[ eighteen ]
I quickly grabbed my very few belongings off my desk and left the building. Since I no longer had a car, I had to call a taxi and was left to stand on the sidewalk while I waited. That was when Giselle emerged from the news building as well, nose in the air pridefully.
When she spotted me, she shot a snide remark. "Still here, roba-hombres?" Boyfriend stealer, she told me.
As we were no longer in the news building and I no nger feared losing my job, I turnied to her with a glare. "Are you really so insecure about yourself that you would do this just to get rid of me? You're so pathetic. I actually pity you."
"I did what I had to do to get rid of you." Giselle shrugged, as thoughit were something completely normal. "You were trying to take James from me. Don't think I didn't notice how much you chased after him. You were so thirsty for his attention."
I laughed at her words. She obviously had no idea what her boyfriend did behind her back. "You must be daft if you think that. James was the one always chasing me, always sending me presents, always wanting to talk to me. James and I have been over for two years. But don't think for one second that he wouldn't leave you for me. He told me himself, the very first time we saw each other at the Real Madrid training ground. I could have James with me in a second if I wanted to."
"You lie." She narrowed her eyes at me.
And I was not above proving it. If Giselle wanted to start a war, she would have a war. I had been messed with for the last time. "We're just friends because I wanted it that way." I continued. "Because if it were his choice, we'd be together again."
"Right." She snorted, and stormed off just as my taxi parked on the curb.
I told the driver to take me to my hotel and asked for him to wait for me. I would only be gathering my belongings and then I would text Toni and James to say goodbye to them. With nothing else to do in Spain, I would probably return to Colombia where I would have to explain everything to Professor Fonseca. No doubt she would believe me. I had worked as her assistant since entering the university and she never had a problem with me. She knew me better than most people, except maybe my own parents.
Once my belongings were packed, I asked the driver to take me to the university café where I had gone out with Toni. I paid the taxi driver and went to sit at one of the tables under the parasole. I heaved a deep sigh, burying my face in my hands before doing anything else. I needed a couple of minutes to calm myself before I could decide to do anyting stupid. In my anger, many thoughts palgued my mind. Some included plots to take James from Giselle, in order to prove to her that he was indeed still in love with me.
But it wasn't James' fault his girlfriend was an evil witch. Still, I was sure that James wouldn't be very happy upon finding out what his girlfriend did to me.
I decided to call Toni first. In the weeks that had passed, we had become closer and I couldn't deny that I was attracted to him.
He answered on the first few rings. "Hallo Arista." He greeted in a cheerful tone.
"Hola Toni." I said into the phone with a lack of enthusiasm. "Can you come see me at the university café? I have news for you."
"Yes," He replied. "I'll be right there."
-
He arrived in a couple of minutes and his expression quickly turned to confusion when he saw I had all my belongings with me. "Did you already find an apartment to move into?" He wondered.
I shook my head in response, "No."
"Are you going on holiday for a few days?" He asked another question.
Once again, I responded with another shake of my head. "I lost my job." I said to him.
"Why? What happened?" His ocean blue eyes widened in surprise and worry.
I shook the thought away. "A problem with someone who wants me gone. So...I'll be returning to Colombia."
"You can't leave." He reached out to take my hands in his.
"I have to." I nodded. "The news station took my car, my hotel room, my internship...I have nothing left here. The only thing I can do is to return to Colombia."
"I can help you." He offered, thinking quickly of a way to keep me in Madrid. "You can stay at my apartment while I get you a place to stay. And I can help you get a job with public relations at the club. Please stay in Madrid, Arista." He begged.
"I'll think about it." I said, offering him a small smile.
I then explained to him that I needed to make some personal phone calls and then I would decide. He said it was fine and said he would leave me for an hour, while he prepared his apartment for me to stay there with him.
The first phone call I made was to my parents. I eeded someone to talk to and I needed their support. My mother reassured me and encouraged me to accept Toni's help, while telling me to be careful. The next person I called was my professor. I explained what happened to her what happened, and why it happened. She was outraged that her friend would take Giselle's side when she already knew I was a trustworthy person. Professor Fonseca promised me she would talk with my former boss, but I assured her it wasn't necessary. I had no interest in working for someone who didn't trust me.
The last person I called was James. I told him that I wanted to see him. He was my friend and Iwanted him to know there was a chance I would be going back to Colombia.
James arrived at the café in record time, sitting at the table beside me. "What happened?" He asked. "You sounded strange over the phone."
"Yeah." I sniffed. "I just wanted to say goodbye. I might be returning to Colombia." I informed him.
"No, please." He begged, adding, "Why are you leaving?"
"I lost my job." I sighed. "Your girlfriend made sure of that."
"Hijueputa," He cursed under his breath. "What did she do to you?"
I shook my head. "It doesn't matter what she did. What matters is why she did it. She said she needed to get rid of me becuase I was being easy with you."
"She's fucking crazy." James groaned, running a hand through his dark hair. "I'll talk to her today."
With a shrug of my shoulders, I asked, "What's the point? I already lost my job. I only called you here because you have become a very good friend to me, and I wanted to let you know in case I leave."
A smile spread across his lips. "Best friends? Like when we were children?"
I nodded, "Mhm."
"You know I want more than a friendship." He reminded me, his big brown eyes boring into mine. "And you also know I would leave everything behind if you asked me to."
"James..." I began.
"Just keep it in mind." He said innocently. "I promise I won't bring it up again...unless you want me to." Getting up from his seat at the table, he added, "I should go. I have a lot of things to take care of. Let me know if you need anything. I can help you get an apartment and a new job." But I knew James better than most people and I knew he was going to confront Giselle about what she did.
James and I said goodbye and I waited for Toni to return.
He helped me load my belongings into his car and we were off to his apartment where he assured me I could stay as long as I wanted. I told him I would stay until I could get another job and rent my own apartment. But without a recommendation, I knew it would be difficult.
-
LUCKY ARISTA, EH? not the part about losing her job...i mean the part about two very handsome footballers willing to go above and beyond to help her.
im suddenly very inspired with this story. so im going to write as many chapters as i can before i hit another recession. haha. anyway, i hope you really enjoy the update. THANK YOU FOR READING AND SUPPORTING THIS STORY.
i love you.
-clary xx
