No, not again.

* * * * * * *

Evelyn took a tired glance at her phone as she saw Maya's voice message come in, she wasn't prepared for any more of Maya's drama. She already had a tiring day at work and all she needed was a dive inside her bathtub, the water preferably cold and to make things more exciting, her vibrator in motion to release the pent-up stress. After reaching a climax of course she would feel sleepy, it works every time.

Her bed would be her last location, she wouldn't work tonight, she was in for full comfort. She had just concluded her case that lasted for about two months. She was covering an apparent suicide of a well-known socialite. The case was so bizarre, plus the publicity it drew had consumed her time and strength. Burying her face on her computer all day at work and her laptop at night had driven her insane that she wished she could just run away somewhere. But unfortunately, she couldn't.

Who was she kidding? running away wasn't an option, not when her mother solely depended on her. And as the only child, she had to cater to her. Living with her mother would have reduced her expenses but there was no way she could do that without losing her mind. She couldn't have her mother complaining over everything she does to her face all the time, she couldn't handle the nagging and yelling combined with her tedious job.

Her mother had nagged about her boyfriend for being too shady and suspicious and Maya for being too feisty. Evelyn knew she wouldn't ditch anyone of them to please her mother, she loved them way too much. Evelyn was forced to get her own place, which she eventually did. As she planned, when the weight of expenses became heavier, she got a roommate.

Evelyn only concurred with her mother about the fact that her job was taking more than what it gave to her. Yes, her job was stressful, intense, and sometimes dangerous. To make things worse she was underpaid. There was a time she was stalked for weeks by a relative of a case she covered, she still hadn't recovered from that trauma.

Her mother had tried to convince her to quit her job but Evelyn couldn't. Her mother knew nothing about the struggles to find another job like she already has. The competition in journalism was way too much, plus she loved what she did and her mother just wouldn't understand.

Fortunately for her, she didn't have to look too far for a roommate, Maya Lang had jumped to the idea. And before long she had gotten fond of Maya, why wouldn't she? they had so many identical attributes. They were both obnoxious, daring, crazy, and had a peculiar sense of humor. But while Evelyn limited her craziness to people she was accustomed to, Maya on the other hand, had no chills. They were both ambitious but Maya's case was different, Maya was way too practical with her thoughts and decisions.

Together they made an unstoppable, merry team. To Evelyn, Maya was more like an escape from her serious work-life. Sometimes she wondered how Maya was able to look jolly when they both worked at the same place. That was one of Maya's quirks, she was able to see the bright side of every situation and Evelyn loved it. Maya had left early from work once again to her " side-hustle, " as she would occasionally call it. Evelyn was curious but especially amazed at how Maya could juggle a full-time job as a journalist and have a side-hustle. She had tried to find out what the side-hustle was but Maya wouldn't tell her.

* * * * * * * *

Seated inside her car, Evelyn listened to the voice recording from Maya, " Hey bitch, I know for sure you're listening to this shit inside your weak ass car, tired as fuck and anxious to go home to masturbate, "

Evelyn shook her head as she heard Maya's loud laughter followed, she sighs as she smiled at how accurate Maya was.

" So... promise not to kill me when I tell you this? "

Evelyn immediately sat up as she prepped for what Maya was about to say next, she silently prayed that it wasn't something detrimental to her.

" So I just got here and realized that I uh... took all the house keys by mistake. "

Evelyn's eyes shot with shock as she hurriedly went through her bag to hopefully disclaim Maya's statement.

" Oh shit, " Evelyn retorted as she couldn't find the keys, " I will kill you bitch. "

" I'm so sorry, I know you hate what I'm about to say right now, but you're gonna have to do a sleepover with mommy. " Maya went on, " Just for the night, I'll be back tomorrow morning, we'll meet at work. "

" You better don't come back! " Evelyn snarled.

" Oh! if Gabriel calls just tell him I went with you to mommy's place, he won't want to come over then. I love you byee! " Maya concluded with a kiss and the recording ended.

Evelyn buried her head in her palms as she fought to suppress her rising anger. The last thing Evelyn wanted was to show up unannounced at her mother's house late at night. Just thinking about her mother's reaction gave her a headache, how could Maya do this to her? she was more concerned about why she should lie to Maya's finance Gabriel about her supposed side-hustle thingy. She was honestly sick and tired of having to lie to Gabriel, she knew he truly loved Maya. She was also in the dark about Maya's whereabouts, so it wasn't technically lying or was she deceiving herself.

She was forced so many times to conclude that maybe Maya was having a secret affair, that had to be the side-hustle. Although, she also knew that Maya was in love with Gabriel which only left her with one alternative. Maya had a sugar daddy. That would explain why she got paid triple her salary in a heartbeat.

But why was Maya keeping it away from her? is it possible that her sugar daddy was someone of high status? that would prompt her to keep the affair a secret. In as much as Gabriel didn't deserve such a betrayal from Maya, there was no way she would snitch. Just as she pondered about her next line of action, her phone rang and it was Gabriel.

* * * * *

" Hello, " She answered.

" Hi Evelyn, how are you doing? "

Hearing Gabriel's poised and stable voice made Evelyn's heart skip a beat, his voice always gave her the creeps. " I'm doing good, and you? "

" I'm okay, where are you? "

His voice was sharp as if piercing right through her ears, " Uh... I'm at home, my mom's house, why? "

" Was wondering if you were with Maya. Her phone is switched off, I'm getting worried. "

Evelyn snapped her fingers, " She's with me... my mom needed help with something and she decided to hop along. " Evelyn prayed to the stars that it was enough to fool him. The long pause Gabriel gave her was nerve-wracking, she realized she had to make it sound believable.

" She's in the bathroom, you wanna talk to her? "

" No, it's okay. How's mom doing? "

Evelyn let out a subtle sigh of relief, " She's been cranky as usual. "

Gabriel chuckled, " I figured, still taking the transfer exams? "

" Of course, "

" Wish you the best. "

" Thank you Gabriel. " Evelyn just wanted the call to be over with.

" Okay, goodnight. " Gabriel hung up.