Icing on the Cake

Chapter Three

It’s important to walk away from things and people that don’t feed your soul but make sure you’ve given yourself enough time to truly know.
Maria Fontaine.

Sylvia Browne was the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Browne. Her dad, Wayne Browne who was a multi-billionaire, owned a very large company that had lots of branches all over Nigeria and in other few states in various countries. Her mother, Ashley Browne also owned a company that was into fashion designing. She had few branches in Nigeria and also in USA, France, Italy, and Canada.
Sylvia had an elder brother, Sidney who was currently in the States. Sidney was expected to take over his dad’s business as Sylvia was also expected to take over Ashley’s business.
Sylvia was actually happy about it. As a tall, young, and beautiful woman, she was also intelligent. She had already graduated from the university with excellent grades. Possessing a striking beauty; a beautiful oval-shaped face, an elegant hour-glass figure, and a set of endless legs, she turned heads anywhere she walked through.

JADEN AND SYLVIA walked into the hotel and Sylvia led them to the elevator. What she was about to do needed to be done on her own and not with some driver she had met just the previous day, but with every second that passed, she was getting to see him as another brother and friend, though his attractiveness was causing a mix in her head.
They got into the elevator which took them to the third floor. Then, they walked through the long corridor. When they got to room 307, Sylvia stopped and turned to look at Jaden.
“You could still leave if you want,” Sylvia told Jaden.
Jaden shook his head. “We’re in this together already. And I guess you might really need someone by your side. Besides, it’s too late to back out,” Jaden said and smiled reassuringly.
Sylvia nodded. “Can I have the car keys?”
Jaden arched a brow. “Why?”
“Just let me have them.”
“I’m sorry I can’t.”
She sighed softly. “Just trust me this time, okay? I won’t run away, I promise.”
He looked at her for a while. Should he trust her or not? It’d be foolish to. But the look on her face was really weakening his stand. He exhaled slowly and gave the keys to her. “I just gave you my life, y’know.”
She smiled ruefully. “I won’t kill you.” She paused. “Thanks.”
She put the keys in her bag and turned to face the door. She took in a deep breath and knocked gently on the door. She had dated Dave for about a year and half. She had known exactly when he had changed and had known that he had been going out with other women. But for some reason, she had kept up the hope that he would one day come to appreciate her and stop sleeping around. But he never did.
She knocked again on the door and waited for few seconds.
“Who is it?” a deep voice growled from inside.
Sylvia held her breath. She knew it was Dave, but before she could take another breath, the door opened and there he was. Dave was there staring back at her, shock and surprise clearly shown on his face.
Few minutes passed, before Dave spoke up.
“Sylvia,” he half–whispered, half–spoke.
Since there was neither surprise nor shock on Sylvia’s face, it only meant one thing, Dave thought. Either she had known about his cheating schemes or her knight–in–shining–armour – Jaden – had told her about the previous night. Dave looked at Jaden and then looked back at Sylvia.
“Sylvia, please I...” Dave started.
“Don’t even start,” Sylvia cut him short.
“Sylvia. You could come in so we could...”
“I didn’t come here for that,” Sylvia said, studying him. He was uneasy, quite alright. He ought to be anyway. But there was a plaster on his face, like he had gotten into a fight. “What happened to your face?”
Dave touched his cheek where his face was a little bit swollen due to the punch he received from Jaden. He avoided Sylvia’s eyes before replying, “It’s nothing. I just got injured.”  
Sylvia shrugged. For all she cared, it could have been a punch from one of his mistresses’ ex. She opened her bag and brought out a small jewelry case. It had silver studs on it and was sparkly. It was a gift from Dave to her on her twenty – third birthday.
She looked at Dave and handed over the case to him. “I think this is yours now.”
Dave stared at her hand. Then, he looked at her. “Why are you returning this?”
“Do I have to spell it out for you? I think it’s already very obvious.”
“Please Sylvia, whatever thing you heard is not true. It’s simply a rumour. Don’t do this, please,” Dave told Sylvia. She just stared back at him, her face emotionless. “Okay. Okay, I admit I’ve done some pretty nasty things, but I wasn’t in my right senses. I promise it won’t repeat itself again.”
“Are you done?” she asked and shoved the case into his hands. “You have no  shame, Dave. So all the things you’ve been doing for the past few months or so have just been some pretty nasty things right? Okay. What happened last night? ‘Cause you didn’t drive me home and when I woke up this morning, you weren’t there and neither was there any sign that you were ever there. So, what happened?”
Dave blinked and glanced at Jaden who just stood by the corner, leaning against the wall. He tried to read something from Jaden’s body language if he had told Sylvia anything about last night but no. Jaden’s body language was as vague as his face. He looked back at Sylvia. What was he going to tell her?
“Aren’t you going to talk? Or did you just go dumb?” Sylvia asked. She snorted, smiling ruefully. “Or are you going to give me the same excuses you give each time?”
A little smile tugged at Jaden’s mouth. She had a stentorian voice too to go with the ‘dumb’ and ‘dummy’ insults she seemed to throw at men.
Dave cleared his throat a little. “Well, yesterday I was...”
“Well, yesterday you didn’t care as usual. You took me to the club, dumped me on a chair with drinks while you went to have fun, right? You always didn’t care. I was usually the one who practically begged you to take me home whenever you made me drunk. You didn’t care if I’d get home safe or not!
“So you see this isn’t about rumours. I’ve known what have been going on for some months now. Nobody told me. I didn’t ask anyone. So, now I’m calling things off. I was an idiot anyway for half–expecting you to change. But you’re the bigger fool, with you thinking you could still fool me with your lies!” Sylvia said, tightened her lips, and walked out.
Dave was stunned. How on earth had she found out about his cheating? He had been planning to stop anyway but he was not really that committed and he was always finding it hard to resist one particular mistress. So, Jaden had not even told her anything about last night, Dave thought. Wait! Did Sylvia just leave?
“Sylvia! Wait! Just a moment,” Dave shouted. He made to run after her but he stopped.
Of what use was it anyway? There was no way he would still stay loyal to Sylvia if she eventually forgave him. And he did not want to start what he could not finish all over again. He sighed heavily. He loved Sylvia, but not to the extent of commitment. Besides, she was a beautiful woman, intelligent, well bred, and smart. She even deserved someone more than him, who would respect her and care for her.
He turned and looked to see Jaden gazing steadily at him. His lips twitched. He didn’t know exactly what to say to him so he just made to go back into his hotel room.
“You know you’ve really hurt her, right?” Jaden asked.
Dave turned. “Yes.”
“Do you even feel remorse for what you just did?”
“Hey! If you listened well, I...” He cut off. “Okay. I do. Satisfied?”
“You’re really dumb.”
“What?”
“You heard me right. You’re really dumb. I know I haven’t known her for long but I’ll say you just lost someone special. I’m not sure any other woman can replace her in your life.”
Dave rocked a little on his heels. “What made you say that?”
“For the fact that she knew about you cheating on her and was still expecting you to change for good is reason enough, don’t you think?”
Dave was silent for a while. “I’m sure there are still other good women in the world.”
“But none like her.”
He was silent again. “Ah!”
Jaden’s left brow hitched upwards.
“So, you’re her new guy now?”
“Really? Is that all you could think of?” Dave didn’t reply. Jaden nodded. “So, how do we look together? Better than the both of you, I think.”
“You really think she’ll stick to you? I’m pretty sure she knows better than to date you.”
“That’s what you think, not what I think.”
Dave snorted.
“So, what if she does?”
“It can’t happen.”
“Really? Because I’m thinking of inviting you to our wedding.”
Dave’s eyes shone at that. It was possible, wasn’t it? He was good–looking and he looked like he had lots of charms. “Okay, then. I’ll be waiting for it.”
Jaden smiled. “Nice.”
Jaden then turned to go.
“Wait.”
Jaden stopped.
“Thanks for not telling Sylvia about last night.” He paused. “I know I’m not supposed to be saying this but please, make sure she eats and that she’s okay.”
Jaden's lips twitched as he mused over the funny plea. Then, he walked out and Dave went into his room. Jaden rushed into the elevator, thanking God it was empty. He came out at the ground floor and rushed into the lobby looking for Sylvia. She was not in sight. He cursed. Why on earth did he waste his time with that Dave of a guy? He checked his pockets to see if the car keys were there but they weren’t. Drat. Now, why had he given in and handed the keys to Sylvia? Oh, God. What kind of fool was he? How could he have believed her when she’d said he should trust her? He walked to the bar and looked round but she was not there either. He also checked the dining room but no luck. Where was she?
He ran his hand over his hair and continued looking around, his heart racing. It was just his second day of work for Pete’s sake. And to think of what he had just told Dave upstairs. What was he thinking? Marriage was not in his agenda for the mean time and neither was getting married to Sylvia an option. He only hoped Sylvia and Dave never talked again so she would never know how wild his mouth could run.
He snapped out of his thoughts and went back into the lobby to check for Sylvia again. Then, he saw her coming out of the elevator. He stopped and exhaled deeply, relieved. Aish! This lady would kill him before his time, he mused. He angled his head and looked at her briefly, admiring her before walking up to her.
“Where were you?” he asked the moment he was within hearing range with her.
She shrugged. “I’ve been around.”
“Define around, please.”
“Okay, I came downstairs when I left Dave earlier. I went to the dinning and sat for a while, waiting for you to come down. When you didn’t come quickly, I went back up to look for you.”
“I’m not a kid.”
“Well, y’know, considering the kind of brain you have, I was worried you were going to get lost.”
Jaden huffed silently and looked at her. She hadn’t run away as she’d promised. That showed that she had a kind heart. At least, she’d put his job into consideration. “You sound jovial for someone who just had a break – up.”
“I am jovial.”
“You sure you’re okay?” Concern was etched all over his facial features.
“Yeah, I am.”
“We can go home now, right?” Jaden asked.
Sylvia shook her head. “No. I want to go someplace first. You want to come?”
He shrugged. “OK.”
“But let’s get ice cream first,” Sylvia said, smiling sweetly.
Jaden grinned and nodded. “Sure. Why not?”