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.

dalliance or two? Unfortunately for you, you can’t prove your innocence

running through Samuel’s

was unthinkable that Nicolette would exploit him as

Me? Repulsive?

only have yourself to blame! This wouldn’t have happened at all if you had married me

to Nicolette’s

the reason behind it

then? Tell

and I

as if someone had landed several

known this all along but had refused to

had truly loved her, he would have gone against

she simply wasn’t important

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

not.” Samuel inclined his

The lights had dimmed.

and done with,” Samuel

wait!” Nicolette screamed into the void that was the empty ringing

phone tightly till her

to this in

not love

never belonged to her, not in the

more was the point in her

would carry the secret of his savior’s identity to

was the day after

her car when

a white dress shirt, dark sweater, and suit with

“Good morning,” Samuel greeted.

you going to work this early? It’s

car. “Hop on.

saying that there are trivial matters too?” Kathleen

your bubble, but

Kathleen huffed indignantly.

It’s too cold to stay out for long,” Samuel

Kathleen was engulfed in made her resemble a

Samuel from head to toe. “I’m dressed in more layers than you

in Jadeborough were not to be trifled

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

death for all

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

of me. You should get in my car

still make it in time after sending me to

whatever it is be discussed

this face to face. Besides, I have a flight to

off guard by

outstation for two days due to work,”