14 A friend from the past

Lorenzo sat in his office going through the documents that needed his approval. He have managed to stay sober for about a week. This to him was like a miracle.

The event which he had almost avoided was like a salvation for him. It had given him a reason to pull himself together and be a man once more. For reasons unidentified to him he had a hunch. A very strong hunch that made him feel instant connection to the mysterious woman he danced with.

Her every step had matched his perfectly. The way her hands fit in his, the warmth her touch brought his cold heart, it all reminded him of the woman he had lost out of his ego. His pen stopped writing as the memories from the past assaulted him once more.

4 years ago.

Lorenzo woke up to the smell of fresh orange juice and vanilla pancakes. He opened his eyes and the first sight that greeted him was the warm smile on his girl's face. His own face relaxed as a smile took over. " Good morning love. You had a good night?" Came an angelic voice that he was so used to yet never got tired of hearing.

He nodded and smiled at her. The girl bent forward and pecked his forehead. He didn't reciprocate her affectionate gesture which has become a routine. Instead, proceeded to devour the breakfast that was placed on a small table next to the bed.

Jasmine watched Lorenzo eat quietly . She expected him to invite her to eat with him but he did no such thing. She had managed to maintain her smile as she watched. Lorenzo ate everything on the plate and stood up from the bed. He neither remove the utensils from the bed nor did he thank the chef.

The man walked into the washroom. By the time he was done, he found the bed already made and the plates gone. Shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly, he had walked into his wardrobe to dress up. Shortly after he called out , " Jazz, get over here. I need my tie in place. " He commanded feeling irritated. She knew that he couldn't tie his tie properly, why would she always wait to be reminded?

He have never managed to tie his tie properly. It was always crooked. Hence since he have started living with Jasmine, he have come to depend on her for that small task. Jasmine frowned hearing the man command her. Even so, she didn't complain as she walked into the bedroom from the kitchen.

As she stood before Lorenzo, her gaze was solely focused on his tie while his was on her face. He watched her lashes flutter and caress her cheeks softly from time to time. Her cheeks looked radiant and beautiful under the sparkling light.' You are beautiful,' he wanted to say.' I am lucky to have you.' He added in his mind.

Yet what came out of his mouth was anything but sweet. " My friends will be visiting today. Cook something good for us. Don't be late. You know how Arya hates it when her food is delayed. Ooh .By the way, don't forget that Ty hates too many onions in his food. I will see you in the evening. Also, make mango salad . Arya loves it"

He had strode out feeling guilty about how he had just ordered his lover. He have been treating her more like a servant than a lover as days passed by. For reasons unknown to him, Jasmine put up with all his bullshits. Some days , he wished that she had the courage to stand up for herself. He wished that she could break away from him but a greater part of him knew that the only way she could get away from him was if she was dead.

He have been a careless person before meeting her. When she started living with him, she made him get used to her. In almost everything he depended on her. From his meals to his clothes. Every aspect of his life she made easier without him asking. This gave him the idea that she was his to do with as he pleased.

Jasmine watched the man and thought, 'He is my man but doesn't even know that am allergic to mangoes. We have lived together for sometimes but he doesn't know that am asthmatic and should not be exposed to smoke for long.' She shook her head and went into the room to do what she did best to vent. She drew.

Present.

Lorenzo was brought back to the present by the sound of knocking coming from the door. He looked up and allowed the person in. A tall man walked into the office, confidence oozing out of him. His handsome face held a sincere smile as he walked towards Lorenzo.

For a moment, Lorenzo didn't recognize the man standing before him. Then it struck him hard. Jayden was back. He stood up and the two men hugged like two lost brothers reuniting after a long time. Lorenzo held on to his best friend tightly. When he started playing around with jasmine, he had lost his best friend's respect and trust.

Jayden was glad to see his childhood friend again . The two occupied the couch that was in the office as they talked about the days they missed. Jayden looked at Lorenzo and asked, " Hey man, how are you holding up? It's been two years now. Anything good I should know?"

Lorenzo was silent for a while. He then smiled . A smile which was so foreign to Jayden yet so familiar. It was his genuine smile. The smile that was elicited by only Jasmine in the past. " Wow bro, I like what am seeing. Who could be responsible for that smile? Ooh hold up. Please tell me that you no longer associate with Arya and the rest. Because if you do, then you are the most idiotic person on earth."

Jayden knew. He had always known the kind of scheme that was going on. Ty and Arya had been pulling him into a hole which they had dug for him in advance. One was fueled by greed while the other was fueled by jealous.

Lorenzo looked down ashamed for a few seconds before answering. " Actually , I have not gotten rid of them. This time though it's not because I regard them as my friends. It's because I can only hurt them, by keeping them closer. Back then, Ty had hurt her and every time, I believed him. Even when I saw it with my own eyes, I was too cowardly to defend my girl.

As though that wasn't enough, Arya kept feeding jazz lies until she could not distinguish the truth from lies. The worst part of it all was that, every waking hour of the day, I kept making her believe those lies because I wanted to act all dominant and manly. Right now, I regret it all. I regret missing her birthdays, I regret missing our anniversaries, I regret not saying thank you when I should have.

I regret even more not telling her how much I love her every waking hour of the day. She made life so easy for me such that I took everything lying down as if it was normal. What I didn't know was the price she paid to keep the smile on my face and my ego inflated. " As he spoke, tears pooled in his eyes. He wiped at them as he spoke.

Now, I think I have found someone I would like to call mine again. I will treat her better. Everything I never did for Jazz I will do for her. I will defend her and protect her like I never did for jazz. Now, I found someone to comfort my heart. As for Arya and Ty, there days are numbered in my book. What about you bro? What's new in your life? Do you have someone you love?"