"Jonathan? What are you doing here?" I asked loudly over the rain.
"Mr. Walker said to drive you home. Come now, Miss," he said and opened the umbrella for me and he walked in the rain. He opened the door for me and I got in. Trevor wasn't here. I guess he listened when I said I needed time.
Jonathan got in the front and drove home. "Jonathan, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, Miss," he said.
"How is he?" I asked.
"Miss, to be honest, I've never seen him this down. He didn't say a word to me the whole drive to work and on our way home. He kept staring out the window and ignored his phone."
He sounds messed up. It's because of me.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," I said.
"To say the least, Miss Avery, he's a mess without you."
I took a deep breath and looked out the window. Jonathan didn't say anything else and so we drove in silence. I watched the rain falling on the window and catching other rain drops as it flowed down.
After a while, he got to my building and opened the door for me. "Happy birthday, Miss," he said and gave me a flower. A gardenia.
"Thank you, Jonathan. I love gardenias."
"Good night, Miss."
"Good night, Jonathan."
He drove away and I went inside. I got to my apartment and went inside. It was so quiet. Too quiet. "Gwen? You here?" No answer. I switched on the kitchen light and then the living room light and then our bedroom lights. "Gwen, are you home?" I asked knocking on her door.
Maybe she's still at work. I took out my phone and sent her a text:
Me (Today 21:11): Hey, where are you?
Gwen (Today 21:13): Hey. I'm still at work. I'll be home later. Gotta go x
Wow, she's really busy.
I put my phone on my bed and took a shower. After my shower, I went to the living room and took out my laptop. I listened to the rain as I typed further. Then my phone rang.
"Hello," I said.
"Hi," he said.
"Hey."
"Are you home safely?"
"Yes, I am. Thank you. But I could've gotten a cab."
"I don't trust those cabs." I laughed. It wouldn't surprize me if he didn't trust anything.
"I miss your laugh."
"Trevor, please don't do this. I can't fight anymore. I don't want to. It breaks my heart and yours."
"I know. I can't tell you how sorry I am. But I really do miss you." I fought back a tear.
"I miss you too."
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Uh, I'm finishing the contracts your dad asked me to draw up. You?"
"I'm on the couch, wearing only my shorts," he said seductively. And he's back. I laughed even more.
"Okay. Look, I have to finish work."
"Do you need some help? I could come over."
"It's okay. I'm almost done. Just one more page and then I'm done."
"Okay. Did you open the present?"
"No, not yet. I couldn't exactly carry it to the hospital. I'll take it home with me tomorrow. And once again, thank you."
"I just thought you might like it."
"Thanks..." And then there was silence. I finished the last page and closed my laptop.
I went to my room, still on the phone with Trevor. Unless he fell asleep.
"Amabel?"
"Yes?"
"Can I take you to dinner tomorrow night?"
"Why?"
"I want to see you."
"Okay." I said after a few seconds.
"I'll pick you up."
"You always do."
"I will always want to."
"Good night, Trevor."
"Good night, Bells."
I put the phone down. I smiled at him calling me Bells. Climbing into bed, I heard the front door open. "Gwen? Is that you?"
Nothing. The door closed. Footsteps getting louder and louder. I got out of bed silently and got 911 on speed-dial. I grabbed some pantyhose and my soapbar. I put the soap in the pantyhose, ready to start hitting
"Amabel?"
"Gwen?"
"What the hell are you doing with pantyhose and... is that soap?" she asked.
"I saw it from a movie. Apparently it can hurt. Why didn't you answer me when I called for you." She really scared me.
"I probably didn't hear you. Now, put the pantyhose and the soap down. The front door is locked, alright," she said and started laughing. I playfully pushed her with both hands. She must probably think that I'm crazy. If she doesn't already.
"How was your day?" Gwen asked me as I sat on the couch, being totally awake.
"It was good. I was with my mom. So, yeah, good. And yours?"
"It was good. I closed a lot of deals with other companies. My dad didn't approve of course, but I believe that it was a good deal. And I feel proud about it," she said and brought two glasses of wine.
"How are things between you and Oliver?" I asked her.
"Bells, we don't have to talk about it. I know things aren't exactly smooth between you and Trevor."
"No, no, no. Don't be silly. I want to know. So, spill it," I said and pushed my legs, bending,on the couch, sat with my side leaning on the couch and my arm resting on the couch. She started blushing.
"Well, we have a date on Friday night. And he wants me to meet his family."
"What? That's amazing. I can't believe it. You deserve to be happy, Gwen," I said. I was so happy. She found someone to be happy with. Someone who made her laugh, smile and blush. Someone who makes her happy. I just wish I was a better friend to ask more about her life.
"So do you," she said. I took a sip of my wine and said, "No, we're talking about you."
"Do you remember the amount of times I talked about me and Oliver in the time when you didn't see him. When you thought you won't ever see him again. Don't you remember the nights when you were alone at home, and I was on those dates with Oliver. You were a friend and listened when I spoke. So, I want to listen to what you have to say..."
Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. But it's okay. I loved to hear about her happiness.