If, Buts and Maybes

C H A P T E R - 8

Zander finally moved out of the apartment. Sapphire and Sam helped me with the move to make it easier for me. She was like a drill sergeant, ordering Sam about. He didn't seem to mind though, he just laughed and smiled. Always planting a kiss on her cheek and saying "of course my love." With every kiss, she melted a little more.

The apartment feels so empty. None of his clothes are here, and the bed feels so lonely. Even though it was my name on the lease, it was OUR place. We made it into a home for both of us. The scent of his Armani cologne still lingers through the halls.

Once Sapphire and Sam leave, I stand there alone in the kitchen. Anezka usually always had dinner ready for us whenever we came back from work, although, I wouldn't be surprised if she and Zander fucked after every meal.

I make myself some box mac and cheese and sit in my office. I look through some emails and finalize appointments. I know it seems like I'm a workaholic but I'm not.

Nothing exciting happens in my life to pull me away from work. It's all I have known for the longest time. I worked so hard to get to where I am and I don't want to risk anything that might bring it all backdown.

While scrolling through my emails, I see Hunter's name. I click on the message and see it's an invitation to a gala for his company, tomorrow evening. At the end it reads, I hope you can make it Mackenzie, dress extra pretty for me, okay?.

I can't help but smile at myself. It's just a gala. Nothing too special. I reply back letting him know I will be there and make my way to bed. My lonely bed.

                                                                                      ♡♡♡♡

I took a personal day off work. I may not be sick or anything, but I could not stop twisting and turning all night thinking about the gala.

I have beautiful dresses but I want to look extra special. Sapphire also decided to have a personal day to help me out. We finally walk into a boutique filled with gorgeous dresses and gowns. My stomach flutters a little, at the thought of his reaction to me wearing these dresses.

"Welcome, my name is Jane. Is there anything I can help you with?" the worker says. She has this golden blonde hair that drapes effortlessly over her shoulder.

Before I can speak, Sapphire butts in "my friend here need something for a gala. Something that says I am independent but also says my ex of five years needs to think I'm the most beautiful girl in the room tonight."

I give her a glare and apologise to the worker. She smiles back at me and reassures me it's perfectly fine. "Let's have a look around."

After trying on various dresses, I was starting to give up. "I don't know Saph, these just don't feel right." I look towards the boutique worker and smile putting my hands up. "Not that they are not gorgeous, because they are, it's just not me."

She smiles at me showing me she understands. "Do you have a specific color in mind, Ms. Brown?"

I look at Sapphire and she smiles at me as if she can read my thoughts. We both look back at the lady and say in unison "Blue". We giggle at each other and the lady walks off to see if she can find anything. I sip on my champagne and take a seat in the chair next to Sapphire. "So spill, how are you feeling?"

"Honestly, I'm scared. My mind keeps telling me that Hunter and I finished for a reason and not to allow myself to go back there and invite hurt into my life especially after everything with Zander, but then it's like my heart is saying that maybe hurt needed to be felt for me to realise the loss and go searching further for a deeper meaning, to see for myself whether this is fate or not"

She nods along to everything I say. She looks at me and opens her mouth to speak but then closes it again as if she's contemplating telling me her thoughts. Grabbing her champagne flute she downs her drink and then turns to me.

"Mack, from all the time I've known you, you've always worn your heart on your sleeve, and then after Hunter, you stopped which was a huge thing for you. I hate him for what he did to you and how he gave up on your relationship. I hate the way he made you feel and become because you out of all people did not deserve that."

I feel my eyes start to pool up and I go to tell her how much I adore her but she starts speaking again.

"However, I also believe that there is something about you and Hunter that is inevitable. when you choose to love again and it was with Zander, I knew instantaneously you two were complete opposites, but you were so happy and who am I to prevent that. Trust me I was rooting for you and him, but I know there is an unfinished story with Hunter, that you need to keep on reading"

I find myself speechless at the words coming out of my best friend's mouth. For the longest time, I've known that she has hated Hunter for giving up on me, giving up on himself but most of all for giving up on us but I know she wants the best for me.

I wrap my arms around her and hug her tight, while my tears fall down my cheek and onto her shoulders. "Hey now, none of that. You have a gala to attend and we need to find a dress for you because I know he won't be able to keep his eyes off you"

I give her a warm smile and as if on cue Jane walks back to the fitting room with a gorgeous navy dress in her hand. I don't even have to try it on to know that it's perfect.

While waiting at the till for the payment to go through, I hear my phone's notification sound go off. A message from Hunter.

Hunter: I just know you've picked up a blue dress, so i just need to know what shade and where am I picking you up from?

I can't help but smile to myself at the fact he still knows exactly the type of person I am, even after all these years.

Mackenzie: Navy and you can pick me up from my office, I'll be heading back there anyway.

Hunter: Perfect. I can't wait to see you, Mackenzie.

Mackenzie: Me too. x