I lay on my bed, contemplating the events that unfolded in the kitchen and going over everything that Hailey had said.
Maybe Hailey was depressed... I'm no psychologist and have no authority to even try and diagnose her, but she has many of the common symptoms. She was distant, shutting herself up in her room whenever she wasn't working, and then throwing herself into her work the rest of the time. To keep from facing reality maybe?
Guilt settled in my chest. No matter how much I wanted to convince myself that her feelings were her own and the distance between us was because she always withdrew, I knew this wasn't the whole truth. She was right, I never made any effort in reaching out to her.
I should have. I should have known that being in this house with my parents, bearing all responsibility for what goes on within would get to her. I knew very well that our parents didn't take any responsibility for the inevitable slide into bankruptcy of our family. Did I check up on her throughout the years since I knew what her situation must have been like? It had been all of our situations for many years after all.
No, I did not. I was so consumed by my own life and getting through university so that I can start with my future, that I did not turn back. Not even once.
I was on a roll. In the span of 24 hours, I have managed to have a very intense argument with two people.
I wonder what it's going to be like in the office tomorrow. Am I going to get the cold shoulder from Mr Knight again? Or is he just not going to show up for another month?
Okay, no, don't think about Mr Knight! You are one thought away from becoming a desperate heroine in a romance novel who has nothing better to do than sit around and think about the male lead.
Would that make Mr Knight my love interest?
Oh, bloody hell!
I sighed in frustration.
I had to get out of the house. I couldn't take being stuck in my head for a minute longer.
I tossed on a pair of shorts, sports bra and T-shirt, grabbing a pair of trainers as I headed out of my room.
The house was once again eerily silent as I made my way to the foyer. Julie left about an hour after Hailey stormed out. She was blushing like crazy and practically skipped out of the house when she told me she was going out for the afternoon. It didn't take a genius to figure out who she was meeting. Our father was in the study again, minding his own business and mother was... well I don't know. She was probably out blowing some more money on unnecessary household trinkets.
The table in the foyer was cluttered with unopened letters, random batteries and some spare keys. I finally located the key for the family Jeep.
I rolled down the windows of the Jeep and allowed the smell of the ocean to fill my senses as I drove closer to the beach. This was exactly what I needed, some fresh air and vitamin sea.
I parked at an open parking spot and quickly tied my shoelaces. The beach was crowded with families and high schoolers walking on the walkways. This was normally the case over the weekends, jogging became more difficult as you had to dodge pedestrians every couple of feet.
I placed my earphones in my ears and started jogging to the beat of the music. Within a few minutes my heart rate had picked up and a slow trickle of sweat was starting to make its way down my back.
Soon all thoughts of Hailey and even Mr Knight had left my mind and I was left with the sight of crashing waves on my left and the glorious sun baking down on me. Being outdoors like this always had a calming effect on me.
I kept running until the sun started making its way down to the horizon.
I took a seat at one of the benches, removing my earphones and attempting to catch my breath.
I had been running for about 50 minutes straight. I sat back fully, closing my eyes and allowing the breeze from the ocean to cool me down.
After a few moments of silence, I heard someone sitting down next to me on the bench.
"I should've known I would find you here." Came a smooth, British accented voice.
I opened my eyes to see George sitting beside me, a thin layer of sweat glistening on his skin. He was wearing shorts and a T-shirt and looking handsome as ever.
This is one of those unfair differences between the sexes. Men go out running and working up a sweat, and come back looking like Calvin Klein models. When women do the exact same thing we end up looking like we went camping for a week, during a storm and forgot to pack in a hairbrush.
"Do I need to get a restraining order against you? Because this seems too much to be a coincidence." I answered with a teasing smile.
He raised his hands in defence, although a small smile was gracing his face.
"I promise, this is a coincidence. I jog here quite often actually."
"Where's Charlie?" I asked, noting that he wasn't accompanied by his furry friend today.
"He was being lazy. I had his lead in my hand and everything, but he completely ignored me."
I chuckled.
"Hmm, well I don't think that's exactly fair. I completely understand that he would rather stay home and lay around rather than run around with you all afternoon."
He placed his hand over his heart. "Careful Elizabeth, you're hurting my fragile male ego." He teased and I chuckled at him.
"Well, then you'll have to grow a little thicker skin if you want to keep being in my company."
"I'd just have to do that then, as I can't bear the alternative." He answered with a fake pained expression.
"Smooth Mr Reynolds, very smooth," I responded with a smile.
His features became more serious as he turned to me fully. "I was disappointed that I didn't get the chance to dance with you again or say goodbye for that matter last night."
"Yes, so am I. Unfortunately, our presence at last night's event wasn't in my hands whatsoever." I answered tightly.
I didn't want to be reminded of yesterday or how Mr Knight had forced me to race out of the room without so much as a chance to greet George.
My phone started buzzing and I nearly dropped it when I read the caller ID. Did he have some sort of spidey senses, or rather George senses that started going haywire whenever I was near George? Because seriously, what were the odds of him phoning at this exact moment?
"Hallo, Elizabeth speaking." I greeted formally, even though I knew who was on the other line.
"Good evening Elizabeth, I trust you aren't too busy." Mr Knight's voice sounded from the other end of the line.
And just like that, he had my irritation rising again.
I wanted to respond by saying that I was actually very busy and that my attention was otherwise taken up by none other than his very favourite person in the whole wide world, Mr George Reynolds.
I was, however, not able to say any of this as he continued his speech before I was able to utter a response.
"I am on my way to you, I assume you are at home."
Oh sure, because I have no life outside of your company and I am simply counting down the hours until I get to sit in your charming presence again.
"I am not actually," I responded coolly.
George gave me a questioning look, noticing how tensed up I became.
I mouthed Mr Knight and realisation dawned on him.
"Send through your location, I am coming to pick you up." He stated.
How could he say something like that so simply? These weren't working hours, he couldn't just demand I jump into the car with him at any hour of the day without any explanation.
Well, he kind of could...
Oh, shut up!
"May I ask why, sir?" I tried asking as professionally as possible.
Why did he have to come and spoil my wonderfully relaxing afternoon? I was just busy forgetting about him and everything...
"Our plane is leaving in two hours, I will explain the rest when I see you."