Who's Lying Now?

Mandy sat in her office. She had just finished a meeting with Xander. The meeting went well, considering the fact that she and Xander are friends. It would have been a boring meeting if it were another person. But Xander explained everything to her as plainly as possible. And for that, Mandy is really grateful.

"Just call me if ever you have some problems with anything — reports, procedures, processes, whatnots. I'll help you as best as I can," said Xander, putting his hand on hers.

Mandy didn't pull away.

"Thank you, Xander! You're a life-saver! I don't think I'll be able to get through today if it weren't for your help," Mandy beamed. She meant every word she said.

"Anything for you, Mandy," he winked.

This time, Mandy pulled her hand away from Xander's.

"Ugh! I hate it when you do that!"

Both of them laughed. Xander stood up to go.

"Is there anything else I can do for you Madam President?" Xander teased.

Mandy stood up, too.

"I'm not the President. And no, that will be all."

"I'll see you tomorrow," Xander said as Mandy walked him to the door of her office. "I miss having you as my neighbor," he added.

"Yeah, me, too," Mandy replied and then she closed the door.

She sat back in the couch again. She slid down a bit so that her head rested on the top of the couch's back rest. Though she was working with Xander earlier, she remembered the scene earlier with Josh.

"Josh," she whispered to herself. "How did we ever come to this?"

She looked out the glass window and realized that the sun had already set. She finally noticed the office room's lights were on. It had a beautiful amber glow that made the room feel cozy. The lighting perfectly matched the furnitures.

Day one has ended, though not on a very high note, but well enough for Mandy to come back the next day.

"Jenny?" Mandy pressed on her intercom.

"Yes, Miss?" Jenny promptly replied.

"Can you please find out for me Josh's residential address?"

"Of course, Miss."

Mandy sat back in her chair and waited patiently for Jenny.

. . .

"Are you sure you want to do this, Miss?" Jenny asked for the dozenth time since they left the office.

Mandy had gotten tired of answering Jenny. She simply looked out the window and tried to enjoy the drive.

They've been driving for about thirty minutes now. If there is one thing she liked about her new job, it's having a chauffeur. She doesn't mind driving but when the day has been specially long, she disliked it.

The neighborhood going to Josh's house wasn't as bad as Mandy had expected. There were people grouped in the streets, mostly teens, having fun with their skateboards. They also passed a basketball court where many kids were watching a game of some older guys. It was already dark but the game seemed to have just started.

"We're here, Miss," said Andrew as he stopped in front of a house with a white picket fence.

"Are you sure this is the address?" Mandy asked Andrew.

"Yes, Miss," Andrew replied.

"I will go and knock, Miss Mandy. You just stay here," suggested Jenny. Though the neighborhood seemed safe, she didn't want to take risks.

"No, I will go and knock. You both stay here." Mandy started to open her door but Andrew got out so fast that he was already outside Mandy's door before she even got the door unlocked. Andrew opened the door for her.

"I'll go with you, Miss," Andrew said and Mandy didn't argue.

Andrew walked first to open the small gate for Mandy. The gate creaked as it swung open.

The plants were flowering beautifully but it needed some trimming, Mandy thought. The house itself was not as big as the houses she is used to seeing but it was large enough for a small family.

Mandy and Andrew reached the front porch. Andrew was about to ring the doorbell when Mandy stopped him.

"No, Andrew. I'll do it." Mandy pressed on the button. She could hear the faint sound of a chime.

It took a couple of seconds before somebody opened the door. It was a little girl. Mandy was surprised to see a girl.

"I didn't know Josh still has a young sibling," Mandy thought.

"Oh! Uhm hi there! Is this the house where Josh lives?" Mandy felt a little stupid asking the question. She didn't know Josh's last name. If he had told her, it definitely did not register, and she forgot to ask Jenny what Josh's last name was when she asked for the address from Human Resources.

The girl stared at her for about thirty seconds, as if trying to decide whether she will entertain a stranger or not.

Mandy, on the other hand, thought she didn't understand her. She was about to repeat her question when the girl closed the door. Mandy looked at Andrew, bewildered. She shrugged her shoulders. She expected for someone to open the door again but after a couple of seconds, she decided to go. She stepped off the porch, Andrew following her. Suddenly, the door opened again. But since Mandy had started walking back to the car, only Andrew was close enough to hear the door open.

"May I help you?"

Andrew turned around to see Josh at the door.

"Yes," Andrew answered. "We are looking for Josh."

"I am he. Anything I can help you with?"

Mandy turned around when she heard Josh's voice. At that instant, Josh noticed her.

"Amanda?" Josh said and then realized she was no longer the "Amanda" he knew.

"I mean, Miss Mandy. What are you doing here? How did you find out where I live?" Josh asked, completely surprised. He didn't know if he was happy to see her or he'd be mad at her.

Mandy noticed Josh looked behind him before stepping out and closing the door. She walked towards him to meet him.

"Please wait in the car, Andrew," said Mandy. Andrew obliged, though he didn't get in the car. He waited by Mandy's side of the car, ready to open the car door for her.

"What are you doing here? How did you find me?" Josh repeated his question.

"I'm sorry to come unannounced," Mandy began, completely ignoring Josh's questions. "I would have asked if I could come but I was afraid you'd say 'no' so here I am." Mandy smiled nervously.

"Why are you here, Miss Mandy?" Josh repeated this time emphasizing each word.

"Who was the girl who answered the door? Is she your sister?"

This time, it was Josh's turn to ignore her question.

"Look, Miss Mandy, if you came here for small talk, I'm afraid I don't have the luxury of time. I have tons of things to do. If you have nothing important to tell me, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask you to leave."

"Josh, you don't have to call me 'Miss' when it's just the two of us. I'm still your friend, aren't I?"

Josh's face was serious. "I don't befriend liars." Josh started to leave but Mandy held him by the arm.

"Josh, please, I'm sorry I lied to you. It wasn't my idea. It was what my father wanted. I didn't mean to hurt anyone or to lie to anyone. I just didn't have a choice!" Mandy was trying hard to fight her tears.

Josh faced her. He wanted to embrace her but he had to restrain himself.

"Don't worry about it. Who am I anyway to question your motives for pretending to be someone else. Let's just leave it at that, MISS Mandy. Let's face it, whatever trust we had going just went out the window. And here I am thinking I'm in…"

"Josh?" A woman's voice cut Josh's sentence.

Mandy and Josh simultaneously turned towards the direction of the voice. There, at the door, was a woman standing. The light was behind her so Mandy took some time to see her face.

Josh looked at Mandy, then to the woman, then back to Mandy again. His mouth was open but he was utterly speechless.

Mandy thought she heard that voice before.

"I'll be right there," Josh shouted. "Go back inside."

"Josh, is everything okay?" The woman spoke again, this time she stepped outside the door, onto the porch. The light from the street lamp shone in her face.

"Alynna?" Mandy said, unfortunately, out loud. "Is that Alynna?" Mandy asked Josh.

"I said go back inside," Josh commanded.

But Alynna wouldn't have it. She took another step closer, straining to see who Josh was talking to.

At that moment, the little girl came running.

"Mommy! Can I have some cookies?"

"Mommy?" Mandy said to Josh. Josh was still grasping for words.

Suddenly, everything was becoming clear for Mandy.

"Josh and Alynna are this little girl's parents!" Mandy thought to herself.

"You and Alynna are married? Are you that girl's father?" Asked Mandy but she didn't let Josh answer. "And you accuse me of lying?"

"Mandy, let me explain, Alynna and I…"

Mandy quickly turned and walked towards her car. She must make it there before she starts to cry.

"Mandy, wait!" Josh called out but Mandy didn't look back. Josh ran after her, grabbing her by the arm.

"Mandy, please, let me explain," begged Josh.

"Here I am feeling so guilty of lying to you, thinking you hate me for it. I came here to explain my side but you wouldn't hear it. You are angry at me for something you were also guilty of." Mandy's voice broke.

Josh saw the anger and pain in Mandy's eyes.

"Mandy, please," Josh began.

"That's MISS Mandy to you, Josh. Now, let go of my arm." Josh loosened his grip enough for Mandy to free herself.

Andrew opened her door and Mandy hopped in the car. Andrew quickly went to the driver's side and started the car.

Josh held onto Mandy's car window and began tapping loudly on the glass.

"Mandy, Mandy! Open the window, please. Let me explain!"

But it was too late now, Mandy looked the other way just as the car drove away, leaving Josh standing on the street.