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.

all grown adults now. Who’d actually care about an occasional dalliance or two? Unfortunately for you, you can’t prove your innocence like a woman

was ice running through Samuel’s veins. “You repulse

was unthinkable that Nicolette would exploit him as

Me? Repulsive?

wouldn’t have happened at all if you

was indifferent to Nicolette’s paroxysm of

have questioned the reason behind it

then? Tell me!”

never loved you, and I never will,” Samuel

had landed several

had refused to acknowledge the

her, he would have

that she simply

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

not.” Samuel inclined his gaze toward the opposite

The lights had dimmed.

try calling me again. We’re over and done with,” Samuel warned as he swiftly

the void

gripped her phone tightly till her

still come to this

not love

had never belonged to her,

the point in her pretending to be

of his savior’s identity to

was the day after

getting into her car when she spotted

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

“Good morning,” Samuel greeted.

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

signaled toward his car. “Hop on.

that there are trivial matters

to burst your bubble, but that’s not the case

Kathleen huffed indignantly.

too cold to stay out for long,”

cardigan and down jacket Kathleen was engulfed in made her resemble a fluffy furball all the

toe. “I’m dressed

Jadeborough were not to be

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

can freeze to death for

lit with a feral glint. “My car’s over

others catch sight of me. You should get in my car instead,” Kathleen refused

make it in time after sending me

pursed her lips in thought. “Can’t whatever it

discuss this face to face. Besides, I

off guard by

outstation for two days due to work,”