Ex Again

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: "PLAYING WITH FIRE"

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: “PLAYING WITH FIRE”

She had arrived at the restaurant earlier than expected and still had a few minutes to spare.  It was ten minutes before 8p.m and their meeting was scheduled for 8p.m. After being informed that she had been the first one to arrive, she was led to their reserved table by one of the waiters. She asked for a glass of water while she waited for her associates to arrive. She needed to keep a sober mind. While scrolling through her phone, she heard a familiar voice call her name.

“Azania is that you?”

She froze. She hadn’t heard that voice in more than two years. Lifting her eyes from her phone, the words got stuck in her throat. He still looked just as good as the last time she saw him, if not better. Kendrick Williams had always been a classy dresser and today was no different. Time had definitely been good to him.

“Oh my gosh, it is you!” he continued without waiting for a reply from her. Almost dragging her out of her chair, he pulled her into a tight hug. She stood paralyzed on the spot, she could not move.

“You look good!” he exclaimed holding her at arm’s length.

Was that even a compliment? Didn’t she always look good?

“Hi Kendrick” she said stiffly. She did not know how to feel. This was the last guy to break her heart.

“How long has it been?” he asked.

“It’s been a while” she replied dryly. They were not friends, so making small talk with someone she was in a ‘flirtationship’ with was one of the last things she felt like doing right now.

Her eyes fell on the woman who approached them and wrapped her arm possessively around Kendrick’s waist.

“Kendrick who is this?” she asked seizing Azania up. Kendrick was still holding onto Azania’s arm.

“This is Azania Parker, the friend I told you about” he said finally letting go of Azania. “Azania this is my fiancé Michelle Accorsi.”

‘She is pretty’ Azania thought, ‘clearly everything I am not.’ Michelle was a beautiful looking Italian woman with her dark looks and long flowing hair. She looked like she just stepped out of the Italian Vogue. Azania felt her self-esteem being knocked down a few notches. So this is what he wanted all along, she thought bitterly. She did not even want to think about the possible things that he told Michelle about her.

“Nice to meet you Michelle” she said shaking her hand.

She knows there were many times before she had wished that the earth could just swallow her but right now she really needed the earth to shallow her. For some weird reason Kendrick and Michelle would just not leave.

“…and that’s how we met” she heard Michelle say. She had momentarily zoned out and had no idea what Michelle was talking about.

“Yes, on that faithful day I met the love of my life” Kendrick said before kissing his fiancé.

Azania definitely felt the salt in her wounds. She could feel the tears forming in her eyes as well.

“Wow, that’s such a beautiful story” she said wiping the tear that escaped from her eye. To the outside world, she looked like she was sharing in their happiness but that was the furthest thing from the truth.

“I’m so sorry that I’m late” she heard before she was pulled into a strong embrace and felt his lips crashing against hers. The seconds of time slowed down to the point of time until time stood still. She felt her soul leave her body to entwine with his and become one. Her body felt like it had dissolved into a million pieces and so she did the only thing that she could do. She held onto him for dear life. He pulled away and she slowly opened her eyes. A song she had heard a long time ago kept resounding in her head.