Chapter 4 THE REAL TRUTH UNFOLDS

The next morning, I got up and prepared for work, slipping into my usual all-black double-breasted suit and a pair of silhouette heels. I didn't have time to make breakfast, so I left the house without wasting another second.

Out on the street, I hailed a cab and told the driver my destination. When we arrived at Vienna Suites, I stepped out, paid him, and took a deep breath before walking into the building. Work-my perfect escape from the emotional turmoil that had settled deep within me.

As I entered the anteroom, the staff greeted me with their usual respect.

"Good morning, ma'am."

"Good morning to you all," I responded with a polite smile before heading straight to my office.

After dropping my laptop sleeve and handbag on my desk, I stepped out for my routine check-ups, silently praying that no one would approach me with complaints-I wasn't in the mood. First stop was the kitchen department. Thankfully, everything was in order. I proceeded to inspect the other departments, relieved to find that everything was running smoothly.

"Good... good... at least everything is in check," I murmured to myself before heading back to my office.

I settled in and began sorting through the documents I had left before my trip, reviewing financial analyses from the past few days. By the time I finished, I checked the time-it was well past lunchtime.

I quickly placed an order for a BLT Bean Salad with a Vintense Lovely Red Cheeks mocktail and a bottle of water. A few minutes later, a hostess arrived with my meal, setting it down on my desk before leaving. Closing my laptop, I focused on my food, eating until I was satisfied. Once done, I pushed the golden platter aside and returned to my work, completely immersing myself in it-so much so that Jayson and his demons didn't cross my mind.

Hours slipped away.

By the time I was done, it was already 6 PM. Packing up the remaining unfinished documents, I stored them in the table's case and left the building.

When I finally reached home, it was a few minutes past eight, and most food kiosks had closed. Luckily, I wasn't that hungry. Entering my house, I placed my phone on the modern coffee table and went straight to the bathroom for a shower.

Later That Night...

I stepped out of the shower, wrapped in a blue robe, and made my way to the living room. Picking up my phone and a glass of chilled water, I retreated to my bedroom.

Curious, I checked my phone to see if there were any messages from Jayson. But to my greatest disappointment-none.

No missed calls.

No texts.

Nothing.

Oddly enough, I wasn't even surprised. And that was what scared me the most.

Sighing, I placed my phone on the bedside drawer and drifted off to sleep.

Two Days Later...

Still nothing from Jayson.

The silence gnawed at me, filling me with unease. I picked up my phone, contemplating whether to call him, but something inside me held me back. I couldn't explain it, but I just couldn't bring myself to dial his number.

I drowned myself in work, using it as a shield to block out my emotions. Then, one evening, he finally called-apologizing for ghosting me. His reasons were vague, almost meaningless, and yet, I could sense it...

He felt more distant.

We argued a little before I eventually caved and accepted his apology. And just like that, we continued as if nothing had happened.

A Surprise Encounter

One cozy Saturday evening, I decided to visit the mall to pick up some groceries. As I stepped out of the cab, a firm hand suddenly stopped me mid-stride.

Startled, I turned around-only to be met with a familiar face.

Nathan Hydes.

I gasped, shocked to see him. I thought he had traveled back.

"Hello, Miss Morgan," he greeted with a pleasant smile.

"Nathan... Hi," I replied, smiling back. "I thought you had already left."

"No, not yet," he chuckled. "Still handling some business. Haven't seen you in a while... You don't check up on me. Thought we were friends."

His last words caught me off guard. Friends?

I simply smiled and promised to check in on him soon. As we walked into the mall, we exchanged contacts before parting ways.

After finishing my shopping, I booked a ride since my groceries were too many to carry. The cab arrived thirty minutes later, and I headed home.

Not long after I settled in, my phone rang. It was Nathan.

Clearing my throat, I answered softly, "Hello, Nathan..."

"Hey, Mandy. You home already?"

"Yeah, just got back a few minutes ago. What about you?"

"Same here. I just got to my hotel room and figured I'd call. Hope you don't mind..." He hesitated briefly before adding, "Are you free tomorrow? Let's hang out."

I opened my mouth to decline, but he quickly interjected, "And don't say no."

I chuckled. "Mmm... Fine, I'll try."

"Great. See you then. Take care."

After I was done talking with Nathan, I set down my phone on the coffee table and headed into the kitchen to prepare something to eat.

An hour later, dinner was ready. I served a small portion onto a golden salver and carried it to the living room, settling onto the sofa. As I scrolled through Netflix, I decided to watch Fate: The Winx Saga, a fantasy series about fairies with supernatural abilities, including a girl raised in the human world who unknowingly possesses the most powerful and dangerous gift of all-The Dragon Flame.

Time slipped away as I became engrossed in the show, watching for nearly three hours. When I finally tore my gaze from the screen, I stretched and turned off the TV before making my way to the bedroom. A warm shower was exactly what I needed to wash away the fatigue of the day. Afterward, I slipped into bed, letting the comforting silence of the night lull me into rest.

Sunday Revelations

The next morning, I attended church, wearing a mixed-colored kaftan gown with a scarf wrapped around my head.

During the sermon, the pastor emphasized Isaiah 26:3- "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."

The words hit me deeply. I knew I had been worrying about something I couldn't even put into words.

After the service, I went home, looked up the verse again, and prayed for clarity.

Just as I finished, my phone rang.

It was Nathan.

"Good afternoon, Nathan. Happy Sunday," I greeted.

"Good afternoon, gorgeous," he replied smoothly. "I just realized I didn't mention where we'd be meeting. Can you be at De Angels in two hours?"

"Alright," I agreed.

I took a short nap, then rushed to get ready, slipping into a shiny sequined green gown with a matching shawl and six-inch silhouette heels.

At De Angels, Nathan was already waiting in the VIP lounge. His eyes swept over me appreciatively.

"My goodness... Miss Mandy, you look ravishing," he complimented.

I smiled as we took our seats. We ordered our meals, enjoyed good conversation, and by the time we left, I genuinely felt lighter.

Nathan even helped me book a cab home.

Once inside, I texted him: "Hey, Nathan... Just got home. Thank you again for today. I really had fun."

Minutes later, he replied:

"I had fun too. It was nice talking to you. Take care."

For the first time in a long while, I went to bed smiling.

The Real Truth Unfolds

But that peace didn't last.

Later that night, I checked my phone, hoping-just maybe-Jayson had texted me.

Nothing.

Yet, to my shock, he was online. Not only that... but he had posted something on Instagram.

My heart sank.

I had sent him messages days ago, and he had left them unread. But he had the time to be online? To post?

There it was. The real truth.

Tears welled in my eyes. The painful realization crashed down on me.

I meant nothing to him.