All Too Late

“You’re mocking me!” Kathleen gasped.

How dare he doubt my intelligence!

“Fine, I’m the foolish one then.” Samuel relented reluctantly.

Kathleen replied smugly, “Rightfully so, too. I’m going to bed. Goodnight.”

“Before I forget, thanks for the medicine. Though they might be one of the most bitter ones I’ve ever tasted,” said Samuel as he fixed his gaze at the back of Kathleen’s willowy figure.

“That was intentional. You’re most welcome.”

Samuel was dumbstruck by her imprudence.

Kathleen continued on her way, leaving behind a resigned Samuel.

“I’ll finish it up regardless!” Samuel called out, sounding like he had been wronged.

A smile tugged on the corner of Kathleen’s cherry red lips as she entered her room and shut the door to her balcony.

Samuel lingered on his balcony till Kathleen’s curtains were drawn.

He had just reached his room when his phone began to ring.

The caller ID displayed was that of Nicolette.

Samuel had lost count of the number of times his phone had been bombarded by her.

He had never picked up any of her calls accept for that first time.

Nevertheless, he had to put a stop to this.

“Do you plain on explaining yourself, Mr. Macari?” Nicolette mocked over the phone.

Samuel couldn’t help his rising feelings of disgust. “I owe you nothing.”

Nicolette curled her lips. “I wonder what Kathleen thinks of you right now. She must be beside herself, blaming you for everything that transpired?”

“Don’t compare her to the likes of yourself.”

Nicolette gritted her teeth. “You’ll never have her!”

“It was you who sent her that fabricated audio recording a year ago,” Samuel uttered harshly.

Nicolette was stunned to hear this but quickly regained her composure. “What are you going to do about it?”

Samuel’s eyes were two endless chasms of swirling wrath. “Enough of your games, Nicolette.”

Nicolette was the reason all along for the rift between him and Kathleen.

“It’s too late, Samuel. Kathleen would never believe that we’ve never slept together before,” Nicolette taunted.

Samuel remained silent.

grown adults now. Who’d actually care about an occasional dalliance or two? Unfortunately for you, you

running through Samuel’s veins. “You repulse

Nicolette would exploit him as

Me? Repulsive?

“You only have yourself to blame! This wouldn’t

to Nicolette’s

should have questioned the reason

Tell me!”

never loved you, and I never will,” Samuel delivered

as if someone had landed

had known this all along but had refused

would have gone

supposed that she

to cling to a string of hope. “You’re saying this

not.” Samuel inclined his

The lights had dimmed.

over and done with,” Samuel warned as he

wait!” Nicolette screamed into the void that was

her phone tightly till her knuckles turned bone

come to

did not love

her, not in the truest

more was the point in her pretending to be his

would carry the secret of

was the day

car when she spotted Samuel headed her

impeccably in a white dress shirt, dark sweater, and suit with peaked lapels that

“Good morning,” Samuel greeted.

going to work this early? It’s only seven o’clock,” Kathleen

on.

there are trivial matters too?” Kathleen

burst your bubble, but that’s not

Kathleen huffed indignantly.

It’s too cold to stay

Kathleen was engulfed in made her resemble a fluffy furball all

toe. “I’m dressed in

were not to be

corner of Samuel’s lips lifted in amusement. “Is your heart aching

freeze to death for

with a feral glint. “My car’s over

all over town if others catch sight of me. You should get in my car

in time after sending me

in thought. “Can’t whatever it is be discussed

to face. Besides, I have a flight to catch

caught off guard by

for two days due to work,”