Lost in madness

Chapter 25

Once Andrew and I returned from our trip, we agreed it was time for me to take him up on his offer to move into his empty apartment. Although I had reservations about moving in without knowing where our relationship was heading, I didn't resist the idea either.

To my surprise, Chima offered to help with the move. As we loaded the last box into her truck, "I love you, you know." I said, touched by her support. Even though she hated the idea of me being with Andrew, in every sense of it.

"Don't flatter yourself," she interrupted with a smirk. "I just want to be sure where you are. Now check very carefully - I'm not driving back twice."

I laughed, shaking my head. "I think this is it, but I'll go check again."

I quickly ducked back inside for a final sweep. In the bedroom, I spotted my phone charger on the nightstand. "Of course," I muttered, grabbing it with a sigh. I took one last look around the place before turning off the light, I made my way outside.

"I'm ready," I announced, joining Chima by the truck.

She nodded towards the house. "Shut my door."

As I turned the key in the lock, a sleek BMW pulled up in front of the driveway. - I didn't need to guess who it was. Sally, stepped out of the car looking like she'd just stepped off a yacht in the French Riviera. She wore a floral dress, heels, oversized sunglasses, and a silk scarf draped artfully around her neck.

Chima and I exchanged a worried glance. We were both thinking the same thing.

"Sally," I managed, trying to keep my voice steady. "This is... unexpected. Is everything okay?"

"Always," she replied breezily. "I was bored at home and thought I'd swing by. So, where are we going with all these boxes? Who's moving?"

I swallowed hard. "Me, actually. I've finally found a place."

"Oh really? Where to?"

"Milestone," I said, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue.

Sally's perfectly manicured eyebrows rose slightly. "How interesting. Well then, let's go. I'll follow you in my car - I'm meeting Andy for dinner afterward."

My heart rate spiked. "Is everything alright between you two?"

"Of course," she said, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "Why wouldn't it be?"

"No reason," I backpedaled quickly. "Just asking. ...Well, shall we get going?"

I practically dove into Chima's truck as Sally made her way back to her BMW. As soon as the doors closed, Chima shook her head at me. "What?!"

"You really don't see anything wrong with this situation?"

"What were you expecting me to say?" I hissed. "Refusing her would have been very suspicious!"

Chima sighed heavily as she started the engine. "I can't believe you're dragging me to hell with you."

"You were heading there anyway," I teased weakly. "At least now you have company."

"You think this is funny?"

"I think it's hilarious," I said, my laughter tinged with hysteria. "Just like our lives these past few years..."

The drive after that was tense and silent, each of us lost in thought. I stared out the window, guilt and anxiety gnawing at me.

"Something happened in Paris," I blurted out. "It was stupid, but... we ran out of condoms and—"

"Oh god," Chima groaned. "Please don't finish that sentence."

"Right," I mumbled. "Maybe it's nothing. Maybe I'm overthinking it."