I fit into any of this?”
“You know too well, Ann. The only reason I was doing all that with Megan was to get back at you. I wanted to make you jealous as revenge for bringing that rat you called a boyfriend into my office.”
“Excuse me? No! no way!” I made my disagreement clear. “I am not going to take any of that blame. To begin with, can you even hear yourself? You played with someone else’s emotions in order to get back at me. And get back at me for what exactly? I didn’t absolutely nothing to offend you, so don’t you dare gaslight me.” I snapped.
“You claim that you did all that as revenge for Jimmy but you have no right to punish me for Jimmy because there was nothing wrong with what I did. I did not violate any rules of our agreement, you asked me to be your plaything and even though it was morally wrong, I was desperate for the job and so I agreed; that those not mean that you own me or decide what I do with my body or who I choose to be with, that was not part of our agreement.” I stated clearly.
It was obvious he was trying to make me take the blame here, he was openly manipulating me and there is no one I am having any of that, I was even more pissed after hearing his silly reasons.
“You know what? I think that is enough discussion for one day, it is late, you should go to bed and stay in your room for your own safety. Goodnight Annabel.” He said plainly and turned away to leave.
I stood there mouth agape; was he serious right now? He was fucking walking out on me! Who does that?
I cursed as I walked behind him, as I lost sight of him, I felt fear creep into my body and I quickly headed upstairs. Walking down the corridor leading to our hotel room, my phone began to ring.
I growled and took it out, it was Jennifer calling, I felt better when I saw the caller ID, I needed some friendly conversation in order to have a goodnight. I couldn’t help but wonder what time it was over there in New York City as I took the call.
“Hey,” I spoke first as I answered the call.
“Okay, what is wrong?” her worried voice came sounding from the other end.
I forced a little laugh and shook my head. “Nothing, why?” I asked calmly.
“Don’t tell me nothing, you started our conversation with a hey, that is so unlike you, where is the enthusiasm to speak to your best friend who you haven’t heard from in over eight hours?” she fired from the other side of the phone.
I laughed, genuinely this time. “Your voice is vibrant, I see you are having a good time,” I smartly changed the topic of discussion.
“You can say that. What about you? How is Botswana? I hope you are loving it over there.’
I chucked and looked back to see if I was being followed. “Well, I haven’t had the chance to, but I made a new friend, and she is nice.”
“Huh? If you make a new friend, then you better not come back here!” she warned.
I burst into laughter, trying to keep my voice low. “Girl, don’t be silly, whatever happens in Botswana stays in Botswana. By the way, are you jealous?” I asked with a smirk.
“Whaaat?? Jealous? Nah, we have been practically friends for nearly six years, I doubt anyone can replace me in your life and that is something you have to deal with. I am not an insecure freak, okay?” she bragged and I giggled.
“Okay, good then. How’s your boyfriend?” I asked.
“Let’s not talk about boys now, yeah?”
“Ohhh,” I grinned. “I smell drama. Fine then, no boys talk, boys are problem anyways.”
“Exactly, and so are mosquitoes. Hope you are not getting feasted on by those parasites?” she asked; as if overhearing our conversation, I got bitten by one that moment and I slapped it hard.
“What was that?” Jennifer asked over the phone.
“Nothing!” I lied immediately and laughed. “Don’t worry Jenny, I am perfectly fine. Botswana is great, hopefully I get the chance to explore soon. Anyways, it is late and I need to go to bed, I will call you tomorrow.”
“Promise?”
“Yeah, pinky promise.” I replied and walked towards the wall, putting my back against it.
“Okay then, you take care, I love you.”
“I love you too.” I replied, before ending the call. I took a deep breath in and let it out, it was almost midnight, I needed to get some rest.
I hope Mr. Blackwood comes to his senses, or he might lose Megan for good, and as much as I initially disliked her, I wouldn’t wish to lose her as a co-worker, I needed her at the office.
!