Purple Romance

She smiled to herself, knowing the attention she was getting from the looks of the people. Mali was beautiful and she knew how to use it to her advantage. She walked towards the reception and was about to speak to one of the receptionist when she heard someone call her name.

''Mali?''

Mali turned and saw Manager Godiva. Her smile broadened as she walked over to her.

''Senior Godiva''

Godiva looked at her with a distorted smile. Her face paled as if she had seen a ghost. She turned impulsively towards the administration side as if weary of something.

''Senior Godiva, it has been a while. How have you been?'' Mali asked with a smile.

''You… here? What are you doing here?'' Godiva stuttered for the first time in her life. She was always the calmest person but now her gaze gave her away.

''I'm back, senior'' Mali stepped closer and hugged Godiva before stepping back. she and Godiva had a junior and senior relationships because they attended the same high school together.

''I'm fine. How about you? When did you return?'' Godiva asked after calming herself down.

''This morning. I still feel jetlagged but I had to come here first. Where is Andy, do you know where he is?''

''You came to see Andy?''

''Yes, if not. What would I be doing here so soon as I arrived?''

''Andy, he is in a meeting at the moment''

''I will wait for him. Where is his office?'' Mali asked and looked ahead seeing Andy, Leslie and a few others coming out of a conference hall, ''oh there he is…'' she said and walked towards them ignoring Godiva.

'That rude brat'' Godiva cussed and turned to look at Mali walking away. Although she was her senior, Mali never regarded her as such. In school, she would do whatever pleased her without minding about the feelings of the other person. It was as if she only cared about herself. Godiva only considered her because she was the girl Andy liked.

''Hi, Andy'' Mali lifted her hand and waved her fingers at the two men who stood flustered as they stared at her. ''Why do you look so surprised?'' she chuckled and walked up to them.

''Mali?'' Leslie asked skeptically and rubbed his eyes. He felt that his eyes were deceiving him.

''How have you been, Leslie? Are you doing well?''

''Oh, I am but…'' he turned to look at Andy who had a rather indifferent look as he stared at Mali. Leslie pointed at the entrance saying, ''I will see the visitors out first and leave you two to talk''

''Thank you, Leslie'' Mali said and turned to Andy, 'are you that surprised to see me?'' she asked Andy.

''When did you return?'' Andy asked.

''This morning. Even though I was jetlagged, I still had to come here and see you'' she added.

''Let's talk in my office'' Andy turned and walked towards his office. As soon as they left, Betty rushed into the lobby and walked over to Godiva. She didn't see Mali and Andy leaving.

''Big sis'' she called.

''What are you doing here?'' Godiva asked coldly.

''Big sis, I found out something super interesting. After that day you banned me from coming here, I did a little digging into that fat woman and guess what I found out?''

''Would you mind your language?''

''Big sis, you won't believe what I found out''

''What did you find?'' Godiva crossed her arms together.

''Turns out that those two are related. The first time I saw her face, I had a feeling that she looked oddly familiar but now I am sure of my conviction''

''What are you talking about?''

''Paula is related to that woman from ten years ago. Paula is Mali's younger sister. Mali, the woman who dumped Andy and disappeared''

''What?'' Godiva almost screamed as she looked at Betty, 'hey, this is serious. Stop messing around''

''I am not joking, big sis. I have evidence. Those two are related. Whoa, I can't believe what a messed up family they come from. Two sisters in love with the same man. I can't wait to see the look on her face when she finds out that she is in love with the same man who dated her sister. Where is that woman? I want to rub it in her face.

''Paula is on leave. Betty, let this remain between us. what you just found out, don't let anyone else to know about it''

''Why? Andy needs to know about the truth. They don't belong together. he and that fat woman can never be together. even uncle will be against it because he hates that woman for leaving Andy. ''

''That's enough, Betty''

''Alright. I won't tell Andy about it yet but it doesn't mean I will be able to keep my mouth shut around that woman. I can't stand her guts. I want her far away from Andy. As far as possible''

Godiva started walking away as her heart turned heavy. She was confused and didn't know what to do. Just now, Mali who had been gone for 10 years had returned but Andy was already in a relationship with Paula who just turned out to be the younger sister of Mali. What kind of twisted fate was this? She didn't know if she had the courage to spill out the truth but it needed to be said either ways so what exactly was she going to do? How was she going to tell the truth without hurting anyone's feelings? All of this felt like a bitter pill being forced down her throat.

Inside Andy's office, Mali sat back comfortably, smiling at Andy as they stared at each other.

''How have you been?'' she asked nervously.

''I am fine. How about you?''

''Well, I am also fine. I see you've turned this place into a classic place. You have been doing so well. I often hear about you from my classmates. They would tell me about how you allowed them to organised their reunions in your hotel and would often send me pictures. They kept me posted about almost everything happening with you''

''So, you were keeping tabs on me, for 10 years?''

''Well, I had to. Since that was the only way I could get news about you. You are allowed to hate me, Andy. I hurt you''

''I don't hate you but that isn't because I still have feelings for you. I don't hate you because I have moved on. My girlfriend is a wonderful woman and I feel lucky to have her by my side''

Mali's body tensed up and she clasped her hands tightly around her purse under the desk.

''Your girlfriend? I didn't know that you had a girlfriend?''

''You said they informed you everything about me. I guess they didn't let you know that I had a girlfriend. We just started dating a few weeks ago''

''I see. She must be very pretty?''

''She is. Best part is, she is crazy about me''

'Well, it has been 10 years. It would have been a surprise if you didn't have a girlfriend. Well, I came back to settle here. I joined a law firm and they are opening a branch in City B. I am going to head that branch. Since you are one of the big shots here, I came to make sure we are on the same page. We can be friends, right?''

''Sure, you and I will always be friends. if you need anything, just let me know''

''We should get together some time for maybe lunch or dinner together with your girlfriend, off course. I want to meet her''

''I will let her know. She is a little busy lately because of some private business but I will let her know. If she is comfortable with the idea, I will inform you''

Mali forced a smile as her nails dug into her dress. Her heart tightened while she listened to Andy being considered towards another woman.

But, she had made up her mind already. After hearing that they only started dating a few weeks ago, she knew they weren't that deep into their relationship. Any small crack could break them apart. As long as she could create unintentional coincidences and play a few tricks, she could break them apart.

Looking at Andy, she maintained her natural smile, ''I should get going. I am going to have dinner with my mom and younger sister later on''

''I will walk you out'' Andy stood up and went to open the door for her. He only closed it after she was out and he followed her outside.

Standing at a distance, Godiva was conflicted as she pondered on the situation at hand. She was holding her phone tightly, contemplating whether to call Leslie or not. She looked ahead and saw Andy leaving the lobby with Mali and she sighed.

''You just had to find this time to show up, Mali'' Godiva murmured to herself and decided not to say anything again. she was going to leave it to them to figure it out. She was going to pretend she knew nothing and let them face their fate themselves.