Telling the truth and moving on

“I should leave you all. There’s something I need to collect”

“What’s wrong?” Katty askes as they all stared at Brithney blankly “Nothing” 

“What do you mean nothing? You just left our presence a while ago in such a haste, now you’re leaving in the same manner without us knowing where you are heading to” Ciara mentions 

“It’s nothing to worry about” she added about to leave

“What do you mean it’s nothing to worry about? Did you even listen to what she said? We don’t want you coming here and crying like a puppy. We won’t sympathize with you ” Katty takes over and Brithney turns around “Seriously girls…it’s nothing really…” her phone starts ringing cutting her words

She gestures with her hand towards the phone and mouthed “I need to pick this call”

They nodded and she went on “Hello,”

“Are you on your way? I’m about to go out”

” I’m so sorry. I just saw your message. Where are we meeting?” 

“At my place” 

“Your place!” she exclaims and they girls look at her

“yeah…any problem?” 

“No…not at all” 

“Who is that?” Priya mouths and Brithney walks away from them reciprocating she’ll be back soon.

“Ok…I’ll text you the location” Romaine replies and cuts the call. 

Brithney picks up her bag from the room then leaves the house.

**

Sooner after she finds herself standing in front of his door. Landing at the address given by him. She rings the bell and in her second attempt he opens up flashing his accountancy before giving her way to walk in. She does it majestically and he locks the door behind her while she scans his apartment.

“You have a cool place here” she compliments as he walks ahead moving towards the center of his living and picking up her ID “Thanks…I just moved in a few days ago” he responds turning around to face her.

"It shows,” she says still flashing her eyes at the untidiness of his house. Sacks, cloths, sealed boxes which look brand new, and, an almost void kitchen with a bottle of wine on the island. 

“That looks expensive” she adds bringing her gaze to him and he looks at his wine then back to her with a smirk on his face, “You think?” 

“I guess…” 

They stare at each other as he nods “Here” he hands her ID

“Merci” she appreciates receiving it and he chuckles “Do you speak French?” 

She gives him a pleasant look “No, not at all. I’m still an apprentice” 

He shoves his hands in his jeans staring at her with amusement “I didn’t expect that from you” 

She folds her fonts “What do you mean?” 

“I mean…you’re an exceptional lady with a beautiful profile and I know most people don’t care about studying someone's language. Except they plan on relocating to a different area where everyone speaks just his/her language and nothing else. But you did prove me wrong when mentioning your desire to speak French”

Brithney cockles “Well, you’re right. Maybe people don’t do that. But I guess not all minds are the same” 

“Yeah…” he nods

“And I’m happy I proved you wrong” she adds and they laughed in unison. 

“Hope you're not in a haste. I should make you taste my wine before living” he proposes and she shrugs “Uhh…I thought you had somewhere to go”

“Yeah I do but there’s still time to sip with a gorgeous lady like you” she giggles contemplating if she should accept or not.

“Sincerely, I don’t accept drinks from just anyone. No offense but I barely know you. What if you poison me or something?” he chuckles “I wouldn’t do that to you even if I wanted to. I’m already hypnotized from staying back. Even with the appointment I have in less than 5minutes” he stares at his watch 

“I thought you said there’s still time for…” 

“Yeah I, did. Does that explain everything now?” he walks towards the kitchen counter “Definitely. That’s why I’ll be calling my friends to tell them I was held hostage by a certain Romaine." She stressed his name continuing "And that if I don’t return, they should call the police” 

He laughs and she follows after words dialing Ciara’s number. He hands the wine and walks towards his glass cupboard peeking at her with raised fonts “Were you serious?” 

She stares at him “Are you scared you’ll go to jail?” 

He cockles taking up two glasses turning around and marching forward. 

Brithney phones and Ciara picks instantly while Romaine pours wine in their glasses…

“Hope you get here soon,” Ciara says on the other side of the phone

“I should hang up now” Brithney mentions 

“Why are you so desperate to cut the call?”

“Because I have to get back soon and you’re wasting my time” 

“Oh yeah… make sure you keep your eyes focus and vigilant” 

“I know. You said that already” 

“Whatever! All is that it sticks in your brain” Brithney blows her cheeks out impatient already as she looks at Romaine who keeps waiting for her to end the call with his hand clamping two glasses of wine.

“Hello” Ciara calls after a long wait to hear Brithney’s voice but she stays silent until Ciara had to hang up.

“Uhh…she's a friend. She can be a lot protective when it comes to us” Brithney speaks walking towards him and he does the same “Us?” 

“I have three friends and we always stick together” 

“I see…I was about asking if that was your mom” he lets out handing her a glass of wine which she takes with a faint smile. Thoughts of what happened yesterday still tormenting her mind causing her to daze at the glass, lost.  

“Are you sound?” Romaine asked staring down at her pale face “Umm…yeah. Just nothing” he nods gently sipping his wine and she does the same with hers staring and grinding slightly at him.