“After she left my father, she ended up marrying another rich dude. Had another son. Left him as well.”
“What the fuck,” Kyle murmurs quietly.
“She then found somebody else, got pregnant again. A few years later, she died in a car accident, leaving behind her a long streak of pure misery.”
Kyle’s mouth is literally gaped open as he stares at me in disbelief. “I can’t believe someone would do anything like this.” He pauses for a second as if to think. “So, wait, you have siblings? How come you never mentioned them before?”
“I’ve never met them,” I shrug. “What would the point even be?”
My life is like a Greek tragedy, and the only person I’ve ever felt remotely close to was Mona. I need her back.
SEVEN
Mona
After my initialshock at seeing the profile of one of Alex’s friends on theHolidatesapp, I decided that it didn’t matter. I was ready to move on with my life. The site was public, everyone was free to use it, and it wasn’t my fault this guy was on there. Besides, I got the idea from Alex’s other friend, Cal, so I guess it was a given that someone else in their group would also be on there.
With that said, tonight I have my first meet-up with a potential candidate. His picture on there was not very clear, but from what I could tell, he was good looking enough. In fact, he looked like a younger version of Alex. I probably shouldn’t be going after a copycat, but whatever. My only concern is not to show up alone at the Christmas party. Nothing else.
I took great care with my outfit tonight. It is sexy but elegant, and I think I look damn good in it. After a couple of emails back and forth, we decided to meet at a restaurant in Manhattan. It’s a bit on the pricy side, and all I can afford will be a plain salad with the house dressing, but that’s okay. I had a very filling meal before getting dressed, and I’m not even hungry, so I could skip eating altogether. And I can drink water since I shouldn’t be drinking alcohol while meeting a stranger anyway.
The train is packed, as always, and I pull the coat I’m wearing tighter around my body, giving everyone around me a preemptive dirty look, just so they don’t get any ideas of approaching me. The rule is that the more deranged you look, the more they leave you alone, and if I have to really act crazy so they wouldn’t engage with me, I’ll do it.
By the time the train gets to my stop, I feel inexplicably angry. I put too much effort into looking unapproachable, and I did too good of a job. Now I’m ready to beat someone up.
I climb up the stairs with purpose, relief flooding my system when I have finally reached the upper level. It’d be nice if I could afford an Uber back home, I tell myself as I walk through the droves of people. At this time, it is packed with mostly tourists since everyone who works here has already left for the day.
The restaurant is not far from the train station, and just as I get there, I realize that I should probably tell someone of my whereabouts. What if I disappear tonight? No one would know until way after my body has been disposed of.
I stop in front of the door and pull out my cell phone. I shoot a quick text to Elizabeth, although I have no idea what she could do in case I need help given that she lives in Texas nowadays.
Pulling my shoulders back, I let out a long breath of air and pull on the handle of the door. As soon as I step inside, I recognize the vibe around me as being what I knew it would be,money and understated opulence. Definitely out of my element here.
“Good evening, miss.” I jump, startled when the hostess addresses me. “Do you have a reservation?”
“Uhm, yes.” I clear my throat. “It should be under Julian Lewis.”
Her eyes go to the old fashioned reservation book she has in front of her. “Ah, yes!” Her face lights up with a smile. “You must be Mona.”
I nod with confidence. “That’s right.”
She signals for someone to come and take my coat, after which she steps from around her little podium and stretches an arm for me to follow her. “I will walk you to your table,” she murmurs demurely.
As I walk behind her, I check out the dress she’s wearing. It looks more expensive than the one I have on, making me wonder how much she’s getting paid. Maybe I should reconsider my choice of employment.
“Would you like anything to drink while you wait for Mr. Lewis?”
I take a seat at the table where she stopped, the small lamp on it giving it a romantic vibe.
“Water is fine,” I smile at her. My mouth feels tight, and my tone is strained when I speak. I am not the confident woman who marched here all the way from the train station.
The girl bows and leaves with the same smile she’s maintained since I stepped foot inside the restaurant. Not awkward at all.
An elegant glass of water is placed in front it me. I want to grab it and gulp it down, but since I don’t want to look like the savage that I am, I pick it up gently and take a couple of small sips.
Not sure if it would be appropriate for me to have my cell phone out, I pick up my purse and place it in my lap. I slowly unzip it, then try to peek inside of it, wanting to check the time on my phone. Wearing a watch would come in very handy right now.
“Mona!”
