TO DIE FOR

chapter 8

     "What can I get you tea or wine?" Sarah asked Manuel. She was standing by the liquor cabinet in a light blue wrap, which suited her.

    "Just water." Manuel said sorrowfuly.

    Justt water?" she repeated, "What is wrong Manuel, that's so unlike you. What happened?" she handed Manuel a glass of whiskey, sitting down next to Manuel she sipped on hers.

     After having several sips, he faced her; two sad teary eyes and said, "I broke up with Anikka."

     "Ohh Manuel, why did you do that?"

     Putting the glass down,  he said, "I just couldn't keep up with her lies. She's such an actress, and I  am sure what I've done is for the better."

     "But if you feel it's for the better, why are you feeling sad for?"

     "You won't understand Sarah, I love Anikka more than anything and do you have any idea how hard it was looking straight into her eyes as I told her the most terrible things, I just feel so much pain and guilty..."

    Sarah stopped him, "no Manuel, you have no right to feel guilty, for the matter of fact, she should be the one feeling guilty for cheating on you and not to mention other despicable things she's been doing behind your back." she said and held on to him passionately, "Just give yourself some time. Time is the best healer, and I am gonna be here by your side, Manuel."

     "Time isn't gonna help because I thought the same thing, I distanced myself from her. I thought giving ourselves some time apart might help us, but it ended up destroying everything. In short, this is actually my fault."

    "Manuel, please, it's not your fault. If your relationship didn't work out, then it was never meant to be in the first place. If you really love her, then you just have to let her go, and if she comes back, then she was really yours from the beginning."

    "I know, but I am sure she will never forgive me. I've really messed up this time." he hid his face in his hands, sobbing wildly.

     Sarah slid her arm along the back of the couch behind his head and leaned over him. "I know how painful that can be, I really do. But I want you to know that I am here for you and that I love you. Don't think about it anymore, let me cheer you up and make you forget about everything."       

She drew him towards herself, and pale, almost powerless, Manuel relaxed against her.

       Sarah touched his lips with hers, and then, as she felt them yield to her, she slid her hands around his neck gently. Manuel affected her like no other man had ever affected her. He slid his hand into the open wrap and eased it off her body.

     In the light of the night, he drew her down on the couch, pushing her back so that he was leaning right over her. He lowered his face against the coolness of her breasts, and he groaned softly with the ecstasy of the moment....

    Early the next morning....

    The next morning came along and found Jay pestling about. After Anikka told him that Manuel dumped her without a proper reason, filled with agony, Jay rushed over to Manuel's office.

    The security guard and secretary tried to stop him from entering Manuel's office without Manuel's permission, but he wasn't taking no for an answer.

      As soon as Manuel concluded the board meeting with the board of directors, Jay burst open into his office without knocking.      
    
      Manuel's secretary followed along, "I am really sorry, Mr Johnson. We tried to stop him, but he overpowered us." she said breathlessly.

    "It's alright Ashley, I will take it from here," turning to his board of directors he said, "am really sorry gentlemens for this unexpected disturbance, just as we've discussed, I will appreciate if you go through the resume and give me your feedback this weekend." he eased the fine gentlemen to the door, and when he was sure they had gone, he closed the door and went to rejoin Jay in the office.

     "I've always known that you are stirred up with pride and egotism, that you've a self-interest attitude but never I've I thought that you would turn out so cold, selfish and heartless that the feelings of others don't actually matter to you..." Jay snapped at Manuel, trying to control his temper with great difficulty.

     Manuel walked over to his desk, looking rather calm than expected, " listen Jay am not gonna discuss this person issue with you, especially at my work place for that matter, so if you really want to talk about this, you know where to find me."

     "I don't care about your formalities, just answer me this question, "who or  what actually brainwashed you to break up with Anikka?"  

     From his drawer, he removed the photographs and handed them to Jay. "Does that answer your question?"

    After intensely examining the photos, he said: "So you actually believe this nonsense?"

    "Don't deny it, Jay, that's Anikka."

    "Yeah, she might look like Anikka, with her exact clothes. But could it really be her, what if someone is conspiring against her and trying to ruin your relationship, what if that woman is just a lookalike of Anikka who happens to dress just like her, or maybe what if the pictures where edited and that's not exactly what happened? Did you ever try to think like that and investigate a little bit, just a little bit, Manuel!"

     "I know you don't believe me nor the pictures, but Sarah saw her with her own eyes. Isn't that proof enough for you?"

     "You know what, let's forget about what your mighty Sarah said and try to find out the truth by ourselves, and I am not taking no for an answer. And you well know how stubborn, adamant and persuasive I can be, so don't try to side walk my offer"

     "Alright, Jay, you win. But just this once, when we are done with the pictures, which already clearly shows that it's actually Anikka, I am begging you to leave me alone. Do we have a deal or not?"

    "we have a deal alright, at this afternoon I will be waiting for you at Chitanda house, don't keep me waiting, Manuel."

     "Sure thing, Jay, see you then. Now leave and let me work in peace."

     Jay thrust the pictures into his hip pocket and left the office.

    After several agonizing hours, they finally found out the truth about the photographs and some more disturbing information.

     Manuel was determined to have another real talk with Anikka.