On Thursday I went to the salon. I finally decided to change my hair to its original color. I was desperately trying to change my identity and be someone else so I decided to dye my hair red and use thick-rimmed glasses. Not anymore, I'm living for me now, and no more Jason's.
I'm a natural blonde so I get my hair done and my nails done and I make it just in time for my doctor's appointment to get my contacts because glasses are not for everyone. I'm embracing my spoiled rich daughter's personality and for once, since I left home I decided to spend some of Daddy's money, I got new clothes, shoes, bags, and everything I could think of. Shopping cures depression, argue with yourself.
I pack up my old clothes with so much rage, put them in a box, and donate them to the less privileged. I'm going back to being that girl I ran away from because this new girl isn't working out for me
***
I make my way to Khalil's apartment. I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't the entire floor belonging to one person given they own the building well that's expected. Khalil comes out of the house and ushers me into the living room.
"Give me a few," he tells me, barely acknowledging my presence.
Kamal comes from the opposite side of the house without my notice saying "I like what you did with the hair.
"Thank you " I appreciate turning to face him. He winks and walks out the door saying he has work to get to and he'll see me later leaving me and Khalil alone. A few minutes go by and Khalil comes out finally dressed in sweatpants and a sweater. He does look so good in casual clothes too I think. Hold up I shouldn't have such thoughts about my boss especially when he's Khalil Cargill.
"Okay, let's get started." he looks at me and stops dead in his tracks. There's some hint of recognition in his eyes like he knows something. He remembers something and that makes my heart skip a bit but it shouldn't not after everything I've been through.
"Your hair," he croaks. "It's pretty."
"Thank you."
"Let's go over everything" he starts.
"We need to finalize the presentation for the client meeting at 10 am on Monday. So we need to work on that today?"
"Okay."
"Great. Also, I need you to follow up with the IT department about the website upgrade progress."
"I'll check in with them right away," I say to him and begin typing away on my laptop. Working here is comfortable and I wish it'd be that way for a long time. I am a sucker for comfort although as you might have noticed I'm also a sucker for discomforting myself. I send the IT department an email and he proceeds,
"Lastly, we have a company lunch at noon on Sunday to celebrate my brother's recovery. Can you arrange everything for that?"
"Anything for Kamal," I mistakenly say out loud without thinking and he gives me a look.
"Consider it done." I correct myself. "I'll make the required reservations." And he nods.
"Anything else before we start the presentation?" I ask him and he says no so we begin working on our due presentation.
***
Our offices were finally readjusted as per Khalil's specifications. We now share an office. His desk sits where it has always been and mine is at a corner across from his.
I've been with him in the office all week and it's a bit claustrophobic. I can't stand up unless he's not in. So imagine me all week. Our presentation on Monday was great and for the first time since I started working here, I met Mr. Cargill, founder and Owner of Cargill enterprise. And I see where they get their good looks. The Cargill men in a room are quite intimidating unless you know them. Lana wasn't in the least bit fazed because they're practically family. Me on the other hand? I'm getting the hang of it.
KHALIL
Work has been hectic this week and I don't need what I come home to. I've barely been able to concentrate at the office with Lia hovering around me all week. I still can't shake the fact that I know her but how do I know her and where do I know her from? That's a puzzle I can't piece together. I should never have readjusted our offices. Adding that to my list of not well-thought decisions.
The fact that I come home. My parent's house and my mum started talking about a girl I once knew Sophia, we grew up together and we had a thing one time before she left to further her modeling career. My mum tells me we're having a mini family gathering and she's coming. Great.
Mums and doing things without asking. I should have guessed from the time they brought up the topic of me getting married and settling down and all that stuff. I told them I was working on it and it was going to happen soon but no they just never listened. Parents.
I'm standing in the dimly lit room when the MC announces the opening dance by Mr. Khalil Cargill and Miss Sophia Scott.
I know this is my mum's doing. Trying to rekindle the young lost love. After I don't move for a while and everyone begins to look my way I make my way to the center of the room to meet Sophia who's patiently waiting for me. I bow and she curtsies and the music begins.
"Hey" she greets smiling, "It's been a while."
"Yeah," I replied after a long pause."Hey." I am in no mood for a conversation.
"So about," she begins to say.
"Don't Sophie," I cut her short. "Let's just dance." She nods and doesn't bring it up any longer and we just keep moving to the music until it stops and everybody claps for us.
***
I walk into my favorite Café, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the soft hum of conversation as everyone is busy with their own thing. There are not many people here today. I see Sophia seated at the seat by the window, my seat every time I'm here. The fact that she knows so much about me is suddenly unsettling.
Sophia fidgets with her cup of coffee, avoiding my gaze as I take the seat opposite her. At least I'm not the only uncomfortable one here. My mum had planned this meeting very convinced that we were meant to be together.
The silence is suddenly deafening. The waiter walks up to our table
"Are you ready to order?" she asks
"Yeah I'll have Black with extra milk and pancakes," I tell her. "Want anything else, Sophie?" I ask Sophia
"Chocolate pancakes for me," she tells the waitress who writes everything down and leaves.
I finally decide to speak but Sophia beats me to it.
"So how have you been?" she asks.
I shift in my seat. "I've been okay," I reply as the waiter brings our order to our table. "Busy with work mostly."
We begin eating our food looking for the right words to say. "Oh work, I heard about that," she smiles looking up at me, "Never thought I'd see the day."
I nod a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Nobody ever thought they would see the day either, trust me," I say, "But yeah, it's been keeping me occupied."
We continue to exchange pleasantries, memories of our past relationship keep on resurfacing, the late-night conversations and stolen kisses but nobody wants to be the first to bring up the conversation.
My mum had hoped that spending some time with Sophia again would reignite the passion we once shared, how disappointed she'd be when I got back to her. We've grown apart, and from our conversation, our lives have taken different paths that are no longer willing to cross.
Sophia sets down her coffee cup, her hands trembling slightly. "Khalil we need to talk," she begins, her voice barely a whisper. My gaze flickers up to meet hers, my expression guarded.
Taking a deep breath, she gathers her thoughts. "I think... we need to accept that what we had is over," she says.
My eyes widen in surprise, a flicker of surprise flashing across my face. "I... I thought… Wow" I'm unable to find the words to express myself. That isn't like anything I'd expected.
"I know," Sophia interrupts, her voice gentle but firm. "But we can't keep living in the past, clinging to memories that no longer serve us. It's time to let go and move forward."
There's a long moment of silence as I try to process her words. Finally, I nod. "You're right Sophie," I admit, "But it's not that deep." I laugh.
"Are you okay Khalil?" She asks, confused. "I didn't think you'd take this well."
"Look, Sophie, I'll always cherish the time we spent together," I tell her. "But we both deserve to find happiness and that's not going to happen if we give in to our parents."
Her fingers intertwine with mine, a smile gracing her lips. "Thank you, Li" she whispers.
With a sigh of relief, Sophia releases my hand, knowing that this is the last time they'll ever be together like this. We stand up from the table, our footsteps echoing in the café as we make our way to the door stepping out into the cool air, finally relieved to have that off my chest.
"So tell me, who's the lucky guy?" I ask her.
"Hmm…. I don't know what you're talking about." she pretends. I give her the one raised eyebrow look and she gives in. "Fine…" she sighs. "I don't know. It's nothing serious."
"Okay. Whatever you say, Sophie. See you around." I wink making my way to my car hoping we both made the right choice. I know it's for the best. And deep down I'm happy that we've both moved on and this isn't just one-sided.