A Note Out of Key (LIAS Book 2)

Chapter V

A month has passed since Frances got the news that she would need to go to Paris. Only a month remains until her scheduled flight. Everything's ready, except for Kyle. Frances waited for the perfect timing to break the news. Unfortunately, that time never arrived.

"Fran, hurry up!!" Kira shouted. Their at Kira's pad waiting for Nevaeh. They planned to have a girls night out. Which according to Kira should happen more often. "Aya will be here in a couple of minutes."

"I know that." Frances came out of the bath already. "We don't want the monster within her to come out, right?"

Kira burst out laughing. And at the same exact moment, Nevaeh burst from the door.

"I heard that." Nevaeh shot a stare at Kira. "You wouldn't want it to come out right, Kira?"

Kira zipped her mouth and smiled at her.

"Enough of that." Frances picked up her bag. "We'll be late for the movie."

After they've seen the movie, they went out for dinner.

"See it's nice not to have the boys around." Kira pointed out.

"Well, you're right." Nevaeh agreed. "But we seldom see each other, Damian and me."

"Point well taken." Kira shot a glance at Frances. "Only Fran and Kyle see each other every day."

Frances looked up and saw both were looking at her. "We kinda have to or no one will mind the bar."

They all laughed and talk while having dinner. Amidst the laughter, they heard a phone rang. "Whose phone is that?" Nevaeh asked.

"I think that's yours, Fran." Kira pointed at Frances' bag.

Frances took her phone out her bag and her eyes suddenly widened. "Excuse me, I need to take this." she went outside to answer the call.

Kira and Nevaeh watched her from the inside and they can clearly see her facial reaction. They noticed how Frances is holding her emotions from bursting.

After the phone call, Frances returned to their table and kept silent.

"Who was that?" Nevaeh plucked the courage to ask. "Was it bad news?"

Frances' tears immediately fell. Kira and Nevaeh became frantic at the sight of what's happening. They offered tissue and water to Frances. They waited for her to calm down so they can ask what happened.

"What's wrong?" Kira rubbing her back.

Frances found her poise and wiped her tear. "That was my boss."

"Is it concerning your promotion?" Kira immediately understood what it could be.

'You've been promoted?" Nevaeh confused. "If that's the case then you should be happy, right?"

"No, I can't be happy with that."

Frances explained to Nevaeh what the promotion comes with. Nevaeh was shocked at what she heard.

"And now it gets worse." Frances tried to pull back the tears. "The Paris department is going to open ahead of schedule."

"How early?"

"In 10 days." Frances emotion betrayed her and started pouring out. "And I need to be there in 14 days."

Kira and Nevaeh didn't know what to say. They understood what a toll this is on Frances' shoulder. To think that Kyle doesn't have clue on what's happening.

"You need to tell him," Nevaeh suggested.

"I know." Frances rubbing her temple. "I just don't know how."

"In any way that's possible." Kira implied. "Knowing Kyle, he would understand."

"I know that." Frances still trying to wipe her tears. "I'm just afraid of what would happen when I leave."

"Nothing's going to change." Nevaeh confidently. "Knowing the two of you, you will make it work like you always do."

"Nevertheless, we'll be here for you," Kira reassured her.

'Thanks, girls." Frances now smiling behind the tear stained face.

The week has passed, Frances went to see Kyle and planned to break the news. She procrastinated long enough. She knocked on the door but no one answered. She used her spare key and went in and placed her things on the sofa.

"Kyle!!" she called out thinking he was in the bath. When no one answered, she went to the bath and checked.

"Now where did that boy went to?" she asked herself after seeing no one in the bath.

She decided to wait for him when a phone call came in.

"Hello?" as she answered the call. "Fine, I'll be there." She ended the call and went out hurriedly.

Frances went to her office and was greeted by one of the managers. "Ms.Alexander, are you ready for the big day?"

"Yes sir, I have everything that I need."

"That's great. We're expecting great things from you." her manager looking so proud of her.

"Thank you, sir, for the opportunity."

Frances left and was about to enter her office when she was called again.

"By the way, Ms.Alexander, did our courier already delivered the plane tickets?"

"Yes sir, it's right here in my folder." she looked into her bag and panic took over.

"Is everything alright?"

"Huh?? Yes, sir, I have the tickets already."

The manager left and now Frances is really panicking now. She knew she had the folder when she left the house and when she went to see Kyle. She's sure that she left it at his apartment.

Frances hurried back to Kyle's apartment. She used her key and opened the door. To her surprise, Kyle was sitting on the couch holding an envelope in his hand. She immediately recognized what he was holding.

"Kyle, I can explain." As she approached Kyle.

"Explain what?" Kyle coldly. "Explain that you're leaving for Paris in two days?"

"Kyle-"

"Explain that you were promoted and you need to head the operations there?" Kyle even colder. "Or explain the reason why you were promoted a month ago and I don't have any clue about this."

"I was afraid of what will your reaction be." Frances with tears flowing through her cheeks. "I was waiting for the right time to tell it."

"Oh, so when will that be?" Kyle seething. "When you're about to board the plane?"

"No, Kyle please-"

"Can you leave me alone for a while."

Frances felt the coldness in Kyle's voice that she couldn't bear. She left the apartment with a heavy heart. As she was closing the door, she whispered to Kyle hoping he would hear her.

"I love you and I'm sorry."