Time will Tell

28

Deena's P.O.V.

I shouldn't feel guilty when I looked at Tine, but I did.

She had her poker face on, she was looking at me, probably waiting for what I had to say. Well, everybody is looking at me and waiting.

"What girlfriend?" I told Thea, my brows furrowed even though I knew who she was talking about.

I peeled the lid of my food container, still aware of the looks I was receiving, especially from the girl beside me.

I didn't need to look to know that she was staring at me, I could feel it, my skin was burning from it.

"The girl you met last night." Thea casually said.

"Exactly, I just met her, doesn't make her my girlfriend, I don't even have her number, Thea." 

Annoyed, irritated, feelings I never thought I'd feel towards Thea. She's sweet and could be a tease but not to the point I'll feel those to her.

I may be imagining things, but I thought I felt Tine sighing in relief. I looked at her briefly just to catch her still gazing at me.

"Is that why you guys were giggling? I could hear you all the way there." I pointed out where I came from.

"Okay fine, but you should invite her. She seems fun and if I was to judge, I know you had fun with her last night." Thea looked at me meaningfully.

But even before I could react, I heard Tine speak.

"Then don't judge!" Her voice rose a bit which I'm sure she didn't expect herself as she looked like she was just as surprised.

Everyone's eyes turned to her.

"I mean... She said she just met the girl, why do you keep pushing it?" Awkwardly, she forked her food and ate.

Everybody's quiet.

But Thea's face didn't hold any guilt whatsoever.  She actually looked like she was celebrating which makes me wonder.

Is she just pushing her button... for my benefit?

I narrowed my eyes on her and she returned it with a coy smile, which confirmed my suspicion.

I discreetly shook my head, my eyes still on her but she just shrugged it off.

At least to say, the rest of the lunch was awkward.

"You okay?" I bumped my shoulder to Tine's. We are on our way back to our offices.

"Yeah." 

We reached our offices and both of us didn't utter any more words.

The day ended and I didn't have the chance to see Tine again. Even in our coffee breaks, I was pulled out in an urgent meeting.

It was almost 07:00 in the evening when Thea's head hung on my door.

"Hi!" She lets herself in.

I looked at her briefly and continued gathering my stuff.

"I know, I know, I pushed it too far but I'm not sorry." She said raising her eyebrows as she sat on the chair in front of my desk, crossing her arms on her chest.

I looked at her tilting my head.

"What? It's true, right? You had fun last night with that girl. It's Kristine's problem if she didn't want to hear it."

"What are you doing, Althea?" I felt like all my energy was drained.

"Hmm... Making her jealous?"

I was about to stand up but sat again. If I'm being honest, this turned into a whole new mess that I didn't see coming... But, I must say, a bit intriguing?

"Jealous? Why would you want to make her jealous?" I asked, genuinely confused.

Thea leaned back in the chair, her coy smile still on her lips. "Because she needs to wake up." She said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I blinked, still not getting where she was going with this. "Wake up to what, exactly?"

"To you." Thea said simply. 

"Ever since you joined the company, it was very obvious that Tine's into you. Maybe when you were still in college but she was just in denial. I could feel it, Dee. The way she stares at you, talk about you and when Ms. Hughes..."

I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. "You're... you're still on that? My god, Thea! Let it go, okay? She has a boyfriend now. If she likes me, you really think she'll get herself a boyfriend??"

Thea laughed, shaking her head like I'd just missed something obvious. "That's exactly why she got a boyfriend, Dee. To distract herself. It's a classic move."

I shook my head, still trying to wrap my mind around what Thea was saying. "That's ridiculous, Thea. You're blowing this way out of proportion."

Thea didn't seem fazed by my dismissal. She just gave me that same knowing look, as if she could see something I couldn't. 

"So, you think she's with someone else because... she has feelings for me? That makes no sense." I added.

Thea leaned forward, her expression turning serious for a moment. "It makes perfect sense if you're trying to hide from your own feelings. She's too scared to admit it, probably even to herself."

I rolled my eyes, still not buying it. "You've been watching too many romantic movies, my dear."

"Sure." Thea stood up, brushing her pants off like she was done with the conversation. "But just think about it, okay? You might be surprised if you start paying attention."

As she walked out, I let out a frustrated sigh.

Maybe I was the one in denial.

I felt it. Tine's jealousy. But I don't want to entertain it, because if I do, I'd go back to the kisses we shared, how her eyes lingered on my almost naked body, her, wearing a seductive nightdress when I had a sleepover at her place, the way her face fell earlier when I told her about Jessica.

I let out a frustrated sigh again.

I grabbed my things and left. 

If only I could leave all these feelings behind, I would.

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