The Perfect Lie

Chapter 27

July, 2008, NYU

Chanty had been waiting outside the library where Cameron was working part-time.

She checked her watch once again. He should have been out an hour ago.

And she had been waiting that long and while she did that, she managed to edit her paper and stop herself from calling him, knowing he'd be pissed if she bothered him at work.

When she finally had enough, she dialed his number.

He picked up on her third try.

"Where are you?" she demanded.

"I am at home," he answered.

"What?! I told you I'd be waiting for you outside the library!"

"I got off work early. I am sorry, I forgot to tell you."

"I am coming home right now. We really need to talk." She could feel angry tears pooling her eyes.

"Oh, I am going out. I am just on my way to the door when you called. I have an important meeting with my law buddies for our mock trial months from now."

Chanty hung up without saying a word. Her conversation with Angelica the previous week played in her mind. Maybe her friend was right after all.

"Hey, Chanty! Wait up!" a very familiar voice rang out behind her.

"What now, Liam?" she asked, briskly brushing away her tears before he'd see them.

"You okay?"

"Yes. What do you want?"

"Angelica and Zach are at the café. I am just on my way over there. Wanna come?"

"Sure."

Liam seemed surprised at her answer. "You are coming?"

"Hell, why not? I know where this coffee stuff is leading to."

2013

"No, I am not doing this!" Chanty cried out, looking at Angelica with horror. Her head shook furiously at the thought of Angelica's plan of the day.

"Why not?" her friend asked, looking at the cake in her hands with a frown. "It looks delicious to me."

"No, Ange. That's not what I meant. I can't do this," Chanty gestured at the cake with her hands. "This is just absurd."

"Weren't you the one who told me that you are willing to get another chance with Liam by hook or by crook? Well, my friend, I am giving you the chance by kick or by cake. Just kick the damn pride and give him the cake. And don't forget to tell him you baked it."

"I can't bake such a cake! Look at the frosting!"

"The man will not notice. Because he will not eat it. He will not glance at it. You know why? Because he still hates you. He will probably throw it in the bin or give it to his people."

"Then why would I give him a damn cake?"

"Because you want him to know you are making an effort. Remember, it is the effort that counts."

"Has this ever worked for you before?"

"Well, with Henry, it did. I gave him a cake when he got angry with me a few months after we got together. He called me the next day. He said never to lie to him about baking any damn cake."

"Oh God, Angelica, this is crazy--"

"But it worked...somehow. See? He talked to me. He saw my effort. But in your case, Liam would probably trash the cake."