C13 A photo

I let go of the capsule I was holding since the loud ring of my phone coincided with what Ava said. When Ava saw I would not pick up the phone, she took it from the table and answered it herself.

She slid his finger onto the green button, returned it to its original spot, and activated the loudspeaker.

“Where are you?” Randall’s first question to me.

I said nothing. What’s going on is making my brain hurt. Is it because of this pill that I don’t remember even a single memory lapse?

“Please communicate, Winter.” His voice was tense, and I could tell.

“Why?” I stated it hesitantly. As he sighed, I heard on the other side his relief that I had answered.

“I’ll come to get you. The event has ended.” He informed me, although I didn’t care.

It was as if what he said was just a way for me to express the anger I’d been holding in.

Is that the way things are? Why did he have to kiss another girl in front of his wife for no apparent reason? Even it was just an accident that I caught them like that. Still...

Why wasn’t his wife’s name called on the day they were both supposed to be the most important people because it was their company and potential business partners?

Why...

Why didn’t he fulfill his promise about the thing he promised to me? ‘I’ll publicize my wife’s beauty to the whole world. Of how thoughtful and caring she is.’

Funny.

What exactly is it? Then you only realized I wasn’t in the hall anymore because the event had ended? Or maybe you didn’t notice I’m gone since someone was going to console you...

I was tempted to say those things to him, but I held back. It’s as if I’m walking on an eggshell that could crack at any minute, killing me. Conflicting feelings make my chest tight, and I get headaches from not knowing what to think.

“I’m not going home today.” That was the only thing I told him. I double-checked my cellphone for any tracking devices or GPS, just in case he planned to follow me.

“W-What? Why?” I can imagine him frowning once more. That’s how he always seems.

“You are my husband, right? Aren’t you supposed to know where to look for me?” I gave a shadow to what I said because, despite being my husband, I can’t deny that I have my doubts about him. Especially now that Ava has figured out what medication Helena giving me.

I ended the call and turned off my cellphone so that he could no longer call me. “Are you not going home?” Ava asked, a devilish smile on her face.

“No.” I reclined in my chair and crossed my arms.

“Then let’s go! If you are not going home, isn’t it better to have fun to keep yourself entertained?” She appeared sinister to me.

It undeniably drew me to her suggestion, so I started asking, “Where are we going?”

Her eyes twinkled, and her smile widened. “Don’t worry about it! I’ll look after you!” The server arrived with the food she had ordered earlier after she said that.

We talked for a while after we finished eating and then rested. When we leave the restaurant, it’s already dark. Perhaps the restaurant’s owner was frustrated because of the time we spent there.

When we came out, two guards were waiting for us. In charge of a white Mercedes-Benz E-Class. When did she call them? I didn’t notice her calling or texting anyone because I’m too preoccupied with her stories about how we were friends and classmates. And at the very least, I can say I have someone I can rely on. My heart remembers her, even if my brain does not. I feel at ease with Ava, as if I’ve known her for a long time.

The bald guard threw at her a key. The young guard slid opened the driver’s door. He opened the other door once Ava was inside. I went in there, and he shut it.

I questioned Ava as I fastened my seatbelt. “Can you tell me where we’re going?”

“You’ll find out soon. So, how about you? You’re only concerned with Helena, aren’t you? Why are you also avoiding Randall? I understand you’re suspicious of him, but I’m not sure why you have to avoid him,” she shrugged, “You really should have taken his heart to get by of information.”

She was already driving the Mercedes-Benz. I turned to face her. As my eyes widened, it was because she had given me an idea to answer all of my doubts.

“So, what exactly is it? Why do you avoid him?” I didn’t want to respond at first, so I remained silent as she drove. But after a time, I said something. I know I can rely on Ava.

“I found him kissing another woman.” I was staring out the window when she abruptly stepped over the brake. I smacked my head against the front window. I was lucky to be wearing a seatbelt. When I turned around, I saw the honking vehicles in the back. Is this woman insane?

Breaking on the highway while there are many cars? We could probably have an accident because of what she did.

“What?!?” Her lips formed an ‘O’ as though in surprise.

“Do you even know how to operate a vehicle?! Do you want me to lose the memories I just gained? I already have amnesia, and I haven’t even recovered my lost memories.” My eyes rolled.

She smiled and pressed the horn to irritate me and those behind us. If only there was a course that taught effective teasing, make sure this woman registered and earned a Bachelor in Teasing with a major in fooling.

“You should be much happier now! Do you know why? Martyrdom is no longer fashionable! Shouldn’t you return what he’s done to you by showing that you can do it too?”

“Huh? Are you nut? I’m not so low-class to do anything like that. He is my husband.” I disagree with her proposal.

She shifted her weight back onto the steering wheel and kept driving. “I certainly didn’t tell you to kiss other guys. Why not make him jealous? Show him you can do what he did. You’ll only scare him.” She clarified what she had stated.

I didn’t respond and just rested my head on the window once again.

When we exited the freeway, Ava drove her car down the dark road. We sped through it till we reached the end and saw a lot of light.

She parked her automobile alongside the road, just like other vehicles. People are noisy, there are many sellers, people are wandering and shopping, but the most striking feature is the name of a big bar. ‘Wild Rover Pub’ is an abbreviation for ‘Wild Rover Inn’.

“What exactly are we doing here?” I inquired. Ava had already unbuckled her seatbelt.

“What else is there? Have a good time!” She exclaimed joyfully.

“Would they let us in if we dressed like this?” I monitored the people outside the bar. With practically nothing to hide, air tubes and skirts are too short.

I also looked at the dark part and saw two people kissing while the woman’s dress was already torn and her legs were raised on the man’s waist, both hands were wrapped around the neck of the man she’s kissing.

“And one more thing. I’m already married. I can’t be here. Let’s head home.” I said, a little hesitantly. I’m scared that someone would recognize me. Randall’s image would damage and his reputation will ruin. What will they say? The wife of Mètier Group’s new CEO comes into a pub full of liberated men and women?

“Don’t worry, I will not let you get into trouble.” That’s what she said as she stepped out of the car.

Even though Ava had already told me that, I still didn’t agree. Despite her repeated knocks on the glass, I did not get out of the car. I remained there. My phone lights up as Ava irritates me with a knock on the window.

There is an unknown number that has appeared.

‘+658273 *** sent a picture.’

I scowled since I had given no one my phone number except Ava. Besides, only Randall has my phone number. When I first opened it, the picture was still loading, and the content message above was just a heart emoji. I went out to connect with Ava since I think my internet was bad.

“What? Will you accompany me now?” She raised a question gently.

“No. Please connect my phone to yours. I received a photo from an unknown number, but I can’t see it.” I told her this while still clicking on the image in case the content showed.