RC.

Ch8 ................. Q

As soon as I'm alone, my mind goes into overdrive. Jenny... it makes sense. She knows about my relationship with Ryan...

She even witnessed our row. She knows about my blog and she has always made it perfectly clear that she wanted me to stay away from her brother.

But the name, "Blake" ...

All of sudden, it's blindingly obvious! Of course! She doesn't have the same name as Ryan! She's his half sister!

But ... Why was she so nice the other time, then ...?

In any case, I mustn't draw hasty conclusions. There are a lot of Jennies about! It could be anyone!

To be sure, I type Jenny Blake on Google. I find a Facebook page. My heart's thumping as I click on the link.

(It can't be her...)

When I discover Persephone's facebook page, I get a strong blow to the heart.

T:"Shit!"

That's Jenny alright! What a bitch! Why do that to me?! It's like a stab in the back!

I start to get angry! I stand up and start pacing in the office, talking to myself. I can't believe it!

To think that I was starting to find his sister nice ... Way to go! You could say I have a lot of intuition!

I should have been more wary. Her sudden change in attitude was strange!

Exasperated, I decided to send a text message to Ryan to get Jenny's number.

I have to deal with this one-on-one. No need to get her half-brother involved. She has a problem with me, I'll have to be an adult for the both of us.

As I type my message, I look up to the ceiling and pout. What pretext can I have for needing her number ...

(A"girly thing" maybe?! That I want to improve my relationship with her, perhaps sharing an "only girls" moment would help ... Nah)

In my message, I pretend that I want to talk to her about her restaurant project, that I have ideas for her. That I need to take my mind off things.

I hope he won't find it out of place, today of all days. He catches on to anything at light speed.

A few minutes pass. A few minutes during which I spy, maliciously, on Jenny's Facebook.

Even There, she looks so friendly and charming, so cheerful! She seems to be liked. She poses with several different people in various evenings.

The kind of girl who looks very stable. So angelic that one might think butter wouldn't  melt in her mouth!

(It's just a facade.)

But one must be wary of angels ... of people who are too nice, too smooth. They're often the worst!

(Maybe she's not like that. Maybe she's not that bad.)

Somehow I reassure myself by saying that she's not really all that bad. She probably just wants to protect her brother...

My phone buzzes at last. Ryan's sent me the number, he's probably glad that things have settled between her and me.

(If he knew what I'm about to do...)

I dial the number on my mobile. The blood is thumping against my temples. Yet this situation is ridiculous!

I hesitate...

But No I have to sort this thing out!

After a few ring tones, someone picks up.

Jenny:"Yes...?"

That's Jenny's voice. Strangely enough, she now makes my hairs stand on end. I find her voice shrill, false.

T:"Jenny? It's Tayla."

Jenny:"Tayla ...?"

T:"Oh sorry, Tayla White ..."

Jenny:"Oh ... Hi, Tayla."

I can tell she's very surprised to have me on the phone.

T:"Your brother gave me your number."

Silence.

(I don't know what to say.)

I feel quite awkward because I have absolutely no idea how to engage the conversation.

I can hardly jump down her throat straight away.

Suddenly, she clears her thoart and takes a little more assurance.

Jenny:"I'm so sorry, Tayla ... I'm a little perturbed by what happened last night."

Of course, she knows. Like the whole city.

Jenny:"You ... Are you okay?"

(Well just like someone who almost got shot, bitch.)

T:"Yes, just a little shaken, but Ryan took me home last night and stayed with me"

I know very well that it's the kind of thing that'll get her angry. I stress on every word. Silence. She's feeling the effects.

Jenny:"Oh..."

(Lay it on thick.)

T:"I have to say we needed each other after what happened. Ryan was a great comfort ..."

It's mean but it makes me feel better. I imagine her tightening her fists and force herself to keep a calm.

(I wait for her to raise it.)

Jenny:"Ryan told me about it all, but I haven't seen him yet."

T:"Yes, he's been pretty busy what with the police and his work, he phoned me after leaving my house. Everything's fine."

(Yeah, we're together again! You're going to  have to live with it!)

I don't want to spurt it all out over the phone. I need to talk about it face to face.

And for that, I'm going to tremendous efforts to not sound hypocritical.

T:"Can we meet for a drink, let's say, late afternooish?"

(I let her think about it.)

I can tell she's really hesitating. But I rather not rush her, even if I'm dying to insult her.

I'd probably get the opposite reaction. And for now, I intend to gobble her up in person.

Jenny:"Er..."

T:"I think we both need to take our minds off things"

Jenny:"Okay, but I can't stay long, I have a dinner party in town afterwards"

(Oh don't you worry, I'm not counting on spending the evening with you either...)

T:"Excellent! I'll send you the address by text."

Jenny:"Okay, see you later."

As I hang up, I just stare at my mobile like an idiot. This girl can act which doesn't bode well for what's to come...