More Than Business

Chapter 138

"If we were having sex, it would be pretty intrusive to call both of us Nic." She pointed out.

"Where is she?"

"I figured she was with you."

"Why wo-" I stopped and looked at Aubrey, "She's not here... at least I don't think she is. She would've told me."

"Maybe she's avoiding both of us then."

"Why would she do that?"

"Ask her." She hung up.

I played with my phone in my hands as I thought out loud, "she had to have told someone where she went. I don't know why it wasn't me though."

"You think she and Anita had a fight about you maybe? This just sounds like when you-"

"Anita isn't like you, she isn't jealous or anything. So that doesn't make sense, but you're right. Which is why Lydia and I promised to always make sure at least one person knew where we were... even if it wasn't eachother."

I started calling Margo, Rachel, Vanessa and Lydia's mom to figure out who she'd spoken to.

LYDIA POV

I managed to check into a hotel using cash, because if I used my card Nic would be able to find out exactly where I was. With my phone on do not disturb, I listened to music and took a hot bath. I replayed the conversation with Anita over and over in my head. What she said wasn't true, but admittedly- recent events made it seem that way. But I wasn't going to sit there and argue with Anita over my relationship with Nic- that would be useless. After the bath I stayed in one of the hotel robes and watched Everybody Loves Raymond for the rest of the night as I laid in the bed. I woke up early the next morning and had my mom book me a flight. I got dressed and stopped by the breakfast at the hotel before checking out. I stopped at two ATM machines to take out more cash before heading to the office to find a few outfits and a bag to pack them in from my office. I stopped at another ATM before heading to the airport.

Once I was in the air I decided to send Liyah a text message:

L- Hey hun, good morning. So, I'm clearing my head for a bit.. I would tell you details but I'm kind of flying under the radar and I don't want you to have to lie to Nic or Aubrey. So, you don't know where I am, when I left, or why I left.. but you do know that you're still my fav, and I would've brought you with me if I could. I'll bring you back a souvenir❤️

I landed in Cali by the time Aaliyah messaged me back. I didn't get a chance to read it until I was in an uber on my way to my mom's.

A- R U OK?

L- yes, I promise.

A- srsly?

L- YES. Let's call it a last minute vacation, okay?

A- A secret vacation?

L- yep. Top secret

A- I thought Nicki was the mom who ran away all the time? You're the one that fights.

L- not running away. I'm taking a break, and giving everyone else a break as well. Lets call it reevaluating.

I arrived at my mom's place and she met me at the door.

"Hi I missed you." I hugged her as I entered. "And I have cash to reimburse you."

"Not necessary, but I missed you too- did you eat."

"A bit." I nodded as I handed her the cash anyways.

"Nic's been calling all night asking about you- how long are you gonna hide from her?"