The girl's came over to my place this evening in the name of a surprise sleepover. I'm glad they did because I haven't seen them in two weeks. Lay is still not back, not that I mind. Infact I am enjoying my time staying alone. She dropped by last week together with Ben, they came into the city to see some of their friends. I think Ben still has like two more weeks before he leaves, so even though Lay said she'll be back soon, I know that will only be after he leaves. It's not like she needs to be here to work anyway. She does all her work online so she is fine to be anywhere as long as there's network connection.
These two weeks have been okay. Apart from spending my days in the office I have been seeing Paul quite often. It's been something to actually look forward to. I must say he really is a likable person and I chide myself for not giving him much attention before now. I'm not like developing any feelings for him, that I know, but I am getting to know him. He's a nice person and I believe with time I may be able to do that. I'm glad he sometimes takes my mind off Ric. Not that I can forget about him anyway. I've avoided seeing him in person since last week and have made sure I made no mention of his dates when we talk on phone. He calls me everyday and I don't know why I always end up meeting someone who saw him with some lady at some place. It's like I cannot even run away from knowing. But even though it kind of hurts, I'm still happy he's making an effort to see that things work out the right way.
Who ordered this big pizza?" Ace practically bounced into my living room holding up the cheesy treat. "Because whoever did is my new best friend."
"You're so silly," I say laughing, taking the pizza box from her. "Like you didn't specifically request it."
"Well duh, but still," Ace flopped dramatically onto the couch beside Ash. "A girl's gotta play a little hard to get, even with food."
Ash rolled her eyes but reached to ruffle Ace's messy hair.
"And yet you've been hopeless with the opposite sex forever."
"That's rude Ash!" Ace squeaked, swatting away Ash's hand. "I'll have you know I'm an absolute charmer these days."
"Okay ladies, enough," Ash laughs. "We're here to catch up with Bee, not listen to your delusions."
They both turned to me expectantly. "Well? So spill, girl," Ace started. "How have you been keeping yourself busy with Lay out of town?"
"Just work" I say "I've been so busy with work you know" I add. Ace gives me a disappointed look. I know she wants to hear about something fun.
"You're such a workaholic Bee." She says still giving me that look. "When will you ever learn to have fun?"
"Probably never" I say and Ash chuckles at that.
But on second thought I decided to say a bit more about how my week went, feeling a little warmth in my cheeks. "Actually...I have been seeing Paul a bit more lately."
Ace's jaw dropped dramatically. "No way! Paul as in... Paul? The one that has been after you for ages Paul?"
Nodding sheepishly, I explained. "Yeah, we've just been hanging out more. He's actually a really nice guy once you get to know him."
"Oooh getting cozy with the hot ones, I see how it is!" Ace smirks, wriggling her eyebrows outrageously.
Before I could protest, she's already being nosy. "So does this mean you're finally over all that messiness with--"
Ash abruptly cut her off with a stern look and a slight shake of her head. Ace's eyes widened as she clearly realized her misstep.
An awkward silence hung in the air for a while. Quickly recovering, Ash turned back towards me with a bright smile.
"Well, I think it's great you've been spending time with Paul! He seems like a real catch," she said warmly, sending me a reassuring look.
I exhaled, giving her an appreciative nod. Of course Ace narrowly avoided a verbal blunder. But fortunately, Ash is always there to step in.
"Anyways!" I start, grabbing a slice of pizza. "Why don't you tell me what's new with you two? Any exciting gossip of your own?"
As Ace immediately launched into her exaggerated story telling, I felt the tension dissolve into our familiar and easy chit chats. I love moments like this.
Ace sleeps off leaving Ash and I awake in the center of the living room. It was late into the night. The tv is still on but we weren't really watching.
"Are you okay about everything Bee?" Ash asks suddenly but it doesn't take me by surprise. She looked like she has been wanting to ask for long.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I say trying to appear nonchalant but then this is Ash. Can't be easily decieved.
"I knew you'd say that." She sighs loudly. "You know am here for you Bee. You can always tell me if you're having troubles." She adds reaching for my hand and giving it a squeeze.
"I know" I say. I didn't know what more to say. The silence stretches again before I voice out what had been bugging me all week.
"I'm scared Ash." Is all I say.
"What are you scared about?" She asks softly.
"I think I like Ric" I manage to voice out. It felt so heavy on my lips. I never imagined saying that out loud, but I'm tired of keeping it in. "What do I do Ash?" I ask, my voice breaking.
"You just have to continue what you're doing Bee. I had a hunch when you talked about Paul. I know you're trying to do what you think is right and I'm in support of it." She responds after another long silence.
"It's hard Ash"I say
"But you still have to pull through. It's the only right way Bee. The only right thing to do. You know it" She says softly, still holding my hands.
"I know" I say
"Don't worry too much. It's gonna be fine, okay!" She adds and I give her a nod not knowing how to reply to that.
As usual, the girls and I head out for brunch the next day. It's a Saturday and the streets are extremely busy with people. We settle on a new restaurant that opened just few weeks ago. Ace vouched for the food, if her opinion is anything to go by that is. But then, there's no harm in trying. The food there was amazing and I made a mental note to bring Ric along the next time I come. As if on cue, Ric appears by the doorway of the restaurant, he didn't head in immediately but stood by the door as if waiting for someone. I raise my hand to wave at him before something catches my attention. A lady appears from behind him and he guides her towards a table by the far right corner of the restaurant, it's a hidden corner. Far from where the girls and I are. My eyes remain glued to them until they were out of my sight. A hand on my shoulder brings my attention back to the people on our table.
"Are you okay Bee?" Ace asks looking concerned. "You look shaken. Is something wrong?" She adds and I quickly shake my head.
"I'm fine" I say. "I need to use the restroom" i add picking up my purse and heading towards the doors behind us that leads to the restrooms as indicated by the signs. I just needed to get away from there for a bit. I didn't want the girls to notice anything. I never knew that seeing him with someone else will unsettle me this way. I need to pull myself together. I need to forget about what I saw.