Chapter 3
Nora: #DestinedToBeAlone
I leave the office soon after my call with Gabriel. He sounded so down. I’ve known him for years, and I can tell he’s really feeling the weight of all these meetings, no matter how much he tries to play it cool in front of everyone else. It’s still early, so I figure I’ll swing by and check on him before he heads off for his dinner date.
To be honest, going to meet him isn’t entirely to uplift his spirits. I don’t want to go home, to Rick’s apartment, for as long as I can avoid it. So yeah, there’s a bit of selfishness there as well.
Once I’m settled in the taxi, I dive into my phone to check further reactions to my posts. A grin spreads across my face when I see TruthSeekerBob has deleted his original post. I don’t know who he really is, but I don’t like him. He’s one of those self-obsessed men who thinks that getting into other people’s business and life is their raison d’être. I mean, his viral posts are mostly dirt on other people’s personal lives. There’s no originality in his content, no class. It’s all just trashy drama that people seem to eat up. I am one of the few who sometimes get under his skin, so obviously we don’t get along well. Digitally, that is.
Carla’s name flashing on the screen snaps me out of my thoughts.
“Hi sis,” I say, picking up her call.
“Hey, how’re you doing?”
“Fine. What about you? And Kevin?”
Kevin is her boyfriend and they’ve been going steady for a few months now. While Carla is decisive and loves to take action, Kevin is just the opposite. He’s slow, always pondering over things and questioning the decisions he’s already taken. Maybe opposites attract and that’s the pull between them.
“Kevin’s good. Still struggling with his business, but otherwise fine.”
“Um. I’m telling you, he should use digital marketing. He’s an illustrator. He already knows design and what looks good. It’ll be easier for him than most people. It’s the game changer in today’s world, especially for small businesses.”
“Yeah, you should talk to him. In fact, that’s why I called. He doesn’t listen to me, but maybe if you tell him, he’ll take it seriously. You’re an expert and stuff on digital marketing, so maybe you can give him some ideas as well.”
“Sure. Of course. You want me to call him up?”
“No. No. He’ll know I’ve asked you. Whenever you come home next, y’know. Just bring it into the conversation. Casual like.”
“Sure. I’ll let you know when I plan to come over. Okay? And how’s Mom?”
“She’s good. Enjoying her new job.”
“Good. She always loved cooking, so maybe being a chef is her calling.”
“She’s even started meditating.”
“You don’t say! Okay, listen, I’ve reached Gabs’ house. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Say hi to him for me. Tell him Mom and I miss him.”
“What about me? You never say that to me? You don’t miss me? What traitorous family do I have?” The driver has already parked the car and I pay the fare and step out.
She chuckles. “Yeah yeah. Miss you too. Now get lost and try to visit soon.”
I slip the phone into my purse and walk over to the front gate and see Jenkins waving his hand.
“How’s baby Jenny doing?” I ask, waving back. I call his daughter Baby Jenny. She’s a smartass girl, quick-witted and sharp. She reminds me of myself as a kid.
“She’s good. Got called in by her principal again yesterday. She was apparently swearing. Can you talk some sense into her?”
I grin. “I can try if you’re willing to take the risk.”
“She likes and respects you. Maybe you talking to her will have some impact. My advice is like water on a duck’s back.”
“I’ll try. Is Gabriel still upstairs?”
“That he is.”
I take the elevator to Gabs’ floor and knock on the door. I hear some shuffling inside, followed by the unmistakable sound of something crashing to the ground. It’s gotta be that table lamp he’d got a few weeks ago. It’s gorgeous, but he’s got no space for it. I told him that, but he insisted on keeping it because Paula loves it.
He opens the door, and I give him a quick hug, peeking inside as I do. Sure enough, there's the lamp, lying on the floor just like I suspected, thankfully unbroken. I glance at him, and a smile spreads across my face.
“I don’t want to say I told you so, but I have to. I. Told. You. So,” I say and pick up the lamp.
“By that one sentence, you said it twice while also saying you don’t want to say it. You’re a jerk, you know that?”
I grin. “Only to you.”
He plops on the couch, and I sit down beside him. “So, how’re you feeling?”
His eyes are focussed straight ahead, staring at nothing. Oops. Not a good sign. He gets this look only when he’s really hurting. Like that time in middle school when he had lied to his dad and said he was studying with me when he was really making out with some girl. His dad found out, didn’t ground him or anything. All he said was, “I never thought I’d raised a liar. Be better.” That one line hit him harder than any punishment could.
Finally, he speaks up. “To be honest, I have mixed feelings. I mean, the meetings were a success for the company, right? They love the product and the future strategy and everything, and I’ve obviously been a part of all that. The only thing they’re concerned with is my experience, or rather lack of it, and how it might hurt the growth of MooreGames. If I think objectively, I believe there is some truth to it. We’re growing so fast, and if we get the funding, we’ll grow even faster. Maybe it’s time to get a more experienced CFO.”
I gawk at him. What kind of nonsense is he spouting?
“You know that’s dumb? How can an outsider understand the company better than you? How can that person work as well with Ryan as you do? Isn’t all that crucial for the company’s future?”
“It is, but I’m sure we can find someone who ticks those boxes. I don’t think I can, in good faith, remain in MooreGames. I mean, it’ll cost them the funding and that means a loss of growth opportunities. How can I be so selfish? I have to step down. I’ve decided.”
I hold his hand and squeeze it a bit. I know this is the toughest decision he’s made in his professional life.
“You thought of anything? About what you’ll do?”
“Maybe join the family business. Mom has been after my life to do that since I graduated. It might also give me an experience of working in large companies and with much more experienced people.”
“In France? You’ll go to France?”
I support him in all his decisions, crazy or not, but this is too much, and I can’t stop the incredulity from seeping into my tone.
Thankfully, he shakes his head. “No. They have two offices in the States. One in Boston and the other in LA. I might have to go to Paris occasionally, but that’s it.”
We sit there like that for some time, holding hands. I can’t imagine the office without him. I joined MooreGames because of him. Now, even though I have other friends and I love my work, but it still won’t be the same.
“And how’s Paula?” I ask, changing the subject. It’s too much for me to handle right now. “You told her about your dinner date with So-phi-a? Hashtag the-woman-your-mom-loves, hashtag the-arranged-date.”
“First, it’s not a date. Just dinner. And second, I did tell Paula and she’s cool with it, or so it seems. She wants to come over tonight and give me some ‘new experience’,” he says, making air quotes.
I growl, snap my teeth, and curl my hands into mock claws. “Yeaow! Someone is in for some fun time.”
The corners of his lips twitch upward into a smile. I love it when he smiles and I hate that stupid investor who caused my best friend so much pain. If I ever see him, maybe I’ll take some cues from Paula and give him a taste of feral rage.
“Yeaaah. It’s actually a bit much. I mean, it was fun for one time, maybe two. But every time? Every. Damn. Time. She keeps biting me. Man! The week in Paris helped me heal a little, otherwise, I had bite marks in places you can’t imagine.”
“Even there?” I ask, looking at his crotch, and he nods, biting his lips. “Ouch! That must hurt. Why don’t you tell her not to do it? Suggest some different games, if that’s what she likes.”
“You think I haven’t? C’mon Nora. As if I’d take it all quietly. But she doesn’t listen, because that’s her animalistic phase nowadays.”
“You know this is borderline abuse, right?”
He rolls his eyes. “It’s mostly fun, except that one time,” he said, glancing down between his thighs. “But I’m tired of this. Tired of her. Her meowing, barking, growling, walking on fours, and making me do the same. I mean, she’s great and all, but I don’t think I can take it anymore.”
“Wow! Wasn’t it you who told me earlier today that she might be the one?”
“Whatever. I can’t stand her, even to keep Mom off my back. Even if she’s the one.”
“Is anyone the ‘one’? I mean, look at Rick. He’s the perfect man. He cares for me, earns well, has a nice house, and is okay in bed. But as soon as he hinted he wants us to be a ‘thing’, like engaged and stuff, I’ve been freaking out. Avoiding going home. I mean, he’s waiting for me right now because we had planned to go for dinner. And here I am, being anywhere but near him.”
He shrugs. “Maybe there’s no one for the likes of us. Maybe we’re broken. Destined to be alone.”
“Is that a bad thing, though? I’m happy being alone. And we’re not really alone, right? We have each other and other friends. So who cares?”
“I know, right? If you’re happy with your current status with Rick, shouldn’t he accept it? Your happiness should be paramount to him.”
“Wow! Paramount ? Did you really say that? You must really be upset.”
“I’m serious, Nora. Why label the relationship? I think you should tell him that honestly. If you’re not ready, you’re not ready. If he can’t get that inside his skull, his loss, I say. Ain’t I right, Sugar?” He ends with a Texan accent.
I punch him on the arm, chuckling. “Stop making fun of him. But you’re right. I’ll talk to him. If he’s the one, he’ll understand. I mean, it’s only been two years of our staying together. And it’s a lifetime we’re talking about. Two years in a lifetime is a rounding off error, y’know.”
“Yup. Two years! Wow! At least you’ve been stable. For me, I think there’s something intrinsically wrong with me.”
“Don’t say that. Paula’s bubbly, enthusiastic, and has an as insatiable sex drive as you. So, it might just work out. Who knows? Maybe give it some more time.”
He lets out a sigh. “No. I can’t do it anymore. I’ll try to let her down easy, y’know with an ‘It’s not you, it’s me.’ That kinda thing.”
“That’s so lame. Everyone knows it’s false and insincere.”
“What about, ‘You deserve a better man than me?’”
“I say, why not the truth?”
“That I hate the animalness she so loves? That she’s not naturally so bubbly and enthusiastic, but all that energy is from Adderall? That lately, even the thought of meeting her stresses me out? You think I can tell her all that?” He pauses for a bit. “Anyway, I have to break up with her tonight, one way or another.”
Before I can respond, I sense movement behind us. My eyes widen as I see Paula standing right there, the lamp in her hand raised over her head, ready to bring it down at any moment, her eyes red and full of rage.
“Paula!” I almost yell, but the sound that comes out is more like a croak. “When did you get here?”
“In time to hear you both conspiring behind my back.”
I jump up from the couch and turn around to face her. “It’s not that. We were only kidding around.”
“I think you should leave, Nora,” she says, her eyes not leaving Gabs.
I feel sorry for Gabs, but I don’t want to face the fury that is Paula right now. Am I a coward? Maybe. But I’m sure Gabs can handle her, right?
“Sure,” I say, picking up my purse and making a beeline to the door. I see Gabs giving me a death stare. “All the best,” I mouth to him and he rolls his eyes. I snap my jaws, curl my hands into claws again, and do a little pounce, followed by a thumbs up. Despite his situation, he smiles a little.
The smile seems to anger Paula even more because as I walk toward the elevator, I hear her screaming. “What’re you smiling at, you dork? You jerk. You…”
Thankfully, the doors open, and I don’t have to hear her barking out insults at my friend anymore. But now, I have to go home and face the challenges of my own relationship. Rick.