The FIRE in You

Chapter 24: An angry Simone?

I just returned from a three-month business trip and all I want is a bed. I walked into the house and found Maya eating someone's face at the front door. The man looked young but her type. I ignored her and walked in with Jenkins behind me.

They were too busy to notice.

"Thank you Jenkins", i said when he placed the bags on one of the couches in my room. "You're welcome. Do we have any trip?", "Noup! I just need to sleep" I said and he left.

I got a bubble bath ready and asked the maid for my wine. She brought it in seconds and I was finally ready to soak my body while enjoying my favourite drink. Cabernet sauvignon... mmmnh what more could I ask for?

"You better be there", Denice said with emphasis making me swallow hard. This woman will make me lose my head. "I will be, I promise", I said and finally heard a satisfied hum from the other side of the phone. I have been avoiding everyone ever since the break up so I completely understand why she doesn't trust me when I said I would attend her party.

Denice's anniversary party was always extravagant. She made it look like a vow renewal and she wasn't tired of doing it every year so it was a big deal for her and her friends. I had to be there. I just hoped that Lawrence wouldn't. He never attended before so I hoped he would keep up the tradition.

When I was finally settled in bed, I opened Instagram and as usual, I went to Ajax's page and looked at the photo he posted of us. It was the only photo he had and the fact that it was still there after three months of break up kinda made me feel good.

Philip thinks I should just storm into his office and demand he takes me back but I can't. I'm a woman and he was supposed to fight for me, not the other way around. I was not ready to be with someone who was not willing to fight for me.

The flashback of our one-night stand came back to me and made me smile. It was the happiest day of my life, satisfying too. I wondered what would have happened if I hadn't introduced him to my sisters. Maybe things would have been different. One thing that has served me right has been, separating my work life and personal life so why didn't I take that to mind when I handled this?

Maybe it wasn't meant to be but I'm not ready to let go yet. When the thoughts became overwhelming decided to give in to a slumber and finally get rid of the jetlag.

"Omg! You're back. I missed you", Simone said while walking in the kitchen. She looked too happy. "Good morning", Maya said then poured herself. some coffee. "Good morning Maya", Simone and I said at the same time. "I'm sorry about what I did. It was wrong. I see that now", Maya said making me raise a brow. "You just realised that three months later?... what a shocker", Simone said making her look down in guilt. "It's ok", was all I said and went on enjoying my breakfast. "You're kidding. She ruined your life and you're gonna let her get away with it just like that?", Simone asked looking too pissed.

She never gets angry.

"Simone? Is everything ok?", "No. We're sisters, we don't cross the line she did, no matter how wrong or right we think we are, we just don't!", she said angrily and it surprised me. "That's why I said I'm sorry ok! I still think Lawrence is the right man for you", Maya said, and all hope of moving past matchmaking face went out of the door and I knew it was time for them to know who the real Lawrence Columbus was.

"12", I said getting their attention. "That's the number of times Lawrence cheated on me", I said and they gasped. Maya furrowed her brows clearly trying to process what I just said. "Every single time I confronted him, he said, 'Baby they're lying. They're jealous of what we have'. That was what he said on rumour number 11. Then I walked into his office and found him fucking a woman on the same table he fucked me on. She was a model. The one he was always on the red carpet with. I was done that day. But then it was Simone's birthday and he put together a party for you and you were so happy and I just couldn't take it away from you. I decided to not dump him. For your sake.

When I told him about my business he said I would never make it. I might as well join Forever Bright as his strategist since I helped him once and it turned out well for him. He said the corporate world was not for women. He wanted me to give up on my dreams and join him.

And when it came to you two. He said I should leave you behind. Let you start your own lives since you were already grown-ups", "But we made a promise to each other to stay together until marriage?", Simone asked in a low voice. Maya had tears in her eyes. "He was very much aware of it. He didn't care. He doesn't care! Lawrence hates being close to relatives, he wanted us to live alone without being bothered by you or his relatives", i said and Maya finally let the tears drop.

"I'm sorry Maya. I know you looked up to him but he's not the man you think he is", I said making her run out of the kitchen.

I was pulled into a hug that came out of nowhere. I smiled and hugged Simone back. "I'm fine Simone. I promise", I said making her pull back. "I have just the thing to make you feel good", "And what is that?", "We're going on a drive around town and we're going to sing silly songs as we do it", "Aimlessly?", "Anhaa", she said and I smiled.

I went to my bedroom and changed into a short loose dress then followed her to her car. "You're driving," she said handing me the keys. "Why me?", because you never do. "Jenkins can follow behind us", "You got it".

We started driving along town and she suddenly started craving ice cream so we started looking for a specific ice cream shop. When we found it. She ordered her ice cream. I wasn't in the mood for it so she didn't get one for me.

It was a one-way street so we had to head in one direction. We saw a bunch of cars going the same way but in a rush and since ours was convertible Simone decided to ask where they were heading.

"There's a charity carwash done by super sexy men right down this street", the lady said looking excited, one look on Simone's face and I knew we were heading there too.