TO HAVE AND TO HATE

CHAPTER 18

I have waited so long for this day. The day when I got to be in the same space with Penelope, her husband and daughter, when Gabby invited us for this party, I knew it was my opportunity to make an appearance. I can see the shock in Penelope’s eyes when Gabby introduces Leon and I to them. When she excuses herself to head to the bathroom, I stifle a laugh.

‘Happy Birthday Tessa!’ I say, handing her the present that Leon and I picked for her.

Tessa doesn’t look happy to see Leon and I but I don’t care, this spoiled brat will have to get used to us being a part of her life. She needs to also learn that the world doesn’t revolve around her.

‘Thank you. You didn’t have to stress yourselves into getting me a present.’

‘Well, it’s not every day that your daughter turns eighteen, we really wanted to make your day extra special.’

‘Thank you.’

‘You all go to school together?’ Mr. K asks, signaling to the waiter.

‘No,’ Tessa responds, ‘these two go to mum’s school.’

‘And speaking of your mum, she’s been gone for quite some time. Do you mind checking up on her?’

‘Yeah,’ Tessa rises to her feet but she takes a step, I see Penelope walking back to our table. I look at her as she walks towards us and when our eyes lock, I put on a bright smile but she looks away and sits next to her husband.

‘Are you okay babe?’ he asks.

‘Yeah, I am fine.’

‘I think we can now order our food.’

‘Sure.’

We all order our food and while waiting for it, we make small talk here and there. It’s mostly just Gabby, Mr. K and Leon who are talking, the rest of us are quiet, I keep stealing short glances at Penelope and she keeps shifting uncomfortably in her seat. I guess this is awkward for her, sitting next to her husband while her lover is across from her.

The food comes and we get to eat. Trust Gabby to tell jokes and keep everyone entertained.

‘Babe, you’ve been unusually quiet, are you sure you are sure you are okay?’ Mr. K asks.

‘I am fine. I just feel bad that Patra couldn’t make it tonight.’

‘Are you enjoying the food though? Your daughter just turned eighteen, you should be more excited than you are right now.’

She laughs, ‘You know I am excited. I still can’t believe I am a mother of an eighteen-year-old. Children are amazing especially when they are at this age. I wish I had more of them, I always wanted to have five children.’

‘What would you have done with five children?’ Tessa asks.

‘Raised them like I did you. Do you enjoy being an only child? Don’t you want to have siblings?’

‘Siblings are overrated,’ she responds and I roll my eyes.

You see what I say about this girl being so full of herself?

They go on and on talking like the rest of us don’t even exist. A bunch of fools these three are. Penelope, her husband and daughter too. They act like the perfect family to the outside when they have a bunch of secrets. If only this man knew what his wife has been doing behind his back? It would break his heart. It would also break this girl to know her mother has been fucking around with her best friend’s boyfriend.

When Penelope excuses herself for the second time. I wait a few minutes before I excuse myself and follow her, when I get to the bathroom, I look around to make sure that there is no one around then I walk into the one for ladies.

‘What are you doing here?’ she asks, it looks like she has been expecting me.

‘You look beautiful baby.’

‘I am not your baby Nico. My husband and daughter are sitting on the other side. Please just leave.’

‘How am I supposed to leave when the love of my life is looking so stunning.’

‘You have a girlfriend and she is my daughter’s best friend, shouldn’t that count for something.’

‘Are you jealous?’

‘Why should I be? I am married and…,’

I cut her mid sentence by kissing her and pinning her against the wall. She gasps and moans as I move my hands over her body. The kiss quickly gets heated and as I am about to take things to the next level when Penelope pushes me away. She stands there in front of me, motionless with her eyes bulging out as if she has seen a ghost.

I look over her shoulder and see a woman standing by the sink. She is looking over at us, her face red.

I forgot we were in the women’s toilet for a moment there.

‘That shouldn’t have happened,’ Penelope growls. ‘You should stay away from me,’ she says and walks out of the bathroom.

‘Sorry,’ I say to the woman by the sink and walk out. I head into the men’s bathroom and just spend a few minutes there before walking out and joining the birthday group. Penelope avoids me at all costs during the rest of the evening, she doesn’t even bother to look at me. I hope she doesn’t think we are done because what me and I share is far from being over. Things will only end between us when I decide to.

*

EllaB

ForeveryourAugustGirl

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