Our Second Life

Chapter- 17

Winter Parker

Flashback

First Trimester- Week 12

My new job at the makeup store turned out to be pretty great. All I had to do all day long was to sit at the reception and entertain the customers who came in with their enquiries and billings. Though they had someone else at the payment counter but sometimes I had to look through the daily revenues as well.

I was currently sitting at the reception with my eyes glued at the computer screen checking through some product queries when a familiar voice rang in my ears.
"Excuse me...."

I was stunned for a moment when I first heard that voice. My mind stopped working immediately and I could feel the blood rush through my veins.

It must be a mistake....
It must be all in my head....

I tried to convince myself that it was not real, but as soon as I looked up, the hard reality slapped me on my face.

It was Jake.
It was Jake.... with a girl.
It was Jake with a girl.... holding each other's hands.

I couldn't believe my eyes for few seconds when I first saw him... after almost three months.

When I looked up, Jake didn't see me yet. He was adorably looking at the tall blonde figure standing next to him..... until our eyes met.

As soon as Jake turned around and faced me, an unknown expression of sheer hatred spread across his handsome face. He was shocked for a second but at the next moment he was almost glaring at me.

I felt a strong pang of betrayal shoot through my heart piercing it into a thousand pieces once again. I couldn't breathe..... everything was suffocating me. My head started spinning and I looked away immediately trying to stop the painful tears from spilling out from my eyes.

"Ma'am are you okay??"
The lady standing next to Jake spoke up in a concerned tone seeing me almost having a mental breakdown right infront of her.

I have to be strong.... I have to be strong enough to get through this
..... for you baby.

I somehow controlled my tears and faced them back with a fake smile, "Yes.. how can I help you?"

The lady smiled back at me and spoke in an excited tone, "Actually last month my boyfriend gifted me some lipsticks from your store. I really liked the colors but unfortunately I don't really remember the shade numbers. So, can you please let me go through them so I can find some new shades in the nude color range."

Boyfriend....? So Jake has found someone really this quick.

"Yes ma'am we would love to show you our latest collections. But first would you please fill up this small survey form for our brand." I barely managed to keep my composure while handed her the form.

She nodded her head and took a pen from the penstand resting on my table. She started filling out the form gladly.

In the meantime Jake kept on looking at me while I tried my best to avoid his glance.

After finishing the survey form, the lady kept down her pen and handed me back the piece of paper with a contended smile. She looked back at Jake and turned back at me immediately.

By now she must have noticed the way Jake was dead staring at me.
"Do you guys know each other?", she finally asked the obvious.
But before I could even look up from the computer to answer her, Jake stated blantly, "No...!!"
There was not a single glimpse of any regret or uneasiness visible on his face.