Rita's POV
I arrived at the office during the lunch hours, and headed straight to the restaurant; I knew my friends would be there. Finn wasn't even aware of my presence, he had told me to stay back at home and have enough rest but how long do I keep resting in idleness.
“Oh My God Rita!” Evelyn nearly spilled her coffee. She sighted me before I could announce my presence in a surprise.
“You are here Rita. Finn said you were taking a few days off” Adam said.
“I was gonna ask Finn about your whereabouts, you didn't tell me you already did Adam” Evelyn queried him.
“Adam!” I called out his name. “Adam! “ I repeated, drawing his attention and sitting next to Evelyn. She was initially sitting opposite her boyfriend.
“Apparently, your boyfriend Adam and Finn are best friends” I told Evelyn.
“I know right. That's a very good thing to hear “ Evelyn remarked.
“Rita, we have talked about it and I thought we have settled this” Adam said.
“If you were truly my good friend, Adam. You would have told me that Finn was Jared, my ex boyfriend!” I almost raised my voice.
“Uhn … what are you talking about Rita?” Evelyn interfered.
“You..you found out? He told you.. it wasn't my fault; Finn was scared that you wouldn't take him back after everything he has done to you” Adam said.
“Is this true? Wow, oh my God! Adam, how did you ever know that Finn was Jared in the first place?” Evelyn inquired.
I never wondered how Adam knew.
“Rita, Finn didn't tell you how..how or why..”
I shook my head.
“He told me himself, hence the reason why we have been so close” Adam replied.
“Why will he just open up such a huge secret to you and not Rita, the girl he loves?” Evelyn asked further.
Adam kept quiet for a moment.
“Rita, I am sorry we’ve not really been in good term these past days, and that's because I've not come out clean to you”
“What do you mean Adam?” I crossed my arms.
“Listen Rita, Finn hasn't come out to you clean either. He is still hiding something from you” Adam said.
I tried to process what he said before responding; “I told him to keep shut if the truth could break my heart. What could be more worse than being a serial killer or a bad man, is he?”
“No, Finn is not. But I think, you should know all his secrets, just like you found out that he is Jared”
“Somethings are better left unsaid Adam” I interrupted. “Besides, Finn proposed to me” I announced.
“Really? Oh My God!, Congratulations!!!” Evelyn exclaimed, searching for a ring on my finger.
“Uhm, actually. He didn't give me a ring yet but he said it, he is serious, we’ve had the marriage compatibility test at the hospital and he has introduced me to his mother. Mrs Blakston is really nice and sweet outside the office” I tried to make them believe.
“Really? Wow, oh wow. Congratulations Rita. Yaay, we have a wedding to plan” Evelyn rejoiced.
“You are right Rita, somethings are better left unsaid and that's why he wants you both to move on with life”
“Exactly” I said.
“Allright, Okay Guys, enough of the argument or misunderstanding, whatsoever beef you guys are having” Evelyn said out loud.
“I've said out my mind, I think I'm fine now” I shrugged.
“I'm cool too” Adam added.
“Good!” Evelyn clapped.
There was a moment of silence as the reality of my new relationship status settled in.
“Finn doesn't know I'm here. He had told me to rest but I got bored. I'll resume fully soon even though Finn’s uncomfortable that we are literally still like employee and employer” I said.
“So he wants you to be the boss?” Evelyn guessed right.
“Yeah, uhm.. something like that” I smiled with a little shrug.
“You are lucky Rita, Finn is the perfect man for you. I am happy things are falling into the right places all for you. Congratulations bestie” Evelyn said. I felt so emotional and embraced her.
“Thank you Evelyn”
“You are here Rita!” A familiar voice interrupted us.
Charles.
“Hey Charles, longest time” I said.
“How are you? Where have you been?” He asked, leaning on the table.
I replied with a smile; “I've been taking some time off but I'm back now, I guess”
Charles nodded, a hint of disappointment flashing across his face; “That's great to hear. I… I have missed having you around. You don't pick my calls either. Why?”
“Rita has been busy. She doesn't even have the time to gist with her best friends” Evelyn chimed in.
“It's been a while, can we at least talk?” Charles ignored Rita and faced me instead.
Oh no!
I hesisted for a moment. This might be the best time to clear the air with Charles once and for all.
“Sure, we can talk," I said, standing up from the table. "Do you want to go for a walk?"
Charles nodded, and we made our way out of the restaurant.
“So, how have you been?" Charles asked again as we walked along the sidewalk.
"I'm doing well, Charles, thanks for asking," I replied, not quite sure how to broach the subject of Finn and our engagement.
“I can see that," Charles smiled and stared at me for a long moment, his eyes searching my face.
I took a deep breath, knowing I couldn't put off the conversation any longer. "Charles, I am engaged, I must have said this before. I am engaged to Finn and I know you are aware of our relationship” I blurted out.
"Engaged? As in, to be married?” He asked to confirm.
“Yeah, Finn and I are serious”
Charles stopped in his tracks, his face pale and expression pained.
“I know you want to talk about your feelings and I've told you that it can't work, we can't be” I shook my head continuously.
“Yeah, I …actually want to discuss with you about something else”
“What is it?” I crossed my arms. He sounded serious.
“Rita, I… I don't know how you would take this, I am sorry for everything I have done, I am sorry for everything I have put you through, sorry for going awol all of a sudden, I am sorry”
I squinted my eyes, “I don't understand, what are you talking about Charles? What are you sorry for? What do you mean?”
“I should have done this a little bit earlier but I don’t think it's late now right? I'm sorry that I took too long to show myself to you. I am sorry I lied to you; I lied about the task I had to do in Netherlands”
“What?”
“I've gone through alot, believe me. I had to get a new face, along the line, I was deported back to the country because I messed things up with my boss and…” I cut in sharply.
“Wait, wait, what? Hold on. Netherlands? You lied to me about the task in Netherlands? I don't understand. What… I… who are you? What are you trying to tell me?”
“Have you forgotten about me, Zane, your lover so soon? Oh geez! I shouldn't have taken too long to show myself to you”
“What? You are Zane? Zane? No, You can't be Zane”
“I… I am Zane” He said.
*****
To Be Continued