Chapter 13

It was already late when Henry called Liz. "I'm sorry, my love, my phone ran out of battery and I didn't realize," he said. She replied, "Yeah, dinner with your assistant was so good that you got distracted and forgot to let your girlfriend know again. It's the second time you've done this to me, and we already talked about it. I stopped by the bar after the movies, called you, sent messages to tell you, but no success. Your assistant sent Piter a photo of you two at the table with a caption 'AT DINNER WITH HIM'. How do you expect me to feel? I've been at home all week. I spent the afternoon with your parents, went to the movies, and at the end of the day, I see a photo of you two in the restaurant."

"Liz, we weren't alone; I was out with the partners and she joined us because she didn't want to be alone. I didn't see any problem with her coming along," he calmly responded. Liz then said, "Be careful not to wake up next to her in bed. Have a good night," and hung up.

The next morning, Penne asked Liz if she managed to talk to Henry. Liz recounted what he had said the night before. "You were right; Zoe is malicious. And she'll still be with him all week. So, I'll have to be patient and wait to see what happens. I won't be able to do anything but trust him. Hoping he'll come back soon."

Liz was finishing getting ready when the doorbell rang. She opened the door and received a breakfast basket and flowers with a card from Henry. She showed it to Penny and then opened the card, which read: "TRUST ME. I WOULD NEVER HURT YOU. I LOVE YOU. FROM YOUR HENRY."

"I can't even argue with him anymore." Shortly after, her phone rang—it was Henry, asking if she received her breakfast basket. "Good morning to you too. I just got it. Thank you."

"Henry, please remember to charge your phone, and be careful with Zoe. She wants to separate us, and you're contributing to that. I'm telling you only once, before it gets worse, avoid getting too close to her, except professionally, because she'll trap you and I won't forgive you. I'd rather we end it now and remain friends, at least our friendship would survive."

"Liz, don't say that, not even jokingly," Henry pleaded. "I'm serious. Don't let me see any photos of you two together at night. Don't let me even dream about it. I respect you; I'm here waiting for you, wherever I go, I'll let you know. And what do you do? You just disappear without letting me know. I love you so much, but I don't want to be made a fool of."

"Have a good day, and think about everything I've said. If it's not good for you, just let me know. I need to work now. And I need to go. So, we'll talk later."

"Liz, I love you so much and I don't want to lose you." "I love you too, Henry. But these days are wearing me out; I have nightmares at night like never before. Ask Penne, she'll tell you. I'm really tired. But it's okay; I'll go to work. Call me whenever you want to talk."

"The week passed, and Henry said he hadn't resolved everything yet; he needed a few more days to finish the job. Liz was sad but didn't say anything to him.

That same weekend, Henry had dinner with his partners there, and Zoe came along to set him up. And sure enough, the next morning's headline was: 'MR. HENRY CARL WITH HIS NEW AFFAIR.' My phone wouldn't stop ringing, messages with their photo at the party. Penne came to see how I was. I said I was fine but that the day I stepped outside would be tough."

"I begged him so much to be careful with Zoe, but he didn't take me seriously. Innocent Zoe got what she wanted. I'm tired, Penne, really. He thought it was just jealousy; I even told him about my nightmares, and he didn't care. I can't take it anymore. For me, he can stay there now and not bother coming back."

"Even his mom called me, and I didn't have the courage to answer. Friend, let's get to work," Liz said, tears in her eyes.

"Henry's calling. Aren't you going to answer?" "No."

Then Liz took the ring off her finger, put it in a box, and stowed it away in a drawer to return it in person.

"Penne, that project one of us had to monitor closely, I've decided. I'm going there to oversee the work. Are you sure about this, Liz?" "Yes. He's coming back on Monday or Tuesday. I don't want him to find me here when he returns. You have Nick nearby. I won't leave you alone here. You understand, right, my friend?" "Of course, but I think you should still talk to him first." "He didn't listen to me when I talked to him, Penne. It's too late now."