Chapter 29: A History Lesson

“Funny you would want to talk to me. I had kind of settled for us hating each other.”

“I guess one more one less on your enemies’ list isn't much. I would however like to be more. For example, maybe the one who knew better, exposed you for what a fraud and hypocrite you are.”

“Ok, Keshy, if you brought me here to insult me and make it harder on both of us, I’m leaving.”

“Come on, Vicky, we’re just getting started. It’s a beautiful day; the park is a public place, no worries. I think we can and should talk about how we feel right now.”

“I suggest you go first then.”

“My pleasure. Let’s see…I’ve already told you I think you’re a fraud and a hypocrite. I know you read my journal. You had no clue anything ever happened between Graham and me. I don’t know why you read my diary. Maybe you were just bored. I don’t know but I’m convinced you used this information to get back together with him."

“Nice little story. Don’t try to make me the bad guy here. YOU slept with MY boyfriend.”


Keshia started laughing as if it were the best joke she heard. Vicky looked at her; she was clueless.


“Vicky, I’m not blind and I’m certainly not an idiot. Remember Nathan? Because I sure do. It was years ago so there’s no point in denying. Nathan and I were good. We were happy.

That was until you came along. I know what was going on between you two. He told me all of it. For some reason, I left him but stayed friends with you. Maybe I wanted a chance for payback.”

“Nathan? You are mad about Nathan?! He was a joke. If anything, I did you a favor. You could have done much better.”

“And you’re the one to decide? We were engaged, had plans for the future…I guess you couldn’t take it. You say I could have done better and yet, you tried to have him leave me for you. I guess you overestimated the power you had over him.”

“Listen Keshia, I’m not on trial here. Two wrongs won’t make a right. It took me a moment to believe what I read in your journal. We were both wrong. Can we make a truce? We don’t really have to be friends but we can be civil to one another.”

“Forgiven but not forgotten?”

“Exactly.”

“Yes, sure, Vicky. It’s a deal.”


They smiled and shaked hands. Deep down, neither of them believed in the truce.

Chapter 28: Taking Control

Alice slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry. She had no idea where she was or how she ended up there. A familiar voice spoke her name. As her surroundings became clearer, the memories came flooding in.


“What are you doing here, Graham?”

“I just needed to make sure you were alright. You are at the hospital, Alice.”

“Yeah, well, I still don’t need you around. You can go, free of guilt. You never should have come. Shouldn’t you be with Victoria and watch her gloat over how she won you back?”

“Alice, this is not you…it’s not that simple and you know it. I couldn’t be with Victoria tonight. When the rescue team called…I was just so scared. I don’t know what I would’ve done if anything had happened to you.”

“Graham, just because I had an accident after I left the office doesn’t make you responsible. I was doing great when I left and I’m still great. I just want you out of my life. I guess I forgot to take you off the emergency number list. This won’t happen again. Now please leave.”

“Give me one more minute. There’s something you should know… I love you, Alice. Probably more than I love Vicky, more than I ever will. I cheated on Victoria with her best friend, Keshia.

We promised to keep it a secret and I felt so bad that I proposed to Vicky not long after. I guess I thought it would put my conscience at ease. It didn’t and I found myself trying to please her more and more. It was as if I had decided I would spend my whole life making it up to her even if she didn’t know.

Vicky left me and yet, I was still feeling bad and wouldn’t let her go. Then I finally understood; I was free. She had given me my freedom back. You had always been there but it’s like I had never noticed before. With Vicky gone, I felt like a different man. I could start over.

I never meant to hurt you. Only when she came back and told me how she knew all about Keshia and me from day one, I…I started to feel like I owed her all over again. I left you but never stopped thinking about you. Whether you believe me or not, I’m leaving Vicky. Tonight.”


Alice was confused. It all seemed like some sort of love triangle. Keshia had approached her earlier and said she wanted to help. Now she was finding out she slept with Graham. She looked around the room. Her purse was on a chair and next to it a piece of paper she didn’t have before meeting Keshia. Her number; Graham had probably seen it.

Nothing made sense. Felt like she was the circus’ clown. She had to figure out the nature of the current relationship between Keshia and Graham. This brutal change of heart didn’t make much sense.


“Graham, you do what you want to do. You and me, it’s over. That’s how it is and how it will be.”

“I promise I won’t give up.”


After a long time letting it flow, Graham finally felt it was time to take back the control of his own life. He wanted to be with Alice. Everything he told her he meant it. Her accident made him realize he didn’t care for life without her. Keshia number was a warning sign that if he didn’t act now, Alice could definitely turn his back on him. Forever.

Chapter 27: Truth Is

Hearing the sound of keys, Keshia quickly tried gathering her books, papers, pens and the rest of the mess on the living room table. It seemed pretty clear after just a second she would never be able to avoid Mandy like she did this past week.


“Keshy! For a change, you’re not hiding in your room. Ever since Vicky dropped her bomb, you’ve been avoiding me. Knowing I respect your privacy too much to intrude sure made it easy. I am however certain you know it wasn’t right.”

“To be honest, I wanted to avoid talking to you just now. Guess I was so caught up in my studies I didn’t hear you arrive. It’s just when I heard your keys that I tried to make a run for it.”

“One look on the table gives it away. Can you please explain to me what’s going on? Cough it out sister! I’m pretty angry with you. Maybe an explanation would make me more sympathetic.”

“I don’t have an explanation but I owe you an apology for not trusting you. Vicky didn’t lie; I did sleep with Graham. Once, that’s it. It was a mistake and I still kind of feel bad about it.

I would’ve told you; only I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone and just wanted to leave it all behind me. Vicky read my old diaries and she found out. Probably used her findings to get Graham back.

You know, I chose to avoid you because of the look on your face when you heard. It was as if I had not only betrayed Vicky, but you also. And that; I couldn’t live with. You know I’m not the kind of girl who betrays a friend but that’s definitely enough to make one doubt it.”

“Why? What exactly went through your mind to have you do such a thing? I would be a hypocrite to tell you it’s ok. I barely speak to Vicky anymore because she keeps crossing the line of what’s acceptable and what’s not with Gary. But you went straight for a taboo…”

“I’ve done a lot of thinking lately. I’ll be honest, with you, with myself. When it happened, I thought it was because I had always been a little jealous of Victoria. Everything seemed to be great for her, she was beautiful, had a great career and an amazing man…

Truth is: I did it out of spite. I guess I’m not as goody two shoes as some make me out to be. Victoria had done it to me in the past. Yes, in case you didn’t know, I left David thanks to her. Before him, it was Lloyd, he left me out of guilt and I didn’t know until recently.

I despise Vicky. That girl’s venom poisoned my life for years and I was just happy to poison hers just a little bit. I was too nice though; remorse started kicking in and I decided to put behind me. Only she had to read my diary and get it out.”


Keshia was mad. From her voice, Mandy could feel controlled rage. She had never seen her like this. It was like after all these years, Keshia had finally decided to take a stand.


“I want nothing less than to destroy her. Leave her with nothing. You are right concerning Gary; to Vicky, nothing is sacred. Gary may hate her right now, but she could still get to him. I’ve quickly put together a plan B. If you want in on it, you let me know. By the way, sorry again.”


Keshia was just about to head to her room when Mandy hugged her tight. She started to cry.


“Hey, don’t cry, Keshy. I’ll always be here for you.”

“Same here.”

Chapter 26: When All Else Fails

"Hey handsome! I figured I'd find you here."

"Vicky! To what do I owe the pleasure?"

“To whom is more like it.”


Victoria sat on the stool right next to Gary and waived the barman.


“I’ll have a gin tonic with a hint of lime. Thanks.”

“Let me guess. That someone is Graham. Hopefully you are looking for some excitement tonight.”


Victoria giggled.


“I’m still taken, Gary. I’m here for company and some information.”

“Company? Whatever happened to the three musketeers?”

“That’s a though subject. Keshia betrayed me by sleeping with Graham. As for Mandy, well, she seems to think I’m trying to keep you away from her.”

“Aren’t you? I wouldn’t mind, you know!”


Gary smiled and blinked. Victoria wasn’t feeling very flirtatious and preferred changing the subject.


“Do you think Graham and I are right for each other?”

“I’m totally bias, Vicky, you can’t ask me that. I want you all to myself.”

“Ok then, a different question. What do you know about his feelings for Alice?”


Gary was seeing a human side to Victoria. Did she genuinely love Graham or was she just trying to size the competition just to win? Knowing Victoria it could be all a game; it didn’t mean she really cared. But the look in her eyes, seemed to say it was true. She was scared of losing Graham and she probably loved him.


“I’m sorry, there is no easy way to say this. Graham cares about Alice deeply. When they started dating, it was as if they were made for each other. He was obsessed with her and she was really into him. He had given up on you, Vicky, that says a lot.”

“Now he’s back. He’s giving us a second chance but I feel like Alice will never be part of the past. Graham is at the hospital right now with her. I’m sure he feels guilty; he probably thinks she had an accident leaving the office. He’s changed, Gary, I don’t recognize him. Could you talk to him?”

“Wow, Vicky, I’m not sure what you want or what you are asking for but I can’t. If someone needs to talk to Graham, it’s you.”

“Thanks anyways. See you around.”


Victoria left the trendy bar and started walking to her car. She was almost hoping to get hit by a car while crossing the street. Maybe that would get Graham to care.