Chapter Twenty Three. Fate is one cruel son of a bitch!

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Rainbow's POV.

"How are you so cheerful and not angry at the world?" He chuckled while gulping his coffee before saying.

"Oh, believe me, I was; for a very long time. I was angry and resentful at everything and everyone. I would make rude remarks about people's looks and snap at anyone who dared to question my actions." He said looking at me.

"I lost my job, my family, and my home, too, after the divorce because nobody likes being around a sarcastic, angry asshole; it doesn't matter if they are hurt or not." He laughed sadly.

"It took me two years of anger management class and a constant intake of antidepressants for depression and anxiety to get to where I am today. Look, fate can sometimes be one cruel son of a bitch, alright? But you gotta forgive yourself for what you didn't know, okay?" He said all of this with a smile while maintaining serious eye contact with me, and I sighed before asking him.

"Will it ever stop hurting?"

He paused mid-air from picking up his coffee mug and smiled sadly before replying...

"I will let you know when it does." As he picked up his coffee, he took a slow sip while looking towards the cafe entrance with a faraway look.

This is the first time I've seen a sad look on his face since we started talking about an hour ago.

I'd left Hunter's place in tears and a whole lot of doubts because I couldn't find it in myself to accept the truths about my existence. I didn't wanna go back to my house, so I decided to take a walk but it started raining ten minutes into my walk so I took shelter in a small cafe while waiting for the rain to stop and that's how I met him, my new friend.

Meeting him like this, here of all places, is truly serendipitous indeed.

His name is Thomas, and like me, he has had his share of misfortunes. Although I was reluctant to talk to him at first, I couldn't help but spill my whole secrets to him after he told me about his.

Thomas is a six-foot-something middle-aged Caucasian man with red hair and green eyes. He said he's in good health and shape now compared to a few months back when he couldn't afford a meal or medication for himself.

Thomas had spent his life's savings in treating his son's leukemia and also sending his twin boys to the best college in the country, only for him to find out that his wife of twenty years was having an affair with another man who also happened to be the father of his twin boys without his knowledge.

I get why he became resentful and angry; I mean I'd be angry too if my spouse of twenty years had kids with my best friend and was still seeing him for more than two decades while living under my roof and lying to me that the kids were mine.

Earlier today, when I walked away from Hunter and the truth about my mother's family, I thought I was the only one facing a crisis.

Mother!

That's a word I didn't think I'd ever say in this lifetime. But after listening to Thomas talk about his problems, I realized that many people have crises that they are facing. Even though that crisis comes in different ways, it has managed to destabilize many people's lives.

One thing I've learned about people in crisis is that they don't often have enough support systems that can help them pull through. But it will help if they do.

Years ago, I didn't wanna have anything to do with the money old Mrs. Witkins left me because I was scared of someone appearing on my doorstep asking for a refund or, worse, accusing me of stealing, so I told my husband that she only left me the antique shop. I've now decided what to do with the money now that I'm sure none of that will happen.

"Hey, Thomas?" He turned his attention to me with a smile while saying. "Yes?" I don't know how he can smile so genuinely after everything he's been through.

"You're a real estate agent right?" He smiled sadly while saying...

"I used to be; but not anymore." I looked at him quizzically as I asked.

"What? Why?" He lets go of the pen he's twirling, regards me carefully, and says.

"News travels fast in my line of business, so when words got out about angry and resentful Thomas, nobody wanted to work with me again. I don't blame them, though; I could've handled my family problems better." I just can't imagine how he felt all those times.

"Why? You're not thinking about buying a house, are you? He asked and I smiled genuinely before saying.

"Try houses."

He choked on his coffee while splashing the hot liquid on himself in shock. Poor guy! I would do more than choke if someone I'd just met told me something like this, but I don't wanna wait one moment more to do this.

After Thomas had finished choking, we discussed a little bit of what I wanted him to look for and he'd promised to give it his best. And I don't doubt him, I can just tell when someone would do their absolute best to prove their worth.

With everything being said, we said our goodbyes and decided to stay in touch and communicate more about the plans.









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