Chapter 60
It's been days now, and Smiles spent it working. Lately, Keane hasn't come to her and it hurts.
She knows he had his work and other things but she just couldn't take away the feeling of wanting to be close to him every time.
Sitting on the royal blue sofa in the living room, she types on her keyboard aiming at completing her workload Her days of absence in the office left her with piles of undone work and files to read. She will wake up and go to bed with them in her hands, like her daily routine.
Keane walks in with Lisa. They seem to be talking to someone as Lisa giggles, grabbing Smiles' attention that was on her laptop screen.
The sight of Keane kissing Lisa on the forehead was what welcomed Smiles as she stared at them, trying so hard to act normal and casual. She caught a gaze with Lisa whose lips widened in a friendly smile.
"Hi there...didn't know I would be meeting you here," said Lisa, happy to see her as she made her way and took the sofa next to Smiles. She could only force a smile that didn't reach her eyes, not wanting to be rude.
"hi," Smiles return her hellos, trying to make her tone friendly.
"So seems busy... what are you working on?" asked Lisa.
Lisa is a social and easygoing type. She loves interacting with others and making new friends. The first time she saw Smiles at the party, she wanted nothing but to be her friend for some reason unknown. Smiles on the other hand felt guilty for being such a love truck person. Starting at the lady before her only speaks of someone who wants nothing but to be her friend and here she was, feeling bad about it. It was neither hers nor Lisa's fault they fell for the same man but there was something different about them.
She is aware of their status in Keane's life but Lisa isn't.
This got her thinking of the type of person she is... wanting to be with someone else's fiance.
Seeing herself now, there was no difference between her and Xena right now.
Lisa is trying to be her friend just like Xena was her friend.
And she is secretly sleeping with her fiance just like Xena did.
What does that make her?
A selfish and a backstabber... a faker and deceit.
So much as she loves Keane, she can stand to be all those things she hates to another. Even though Lisa is Mark's sister, she can see that they are two different persons with different ways of thinking and doing things. She can not possibly hurt Lisa just because Mark hurt her... that will be the worst thing she can ever think of doing.
"down to earth, Smiles... you seem lost" Lisa waved, trying to get her attention which she did. Only then did Smiles realize she'd been silent.
"sorry... was carried away," She said, flashing her an apologetic smile.
"It's ok!" Lisa waved, putting on a no-big-deal face.
Both girls laugh in understanding.
"Guess what?" asked Lisa excitedly.
Smiles could tell or guess, maybe she would have been able to but right now, she can't because she barely knows anything about her.
"What!?" asked Smiles, lowering her gaze on her.
"!!!" Lisa exclaimed excitedly, stretching out her left hand to her.
Smiles was confused as to what she was trying to say until she caught sight of the diamond ring on her middle finger.
Surprised written all over her face as she stares at Lisa with a pale face.
Not even in her dreams did she think he would propose to her.
"he... proposed to you?" she asked in disbelief. Lisa nods, smiling.
"When?" came her question again.
"At the restaurant... not long before we got here" Lisa explains, she nods.
Of course, she should have known. No! She'd known she wasn't the one all along... but her heart wanted more than just being his pond.
It was an indirect slap to her face, telling her what she'd been trying to dispute all this while.
She smiles at Lisa, not wanting to show her she isn't happy for her but deep down, she is dying, more than she ever will.
"W-wow... that is... wonderful" she stutters forcing a smile.
"Congratulations," she said and Lisa's smile broadened. She was super happy.
"thanks... I just can't wait to celebrate" said Lisa, as happy as she will ever be.
Smiles gaze falls on Keane who elegantly climbs down the stairs.
She stares at the man she's come to love and adore, the same person she will never have.
He walks to Lisa taking a seat by her side and wrapping his arms around her waist. Lisa responded by leaning in, placing a light peck on his lips, and smiling. His gaze never left the cherry-brown hair lady before him.
She stares back at him, with so many questions in her eyes but she does not say a word. Her eyes were teary with tears threatening to fall.
Her hands were trembling, and her heart was battling in her chest, causing chaos and confusion.
She lowers her head, holding tight on her laptop, and excuses herself.
He didn't say a word and watched her leave as Lisa kept on blabbering about something that he wasn't listening to.
She was talking about her party, to celebrate their engagement.
He excuses himself after some time of listening to her nose. Lisa was too excited to notice his change in temperament.
Inside Smiles's room, she sat on the bed, wiping away her tears.
She was hurt but she was willing to accept it. She doesn't want to waste her tears on what won't change.
If she was meant to be his, he would have seen her since the start but she wasn't.
It was all a coincidence they met each other and that's it, she must have learned to be content with her new life and put up with it.
Staring at the white wall before her, she was no longer shedding tears.
The door pushes open and Keane walks in, sticking his hands into his pants as he leans against the door staring at her.