Hiding Within The Betrayal

Chapter Forty One: We Were Inseparable

As always, I didn't turn up on time.

I received her text just as I drove into the car park. Once in a space, I took out my phone. Prior to today's run in, I had deleted all of our texts to one another so, 'Hey Myra, I'm here. Are you still coming?' was the only text.

I didn't respond.

Taking off my seat belt, I looked at myself in the wing mirror. I had tried to make myself look a little bit more presentable, why I bothered is beyond me. I had no intention of impressing her and yet that old part of me still wanted to try for her. Getting out, I made it inside the door before another alert came through my phone, it caused her to look up from the table she had chosen. With a soft wave to me, I went over. She mustered a gentle hello before we both sat there in one another company uncertain of what to say.

"You look stunning Skylar," I told her truthfully.

She blushed, "You do dress up well, I almost forgot."

I had slapped on some basic makeup to cover the eye bags and wrinkles, she on the other hand had made herself look airbrushed. I was dressed down in a jumpsuit with an oversized blazer and thick boots, she was dressed a little more girly with flared trousers and a flowery top.

It was odd.

To see her again. To speak to her. There was a very distinct tension in the air.

She never meant to hurt me, that's what she would say at least. Though I believe it was never her intention, she was too warmhearted, she still did it. I had seen her after that day but never in a situation like this. It stained my mind like red wine on a white carpet. Forever imprinted.

How did we end up here?

I was never stuck for words. Never. Not until it came to Skylar. She had me breathless since the very beginning. She had everything. A proper barbie doll, the way that her hair, now down (she didn't like the way a bobble pulled on her scalp) emphasized the highlights. The curls sat caressing her shoulders the way I once did.

We ordered drinks, though her option was different to what I had anticipated, my only assumption is that her current girlfriend had influenced her into a non-alcoholic lifestyle.

She sipped her mug of peppermint tea like a cute anime girl. I found myself staring, "Are you happy Skylar?" I asked her bluntly.

She lowered the cup slowly. Considering what way to take the question, "Are you luring me into a trap here Myra?"

Hurt, "You're the one who-"

"Stop." She scolded, slamming her fist against the table.

I did. I stopped.

The situation we had found ourselves in was complicated but old wounds had unzipped themselves. Neither of us were able to move on until they were spoken of.

Honesty fell through my crumbled barricade, "I hated you. I hated what you did. I hated her. The fact that after all that time you cheated on me with some Brazilian Barbie." Skylar's expression changed from irritation to sympathetic as she listened to me drone on, "I resented you. I regretted giving myself to you. For the longest time after, I was fueled by hatred. I made all of my decisions based on trying to get over you."

"Your company is doing better than ever so I've heard." She was trying to avoid mentioning her affair, "Including taking a member from the Lawson's firm."

I paused for a second, "How do you know about that?"

She let out an uncertain laugh, "Oh um. Gosh can't recall. Heard it somewhere probably."