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“What is there to talk about?” Dereck pushed himself off the table and began to pace. “She lied to me and it’s over.”
Lee paused at his car in the parking lot. “I think you’re making a big mistake.”
“What?” Dereck creased his forehead.
“When you were with Alina, that was the happiest I have ever seen you. You changed, man, and all for the better. Yes, she made a mistake, but I believe she was just afraid of losing you. You should at least hear her out.”
“For what? For her to lie to me again?” Dereck spat out the bitterness in his voice. “I’m not going back to her.”
“That’s up to you, man. I can’t force you to, but ask yourself this,” Lee finally unlocked his car and jumped inside. “Would she have driven all the way up there behind you if she didn’t love you?” When Dereck didn’t answer, Lee continued, “At least hear her out. This way, you won’t have any regrets.” Then he sighed. “Listen, I have to go, man. Good luck.”
Five minutes after Lee hung up the phone, Dereck was still pacing the room. What Lee had said was right. He had become a different man with Alina, less gloomy and arrogant, and the time they spent together was the best he ever spent with a woman, but he wasn’t sure he could be vulnerable with her again. Not after she betrayed him.
“Oh, I didn’t know you were in here,” Dina, Dereck’s sister, entered the room. She was petite, much like her mother, but equally fierce. Dina’s hair was long, and she wore it mainly in a curly ponytail. Her makeup was always pronounced and her jewelry was extravagant and unique. Today Dina wore a burned orange pantsuit with a cream inner shirt and dark brown stilettos.
Dereck placed his phone in his jacket pocket. “I just needed somewhere quiet to make a call.” He eyed his sister with multiple files in her hand. “I can go if you’re busy.”
Dina crossed Dereck to place her documents on the table. “Oh, don’t be silly. I’m never too busy for my brother.” Then he sat on the desk as he had done earlier. “I heard from Mom and Dad that your girlfriend is coming tonight.” She folded her arms. “Are you two back together?”
Dereck dropped himself on one of the guest chairs. “No.” he breathed out heavily. “She just showed up and Mom met her outside the restaurant. She invited her.”
“So, what are you going to do?” Dina asked with a raised eyebrow.
“There is nothing I can do?” Dereck took on a more relaxed position. “Until I tell Mom and Dad, we’re just going to fake it.”
Dina squinted her eyes and tilted her head as she took in her brother’s expression. “You’re not considering going back with her, are you? Not after she almost made you lose your job?”
He sprang up from his seat and started pacing around the room. “Of course not. I just don’t think this is the right time to tell our parents.”
A faint smile spread across Dina’s lips. “You’re right. Mom would totally throw a fit.” She breathes out heavily. “As much as she wants you to leave that job, she wouldn’t tolerate some woman unjustly getting you fired.” Then she added. “You’re not planning on leaving your job, are you?”
Dereck scoffed. “You’re joking, right?”
“I’m just making sure.” Dina raised her hand in the air, then swung around to take her seat behind the desk. “By the way, beginning next month, I’ll be visiting New York regularly.”
“Renovation on the new restaurant is finally starting?” Dereck asked.
“Yes,” Dina said while opening a file. “If everything goes as planned, we should be able to open in just a few months.”
“Well, you can crash at my place whenever you’re in town. I’m hardly ever there anyway,” Dereck offered.
“Oh thanks, bro,” Dina gave him a crooked grin. “I’ll let you know when I’m coming.”
* * *
Alina
Alina smoothedher hair down to put the final touches on her outfit for the night. After Dereck left, she and Taylor went shopping for dresses for the evening. It was a bit awkward since none of them formally apologized to each other and they barely spoke the entire time. Still, it was comforting to Alina to know that her best friend was by her side. She attempted to apologize and thank Taylor so many times during the afternoon but failed each time.
Tonight, she wore a capped black one-shoulder cocktail dress that hugged her figure. The dress had a single slit on her left leg that ended just below her knee. She paired this show-stopping dress with jet-black stilettos with silver heels and a silver bangle on her bare arm. Though Alina opted out of a necklace, the long dangling earrings she wore was enough. She finished the look off by slicking her hair in a low ponytail and wrapping the ends. Alina displayed a smokey eye but kept her lips neutral but matte.
“Hello Bailey,” Alina answered her phone on the second ring.
“Hey, Alina. How is operation ‘getting the boyfriend back’ going?” Bailey was using the tone she usually did when she was up to mischief.
“Great, actually.” Alina posed in the mirror. “In fact, Taylor and I are getting ready to visit his parents’ house for their anniversary party.”
“Wow,” Bailey exclaimed. “You’ve only been there two days and already you’re on great terms with the parents.”
