Chapter 7

Charlie Puth's See You Again'' reminds me of a lot of things in my life, I wish I could have done more. Instead of giving into the hustle bustle of life, and just losing myself into distractions to avoid what was unfortunately true and real and could stop me forever.

One thing I would have done was grieved, and not get lost in denial. Complete avoidance of people who deservedly left a mark on my heart. They deserved so much more than me having to pretend to be strong and pretend loss of memories. 

My parents for one, deserved better than my ignorance of them gone. Getting caught up in my new luxuries and job, plus friends was no excuse for me to completely forget about them. Making me grow into the woman I am today, it was all them. And I wish I had let them know just how grateful I was to them for it.

Tomorrow I would go to the cemetery and pay my respects. That’d be a way to fix my relationship with my parents even if they were no longer in front of me.

The second would be to kill Kate.

Usually, her brilliant ideas only lead me to trouble, and her 50-times-award winning apologies of “never doing this again, even if Michael Jackson descended on this earth and asked her for a date”, always promise no more meddling.

But then this is Kate.

If she didn’t meddle and create more disastrous than spectacular ideas that would blow our minds and land us possibly in prison, then it wouldn’t be Kate.

And honestly, I still love her even if she is the most terrible meddler in the history of us being best friends for so long.

So in the honour of our friendship, I once again agreed to one of her “blind dates” with my famous afterthoughts making a comeback “why have I agreed to one of her bonkers ideas, and suffering will ensue” in the forefront of my brain with no hesitation.

In a way, I was also repaying her for having my back when the supposed robbery had occurred. I was close to all my girls, but Kate was the first one I’d usually call, due to her “I will be right there, superwoman coming through” energy. It helped calm me, and her and the girls were the ones I could trust and no one else in times when I couldn’t hold myself up.

In this regard, I agreed to all her plans, and even my friends chipped in to make sure I looked fabulous and ready for my blind date.

Though I had a few hours to kill before date prep, the trepidation of going through another date, a disastrous one possibly made me visibly shake and pray to god for safety and sanity.

God, if you’re there, could you please help in making sure I survive through this blind date? And if not, could you help me haunt Kate if I don’t make it through this date? Thanks, man upstairs.

With that little prayer said, I continued working through the papers.

…………………………………………………………………….

C

People like you can't do anything right. Always something going on. Lousy as service, I hope your building gets blown up.

Another one of these messages popping up in our feedback survey.

And there was no way to completely scrub these messages unless a reply was given. 

My honest answer to these fools would’ve been if they don’t like the service, then just leave. 

Instead of thinking that metal tin cans lived on the other side of the screen, a little empathy would’ve been nice.

I send a quick reply of I wish you good luck with other stores and then close the laptop.

Good god, people always find new ways to be insulting, infuriating and downright cruel so easily, it shocked me.

Had humanity departed earth, after the earth it had seen? Did kindness no longer exist in this unjust world?

Cut it C. No one cares. Do your job, and follow your guts, it’s all gonna be okay.These idiots have no idea about anything except for their own selfish demands and desires, so don’t bother with them so much.

With this little pep talk, I continue scrolling past other unread feedback and start responding back to them.

………………………………………………………………………….

Kiara

It’s 8 pm.

Doomsday is here.

Kate said the date was set at 10:30 pm. 

And I have only two hours left, to get home and change.

Well, crap.

So much work and I have to rush through it all like some hotshot pro.

So new and still so damn much work.

Might as well try and cancel the date.

I pick up my phone then, and pray Kate won’t go steaming mad. She has a bit of a temper when things don't go her way.

Dialing Kate, I send a silent prayer up to the man upstairs to give me a break with Kate.

“Kiaora Kiana, something up?” Always questioning, whenever I called. Somehow she could practically hear my thoughts zinging around in my brain whenever I was stressed out as hell.

Oh Kate. You have no idea.

“Kiaora Kate, I’ve realised I’ve got a lot of work to handle. And I probably won’t be able to make it to the date.” I wait nervously as silence lingers from Kate.

“Kate?” Silence.

“Hello?” More silence.

But then I hear it. An engine blasting its full power right outside my office corner.

“Kate, tell me you didn’t.” I pray that I’ve just been dreaming and my friends aren’t really here to drag me out.

“Sorry Kiana but you need a life. Work isn’t everything. Even your handsome as hell boss left…” Kate smugly says, with no ounce of shame or even some apologetic tone.

“FIRSTLY HE’S MARRIED!” I holler into the phone. And wince at the idea of someone hearing me out loud. But most of the office has already left.

Still, I didn’t want to look like an idiot with the cleaning or secretarial crew.

“Second, I can’t go. I…think I need some time. You know self love and care.” I try to placate Kate, praying she’ll listen and understand.

“Nope, too late Kiana. We’re outside your literal door, and you have no choice but to let us in. I am sure the boss wouldn’t want this car breaking into his fancy office.” The smugness in Kate’s tone still sings loud and clear.

Sighing, I look over my door again with the clearview windows. My office is on ground level, close to the exits of the big building itself. So naturally the street is close by and so is rush hour honking. 

Also unfortunately, Kate and the girls could also land here.

And dare me on the phone.

Some things never change.

“I am not making up my workload, Kate. I do have a ton of stuff to get through. I don’t want to disappoint Mr Carter.” I shake my head at having to cancel so abruptly on someone. 

But life was life. Disappointments usually follow quickly to happiness. Made sure nothing ever lasted good, apparently.

“I don’t believe for one minute, that you could be swamped with so much work almost immediately. I mean you’re still new. Wouldn’t he have given some sort of consideration for you maybe…having a life?” She almost screams, but I know Kate.

She cared too much to be ever angry at me, but she always found her outlet to being angry at somebody anyway.

“I know Kate, it sounds too far-fetched, but hear me out. He loves my work, ethics and how I do things on time.” I try to placate her again, but I know it’s only landing on deaf ears.

“We’re coming in!” And with that, I hear car doors slam in the background.

God, I hope you’re watching out for me here, I think as I run for my life, and they don’t find me. I am not giving in that easily, if they wanna try and tackle me for that lousy date.

I could do so much more with my precious time, as I run out of my office and into the hallway.

Wish I was Usain Bolt right about now as I continue chugging through the hallway, and hear footsteps running behind me, the security guard yelling “hey!” to my friends.

Crap. This may not end well. 

I try to round the corners of the cubicles, without bumping into anything.

And damn, what a day to wear these friggin heels.

While trying to adjust my heels and run without hitting various desks, I don’t realise my jig is up.

There Kate stands on one of the desk cubicles, proud as a peacock, the evil glint in her eye very clear about one thing.

I was going on that damn date, whether I wanted to or not.

And if I turned right around, I knew.

The girls would be right there, waiting for me.

I was trapped.

“Please Kate”, I beg knowing full well I had no choice.

“You said you would, besides you need to have a life. Work and friends are not the way to live a life fully. Look we appreciate when you give us your time, and enjoy our company, and enjoy working, it’s still not good enough. And that’s why me and the girls are here, to give you some common sense and maybe help you with a possible love life? Right girls?” She gestures to the others, who readily agree.

Just my damn luck.

Who needs enemies when you have friends like mine?

Ugh this was going to be a nightmare.

A total disaster.

……………………………………………

It’s 9:40 pm and I am putting on my shoes with great dread over how the date might go.

Tonight, I’ve chosen a red summer dress with a slight flair to the bottom, along with black earrings twinkling in the light with red colored, black soled high heels. Combined with a light colored peach lipstick and blush on my cheeks and light eye liner to make my multi-colored eyes pop, I feel almost ready.

I am checking out my hair, expertly styled by Chanel, curls flowing with highlights included to make my hair shine and look good, when the girls come in.

“Hot damn woman, you are going to shine sky high tonight!” screams Kate.

“Agreed, she looks beautiful.” Adds in Chanel.

“Boy is gonna be all over her tonight.” Chimes in Roxy, with a smirk to match.

“Thanks girls. But I feel something is missing.”  I looked on my person, trying to find my purse and phone, worried I had misplaced it while I had driven up to Chanel’s place to get ready.

“You mean this?” She smirks, holding up the one thing I needed desperately at this moment.

My purse.

When I look closely though, it’s not actually my purse. It looks new and bought recently.

“Girls, that’s not my purse.” I glare slightly at them, while they stare back at me with guilty looks.

“Okay, it’s not your purse. We volunteered to buy one, when Chanel didn’t have one, to match with your dress.” Roxy confesses. Clearly she’s brave enough to endure my annoyance at all this luxury spending on me.

“But I do have one, I brought it with me when y’all volunteered to get me ready.” I counter, knowing and acknowledging my best friends who were willing to spend so much on me for this one date, and making sure I was comfortable.

God, I owed them a lot. I really did.

“Yeah we saw your purse. But girl, honestly, it looks like it’s seen better days. When’s the last time you actually shopped for luxury?” Kate counters again, knowing full well she was right.

So I was busy. Catching up on my ARC reviewing (yes I also volunteered to review books on the side in various languages - to actually be competent for my job), taking online classes (to improve the languages I was working with in my job and have more fluency and understanding), and trying to pick up new hobbies like writing, and singing (the latter was more fun, no writer blocks intended).

So no, I really didn’t have much time left to spend on something luxurious for myself.

But I didn’t need to confirm what she was saying. 

I had my pride to look after too.

“Alright fine, y’all. I appreciate what y’all did for me - Chanel, thank you for helping me dress up, Kate thanks for buying the clutch for me, and Roxy thank you so much for the pep talk. Please someone get into a group hug before I burst.” I tear up, knowing how no one else could have it better than me than having my three best friends with me right there, encouraging me in all the right ways and taking care of me when I would forget.

They all come toward me like raging bulls and hug me tight, knowing I don’t ask for these often, and I hate to get too sappy and emotional on them.

“Let’s get the party going!” Kate hollers and we all then pile into her car - because Kate wouldn’t hear of it.

We then drive from Chanel’s place to the restaurant where I am meeting my blind date.

One Tree Grill is the restaurant where I am supposed to meet my date.

When we get near it, we park and I stare in awe.

I wasn’t used to a mix of fancy and modern yet comfortable restaurants. I always stayed with my friends on night outs and rarely went alone. 

One Tree Grill was a different story altogether. 

With a black layout and plenty of trees at its forefront, it gives off a belief of standing with the environment, yet warm and inviting for anyone who wishes to come in and dine.

But my hesitations still stand.

“We’ll be right here, alright honey?” Chanel with her confident yet quiet voice assures me of it all being okay and if not, they will be there.

“Don’t be nervous, the guy should be instead, for meeting someone so wonderful, kind, generous, intelligent and loving.” Roxy chimes in.

“I agree with them. You’re gonna be the most beautiful person there and have a wonderful time. If not, we’re always here to bail.” Kate winks.

With all these assurances, I exit the car and timidly walk up the path leading into the entrance of One Tree Grill.

Once I head inside, I walk up to the reception and try to get my seat.

“Kiaora, and how many do we have for today?” The receptionist looks up. 

“Two please, under the name Knight.” I say, the nervousness still coating my tongue.

“Alright.” The receptionist then flicks through the tablet searching for my last name.

“Right, Knight. Well, there is a cosy little booth in the corner. If you would follow me.” The receptionist says and then walks to the booth, with me following in turn. 

When we finally reach, I slide into the booth.

The receptionist leaves. And a waiter follows.

“Welcome madam, to One Tree Grill. Would you like any menus while you wait?” The waiter asks.

“Yes, some menus please.” The waiter then passes out the menus and then leaves.

I scan the menu then, not sure of what I should order. Probably should have done some research before I headed into the restaurant, I chide myself.

After what seemed like 10 minutes, I finally settle on marinated beef tartare as an appetizer.

It’s said to have egg yolk, sweet potato, with a nori, daikon, and dashi emulsion. 

Even if some of it didn’t make sense, I was always eager to try out a new dish. 

While I wait for a waiter to come by, I look at the surroundings around me, and try to get comfortable.

I then hear a voice from the entrance.

“Shit, I'm late! She must be panicking. I have to get the table. Knight please! The voice shouts at the receptionist.

The receptionist tries to calm down the voice and then asks the voice to follow.

When the voice finally comes in my sight, I gasp.

It’s the same eyes that have been haunting me every night.

No this can’t be right. Fate, why would you do this?

The man starring in my dreams, then sits right across from me and apologises.

I apologise for being late, I had a last minute task to get through. I hope you don’t mind me ordering and paying for our meal then. 

I still look shell-shocked, which he then takes as a grudging mood.

“I apologize again, and will make it up. I am not really good at these blind date things. It’s been a minute since I’ve gone on these again. Thanks to my idiot friends.” - the rest he mumbles.

So he’s been set up. As well by his friends.

This could be an interesting date