The Fight.

Maya nodded, took a deep inhale, and proceeded to give Evelyn an in-depth analysis of her discussion with Gabriel.

" So like you said, he might want to break up. " Maya concluded.

" You don't know that, " Evelyn didn't believe herself, but saying it anyway was the best option.

" Well is either that or... " Maya narrowed her eyes, " Or he actually wants me to tell him what's going on. "

" Then tell him, " Evelyn felt like that statement was hooked on her shoulders for a while, she felt good about saying it, " Tell him. "

" I can't tell him. " Maya sounded firm.

Evelyn buried her head in her palms, she could tell when Maya was being defiant. It was because it reflected her personality, strong, precise, willing, and stubborn. Only now it was for the wrong purpose, that was Evelyn's stance.

" You have to tell him, what other choice do you have? "

" I'm not going for the date, or whatever the hell it is. "

Evelyn was lost for words, or she was placing the words rightly in her head before she voiced them. She couldn't handle the outcome of saying something rash.

" I'll do what I've always done to him, ignore... play dumb. "

" Are you listening to yourself? play dumb? Do you think he's an idiot? "

" Just until it's safe for me to tell him, okay? "

" Okay? " Evelyn was pacing around now, " Like I know what the hell you're talking about. "

" You don't need to. "

" Okay. " Evelyn was still, dramatically exhaling out with her hands on her stomach. She had to somehow ease the temper that was rising in her to keep the conversation going. " So you're not gonna show up, you're not gonna explain why you're not showing up, you're not gonna tell him what the fuck is happening... what else? " Evelyn turned over to Maya.

" Nothing, and hopefully he lets it go. "

Evelyn couldn't fight the urge any longer, she was letting Maya get her way because that was the only suitable option, she was evading the fact that Maya was keeping something from her because it wasn't her place to insist. But Maya was her best friend, she loved her, and watching from the sidelines while Maya ruined herself was too hard for her. Not to couple with the fact that Maya's decision to hide whatever was going on was affecting their friendship, it was affecting her. Evelyn couldn't imagine having to keep up with the constant lies and theatrics, it was already becoming a burden.

" And what if he doesn't? "

" He will. "

" You don't know that! what if he doesn't? " Evelyn asked again.

" When we get to that bridge, we'll cross it. " Maya's lips vibrated as she spoke.

" Look at yourself... you sound like a dumb bitch. " Evelyn surprisingly felt good after saying that.

Maya gave Evelyn a lazy smile, " I'm not upset. "

" You think this is one of those Maya moments? " Evelyn felt herself succumbing to her emotions but she was too riled up to stop, " Sing and dance khumbaya and hope everything will turn out jolly. "

" Evelyn__

" What if he breaks up with you? have you thought about that? "

" He won't... he__

" You're not ready for that! every day I ask myself what could you be hiding, an affair? is it__

" It's none of your business, that's what it is! "

Evelyn closed her eyes so tightly, that the headache that came from it made her finally shut the fuck up.

" I'm sorry... " Maya tried to apologize, " I didn't mean to__

" Don't apologize to me, I'll be with you no matter what and you know that. "

" Which I'm grateful for, " Maya tried to touch her.

" But what about Gabriel? the truth is, you're not ready to face the truth, so you wanna do it the Maya way, run away, and hope it all turns out good. "

" And what is that truth I'm not ready to face? "

Maya was asking for trouble, Evelyn knew that already but she was willing to dish it out.

" The fact that Gabriel will end the relationship and you'll be left alone and blaming yourself for what ultimately will be a miserable life. " Evelyn was stunned at her utterance, her hands helplessly flew over to her mouth in a bid to salvage what was left.

" Oh, that's my truth? " Maya responded way too quickly.

" I'm sorry, I didn't mean to__

" What about yours? "

" I don't understand. " Evelyn had a nudge.

" Your truth... " Maya made sure to stare straight at Evelyn's eyes, " At least I have a possible clue, you're so wrapped up in my life that you can't even tell yours. " Maya made her way to the door, slamming it behind her.

Evelyn felt like she was in a simulation, " Is this about Danny? " Evelyn stared around still perplexed, " Oh shit, she's gone. "

* * * * * * *

Evelyn felt like she was losing her mind, she knew she had to get out of the office quickly. She had been trying to come up with a suitable headline for a story but all her efforts were futile. Her mind kept taking her back to her conversation with Maya. Well, it was more of a disagreement than a conversation. Evelyn accepted the fact that she may have crossed the line, but she didn't say anything that needed not to be said.

She had to make do with the possibility of sitting out of this one, she owned up to her loss, it was either not her fight or bigger than hers. She wanted the best for Maya, or maybe it wasn't out of that need. Maybe she had been guessing/wondering what the side-hustle was for so long that she just wanted it out in the light. Speaking of side-hustle, Maya had left again. It was different this time, Maya had left in fury. There were no funny talks before her departure, no clowning of any sort. Maybe it was time for her to let Maya decide, even if there are no plans on the table.

* * * * * * *

Evelyn walked into the empty house with some files hugging her chest. Her long silver hair divided into two, half falling over her face and the other half to the opposite. Evelyn halted in the middle of the living room, it was something she always did before retiring to her room. She would take a minute to admire the comfort she had, the privilege of release she got to feel, the short moment of bliss she got to experience. When this minute was over, she made her way up the stairs.

Before she got to her room, she had to go past Maya's. It appeared as though time was slowed down, as Evelyn journeyed past the door she saw a vague silhouette beside the bed, kneeling probably. The face of whoever was in there was shielded, painted even. Their attention was directed to an item on top of the bed, it was brown, that was all Evelyn saw until she went past the door.

But she was already pulled by that short glimpse of uncertainty, she paused, turned around, and made her way inside the room. She had a full visage of what was on top of the bed, it was a brown wooden box. It was slightly open, just enough to wonder what was in it, not to know. But there was no sign of the shadowy figure, Evelyn was drawn to the box on the bed and she went for it.

Abandoning her files on the floor, she made her way to the bed. Evelyn knelt beside it, her eyes digging deeply into it like she was about to feast on it. The outside of the box was unsightly, it look raggedy and old. But with the help of the narrow holes, she could tell the insides told a different story. Her hands prepped to make their first entry when she was distracted.