It was windy outside. The fallen leaves of brown, red and yellow in color danced wind the wind, as if performing a show for all to see. As soon as Tia stepped outside her body shivered and she immediately crossed her arms and rubbed her shoulders. "I should have stayed inside."
Taxis were passing back and forth before her eyes on the busy road. She raised her hand and hailed for one to stop. In less than a minute four of them pulled up before her, she climbed into the back seat of the first one.
"Where to ma'am?" the taxi driver, an older man asked, looking through the rear view mirror at her.
"West Edmonton Mall, please." The taxi drove made a u-turn and drove off, blending in with the traffics.
...
Tia stepped out of the taxi after paying her fare. She stared at the shopping center, back in high school, she and Lillian would spend most of their free time there. She buttoned up her beige trenchcoat and secured her Chanel crossbody purse on her shoulder before stepping into the building. It was still ridiculously busy now as it was then. She smiled, the familiarity brought her great comfort. It's been a week since she found out about Caleb and even though she purposed in her heart to move on. It was far easier said than done. She recalled seeing him on all of her favorite channel, not just him but Her too. That shameless bitch.
Tia was sure people had and still gossiped about her relationship. Back in high school, Caleb brutally shot down her confession and when he found out what she has been plotting against Tia, he shamed her before everyone one day after school. Tia face lit up when she spotted Sephora, her favorite makeup store, on her left, she walked across the busy mall and entered the store. One of the staff showed up, ready to help her but Tia politely dismissed her and went to the wall adorned with different brands of perfume.
As she scanned the wall, her eyes landed on a bottle she wanted to buy for a while now. She took it off the wall and sprayed it on her wrist. As she brought her wrist to her nose and inhaled the smell, she heard two voices she has been praying to never come in contact with. Ever.
On the other end of the wall of perfume was Caleb with a bored expression and Rachel latched onto his arms, beaming with excitement. They were looking at the perfume and didn't notice her. She decided to take this opportunity and sneaked away unnoticed. She can always come back another day she told herself. And so, as she turned to leave, she bumped into a little girl causing her to land on her butt and wailed out loud.
Everyone including them looked as Tia kneeled down and help the girl to her feet. She took out a tissue from her purse and wiped the tears from the little girl eyes. "I am so sorry sweetie. Are you okay?"
"Beautiful auntie, I can't find my mommy." The little girl looked up at Tia revealing more tears threatening to roll down her cheeks.
"Don't cry. I will help you find your mommy sweetie."
"Tia Samuels? Is that you?"
Profanity words escaped Tia's lips as she glanced over her shoulder to see Rachel and Caleb standing a couple of feet behind her, looking down at her. She stood up and faced them, still holding the little girl hand.
"Omg, your daughter is so cute," Rachel said in the fakest polite voice she could quickly mustered up, as she hugged Caleb arms tighter. "How old is she?"
Tia rolled her eyes at the gesture made by Rachel. It was so obvious how fake Rachel was being right now. "She's not mine. I am helping her look for her mommy."
Rachel chuckled under her breath. "Oh, I am so sorry. I thought she was yours." She rested her head on Caleb's shoulder and smirked wickedly. "We have two boys, twins actually. They are so cute. Oh, I know, you should visit us when you are free next. I would love to hear about your life in the states and of course, you got to meet my sons too."
"I will think about it," Tia replied with an expressionless tone. She quickly glanced at Caleb and noticed he was just staring at the little girl with a blank expression before turning on her heel and leaving with the little girl.
...
"Beautiful auntie, that lady isn't a nice person," the little girl as they walked down the hallway hand in hand, towards the customer service. "She reminds me of the evil sisters in Cinderella. Is she your friend?"
Tia laughed out loud. Kids today are quite perceptive. "No, she isn't. Back in school, she was-"
"Lacey!"
Lacey's ears perked up at the familiar voice that called out to her. She turned around and immediately wailed out. "Mommy!" She cried as she let go of Tia's hand and ran over to her mommy, hugging her tightly.
"Thank you very much," Lacey's mother said with a genuine smile.
Tia smiled at the mother and daughter who were still locked in an embrace. She watched as they stood up and headed in the opposite direction but not before Lacey ran over and hugged Tia warmly.
...
"Tia?" Lillian walked into the living room and saw Tia staring at the blank television with an annoyed look on her face. "Tia..."
"Can you believe that woman?" Tia stated, venom evident in her voice. "I could slap her so hard, her head would do a 360."
Lillian laughed out loud before sitting down adjacent to her in the one-person couch. "What woman?"
"Rachel!" Tia snapped causing Lillian to flinched in fear. She explained in disgust to Lillian what happened at the mall today. "Oh, I wish-"
"Tia, I have a brilliant idea!" Lillian interjected excitedly. She got up from her seat and sat down beside Tia. She grabbed her hands in hers and said. "Aegis Corp. is looking for an assistant who answers directly to the CEO. you should apply."
"Hello! Are you crazy? I don't want to see Caleb every single day of my life."
Aegis Corporation is the number one real estate company in Canada and Caleb was the heir, people from across the country would seek him out no matter this distance. Ever since he took over, he took the company to greater heights that others could only dream of.
"Don't you want to get your man back? Don't you want to make a fool out of Rachel?"
"Not really? Also, I have a 1001 ways of making that bitch lose face."
Lillian snorted. "This is the best way to make her lose face. Everyone and I mean everyone knew about your relationship with Caleb. Imagine if you become his assistant, on the riot."
Tia pulled her hands out of Lillian's grasp and looked away. In a low voice, she said. "I didn't think it would hurt so much seeing them together even though I decided to move on."
"All the more reason for you to do this," Lillian replied and then smiled cheekily. "By the way, I hand in your resume and you have an appointment at 8 am tomorrow morning."
"What the hell Lily!?"
Lillian narrowed her eyes. "If you don't do this and get that job, consider our friendship over."
"You wouldn't?"
"Try me." Lillian smiled evilly.
Tia sighed in defeat. "I think it's time I find myself a new best friend."
Lillian grabbed the couch pillow beside her and smacked Tia in the face and so begin a couch pillow war between the best of friends. Laughter filled the apartment.