Building an empire

Chapter 2

Staring at the ceiling, my thoughts wandered to the events of last night. Maybe it was the champagne talking but my emotions were all over the place. One moment I wanted to flee from Adam and the next I wanted to kiss him? Get your shit together!

Okay, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Maybe he was drunk and didn’t even remember anything from last night? Or maybe he was actually into me. But was I into him? I’m such an overthinker!

The sun mocked me for sleeping in late as I stared out the window. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a photo frame on my bedside table. It was Kyle and I at the year-end function of La Vie Rosé last year. I have so many questions as to why.

Why cheat?

Why her?

Why now?

I imagined turning up my stereo to Billy Eilish’s Bad Guy and destroying literally everything he left at my apartment. That included cutting up his expensive suits as well. Sounds like something my old self would’ve done, but the new - more matured - me realized that it was the wrong approach. This would have given him the impression that I was angry and hurt, which I am but he didn’t need to know that. Watching chick flicks and eating a pint of Ben and Jerry’s cookie dough ice cream was not my way of getting over a breakup. No honey, I set goals and keep myself busy trying to reach them. No time for moping. My only revenge was working towards success and happiness and there was no stopping till I had it in abundance.

His hoodies and work suites - which took up almost half of my closet - were folded and packed into boxes. I dragged them to the front door and dumped it outside. Zero reminders left. Not even the necklace with my name on which he gave for my birthday last year. They were all gone.

After the job was done, I felt worthy of a cup of coffee. I grabbed an extra-large cup from the cupboard, emptying my last sachet of salted caramel cappuccino. As I waited for the water to boil, my phone rang, sending my heart into overdrive. What if it's Adam?
Running to my room I nearly tripped over the pile of shoes. Taking my heels off straight after work in the kitchen has become a bad habit of mine. Something we have to fix to avoid hospital visits in the future.

Alice’s name showed up on my Caller ID.

“Hey what are you doing?” she asked and I could hear a lot of chatter in the background.

“Nothing much just took out the trash”

“Well, Maya and I are waiting for you at the Jeffrey’s Brew, get your ass down here!” I could hear Maya laughing in the background. Shoot! I forgot about our coffee date!

“Right, give me twenty” we hung up and I got dressed.

Call me coffeeholic, I’ll answer! Jeffrey’s Brew became a part of our weekend routine - which I somehow forgot about this weekend - after the very first visit. We liked the cozy vibe and most importantly, their cappuccinos were to die for, not to mention the incredible food.

My outfit was very simple. Black yoga pants, sweatshirt, jacket, and trainers. I tied my hair in a top knot, brushed my teeth, and headed out.

Hopefully, by the time I returned home, the boxes would be gone. I wasn’t ready to look him in the eyes nor hear his excuses.  He would just end up blaming it all on me, and we both know I didn’t give him a reason to be disloyal.

An aroma of lightly roasted coffee beans overwhelmed my senses as I entered the coffee shop. Yum. Standing at the entrance, I hid behind a plant, scanning the crowded café for my friends. I probably looked like an anti-social behind it! Alice stood on her chair waving me over from the back. Great spot you two. I just adore all eyes on me – said no introvert ever.