The Art of Secrets

Chapter Six

I never smoked, ok, maybe once but it was horrible and I never did it again.   I drank a lot thats for sure, but the alcohol  was addictive, it numbed me and made me feel alive. It took away all the bad feelings and I no longer felt alone and sad all the time. I had 'friends' to drink with every night. My schedule was: Wake up, Eat, Go out, Drink, and sleep. That was life. -NN 

***** 

Was this some kind of sick joke? 

I look at the flowers and read the note again. Who would do this and why? I have many secrets like, I sleep naked because I live alone, Or like how sometimes I pretend I can't hear my aunt on the other end of the phone because I get tired of hearing her talk. 

But somehow I know this one is very different from the ones I hide. This. This secret is the biggest one I have hidden. It's not one that I've  shared with anyone. Like, at all. Not a living soul knows.... So how does 'HIM' know? And who the hell even is 'HIM'? 

I look at the clock on the wall and I see it reads 12:45P.M. I told Kyle I'd be down there in ten minutes. I hurry and grab my bag and the planner I carry with all the catering information for the party that I need to arrange after lunch. The party is in a week and I need to start setting up for it, I need to find a bar that will sponsor us and supply us with liquor. I also need to find something to give the guest when they leave as party favors, Uh... so much to do in so little time.  

I hurry and rush towards the door but before I do I throw the flowers and note in the garbage can, I tell myself that this was just some sick joke someone tried to pull on me thinking it was funny. I head downstairs and meet up with Kyle in the lobby. 

"Ready?" He shoots me a smirk. 

"Mhmm." I reply with a tight smile on my lips.  

"Are you ok? You look like you saw a ghost." He jokes, if only he knew how close his remark was from home. 

"I'm fine, are you ready? You got your wallet?" I joke trying to change the subject. 

He laughs, "I sure do, now show me the way." 

We both walk out of the lobby and I lead him down to the restaurant just down the street. I tell him how this is my favorite place to go and how I know their menu by heart.  

"Wow, that good huh?" He asks smiling. 

"The bestest." I reply smiling back.

He laughs just as we reach the restaurant. We are greeted by Randy, the host who may I add is a hot tamale with his black tight T-shit and khaki pants, He has an apron around his waist. He has light brown hair and hazel eyes, his lips are full and pink. He leads us to our table. I've also grown to know him since I come here a lot.

"Right this way Miss Noven," Randy says. 

"Randy, call me Lettum. We are about the same age, you make me feel old when you call me that." I exclaim. 

"I know, thats why I do it." He smiles. He leads us to a table of two and sets down the menu in front of us even though he knows I know it by memory. "Your waitress will be out in a sec. Now enjoy your time here in La Veni" He said and left. Right after he left the waitress came.

"The drinks are in the back if you turn the menu around, Can I start you guys with anything?" she asks. I see her name tag says 'Violet' she's wearing a tight black dress that leaves nothing to the imagination. She's very pretty but I can tell her face is a different color from her neck. I have never seen her here before, she must be new.

"Um.. I think I'll go with a water please." Kyle responds. 

"Alright, and for you?" She asks me. 

" water is fine thank you." I say. 

"Okay, that'll be right out." She says and walks away.  

"I really don't mean to be noisy but.... What's up with you and Valencia? Are you guys a thing now?" I ask. I'm just like that. 

"Oh, no. She is just a friend." He smiles. 

"So all friends just holds hands when they walk down a hall? " I say. 

"No... it's a long story." He says as he rubs the back of his neck. 

"I've got time."  

Before he can respond our water come out and Violet is ready to take our order. 

"Um... I think I'll have the Calzone please." I say. 

"Ok. And for you?" Violet asks Kyle. By the way her voice softens and the way she smiles at him, like she just found the needle in a haystack, I can tell she finds him attractive. Who Wouldn't? 

"I'll have the same please." He smiles at her.  I think I spot a glint in his eyes that mean to tell her something but then I think I imagine it.  

"I'll be right on that." Violet says and leaves again. 

"Anyways, where were we?" Kyle asks. 

"You were about to tell me your long ass story about you and Valencia." I say half jokingly.

"Oh, yes," He laughed a little, "It's not that long actually. But here it goes, So today I was on my way to her office to give her back her stapler she let me barrow and when I got there, There was this guy in there with her and she seem flustered. He asked her who I was and she said I was her boyfriend, I know, I was just as surprised as you are, anyway, she said, 'This is my new boyfriend Kyle, Kyle this is Jonah, my ex.' And I didn't want to deny her and make a fool out of her so I went along with it, though I didn't speak one bit. She said, 'Now if you excuse us Jonah, Kyle and I are heading out for lunch. You can go out the way you came in, oh, and I never want to see you again. I moved on and so should you.' and that's when she took me by the hand and led me out of her office. I asked her if she's was ok and she said yeah, just a little shooken up. I understood and we held hands until I saw you..." 

"Why would you care what I think? I mean you could've told me another day. I would've believed you." I say. 

"Because.. I like you Lettum. More then a friend." He said sheepishly.  

"I... Kyle... Why....?.... Thanks?" What the hell just happened? Lunch hasn't yet even been served. 

......Well, this is gonna be a long lunch.....