Chapter 101

KAILEEN ANDY LEWIS

Two weeks have passed since I caught a flu.

The day after I got better, I immediately reported to work and I had gotten along pretty well with Claire in these two weeks.

Of course, I made sure to draw a line, as her advances were really pretty obvious and tough sometimes to resist but somehow I managed not to give in.

I just counted the days that this will be over.

It's not like I did nothing on Claire's interest of me but everytime I address the matter seriously, she would feign innocence of it.

Making me feel like a child, clueless and ignorant that I'm just giving so much thought to her action; that I'm reading too much about it.

And I hate myself every time that happens 'cause I feel like shit— small.

I don't know how she did that but I always can't retaliate even a word every time—I lost every time.

She's a sly— very sly.

Maybe because she is wiser?

… more experienced?

… more mature?

I really don't know. Hence, I stopped attempting to confront her and just let things be as long as everything is still bearable.

Then the time for Erika and my friends to pay me a visit at work by having a dinner at the restaurant has finally arrived.

Claire knew they would be coming. Well, I told her and I could tell she's so curious to meet my girlfriend personally.

I came out of the door from my 'now' office to join my visitors in their table.

A wide smile plastered on my face as my gaze met with everyone. They were seated not far the counter.

Then Claire called, interrupting my stride.

She moved towards me, then seductively fixed the collar of my polo shirt, when nothing really is to be fixed, and intentionally running her arm down to the hem and pulled it as though tidying it up.

I gulped a lump and eyed her—

'what the fuck are you doing?'

She just responded with an evil smirk.

Then I took a glimpse at my friends on the side, and I think I went pale seeing their reaction.

Mei's mouth went round while exhaling hard…

Rina just stared at me with jaw dropped…

Donna was pinching her brows— head down…

Alex wryly smiled…

And most of all, Erika: her eyes darkened and she had that really grimaced expression.

'I'm so dead'

Then the unthinkable happened, I don't know why I did it or what did l ate prior… for me to ever think of it.

'I messed up'

'I did'

I introduced Claire to my friends and she smoothly composed her act as though she did nothing just awhile back.

Claire shook everyone's hands as I did the introduction one by one and finally, my girlfriend's turn.

"…and Claire, this is Erika—" I paused.

"… a FRIEND and a classmate in my major."

I very well know what I did.

My heart stopped as well as my breathing and I just focused my gaze on Claire.

I was waiting for their reaction, especially Erika's and I think time stopped at that moment too.

No one made a sound.

And I didn't dare to spare even a glance at my friends.

In the corner of my eyes I could feel and see just enough of what face they made.

Also, I could feel the tension building around too and their stares were boring holes at me.

'I know what I did'

And yeah— why the fuck I even said that?

'a friend'

Well, didn't Erika 'always' introduced me to her friends, family and acquaintances just as that?

'friend'

Then why can't I do the same?

… right?

… right?

Why can't I?

I stood there firmly on my ground but my heart was breaking inside— just that I chose to stand taking responsibility of my words .

Claire also raised her brow, questioning my action but I just gave her a poker look.

'I'm so doomed'

[*****************]

I didn't know what happened after that anymore— my mind went blank.

I didn't even know if they stayed to eat after I excused myself and retreated to my office telling them to go on eating and that I can't join them as I still got something to do.

I know it was so lame of an excuse but—

… but I needed to get out of there.

'tsk'

"Why did you do that?"

I turned my head to look at Claire holding two glasses of red wine.

I was lying on the the couch in my office, spacing out.

She moved my legs a little giving her space to sit on the couch with me and handed me the wine.

I scoot up to sit and we both took a sip of our drinks.

"I don't know why I did that." I muttered.

"Were you walking on a thin line all this time?" She asked.

'Have I?'

"Not really, just recently." I admitted.

"So, have you had enough?" She pressed on.

My brows met and I didn't answer. I just sipped and sipped my wine.

Well, I once told Claire about Erika's stand on our relationship— her hiding about 'us' in the world.

"It's getting late, you should go home." Claire said as she got up and headed out the door.

"I don't feel like going home." I plainly said without thinking too much about it.

She stopped and turned to look back at me.

"Then how about my place?" She offered.