I just drop off Ivan to the airport.
I'm on my way back to the hotel right now.
I haven't heard a word from Sarah yet.
I was actually expecting her to confront me again after our hot and passionate kiss.
I got no excuse for kissing her this time.
I check on my phone for the last time but still nothing.
I guess this is better.
I still have no answers to give her anyway.
It's not like I can just tell her we actually dated.
And even if I were to say the truth then what?
She still broke my heart in the end.
I even question myself for having these feelings.
Wait? Did I just say feelings?
No!
Definitely not, It was just a spur of the moment.
I was just caught off guard and anyone would have done the same right? The lust I felt in that moment was just too much.
It doesn't mean that I'm still not over her.
I shook my head and focus on driving.
I went back to my room immediately when I reach the hotel.
I walked to my bedroom.
I open my drawer and took out my old jewelry box. I open it carefully.
This ring, I should have thrown it a long time ago.
Why am I even holding on to things that only hurts me?
I averted my attention to a piece of envelop where my contract with Sarah is safely kept.
Maybe I should leave this place and go back to my life.
Back to my life where Sarah and I are not anything to each other anymore.
I was perfectly fine before this.
I took the envelop out and place it on my bag.
I decided to call Tyler and meet him in a restaurant. I need Lucas legal advice on my contract.
A few minutes later, I arrive in the place. Tyler and Lucas were already there having some snacks.
"Okay so what is this about?" Tyler asked curiously.
"I just need Lucas opinion on this contract." I said while I move the envelop closer to him.
Tyler handed it to Lucas.
"Isn't that the contract agreement you had with Sarah? What's wrong with it?" Tyler asked.
I nodded.
"I'm thinking about leaving. I want to go back home. I've been away for so many months now. I think it's time to leave this place." I replied.
Lucas start reading the clause in my contract.
"Right now?" Tyler asked confused.
"The sooner the better." I replied.
He arch his eyebrow at me.
I just turn my attention to Lucas.
"Well there will be a huge penalty if you break the contract. The best option is just to wait a few months. But if you really have to go then just talk to her.. You two are friends so personal settlement should come easy." He replied smiling.
Just talk to her?
That seems to be the least likely best option at the moment.
"Should I address this to her legal team?" I asked.
Lucas chuckled lightly.
Tyler just look at me skeptically.
"No just have a nice friendly chat with Sarah. I'm sure you two won't need to go all legally pressured about this." He replied.
"Unless something happen?" Tyler look at me questioningly.
Lucas clear his throat getting the hint from Tyler's voice.
"Ohh?" Lucas gasped a little.
"I just have to pay the penalty?" I asked.
"It's a million dollar Via.." Lucas mentioned.
Tyler stare at me like he's trying to read my mind.
"Haha.. oh, I should just suck it up and wait a few months." I laughed awkwardly.
Lucas laughed with me but Tyler was still pretty focus while giving me a serious stare.
"Um, Lucas.. You still have a client meeting to attend right? Why don't you go. Olivia and I will just chat for a moment." Tyler said while he caress his arm.
"Oh, that's right.. I almost forgot." Lucas said after he remember his follow up meeting.
"I'll leave you guys for a moment." Lucas said before he stood up and give us a parting hug.
"So what's going on really?" Tyler finally asked the question in his mind.
I shrugged.
"Nothing.. I just miss home." I replied.
He scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"You're lying. You do this when you want to hide or run away from a problem. Which now, I'm almost sure that Sarah is a part of." He said while drinking his juice.
I look down on the menu.
"You can't even look me in the eyes." He mentioned.
"You're right. It's a mistake staying here for so long. I should have been more careful. Happy?" I replied irritably.
He shut me a worried look.
"What exactly happen?" He asked.
"Nothing much.. I just know that if I keep staying any longer. Something will definitely happen." I said.
He nodded.
"But you still need to talk to Sarah about your plans. If you really want to leave that is." He said.
I knew that..
"Sarah's cool you know. She and I have gotten close now. A lot closer actually.. But that doesn't change the fact that she already hurt you once. I witness all of it before. I just.. I'm not going to pretend that I don't sense something between you two. Your whole friendship with her is still a bit confusing. Sometimes it draws lines that is hard to say platonic." He rub my arm in a friendly way.
"We kiss." I finally said.
He didn't seem too surprise about it.
"Okay.." he replied then waited for me to say more.
"This is the part where you say I told you so.." I said.
He flick my forehead.
"Ow!" I exclaimed.
"Not the time for it. So how are you handling things after the kiss?" He asked.
He seem so interested about this topic.
"You see.. I want to leave now." I stated the obvious.
"And what did Sarah has to say about it?" He asked curiously.
I sighed.
"We haven't talk yet. I haven't seen her and I'm kind of afraid to. I don't trust myself when I'm around her." I replied honestly.
"Do you need a back up?" He asked.
I shook my head.
"I'm fine." I sighed again. "I just feel awful. I cheated on Ivan." I said sadly.
"It's just a kiss." He said trying to console me.
But it wasn't just a kiss.
"It's still wrong. I enjoyed it.. I wanted it.. and I.. I didn't regret it. I feel so guilty and awful for feeling like this." I said.
Tyler is the only person I can trust with my problems.
He was always ready to listen.
"You're still in love with her." He said softly.
I place my palm on my forehead and shook my head in disappointment.
"I just have to leave." I said frustratingly.
"I don't think that's a solution to your problem." Tyler said casually.
"Any suggestion then?" I asked.
He crinkled his nose and look away not giving me anything.
"Sorry, you're the only one who can answer that." He said apologetically.
I groan feeling more heavy that I was earlier.
I check on my phone again just to see if Sarah left me a text.
Later that afternoon,
I check the contract again.
Tyler is right, I still have to talk to her.
Lucas also suggested to do personal settlement so maybe I should try.
I held the envelop and went to see her in her office.
Much to my disappointment, she wasn't there. Her assistant said that she didn't go to work at all.
I wonder if she is in her room.
I don't feel comfortable going back there so I told her assistant to give me a call in case Sarah ever stop by on her office.
Is she avoiding me?
I mean I understand that it will be awkward to face each other after what we did.
---
Three days had passed but still no sign of Sarah.
Maybe I should just call her?
When I took my phone and tried to dial her number, I chicken out the last second. I couldn't bring myself to do it.
I went back to her office again but her secretary was too busy and I didn't want to disturb her.
My mom saw me as I walk out.
"Hi Via.. what do you need?" She asked.
"Oh nothing.. I'm just looking for Sarah. She hasn't been in her office the past couple of days." I said.
"Yes, she's taking a short leave. She's probably too stress out." My mom replied.
I open my mouth a bit.
"She's not in her room up floor?" I asked while pointing upward.
"No, she's in the mansion. She said she will just take some time off to rest." My mom explained.
"Oh.. I didn't know." I replied.
"When will she be back?" I asked again.
"Hopefully soon, I will leave a few days. There's so much work here and I still need to go check on other hotels." My mom replied.
"Oh I see.." I replied nodding.
I came back to my room after the talk with my mom.
I'm beginning to worry about Sarah.
Maybe I should just go there?
Ugh, this is stressing me out.
I plop down on my bed and think about the night we kiss inside the washroom.
I haven't been sleeping well ever since that day.
I trace my lips with my finger tip.
How is it possible that I can still feel it.. Even now, it's so clear and tangible. That soft feeling of her lips against my own.
It keeps replaying in my head.
---
For the next three days, nothing has changed.
Sarah has been absent for six days straight. My mom is away to conduct assessment performance of other hotels own by Wilter family.
I've grown impatient now. Sarah hasn't return yet.
I still need to talk to her.
Why haven't she said a word to me?
That's when I decided to stop waiting.
I took my copy of my contract and went to the mansion that later evening.
There's only one reason why I've come to see her.
I knock on her door a few times.
There was only silence in the place. I'm beginning to get nervous.
After some minutes, she open it.
I swallow the lump in my throat.
"Via?" She spoke first.
It seems like she couldn't believe I was standing in front of her.
I remain stoic.
"Why are you here?" She asked.
She seem a little different.
I could smell the presence of alcohol in her.
"I need to talk to you." I finally said.