The Perfect Lie

Chapter 31

Febuary, 2009, NYU

Chanty was crying when the knock came on her door.

When she did not answer, it opened and Angelica barged in.

"Where is that bastard?"

"Gone," Chanty answered, staring at nothing.

"What do you mean he's gone? He left you?" Angelica looked around the apartment. "His things are gone? That bastard! I am going to kill him!"

"Let it go, Ange, it's over."

"But you told him, right? You told him?"

Chanty nodded and tears started streaming down her face once more. "He said he couldn't face the responsibility. What a bastard, right?"

"I am so going to kill him!"

Chanty cried some more and Angelica cried with her. The two of them spent hours sprawled on the floor, crying and cursing Cameron to hell.

"Are you sure he's the father?" Angelica asked with a hopeful tone when they were finally dry from tears.

Chanty doubted her answer for a second before she said, "Of course, he is, stupid."

"Just wanted to be sure I'll kill the right guy."

"Will the pain go away?"

"Yes, it will. In time. Trust me," her friend reassured her in an embrace.

2013

Chanty couldn't just announce that she and Willie would have to go NOW.

Her son was obviously enjoying his father's company (a big surprise knowing Cameron was never good with children). And she didn't want to spoil their very first meeting.

So she sat back in her chair beside her son and pretended to be listening to the never-ending topic of bugs. Well, honestly, she felt bugs were itching her feet at the moment because she was getting restless. She kept checking her watch. It was still early. Liam would leave this afternoon for the airport.

For a moment she thought this must have been what Philip felt when Angelica called him up and told him that his then-transient wife was flying out of nowhere.

Not knowing where Liam was going was even more unbearable. What if he was going somewhere and he would love it there and would never return? What then would Chanty do?

Knowing Liam, he would not tell a soul as to his whereabouts.

Cameron was listening to Willie's narrative of his recent bug adventure with a smile. When he happened to look at Chanty's direction, he frowned. "Are you going to another appointment?"

She could have lied and said yes, but she shook her head. "I just need to chase someone in about an hour," she honestly said.

A look of confusion crossed Cameron's face. "Chase someone?"

"We kind of have this unfinished business and I want it to be over with once and for all before he goes to his next...business," she explained.

Willie was looking at her with a smile. "Is it Liam?"

Chanty's mouth hung open in surprise. "Yes, honey," she answered when she fully recovered.

"I assume it is important?" Cameron asked, raising an eyebrow. "After all, you are working with him on a project."

Chanty nodded vigorously. "A very important project."

"Liam is very angry with mom," Willie explained to Cameron.