CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
I come back from my thoughts when I hear my phone vibrating. Whoever is calling is lucky because I was truly lost in my thoughts. I check my phone and see it's Alex and the smile on my face disappears as I realize something with him calling. He also got me a laptop and wished for me to use it. Mr. Jason will not allow me to use the one Alex gave me, and I have already accepted it from Alex. I don't need two laptops; I wonder what I am going to do. I will think about that later. Now I need to answer Alex's call.
"Hello, beautiful," Alex says once I answer, and a blush creeps on my cheeks because of his words, "You asked me to call you. What's up."
"Hi, I thought something was wrong with the laptop, but it's fine. I figured it out" I lie because the truth is I thought you bought me two laptops by mistake but realized my boss did. To top it off, I can't use the laptop you bought and gave me sweetly because Mr. Jason is practically forcing me to use the one he gave me.
"Is it already giving you troubles? If it is, let me know so I can ask them to send you another one."
"No, it's not. I just had some issues setting it up, but it's fine now."
"Alright, that's good to hear. If it gives you any problem don't hesitate to let me know. I will have a new one sent over right away."
"I won't need a new MacBook even if the one you got for me starts having problems. It's new, so if it has any problems, I am sure it will be something small" The laptop Alex got for me is also a MacBook. I understand why he would get me an expensive laptop Mr. Jason on the other hand, I don't know why.
"Regardless, tell me if it starts having problems."
"I will," I say, giving up hope of convincing him there won't be any need.
"Promise"
"I promise"
"That's good. Bye, talk to you later."
"Bye," I say and hang up the phone.
After work, I visit Amber to talk to her about the two laptop problems. I also plan to ask her about what is going on between her and Evan. The last time we went to the mall together, I planned to ask her but forgot once she accused me of having feelings for Mr. Jason.
"Amber, I don't know what to do. I am so confused," I say, dropping down on her couch once I walk into her house.
"Hello to you too," She says, pushing my head away from her lap
"I am sorry I didn't say hi as I walked in. I have a lot on my mind."
"What is bothering you?"
I tell her the issue I am having with the laptops.
"You know there is actually a way to go over this problem of yours."
"How," I say, sitting up to hear her idea
"You could use the one Alex bought for you only at home and use the one Mr. Jason got for work only."
"How did I not think of that," I say, scratching my head, feeling dumb. I didn't think of such a simple solution.
"You didn't think of it because the laptop is just an expression of what you are actually confused about."
"What do you mean?"
"You are confused about which of them to pick?"
"I am not following," I say, still not understanding what she is saying
"You are confused about if you should like Alex or Jason."
"I am not confused about that."
"Honey, you are. The way you handled the laptop situation shows you want both of them."
"You really think so," I say, realizing there might be some truth in her words about how I actually feel.
Mr. Jason makes me feel hot and bothered, while Alex makes me feel warm and nice. Amber is right; the laptop is just an expression of how I am confused about choosing between them. Wait; first, I have to ask myself why am I really choosing between them. Mr. Jason does not even like me, so why am I even confused about choosing him or Alex. Alex wants me, and even though he hasn't made me feel the way Mr. Jason has. I am sure with time, he will.
"Yes, I do, and you should take some time to think about it."
"I will thank you."
"Anytime, cupcake," She says, patting my head.
"There is something I want to talk to you about?" I say, remembering the other reason I came to see her
"What do you want to talk about?"
"When were you going to tell me you slept with Evan?" I say and watch Amber widen her eyes so much I fear they might fall off
"How did you find out?" She asks
"The day we went to Mr. Crawford's ranch. I heard you guys arguing about it outside the stables."
"Oh"
"Amber, are you ashamed you slept with Evan?"
"No,"
"Then why didn't you tell me about it. You tell me everything but the one time you sleep with a friend of mine. You don't tell me about it. Why"
"Because he is your friend, I was worried if I tell you. It might ruin things between us."
"Amber, you are not making sense. How does sleeping with Evan ruin things between us?"
"I don't know. I just felt it would," Amber says, playing with her nails. She has avoided eye contact with me since I mentioned Evan. It makes me not believe her words.
"Amber tell me why you really never told me about you and Evan" I try again to get her to tell me the truth.
"How do you know that was not the reason?"
"Because the only way you won't tell me you slept with one of my friends is if you think I like him, and we both know I don't."
"Why do you know me so well?"
"I think it's the same way you know me too," I say, with a soft smile.
"Alright, here goes nothing." She says and takes a deep breath before she continues talking. "The reason I didn't tell you about sleeping with Evan is that I couldn't stop thinking about it. After the night, we slept together. He became the only thing in my mind. I was worried that if I talked to you about it, it would be real, and I did not want it to be real. I did not want to accept that after having a one-night stand with him. I couldn't get him out of my head, and I might start having feelings for him"
"Oh, and have you talked to Evan about your feelings for him" I understand why she didn't tell me now. It makes perfect sense why she didn't, and I am shocked she has feelings for him. I can't believe I didn't think of the possibility of Amber having feelings for Evan. You can't blame me; it is something I never saw happening.
"No, I haven't, but he has."
"If he likes you, why won't you accept your feelings for him. I thought he didn't like you, and that's why you didn't want to accept yours."
"It's not that simple, and you know it. I am not ready for any heartbreak right now, and Evan screams heartbreak."
"Evan does not. You are just scared, but I can promise you this. Evan is an amazing guy, and he will treat you well."
"You really think so."
"Yes, I do. You won't regret allowing yourself to have feelings for him."
"Hmmm, I will think about it."
"You should," I say, smiling
"Thank you"
"Like you said, anytime."
The following day while at work, Mr. Jason called me to his office. I walk in after he says, come in.
"What do you need me for sir," I say once I am in front of him
"We have a dinner ball to attend this weekend."
"This weekend"
"Yes, this weekend."
"Sir, do I have to come with you. I actually made plans to travel this weekend."
"How is it any of my business that you made plans this weekend? I want you to arrive at this venue by 8 and be waiting for me dressed well."
"Please, Mr. Jason, can Vivienne accompany you. I need to go on this trip," I plead with him. Alex and I are meant to go to the Maldives this weekend. I have to try and make him change his mind.
"No, only you can come with me."
"Mr. Jason, please."
"Eleanor, leave my office."
"Plea…."
"Eleanor, if I hear please from your mouth one more time. You will not like what I will do to you," He threatens as always. I wonder if he is all bark and no actions, but the glare in his eyes is scary enough that I don't want to find out.
I don't say anything and walk out of his office. It's like he knew I had plans with Alex. Even without him knowing, he is ruining things for Alex and I. I am starting to wonder if he knows I had plans with Alex, but I doubt he does. Because if he did, I wouldn't be coming out of his office with my body intact. I am sure I would have found out if he is all bark and no action.