TIFFIN 3

21

I was just as shocked as Eli when I accepted his offer on joining him for lunch. I didn't know why I agreed. Perhaps it had been guilt or simply the fact that I was lonely.

Crap. I never wanted to be that girl. Though, what did it matter now?

I was taken aback when he offered to pay for delivery. Usually, my friends took me out to eat so this was different. My mouth watered as the steaming bags were placed in front of me.

Could it have been Chinese? Oh, how much I'd been craving orange chicken.

I frowned when he retrieved the colorful burger containers, though I was quick to forgive this. My stomach growled and I wasn't in the mood to argue. Food was food.

Eli laughed as I tore into a bag of Doritos.

"I miss this." He murmured.

I looked up with my cheeks stuffed full.

"Miss what?"

He leaned onto his hands, staring at me like he'd just discovered Eureka.

"I remember how you used to eat in the lunch room. You were ravenous. It's nice to see a girl who can pack it away."

As I nervously brushed at the residue on my lips, he shook his head adamantly.

"No, please. Don't be ashamed. That was always my favorite thing about you."

I set the bag down, going for my burger container smelling the scent of onions.

"Grade school was so long ago, Eli. I barely remember anything about it."

That was a lie. I remembered everything as if it had happened yesterday. All the jeers and taunts about how overweight I was.

Then, how protective Eli had been when he decided he'd seen enough.

 I flushed.

"Why did you stick up for me all those years ago?" I asked before I could stop myself.

He looked at me like I'd grown two heads.

"Why would I? You..."

He trailed off, trying to restrain himself.

It irritated me.

"What? Tell me."

He ducked his head.

"You meant so much to me then."

I bit my lip trying to decipher what this meant. How did it make me feel? Flattered? Honored? Oh hell if it didn't make me feel warm.

Was he coming onto me?

Before I could think more on this, my office phone rang incessantly. I jumped from my seat, answering it immediately.

"Hello?"

I recoiled when I heard the familiar voice.

"Kristina I was hoping I could catch you."

Diedre.

I swallowed eyeing Eli who was staring at me in consternation.

"Is... is there something I can help with?"

I couldn't deny the anger boiling inside me. I was aware of our last conversation but my sudden professional air took over, stopping me from blowing her off.

It didn't help that this was the company she had built from the ground up.

"Yes," she drawled, "as a matter of fact there is. I felt rather... disgusted by my attitude towards you the other night. Allow me to make it up to you."

I wanted to thank her so we could put all the hatred between us away, only to evaluate her tone further. 

Something wasn't right with the way she was so willing to forgive.

Was this simply my pride? 

Maybe she was a bit more mature than I thought.

"You seemed so angry the last time we spoke." I tested.

All I heard was a giggle from the other end.

"Water under the bridge, Kristina. So what do you say we meet around, say, ten tonight at a cafe?"

I was about to accept her offer but refrained feeling a strong tingle in my neck.

Don't go, A small voice echoed through my head, You'll only find trouble.

Letting her know I'd think about it, I slammed the phone back on its stand.

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Hello everyone!! Sorry for not updating. I swore I had, but my Wattpad is acting weird. Lol. 

What do you think Diedre is up to? 

Does trouble wait?