Nora froze. What did she mean by she reconciled with Michael? "Which Michael?"
"Who else?" Sara asked. "He told me that he has plans of getting back to you but I told him you will not be stupid to do such a thing."
"Thanks a lot, Sara. I have no idea what Mike told you but we ain't reconciled or anything."
"Promise me you won't think of getting back together with him."
"I promise."
"Good. Would you like a sleepover?" Sara asked while tapping her feet to hear her response.
"Can we do that tomorrow night? I need to spend time with Andrew and give him the notice too."
"Alright! see you tomorrow night."
Nora ended the call and went to meet Diego. "Sorry about that."
"It's fine," Diego said with a smile.
"So where were we?" Nora asked.
"You were about to answer the question I asked you."
"No."
"No?"
At first, she considered giving him a chance if he came to apologize but with what she heard from Sara, she wasn't sure she would want to do that mistake of accepting him back. "Yeah. I don't want to have anything to do with him anymore."
"And this is coming from your heart?"
Nora nodded. "And every other part of my body." They both laughed and enjoyed the night.
~~~
The following day, Michael arrived at work and he met Nora on his way to the company. Nora tried her best to ignore him but he kept blocking her way. "Not even a greeting?" Michael asked smiling.
"Good morning Michael." She tried to force her way in but he held her. "Don't touch me." She pulled her body away from his grip.
"Nora, listen, I never got to tell you this but I am doing that right now. I am sorry."
"For what exactly?" She asked folding her arms.
"For ignoring you, for ridiculing you, for all the harsh words I said to you, for letting you go when I should have held on, for not believing you..." he was about to go further but Nora with her hand raised, gestured for him to stop.
"It's too late now." She pushed him aside but before she could go any further, he pulled her and hugged her.
"It's never too late. Nora, I am sorry. I need you back into my life."
Nora pushed him away and he almost fell. "I hate you, Michael, and whatever you had in mind about us getting back together, I will advise that you get that out of your head 'cos it is never going to happen." She left him and went upstairs to her office but she bumped her head on someone and when she looked up, she saw Kelvin. Before she could hide her face so he wouldn't see her tears, he saw her tears. "Good morning, sir."
Kelvin wanted to stop her from entering but then he saw Michael coming upstairs and he knew who made her cry. When Michael wanted to go in, Kelvin pulled him back and told him to follow him but Michael jerked his hand away. "If you need to talk to me, you can do that here."
Everyone in the office was staring at them.
"I told you to leave her alone and you had the guts to make her cry?" Kelvin whispered so that the others wouldn't hear.
"I am going to do all I can to win her heart back and I won't rest..." He looks at Nora and when he saw that she was looking in his direction, he said, "...until she's mine." he added, "Excuse me." He entered while leaving Kelvin dumbfounded.
Diego looked at Nora and he saw that she was crying inside but was trying so hard not to let it show. This hurt him so much. He walked up to Michael. "Michael," he called. The moment Michael turned, Diego punched his face. Michael lost his balance because the punch was unexpected. his nose started bleeding. Diego was about to go in for more but Kelvin came to pull him away. "Stay away from her you bastard! Haven't you made her cry enough?" He said.
Michael got up on his feet, cleaned his bleeding nose and looked at Nora, and said, "I guess I have so many rivals. Get ready 'cos the battle won't be an easy one." he looked at Diego and said, "Do you think you can stop me?" Diego was about to punch his face but Kelvin held him.
"Stay away from her, Michael."
"Or what?" Michael asked laughing. "Would you kill me?" he asked. "You just came into this city, so I will advise that you mind your business."
"She's my business."
"How? Is she your girlfriend? Are you two dating?"
Nora saw Diego was getting pissed off so he walked up to him, held his hand, and said, "You don't need to do this."
"Nora, I need you to promise me that you will never end up with him." Diego looked at Nora.
"I pro..."
"I won't make such promises if I were you, sweetheart." he stood beside her with a smirk on his face. "If I can win your heart before, I can do it again." He pecked her cheek before walking to his desk.
"Promise me you won't end up with him."
"I promise."
"And promise me you won't cry over him or because of him. I hate to see you cry."
Nora nodded and Diego hugged her. Kelvin watched the scene and all he could feel was hurt. He wanted to be the one comforting her but he saw that Diego cares for her and she trusts him. Maybe he should let go of his feelings for her since it's obvious he wouldn't look at her. "I will be in my office." They nodded and he left.
That evening, Nora tried to get things she will be needing for the sleepover today when she saw Kelvin in a bar. She contemplated on whether or not to go in or not. "Michael is the enemy, not Kelvin." After the conviction, she entered the bar and got a sit next to him. "I'd have one of those, please." She told the bartender.
Kelvin turned to see who it was and was surprised to see Nora. He watched her take the shot and he got more shocked at the fact that she drank. Nora understood the look and said, "I don't drink, honestly, it's my first time." She chuckled and Kelvin smiled. "What are you doing here all by yourself?"
"I should be asking you that." He took the seventh glass.
"I was on my way to get something I will be needing for my sleepover at Sara's place when I saw..." She paused and collected the eight glass from Kelvin and drank it. "That will be all." She told the bartender and paid for the drinks. "Can you even drive in such a state? I feel you are tipsy already. I will call Diego to come to pick you up." She dialed Diego's number and called him. She waited patiently for him to pick and when he didn't, she sent him a text with the address hoping he'd read it soon.
"Why don't you love me?" Kelvin asked. Nora was shocked at the question. "Why don't you see me the way you see Diego? Do you hate me?"
Nora didn't reply to any of his questions but she listened to every word he said. It's true that when people are drunk, they tend to speak out their feelings and most of them are truthful. This evening made her realize Kelvin had feelings for her, something she'd never imagined. She checked the time and it was getting late. There was no sign of Diego, so she decided to take him home. "I think we will have to go now." She helped him up and she was glad he wasn't too drunk. They were about to leave when Kelvin held her hand and the moment she turned to face him, he said the words, "I Love You." and placed his lips on her and kissed her. Nora was too shocked to react.
"Nora." She heard a voice call and when she turned, it was Diego. Kelvin had already fallen asleep on her shoulders. Diego ran to take him from her and they walked out of the bar together.
Nora didn't know why but she felt butterflies in her stomach when he kissed her. What could this possibly mean? Does it mean she has a soft spot for him? she thought as she watched Diego carry him into the car. Diego didn't say a word to her and when he called her name then, she saw anger in his eyes. Was he angry or jealous? she couldn't tell. Does he have any reason to be jealous? It's not like they are dating or anything, they are just friends so why would he be jealous? She was about to start a conversation with him but he turned on the engine and zoomed off.
Author's Notes
What do you think?
Who do you think Nora will end up with?
Diego, Michael, or Kelvin?