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I scoff humorlessly.
"You are a joke, Michael. A fucking joke. That's what you are." I speak to myself like I am delusional, but I don’t care.
I throw the covers aside, getting up from my bed. I grab a band from the dresser, tucking my hair into a messy bun. I snatch my phone off the nightstand.
I am done dwelling on the past. Michael is a coward, and he isn't worth my time. I shouldn't be thinking about it. I have done my best to repress the thoughts concerning him, and his showing up shouldn't disrupt that. He is my past, and he is going to stay that way.
Given how he was best friends with my John and his business partner, I am bound to see him now and then. I am not going to allow that to deter me. I am going to make it my life's mission to avoid it. He stopped existing to me two and half years ago. There is no reason for him to spring back to life now.
With that thought in mind, I pranced into the bathroom to prepare for the day. My ringtone interrupts my brushing session, and I pick up the phone to check the caller.
It's Cassie.
"Hey, you!" She mumbles groggily. She's just waking up.
"Hey," I say with a mouthful of paste, and I hear her grumble 'yuck' under her breath. I chuckle at her silliness.
"I was just calling to check in on you," She says softly. I spit out the foam in my mouth, rinsing my brush and mouth afterward.
"Are you okay?" She asks quietly.
"Yes, Cassie. I am okay. You don't have to worry about me. I am not going to do anything stupid. I promise." I assure her.
"Stay away from Michael, and everything will be fine. He's not worth losing what you have with John. John is your family." She adds. I bob my head in response as though she could see me.
She's right.
"Thank you," I smile to myself.
"You are welcome. I gotta go. My head is banging. I had too much to drink yesternight. I love you." She hangs up. I sigh, dropping my phone on the sink surface.
I cast a wry glance at my reflection, nodding afterward. John has been in my life long before my path and his cross. I shouldn't complicate things further by crossing the line over a meaningless fling.
Keep lying to yourself. The tiny voice in my head mocks me. I tune it out.
"I am in control," I smile and quickly shower.
After I change into comfortable clothes, it takes a while before I go downstairs. I had to tidy up my room. I leave my room afterward.
I stop short when I get to the living room. The massive space is disorganized, crawling with maids trying to put everything back in place. I turn around to leave, but I decide to seize the opportunity. Returning to my room means being alone, and it's the last thing I need right now.
"Good morning, ma'am," They greet me. I flash them a smile.
"Good morning. You all can return to other chores; I will handle the living room." I tell them. They try to counter me, but the arching of my brow prevents them from saying anything else. They excuse themselves from the living room, leaving me all alone.
I have to stay busy to distract myself.
I get to work immediately, taking out the empty bottles and cups. By the time I am done, the living room is sparkling clean. It's back in its default state.
Throughout the day, I hop from one chore to another, not allowing my thoughts to resurface. It's already nightfall when I finish cleaning the whole house.
I go into the kitchen to fetch myself something to eat, but the scantiness glares right back at me when I open the fridge. I groan, shutting it close.
"Ugh! John!" I suck my teeth in annoyance. After all this while, he still hasn't changed. It's a habitual thing for John to forget to stock his fridge. We are always quarreling about it. I do all the shopping when I am around.
Now that I am back, it's still the same story. I huff and walk out of the kitchen. I quickly go upstairs to change into a summer dress and retrieve my purse. I snatch a key off the tray. I head out and get into the car, pulling out of the driveway and driving to the nearest grocery store.
I sigh in relief, seeing as the store is still open. I turn off the ignition and pick up my purse, letting myself out of the car. I stroll into the store, flashing a smile at the cashier. I grab a cart and stop at each aisle, dumping necessities into the basket.
