We Were Toxic Since Forever

ar

t with me, air stuck in my throat, refusing to ascend or descend. 'How is work?' And the soul left my body along

ar questions, and I must say, the most dreaded one. I pretended to gulp the no

been working on my final semester proj

ally pays unlike the degree that you've trying to get for like...how long?' Her ugly face caked with expensive but mismatche

rtin as the chief Financial Advisor in The MP Co.' Here goes my mother's memorized lines again. She would

for the longest time, nodded. As our eyes met, I knew he knew something, hopefully not the kind of information that would make him restrict my freedom or throw me out of the family. I maintained a decent face and then made my way to the restroom, my heels clicking against the floor that would have costed a fair amount t

. No, it was not Satan. 'Is someone in there?' I asked after giving the wooden door a knock. No one answered but the sounds continu

moved to the door knob. It was clearly a man, the voice and the sho

he athletic footwear that was etched to my mind forever. After all, I'd bought it with my first ever pay that I received after selling the sculpture I'd made back then. I didn't dare to gulp,

while my mother maintained a small smile as if not sharing the joy would ruin her relationship with her sister. My father clea

ut the person behind the bathroom stall, moved towards the blackberry cheesecake. 'We didn't order that.' My father spoke in a clear, affir

enu. It's on the house.' Not the right words to say in front of Martin Perez, my father

ce left my mouth but h

ting chef. What is this position anyway? Someone random c

es I'd seen in the restroom. 'I apologize for crossing the line, Mr.' It was him, the heart screamed at my brain who was refusing to administer the truth. Breathe in, breathe out, I practiced what the y

t my eyes on the dessert. Don't loo

my father from the corner of my eye. 'Kai Vinton, we're in th

to me, more like between me and my father. I sighed, a little loudly it seemed because my mot

visiting chef?'

businesses in some way or the other when

to catch that. '

ngs worse by saying, 'You should try the dessert at least, I would love to know if you find it to your taste.' Hesitantly, I picked up the small spoon and scooped some cake. As I brought it to my mouth and let the taste linger, the memo

He whispered,

d I, we were....I shook my head and looked at my mother. 'Can

said eyeing

hter. She is a Finance Major at City's Busin

he was being imp

arm and confident smile

y father ra

Co. would finally have a second generation in business.' Remove his hand, my mind told me but my hands refused. I was both afraid that people around would catch the exchange between us and also that he would think he won by putting me in a spot. As I deliberated my next action

his hands leaving me on a high where br

about.' I said quickly to minimize

ending that the past was left behind us. 'My bad, I should have written my name in the visitor's bo

dn't take the.....' I stopped and looked around. The three pairs of cold, shocked eyes

r asked, although I am sure he knows alr

ton, someone I absolutely hate, who also happens to be my ex, donated bloody $200,000 for a broken sculpture! I kept th

anted to talk to me. He gave me the look before leaving though. He knew ver

word and Fine Arts degree became Finance that afternoon when the rain had meddled with the phone connections and a silly me had called on the landline instead of her cell phone. I shou

my pride. Leaving my car in front of the parking area, I rushed inside and pressed the button on the elevator. The penthouse was deliberately made at a height to ensure someone's blood would boil by the time you reach there. And that is exactly what happened. As soon as I pushed open the doors,

orite game.' He said and