Asia ran from that office. Yes she knew there was something wrong with the relationship between Violet and David but that was not what she expected.
She went down to the car park, got in her old second hand car and drove off. She needed to not go home. She needed to think. Or did she need to go home and tell Violet? No, Violet was unpredictable. Plus, the news would probably endanger Violet.
Asia drove to a fancy club that ironically, David and Violet had taken her to on occasion. It wouldn't be strange if one of them found her there. She shed tears. A Rivers must marry a Mara. That was the rule they all lived by.
It was barely 5 PM as Asia sat and asked for cocktail. She downed the first on the spot and asked for more. She downed it and went on drinking. Asia wasn't even a drinker. She had never had a drink other than the occasional wine.
Her phone kept ringing and she ignored it, assuming it was David, and went on drinking. What exactly did he want to tell her? If truly they were friends, why didn't he come clean to her? Surely he knew she could keep a secret.
"Tell me something. Do I look like I can keep a secret?" she asked the bartender, a little too loudly.
"Yes, Miss, you look like nothing but a soul of discretion." the man said, smiled.
"Thank you," Asia said, her speech a little slurred.
"I too keep secrets," the bartender said.
"You, sir, will not trick me into telling you my secret," Asia smiled, pointed at the man.
"I was right. A soul of discretion." He said, watched Asia giggle.
The bill was pilling but Asia didn't care. She would fork that money out of David. He that made her get drank would foot the bill. She asked for more. She kept drinking till she lost track of time. She wanted to drink till she forgot.
More people were coming in. It was happy hour. Asia looked around and saw David walk to her. She cursed.
"How did you find me?" She asked, cursed.
"It was easy. I just had to follow the trail of my secret," David said, stood and looked at her.
She felt she understood him yet he expected her to yell at him. Asia smiled warmly as he sat next to her. She held his hand and kissed it. She was wasted.
"This is my friend... um ... David. My best friend but he doesn't know I am a soul of discretion. You tell him," Asia told the bartender.
"Mr Mara, your best friend is a soul of discretion," the bartender said smiling, fighting off a laugh.
Everyone knew the Mara family. Once the bartender saw David take care of Asia, he stopped worrying about the bill. When Asia had told him to tab it to Mr David Mara, he had thought she was joking. But she had taken out her phone and showed him their photos together. Very many photos, some from that same day.
"Let me take you home. You are wasted." David pulled her up.
"That bill is yours. You have stressed me, you pay for the alcohol," Asia said as David held her to her feet.
"No problem, Asia. I am taking you home," he said firmly.
"I don't want to go home. My sister lives there." Asia said.
"I will take you to my place till you sober up," David chuckled.
"Take me to Allan's. I need to be hammered till my legs go numb," Asia shouted, laughed deliriously.
"Oh dear, you are more drank than I expected," David said, carried her.
"Don't you worry, best friend, your secret is safe with me. A Mara must marry a Rivers," she blacked out.
David took Asia into the car and gave the driver the address. He called his assistant and soon had Allan's address. He looked at Asia and smiled. It was a relief she was on his side.
David had been seeing the man for slightly over six months and not once had Violet suspected him. She was confident he would marry her. A Mara must marry a Rivers. He would marry Violet. Both families were pilling pressure on him.
Allan was outside his house waiting. David had called him. Allan working in the Mara Company, albeit a different branch from Asia and David, made it easier for David to get his contact.
Of course he had heard the rumours. Even at his work place, people were talking about the relationship between David and Allan's girlfriend. Yes Allan knew Asia was a well behaved girl so he did his best to ignore the rumours.
Allan wasn't surprised when David called him. in fact, he was relieved. He had been calling Asia yet for the first time ever, she hadn't picked his calls.
Allan knew something was wrong. He was glad, whatever Asia was going through, she remembered him. Yet still it was odd for a Managing Director calling just to drop his girlfriend home. His friends wouldn't understand.
David got out carrying Asia. He knew she would go for his blood next time they met. But for now, she looked so peaceful.
"Sorry to budge in like this," David said, Asia in his arms.
"I am happy she is safel, sir. She wasn't answering my calls." Allan said.
"You and me both," David said, placed Asia in Allan's arms.
"I am sure he has his reasons, sir," Allan smiled.
"Could you do me a favor? Asia is stubborn but please make sure she calls me in the morning." David said as his car door was opened.
"I will, boss. Asia will call you in the morning." Allan was certain of it.
As David was driven off, he thought of Asia. He had had to take her to Allan's. That or both Asia and Violet would kill him. He didn't want to be in Asia's bad books. Yet he trusted her. If she said she would keep the secret, she would. She always kept her promise. Always.