Sydney Mdlalose's Ever After

Chapter Twenty-Four.

Andre's P.O.V.
I've finally almost settled into my new office at the centre. I'm excited about it but there is so much on my mind that I don't notice the woman-like figure walking into my office.

A polite thud sounds on the desk. I look up and Elizabeth is looking at me with a stern face. "What is this? What exactly are you trying to do?"

I look down at the desk and there's a pamphlet with the house in Malibu on it including a plane ticket. I frown. "I swear, I have no idea what this is." "How? That's your penthouse!" I lean back into my chair and sigh.

"Yeah, not really though. But what sense would it make to invite you to a honeymoon after telling you that I'm getting back with Sydney?" Elizabeth sighs and calms herself down. "It's Karen, isn't it?" I don't reply as the response is already obvious.

"Somebody's got to deal with that woman before we all lose our minds." "We all know she's almost untouchable." I say. "Yeah, well anything is untouchable until it's touched."

Elizabeth looks at me, I look back. "Take it, and take Sydney. And get that Range Rover out of that damn garage." She says before walking out. I chuckle to myself. Guess we're going on that honeymoon after all.

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Sydney's P.O.V.
Bothered would be an understatement of what I feel. Not even hurt qualifies. I've done my share of hurting. Only near numbness has taken its place.

It's almost two and I'm sitting on the bed, phone in hand. My mind is going in circles about getting away and the already available idea. Karen can say anything to get what she wants, but in the months I've known her, she's never told a lie. She's definitely guilty for exaggeration though.

I sigh and get up. I could call Andre and ask him about it, but what if he doesn't tell me what I want to hear? What if Karen is right? I groan. All I'm doing is thinking about a whole lot of excuses and 'what if's' yet doing nothing.

I shake my head and grab my suitcase from the top of the cupboard. I need to leave. To breathe. And just maybe Seattle will do it for me.

I consciously decide to call Keith and ask him to wait for me. In this case, I thank God that he flies private. "Sydney?" "Hey, I'm on my way. Don't leave yet." I end the call to avoid any irrelevant questions that may follow. Just as long as he knows what I need him to know.

I hurriedly shove my clothes into a suitcase along with my cosmetics and shoes. It might not close easily but that's the least of my problems.

My cell phone rings. I answer it. "Should I get you a ride?" I sigh. I forgot there's no one here who could drive me to the airport. Then again, maybe that would pleasure Karen. "Yeah, please." Keith hangs up with a simple okay.

I force my suitcase closed after tossing my phone on the bed. When that's done, I sit down. I look around the bedroom. Andre and I don't even have a wedding photo that we personally own, and that just tells me a lot of things.

Him and I were happy, but I guess the universe has its ways and its own plans. Plans we can't change or have a say in.

A tear rolls down my cheek. I don't want to leave him. I've failed to walk away so many times. Do I love him or do I just love who he makes me when he's around? Emotionally and mentally, he's not good for me at this moment.

I reach for my phone and immediately get a text from Keith that my ride has arrived. I get up and take my suitcase.

I jog down the stairs as tiring as it is and the suitcase is not being of any help either. Unluckily, I bump into Jason at the door. He slowly pushes it closed, a confused expression on his face. "You're leaving?"

I place the suitcase down on it's wheels and take a breath. "Does Andre know?" Jason looks at me. "Why?" "Ask Karen." I finally answer back. Jason sighs and shakes his head. "Listen kid. If you're going to keep listening to Karen and letting her get to your head, you're going to live with a lot of regrets and unreasonable unhappiness."

Jason points towards the door. "Now, I know Keith when I see him and that car outside has him written all over it." I look down. "Sydney, running away from your problems will not solve them for you. Confronting them will. And you'll find that it's a lot better to do so."

Jason takes a step closer. "Both these boys love you and they've never been the same since you came into their lives. Please, don't worsen the tide."

I bite on the inside of my mouth. "Its your call. Either you leave with Keith or you stay and you sort things out. There are some things where you can't have both." Jason finishes.

He walks away and disappears into the house. That's probably the most Mr Miller has ever said to me. But he is right. The front door opens again and this time Andre walks in. He gives me the exact same look as Mr Miller did. "What's this?"