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“These are lovely.” Perez's voice snaps me back to the present. He's holding another card which came with the cake.
“Chris White?” His head snaps up. “Your secret admirer is Chris White?” He starts chuckling and shaking his head. “Typical of him.”
My ear perks up at that. I'm no longer offended that he poked around. I'm now curious. “You know him?”
He nods, smirking. “He was once my best friend before we drifted apart.”
“Oh!” I don't recall seeing him around when I used to visit Nala. That must mean they drifted apart long before Nala and I became friends.
“I thought he would have changed by now, but I guess not.”
“What do you mean?” I know I won't like what he has to say, but I can't help but be curious.
He points at the decorations and flowers. “He loves to spend on and spoil his women. He will make you feel so good about yourself before he dumps you.”
His words settle harshly in my ear, downing my spirit. But I school my features to appear unaffected. “Well, I'm not one of his women. I'm just his sister's best friend.”
He looks interested. “You are Nala's best friend? Interesting.”
I busy myself by arranging my desk and then picking up my bag.
“Aren't you going to take your gifts? I will help you with them. You shouldn't let such a kind gesture go to waste.” He carries my cake before I can tell him not to bother. I sigh and carry the flowers and presents.
I guess I have to set new boundaries with Chris. He doesn't need to shower me with gifts; it will just blur the lines.
This time, instead of the fancy car, Perez had a private car with a driver. When we approached, Perez's driver immediately jumped out of the car and collected the cake. He put it in the passenger seat. He came back and helped me carry the presents to the car.
Perez opens the back seat for me. I mutter a ‘thank you' and sit. He soon sits beside me, and the car starts moving.
He looks down at my hand, clutching the flowers. “You must love these flowers.”
“They are my favorite.” I still don't know how Chris learned my favorite flowers. The last time he came over, he didn't bring them up or ask.
The car pulls up at my apartment, and Perez opens the door for me.
“Thanks for the ride,” I tell him and his driver.
“It's my pleasure.”
His driver carries the cake while Perez carries the presents.
“At least I will get to enter your apartment this time,” he says.
I can only offer him a smile as the elevator dings, and I walk to my door.
My apartment's light is on, which is strange because I turned off the lights before leaving this morning.
It only implies one thing. Chris is inside since he has a spare key.
But if Perez sees him, he will know about us, and I'm not sure how I feel about that.
“Won't you open the door?” Perez asks, looking stressed from carrying the presents.
“Y-yeah.” I hesitantly place my hand on the doorknob and turn it open.
The scent of Chris’s cologne blends well with my air freshener. Usually, it makes me feel relaxed, but now I'm anxious. I was anxious about the two former friends meeting and Perez discovering my lie.
“Where should I put this?” he asks, his eyes roving over my place. I dread walking into my living room.
