THE LONG WAIT

Chapter 4: Collide

-Shelley-

Shelley was busy in the kitchen when she heard the door swing open. "Sarah, is that you?" She stretches her head in hopes of catching a glimpse of the person who has just entered her house. Just then, David pokes his head through the door frame. "Ow! It's just you."

"Are you expecting someone else over?" With a furrowed brow, he enquires.

"I don't think so! I assumed Sarah was the one. Just a moment ago, she was here."

"I see," he says. Shelley gives him a look-over. "Why are you so cheerful today? Did you win a lottery or something?" She says while putting the dishes away.

"What do you mean by I won a lottery? I am just glad to see you," he states. "Ow, really! She replies, facing him. I don't recall travelling elsewhere that would result in you being happy to see me. What is it?" She crossed her arms and stared at him suspiciously.

"I am telling you it's nothing." He moved towards her and held her in his arms. "Yesterday, you were in a bad mood. I am just glad to see you in a better mood, that's all."

Sighing, she says, "I guess you are right. Anyway, are you hungry?"

"Nope! I ate before coming," he says as he pulls the chair to sit on. "What did Sarah want?"

"Nothing. Since when did you care what Sarah wanted with me? She is a friend. She can come and go any time she pleases. Do you have a problem with that?"

"Nope! I thought you two had a fallout." He asks.

"We did, but last Christmas we repaired our friendship."

"I see."

With her back leaning against the kitchen counter, she asks with a raised brow. "Will that be a problem for you?" Taken aback, he responds, "Why will you think that?"

Shrugging, she says, "I don't know. For some reason, she thinks you hate her." Frowning, he responds, "Why will she think that?"

"I don't know... Maybe it has to do with how you avoid her when she is in the same space as you." Shelley points it out.

"I don't avoid her," he says. "It's just that I thought of giving you two spaces to, you know... catch up."

"Ha! Please don't give me that bullshit."

"It's not bullshit, ok? I am not avoiding her, alright? Trust me." He exclaimed.

His claim may be true. What I mean is... Indeed, he has known Sarah since we were kids, and her elder brother happens to be his best buddy. What reason is there for him to hate her?

"Fine! If you say so."

"Good!" he retorted. Now, what do you have planned for today?" He looks at her curiously. "You do have plans, right?"

"I was thinking of hitting the club tonight."

'The club?'" he exclaimed, frowning. "Since when did you start visiting the club? Why am I learning of it now, and when did you plan on telling me?"

"Well, now you know," I growled. "Are you coming with me or what?"

"I don't think going to the club is a good idea," he says while leaning forward. "I know you are overwhelmed with emotions right now, but trust me, the club is the last place you want to be right now."

"I didn't ask for your opinion!" she bellowed. "You can come with me or you can choose not to go either way; I am going." She says while storming out of the kitchen.

***

Some hours later, Shelley and David make their way to the bar-side table. They fail to notice the man on the couch in the club's far corner. He had his eyes on them from the moment he noticed their presence.

Shelley looks extra sexy tonight. She is wearing a sexy leather-fitting dress, which accentuates her figure and features a deep cut at the cleavage area. Her hair was styled in a curly afro ponytail, with a few strands hanging loosely around her face. Her lips are adorned with red lipstick, and on her feet, she has black gladiator heels.

The gentleman in the corner couldn't take his eyes off her as she sat on the stool by the bar, her legs crossed, sipping from her passion fruit martini and listening to her companion.

Why does it feel like someone is watching me? she thought. "Are you alright?" David asks with concern.

"I am fine," she says while looking around. Just then, her gaze falls on the man by the corner, who has been watching her since she arrived at the club. 'It's Ben.' What is he doing here? It looks like he is not alone. It appears that he is with some gentlemen, and what is the waiter doing, smiling at him?

David followed her gaze. He did not understand why a frown had appeared on her forehead, but now that he had noticed the source, he understood why. "Would you like us to go to a different bar?" He poses the question to her.

"No!" she exclaims with a venomous tone. "We are staying put," she says angrily. "It doesn't change anything about him being here. If anyone is to leave, it should be him." Her gaze returns to Ben, and the two lock eyes. They simply look at each other. While the other refuses to budge.

Should I make my way to her? Ben ponders. Could it be that she has calmed down and is ready to listen to me?

"David?"

"Yes!" Turning to him with a devilish smile, she says, "Let's dance."

_

A/N: Oh boy!😱 What do you think Shelley plans on doing?