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Chapter 9
Ricky Grayton didn’t come home again that night.
All Am, a text message came in from an unfamiliar number.
It contained a photo.
In the image, Ricky was blowing on a bowl of porridge to cool it down.
“I’m sorry, I told Mr. Grayton to go home, but he insisted on staying to take care of me,” the accompanying message read,
Her tone was laced with provocation and pride, as if she had won some grand prize.
I understood her intentions perfectly and simply replied to remind Ricky to remember the plan to visit his parents this weekend,
She stopped responding immediately,
Early Saturday morning, I was getting ready to take a cab to Ricky’s family home.
But as soon as I stepped outside, I saw his car parked there,
“I’ll go with you,” he said,
Saving on cab fare wasn’t a bad deal, so I didn’t argue.
Sitting in the passenger seat, I stared out the window in silence the entire ride.
Ricky, for some reason, kept glancing at me out of the corner of his eye.
In the past, whenever I was around him, I’d make an effort to find topics to chat about.
But now I was tired. I didn’t feel like talking to him. And in this silence, I realized that if I didn’t make the effort, there was nothing to talk about between us.
Ricky’s expression grew serious. He eventually broke the silence.
12:16
A Love Left Behind
Chapter 9
“Alexja, there’s been an important project at work these past few days. I had to work
overtime with Sharma on the proposal. That’s why I didn’t come home.”
This wasn’t the first time he had stayed away for several days, but it was the first time he’d bothered to explain.
In the past, if I’d asked, he would accuse me of being nosy and distrustful.
Now that I didn’t care to know, he was the one to bring it up.
“Mmn, I know you’ve been busy. Someone already told me,” I said.
“Who told you?” His body tensed immediately.
“Your secretary*
I never led
Ricky’s eyes flickered with unease
“Sharna? What did she say to you? 1.. I just see her as a batle sinter. That’s all. She sa liked the house near ours, so i helped her buy it with a loan. It’s close to us, which makes
work more convenient.
“Alright, I understand,” I said, cutting him off with a wave of my hand. I didn’t want to hear
anymore
He was stunned. For the first time, he saw weariness and impatience in my eyes.
“Alexia, why aren’t you making a scene this time?”
Chapter 10
