章 2: Still the same
Friday
"Hello?" I answered hoarsely.
"Nat? We are so wasted we can't drive!" Jerome yelled at the other line and laughed hysterically.
"What?" I asked as I turned my bedside lamp on.
"Please pick us up, Nat," Charles sounded better compared to Jerome.
"Um, what about Ken?" I asked as I reminded them of Jerome's driver.
"He went on a fucking vacation, Nat!" Jerome yelled again. They probably placed me on a loudspeaker.
"What car did you bring?" I asked. As I think of other solutions that did not involve me picking them up myself.
"The Jaguar, duh!" Jerome yelled again, "We're at your ex's party, God! I can't even remember his name now? What the f is his name again?"
I got off the bed and turned my room light on, "Where is that exactly?"
"The Penthouse Restobar," Charles responded this time, "Nat your ex is here, do you want to talk to him?"
"Not really," I responded as I opened my cabinet to look for denim pants and white top.
"Hello, Nat?" I gasped when I heard Paul's familiar voice.
I cleared my throat before I spoke, "Paul?"
"Yes, it's me," Paul responded. He sounded sober.
"Um, can you help my friends go home?" I asked, then I held my breath as I waited for his response.
"Sure," Paul said. I sighed but then Paul added, "On one condition?"
I placed my left arm on my waist, "What is it?"
"Have dinner with me tomorrow?" Paul said from the other line.
I cleared my throat again, "You see, I broke up with you. So I don't have to go to dinner with you." There I bravely said it.
"I clearly remember it. Still in my head," Paul commented, "Just a friendly dinner. I promised I'll behave."
"Just go with him already, so we can go home and have wild sex, oops! Baby, wait!" I heard Jerome yelled.
"I think Jerome's boyfriend walked out already," Paul explained to me, "So? Dinner, yes?"
"Why are you doing this, Paul?" I asked him as I shook my head.
"To be honest, I don't know? I mean, you broke my heart two years ago. Maybe I want closure? Or maybe I want to see you suffer?" I was not sure if Paul realized that he was yelling at me.
I gave an exasperated sigh, "Fine, just make sure my two friends go home safe, okay?"
"Yes, ma'am!" I heard Paul's triumphant laugh as he hung up.
Saturday afternoon
Timothy and I were watching the popular Disney animated film that was inspired by Colombia. We were on the living room sofa and still in our pajamas.
"Nat, someone's calling you," mom said as she handed me my cell phone.
It was an unrecognized number, "Hello?" I said to the other line.
"I'll pick you up at seven?" It was Paul.
"Oh, sorry. I totally forgot. I'm okay with seven," I answered as I massaged Timothy's hair, "Is there a dress code?"
"Any dress will do," Paul answered me, "I need to go. I'll call you when I'm near your house."
I was thinking of all the worst scenarios that Paul could put me through. He could introduce me to his girlfriend or his wife! He could also humiliate me in front of his friends. Then I stopped and stared at myself in the mirror. Paul was not like that. I love him and I still do. But his mom and dad spoke to me. They said that Paul has no future with me so I should let him go. And I did. I pulled a tissue from my dresser and blew my nose. I heard a knock on the door and when I opened it I met Mom's wide eyes.
"I thought you broke up with him?" mom asked while looking at my black fitted dress and three inch black pumps.
I walked past mom and went to kiss my Timothy goodnight. He was already sound asleep. I touched my brown dyed hair out of habit and faced mom, "Do I look okay?"
"Dear, I'm your mother," mom told me, "You look fabulous. Just be careful."
"I will," I said then I headed out the door and out of our gate towards Paul's black Maserati.
He followed me with his eyes as I got inside his car, then he gave me an impish smile, "You look good," he commented then we started to drive.
Paul brought me to a fine dining restaurant and we talked about random things that we did for the past two years. I also told him how I met Jerome and Charles at the grocery. It was just a small gesture. I found Jerome's wallet and Jerome was so grateful that he gave me a job. I left out the part where Jerome and Charles also met my mom and Timothy that day. Paul invited me for a drink but I declined because it was getting late. It was past nine o'clock when I checked the time.
"How about a cup of coffee?" Paul insisted. When we were inside his car.
"Paul, it's late." I smiled at him, "It's almost bedtime, so coffee is not a good idea."
"Why did you leave me?" Paul asked all of a sudden.
I turned to him as a car illuminated his face. He was teary eyed. I never told him that his parents insulted me. I did not see any point in sharing that detail.
I shook my head, "Paul you know it will never work. And we have to consider so many things other than ourselves."
Paul nodded, then he made a left turn, "I guess I was just expecting a better reason than what you are saying now."
I pretended to yawn to distract him so he could focus on driving and avoid talking to me.
"Do you still love me?" Paul asked again.
My eyes widened momentarily then I turned to him, "Paul, this is not…"
"I know, I know…" Paul lightly banged the steering wheel and it made me jump slightly to my seat, "Do you know how frustrating this is? I've been through two shitty relationships for the past two years because I was thinking what I did wrong for you to leave me?"
I sighed and closed my eyes. I opened my eyes and turned to Paul, "I left you because you're rich and I'm not. That's it. That's just my reason."
Paul glanced at me then he turned to the road again, "Gee, thanks! That cleared things up!" His comment was heavy with sarcasm but I would never tell him what his parents said to me two years ago. When we reached my parents house Paul watched me remove my seatbelt but he did not unlock the door.
"Thank you for the meal," I said as I reached to open the door but Paul hugged my waist and pulled me closer towards his chest.
"You still feel the same," he whispered in my hair, "I missed you so much, Natasha."
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