Chapter Nineteen.

Zawadi went back to work the following Monday. She had gotten up early to see Lucas off to the airport. He had only been gone for a few hours but she was already missing him terribly.

She knew though, that this was a good chance for her to think about things, to think about her relationship with Lucas.

If she had any doubts, she knew they would surface and it would be the perfect opportunity to deal with them in Lucas's absence.

After all, absence didn't always make the heart grow fonder.

She had been saddened by the fact that he had slept with other women, but she convinced herself that it was all before her and there was no need to be insecure.

He had chosen her after all, not because she was rich or as beautiful as the models and actresses he was with before, but because he wanted her. She reasoned.

She decided to keep herself busy by attending to the customers. That way she wouldn't be able to think about Lucas.

Her plan failed of course. She found herself thinking of him with every breath she took. She had started craving him on the first day.

'Maybe I should call him' she thought. ' But what if he is busy? ' she dismissed her initial thought.

"Hey girlfriend. Why are sulking like this" John said standing beside her.

"I'm not sulking, O'Neill fine." she answered.

" Come on, tell me. What's wrong? " he inquired, clearly concerned.

"It's nothing John, Lucas went on a business trip. " she sighed in frustration.

"So you miss him already " John said with a smirk.

"Yes, okay. I admit it, I miss him terribly yet it hasn't even been a day." she said.

"You really like him don't you? In fact I think you love him " John smirked.

"What? I dont love him. I've only known him for less than a month... " she reasoned.

"But you still agreed to date him. He is a good man Zawadi. And I can tell from the way he looks at you, he feels the same way. " he smiled down at her.

"He does? " she asked in disbelief.

"Let's get back to work, shall we? "

he chuckled, ignoring her question.

"Yeah " she mumbled, lost in thought.

After work, Zawadi went back home. She ate her lunch at the dinner as usual. She decided to call Lucas.

After the first ring, he picked up.

"Hey, how are you? " she greeted.

"Oh, cupcakes I really missed your voice . I'm good. How are you " he asked.

"I'm good" she said sadly.

"What's wrong, cupcake? Are you okay? " he asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I just miss you so much " she complained.

"Oh, I miss you too cupcake, more than you miss me. I'll be back tomorrow morning. We managed to finalise everything today so I'll be back tomorrow." he explained

"Okay. I'll wait for you" she said.

"Okay, I'll... come in" he said, " give me a minute Zawadi, I'll get back to you"

"Okay. I'll just... " he hung up before she could finish.

Moments later, she decided to call him again to wish him a good night.

He picked up after a few rings.

"I just wanted to say goodnight " she said but he did not respond.

"Lucas, are you there? " she asked

"Lucas? "

No answer.

"Hello, Lucas are you there? "

Still no answer.

Then she heard a sound from his side. A moan, from a woman!

'What is happening?' she wondered. She didn't hung up though, she continued to listen.

"Aaaaarh" she heard the moan again, louder this time. She let out a gasp.

"Oh no, the phone. it's not disconnected yet. " that was Lucas's voice.

She couldn't comprehend what was happening. Was he...? No, he couldn't have been cheating on her, after all, he liked her, right?

She quickly hung up and set the phone on her night stand.

What was it she had heard, was Lucas cheating on her? Was he playing with her emotions?

What if he was only using her. What was going on in his hotel room? Various questions flooded her mind.

She hoped it was not what it sounded like. She had just admitted to herself that she loved him, his rejection or betrayal would kill her.

She closed her eyes and went to sleep. Everything would be cleared up in the morning.

The next morning Zawadi waited for Lucas to come see her, but he didn't. She tried calling him a thousand times but he wouldn't pick up.

Maybe he is busy ' she thought. She decided that she would go see him after her shift, in his home.

"Goodbye John" she waved at John as she hurried to bus stop. She was eager to see Lucas. She really wanted him to hold her and kiss her again.

She got off the bus in a hurry, almost running, as soon as it came to a stop.

Since the gateman new her, she easily got in and made her way towards the huge door. Pulling it open she shouted, "Surprise "

She gasped at the sight before her, Lucas had a woman on his lap, they were kissing passionately.

It was at that moment that she felt her heart shatter.

She couldn't move, couldn't breathe. She just stood there. Finally her feet gave out and she collapsed on the floor. The noise caught their attention and both Lucas and the woman pulled away.

But it was already too late. The damage had already been done.

"Zawadi? " Lucas's surprised voice pulled her out of her trance." What are you doing here? "

Regaining her senses, she quickly got up on he feet and stretched her skirt, dusting it a bit.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come. I should have left you a message. I'm sorry. I'll leave right away. " she rambled on, tears pooling up in her eyes.

"It's not what it looks like, cupcake. I swear. I can explain. Just sit down, please " he pleaded.

"Oh, so this is Zawadi. I must say, you really are beautiful. But Lucas is done with you, he already won the bet" the woman who was with Lucas intervened.

"Bet? W- what bet? " Zawadi asked, Her voice shaky.