After the storm [Finished]

37- Unwanted visitor

Four days passed since Valentine's Day, it was the last of the exposition and we were around the close hour. I was super happy because I sold all my paintings and got plenty of people interested in my work. It was a good thing I had made an account on Instagram to share other works I had done too. I could refer the people to that page directly.

Everyone who participated gathered for a toast and a mini celebration since the exposition was a success.

It seemed like no more visitors were coming so we closed a bit earlier and shared a glass of champagne.

We all were chatting away and getting to know each other a bit when we heard someone trying to open the door.

"It's 10 minutes to six o'clock. It must be a late visitor", said Diego, a young art student.

"I'll go, don't worry". Sarah left us to go to the main entrance. She came back quickly. "Alexa, Mike is looking for you". She said pointing to the door. I look at her surprised and followed her hand. Mike was standing outside.

"Ah..." I sighed already tired.

"Should I tell him you're busy?" Sarah looked at me troubled. She knew Mike from college; I guess she thought we were still on good terms.

"Don't bother. Thank you". I headed outside. "What are you here for?" I asked once I was out.

"Are you not gonna say hi?" I stared unbothered at him. "Ok. Would you please answer Lili's calls?" I keep staring at him.

"Oh... wait". I blinked surprised. "You're being serious".

"She's been upset since you found us at the apartment-"

"My boyfriend's apartment, yeah". I clarified and emphasized.

"Lily is really upset about all this, she even feels guilty-"

"As she should". I added.

"Were you always like this?" He asked a bit annoyed. "You were not like this when we were together".

"Yeah, exactly, because we were together. You were my boyfriend, you are the jerk who cheated shamelessly on me now, of course, I was different with you". He gasped annoyed.

"Do you know why I kept seeing other girls?"

"Because your brain is in your pants". I answered.

"Because you are boring, too plain. Sure, by the way you are, you're safe to play. Any man can tell".

"Shut up". I yelled.

"And you are always insecure about yourself, whether it is about you as a person or what you do. Do you think I didn't know you compared yourself to the girls around me? Ah... I hate people who do that". He flicked his tongue. I bit my lower lip, angered.

"Don't talk to me ever again in your whole fucking life. Glad you are no longer with me if you hate that kind of people. Now, get lost". I lifted my chin gesturing for him to leave.

"Talk with Lily just this time, would you? You were friends for years, it's the least you can do". He left.

Why should I talk to her? How shameless of them! I was enraged, I wanted to hit something with all the strength I had. Why would he bring out the things he didn't like about me too? As if there was still something to do about it. It was like a bad joke.

I stayed outside for a while, I needed to calm down and the cold wind helped a little bit.

I did compare myself to others all the time, I did. But I didn't start comparing myself with others around Mike or myself because I wanted. It was because he preferred to spend time with them, to pay attention to them, to project with them. It hurt me to remember the things I stood, just to be with him.

I wondered why Lily liked someone like him knowing the kind of person he was. She saw me suffering because of him, she knew an awful lot about how he was. Why did she end up with him?

Then, I remembered that she wanted to go live with me. What was she thinking? If we went to live together, I would have found out they were together at some point. Honestly, I didn't know what was wrong with Lily. But I appreciated the friend she was back then and the support she gave me, and I felt bad knowing she was with someone like Mike. Would it be the only chance to open her eyes?

It would make me feel guilty if, at least, I didn't try.

I took out my phone and scrolled down to Lily's number.