Please break my heart - Season 1 - Episode 18

6 years ago

Please break my heart - Season 1 - Episode 18

“Fond memories, right?” Dare asked Toni as
we ate. She gave a sheepish smile. I flashed
at her in annoyance. How could they be talking
of fond memories when I had no idea of what
their discussion was about. Toni would not
bulge.

“Except, that we are replacing a face here,” she
replied.

“For our sakes, I wouldn’t call it replacing,
more of changing.” He said.

‘How is replacing different from changing?’ I
thought. My salad was going cold as I
drummed my fork effortlessly on the plate. It
was not responsible for any of my problems
yet I could genuinely dish my anger out on the
plate.

“I hope you don’t feel lost, we were just
catching up on old memories.” Dare said, as if
he had read my thoughts. I scoffed. ‘Why were
they acting as though they did not work in the
same office, or as if they were just meeting for
the first time?’ I had no idea of what they were
discussing and what they should have done
was to save their discussion for later, maybe
in the car when I could distract myself with my
Blackberry. Reaching for my phone now will
seem inappropriate; it is called lunch, not talk
time!

“Not lost!” I replied, almost too sharply. Toni
immediately cleared her throat to cover up
what could have been likened to a ‘jealous
housewife reaction’ if noticed by other
customers. “I meant, I am not lost, something
caught my throat,” I lied.

“Sorry about that. You have barely touched your
salad, do you want to re-order?” Dare asked.
If Salad could be cold on my tongue, I
wondered what wouldn’t be at this junction.
“No, thank you.” I replied.

“Toni and I used to frequent this place with
Reina when she still worked with us.” He said,
sipping his wine. “She loves very classy
environments, I won’t be surprised to find her
here,” he added. I remained mute. “Are you
sure you don’t want to re-order?” he asked,
staring at me.

I smiled as I swallowed some salad. That felt
like a bitter pill to swallow. “I am fine, you
see.” Who was I trying to convince? I guess
more of myself. I snapped out of my thoughts
and sipped my wine. “When is my first
practice session?” I asked.

“You are quite eager about getting into our
playground.” He replied. “It will take a while,
after the annual meeting this Friday, we will
look into the date.” That meant good news for
me. “Do you guys mind visiting the park with
me?” he asked.

‘Now he feels like running and he needs
company,’ I thought. I looked at Toni, who had
no objection as she flashed a smile. “It’s okay
by me.” The rest of the lunch was a bit quiet,
except for the occasional, ‘hope you aren’t
offended with my presence?’ question asked
by Dare. I remained mute. I did not give any
answer to Dare’s questions. A smile was
enough.

We strolled into the central park. I walked by
Toni’s side putting her in the middle, I did not
want to walk beside Dare. “I will just sit over
there while you get on tracks.” I said,
approaching a bench.

“Who said anything about me running?” he
asked.

I shrugged. “You don’t have to.”
“I brought us here to see you run,” he replied,
staring at me.

“Yeah…right!” I drew a dry hiss and sat on a
bench. Dare left with Toni. ‘Who does he think
he is’ I asked myself. ‘This isn’t the office and
he can’t be dishing out orders to me. If he
misses Reina so much, he could send for her
to amuse him by running round the park, but
certainly not me!’ I said aloud.

Dare returned with Toni and some clothes.
“Here you go dear, just change in the
bathroom over there,” he said, pointing at the
bathroom on the far left. “Hurry, those ladies
are waiting for you,” he waved at some ladies
who waved back.

“You can’t be serious.” I replied.

“It’s just for the fun,” Toni said.

“Fun? I think you should enter for the contest
Toni.” I replied, standing up. “I am sorry that
you both wasted your time going to get me
clothes, but I am not interested in a race”
Dare sighed. “It’s fine Darlene. I was just
pulling your legs anyways,” he replied.
“Thanks for the scare.” I replied, clutching my
bag to my arm.

“You are such a chicken Darlene,” Toni said. “I
can’t believe that you are scared of the crowd
here,” she added quickly.

I scoffed. “I am only being cautious, not
scared” I replied. “Well, I suppose we are
done here.”

“Apparently, since you refused to partake in a
challenge, we have nothing else to do here; we
will be heading back to the office.” He replied.
“I will go and get the car.” He added and left.
I flashed at Toni in annoyance. “What were you
thinking?” I asked.

“It’s not that much of a big deal Darlene; we
just wanted you to compete with the other
women in the race. I felt that you will do well
in the race.” She replied, smiling.
“Really? And you didn’t figure that you would
fare better in the race? If Dare wants
amusement, there are better ways to get it, not
through me!” I replied.

Toni shook her head. “It’s all over now, you
can calm down. You look worked up. I think
you were more scared of not impressing Dare
than not getting on the tracks.” She added with
a smile.

“Come on Toni, I have no reason to impress
him.” I replied, with my eyebrows raised. “Here
comes Dare.” I said, as I sighted him. “Shall
we?”

The journey to the office continued with Dare
and Toni chattering about high school days,
especially the Prom event, with Dare likening
himself to a Prince on that night. I forced
myself to listen to my I-Pod as I struggled
with making selections from Owl City to Adele,
they would play low, and I was still interested
in listening to Dare and Toni. I was the first to
hop out of the car when we arrived at the
office.

“Darlene, a postman came here looking for you
at lunch.” My secretary said, as I approached
her. “He left this note for you.” She stretched
out a paper to me.

“Thanks Bola.” I replied, and walked into my
office.

I opened the note slowly. “Let’s see who we
have here.” I raced to the address. It came
from Bahamas. “Jake is such a kid. What
happened to emails?” I said aloud. Since it
was from Jake, I could read it on my way
home. I folded it and dropped it in my bag. I
turned on my laptop and started reading law
tips. I had to prepare for my practise session.
I called an Events House to book a meeting
with them after work; Dora’s coming out party
had to be planned. I would have had Jake plan
it if he was available, but due to his absence, I
had to plan it.

I was glad when the clock struck 5pm. I had
to catch the bus at Broad Street. I hurried to
the elevator.

“Darlene, can you spare a minute?” Dare said
as he stuck his head out of his door.
‘You have to be kidding me,’ I thought. “Yes
Boss.” I replied and left for his office.
“Sorry to delay you but I need you to take a
look at a few files for me.”

I placed my bag on a seat. “Where are the
files?”

“I am sorry I lied, I need to talk to you.” He
said, looking worried.