shadow of love episode 75

The party was more than I expected. I could make out faces of de crème de la crème of the society. Everyone was having a good time. Harry was taking Greg round, introducing him to people. On my part, I was with the girls, looking for a perfect gentleman for Lois. We each had a perfect cocktail in our hands, enjoying the moment.

A guy came and whisked Lois away from us, leaving Amber and myself.

Me: I need another glass. I don't know why the waiters ain't coming this side.

Amber: Why not be a bae and go to the bar? Get two glasses.

Me: you're crazy. We're going together.

Amber; come on, one of us needs to be here in case Greg and Harry returns.

Me: Then I'll be here while you go to the bar for the drinks.

Amber: please babe

I looked her over and walked out, going to the direction of the bar but I saw a waiter serving drinks so I went to him instead.

Me: Could you please.......

Leonard: Excuse me

I looked behind me and I confirmed the voice I heard.

Leonard: ehm .... Can I have five minutes of your time?

I turned to the waiter who was still waiting for my orders.

Me: I need a glass for a friend of mine. Can you help me reach her?

I pointed at where Amber was standing and he nodded.
I turned back to Leonard and looked him over.

Me: Anything the matter?

Leonard: Let's shift, a little from the music.

I nodded and decided he would follow me. I'll be the one to pick out where we're going in case he has something planned.
I walked out of the building and headed to the swimming area which was just by the corner. I sat on a pavement and breathed out while he lowered himself beside me.

Me: So, you wanted to talk.

Leonard: Yes.

He unbottoned his suit and took out something from the inner pocket. It was a little flat box.

Leonard: How have you being?

Me: I've been good, very good. You?

Leonard: I'm just here.

The silence hung in the air, only interrupted by the soft whistling of the night breeze.

Leonard: I got this for you. It's a parting gift from me.

Me: Parting gift? Who's leaving?

Leonard: I am.

Me: Why?

He looked at me and we both held each other's gaze. I wanted an answer, a sincere one. He looked away and gave a weak smile.

Leonard: I want to go away for a while, maybe a year or more.

Me: Why?

Leonard: I can't stay here. Not with the kinda pain I've put everyone through.

I opened his palm and put back the box.

Me: That's not an excuse. When did running away become a solution?

Leonard: You also went away when .....

Me: did it solve my problems? It didn't. Because six years later, the same problem was back in my life, right on my doorstep. Does everyone else know you're leaving?

Leonard: The guys, they know.

Me: And?

Leonard: They don't want me to leave. But you see, my mind is already made up about this.

Me: I see. Alright then, since you wanna leave, who am I to stop you? But the gift isn't necessary because I don't want anything from you.

Leonard: Why?

He dropped the gift on the pavement and turned to face me properly.

Leonard: this is exactly what I'm trying to avoid. Pamela I'm so sorry for what I put you through. You know I'm not like that. You've been with me for a very long time. You know me. I got carried away, i wanted more. My flesh seemed weaker and it conquered my better sense. You know I can never hurt you Pamela. It's ......

Me: Since you're sorry, why are you leaving?

Leonard; I'm ashamed of myself. How will I ever be able to face you and the girls, Lois especially. It was clear she loved me, and all I did was take advantage of that.

Me: Have you spoken to her yet?

Leonard: She doesn't want to hear from me.

Me: That's understandable. Leonard, I'll bare my mind to you. If I say I'm not angry at you, then I'm lying. You could have pulled any kinda stunt on me, but turning my best friend against me, it was not called for. So what that I didn't give in to your advances? There were other ways to hurt me but my friend? Leonard you're .....

Leonard: I'm sorry.

I swallowed my words, scratching my ear as the tears twitched in there.

Leonard: I didn't mean for all these to happen. Trust me.

Harry and Greg came to us that moment, shaking hands with Leonard.

Harry: you've hidden yourself since we got here. Glad it took Rose to bring you out here.

Leonard smiled and stood up.

Leonard: What time is the meeting tomorrow?

Harry: seven pm.

Leonard: William's house right?

Harry: Yea. You'll be there huh?

Leonard: I will.

He shook hands with them again.

Leonard: I'll leave now. See you guys tomorrow.

He gave me a hug and left, I looked from his exiting form to the gift he had left on the pavement.
I picked the gift while Harry and Greg looked on.

Greg: Baby, are you alright?

Me: I'm good. Can we go back in now?

They nodded and we went back in after I had put the gift in my purse.


********************************
I woke up the next morning feeling weak. There was a throbbing in my head. I looked at where I was. This isn't my room. There was someone on the bed with me. My heart started racing as I pulled the cover. Psttt. It was Amber. I tapped her and she opened her eyes slowly.

Amber: Don't tell me it's morning already.

Me: What happened last night?

She raised her head up and peered at my face like I was a child asking for directions.

Amber: You got drunk and Greg had to bring you here himself.

Me: Me?

She explained as memories of last night started to sip in.
After we had gone in, we ran into a group playing "shots" so we joined in. I had forgotten to raise a thumb when a question was asked, then I was made to drink shots of different vodka.

Me: What about Lois?

Amber: Pretty a$$ went in with the gentleman from last night.

Me: oof. My head hurts.

Amber: don't worry. Take a bath, then we'll go down and I'm sure, there'll be coffee for you.

Me: Thanks.

I picked my phone to call Greg and surprisingly, it was 11:56am.
I also had 13 missed calls.

Me: Amber it's noon already.

Amber: I'm not surprised. We got here around 3am.

Me: Where are we?

Amber: Tobe's resort.

I carried my surprised self to the bathroom where I undressed and hung my gown to air up. Then I washed my face and went back to the room in my innerwears only to see that Amber was back to sleep.

I decided to call Greg.

Greg: Hello sunshine. I've called for like eternity.

Me: I'm just waking up my love.

Greg: Next time, you're not playing that game again.

Me: I promise, I won't.

Greg: Good girl. You girls missed breakfast.

Me: Doesn't mean we're not hungry.

Greg: I know. Foody.

Me: I'm glad you know. When are we leaving?

Greg: I really don't know. William is suggesting we have the meeting here instead of his place.

Me: But we only have just our clothes from last night.

Greg: Then you girls should come down so we can go back to town, pick the things you'll be needing and come right back here.

Me: Lois isn't here.

Greg: William called her already. Everything will be taken care of. Just get your beautiful self down here okay?

Me: Where are you guys?

Greg: At the bar.

Me: We're coming.

Greg: Love you baby

Me: love you too.

I dropped the call and looked at Amber, thinking of how best to wake her up. I stood up and threw my weight on her while she screamed out.

Amber: bit'ch

Me: I know. Get your a$$ out of the bed, we're going to get our things.

Amber: I heard that. Give me five minutes to round up.

Me: Round up what? Were you about cuming in your dream?

Amber: Yuck! Just get out out.