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Chapter 31

She couldn't sleep that night. All she could think about was the betrayal from Mike. Her heart ached, it hurt so much.  Next morning, she got up and got ready for work. In the living room she picked up her phone. The screen was cracked but she could see all the missed calls and messages from Mike. He called over twenty times. She was going to read his messages but decided against it. She didn't need that right now.

All day at work she tried to distract herself. It was a slow day. Her uncle told her to take an hour lunch to see if her mood would improve. She left the building and went to a cafe across the street. She took out her phone and noticed 10 more missed calls from Mike. He was persistent. She wondered if his wife had told him she had gone by or if he was still thinking he had her. If he knew she knew, what would be his excuse? The phone buzzed again and she saw more messages. She decided to read through them. They were mainly telling her he was so happy and that he loved her. If she wanted to meet with him. She skipped them until the last one. What's going on? A whole day without hearing from you. Did something happen with your parents? I thought we were fine. I bared my soul to you, telling you I love you and you just disappear. I'm worried, please call me. How can he be so cruel? She started crying.

Isaac, a guy from work, saw her and sat in front of her. He grabbed her hand. "Alice, are you okay?"

"I'm sorry." She said between sobs.

"Did something happen? You've been so distracted at work today and now this." He said, handing her a napkin.

"Thank you. It's just my boyfriend, no, my ex boyfriend. I found out yesterday that he's married and he lied to me the whole time we were together."

"I'm sorry you're going through something like that. It's horrible."

"And he's still calling and texting me all these sweet nothings. Acting like nothing has happened."

"Did you confront him about it?"

"No, I haven't seen him and I don't want to. I don't even know he knows I know."

"Well, you have to be clear with him and break it off. Otherwise, he won't leave you alone. Just tell him the jig is up and to leave you alone. Not to bother you again."

"I don't think I can do that. I don't want to talk to him or see him. I'm so mad."

"Text him."

"Yeah, that's an idea. I'm sorry about this."

"It's ok. Come, I'll walk you back." He said as they walked back to the office. When they walked past her desk they saw a huge floral arrangement. She picked the note and read it, then handed it to Isaac. "I love you, please call me. Need to take care of this soon, or he's going to keep at it. Next thing you know he's going to show up here." Isaac said walking to his station. She grabbed the flowers and threw them in the trash as everyone looked at her.

During the rest of the day she kept looking at the flowers and her phone, he called five more times, but no more messages. She received a message on her computer from Isaac. Some of us are going to Patsy's after work. Want to join us? It would be a good distraction.

I don't know. I don't think I would be a good company.

Oh, come on. The girls are very friendly, they might be able to give you better advice than me.

Okay, I'll come. But just for a little bit.

Perfect.

After work a group of her colleagues were waiting outside. Even though she's been working at the newspaper since she was seventeen she barely knew these people. There were four girls including herself and three guys. She looked around the parking lot. "Waiting for someone?" One of the girls asked.

"Oh, no." She lied. What was she expecting? Mike to be there with an apology? She kept walking behind the group.

At the bar, they all sat at a table at the back. If Patrice could see her now, mingling with other people, what she's always been too afraid to do. Isaac came with a round of beer and sat next to her. He pointed to the girl next to her. "Alice, I hope you don't mind, but I was telling Kat about your little situation."

Alice turned towards Kat embarrassed. "Don't sweat it. We've all been there. So, how did you find out about the wife?"

"I went over to his place yesterday to see him and she answered the door. I asked for him and she asked what I wanted with her husband. I just bolted out of there."

"And you haven't had any contact with him?"

"Not since Saturday night. He's been calling like crazy and leaving messages, but I can't bring myself to answer."

"Wow, you're strong. I would've answered, even if it was to fight, but also to hear his side. Are you sure they aren't separated or something?"

"She looked happily married and really pissed that I was asking for him."

"How long have you two been together?" Isaac asked.

"Three months."

"Okay, first things first. You need to break it up with him." Kat said. "I saw the flowers he sent you. He's not going to let you go that easy."

"Isaac suggested that I text him. Break up through a text, that way I don't have to see him or talk to him."

"No, you need closure. You need to actually see him, get his side of the story and break it off. Do it in a public place."

"I don't think I'm ready for that." She said nervously.

"The sooner the better. But that's just me."

After two beers, Alice got up to leave. "Well, it was nice, but I really have to go, otherwise I'm going to lose my bus."

"Oh, come on. We are having so much fun. I can give you a ride. Or we can call you an Uber." Isaac said pleading.

"I'm sorry. I have to get back home." She said as she walked away from the table and out the bar into the warm evening.