After a moment’s hesitation, Linda beckoned me to sit with her.
I sat next to Linda but realized Nora refused to look in my direction. Judging by that reaction, I figured she was still mad at me from earlier.
A sharp-eyed Linda also noticed the tension between us and tried to change the subject. “We’re so thankful for your help today. Otherwise, who knows what that scumbag Derek would have done to us.”
“Don’t mention it,” Nora casually replied.
Piqued by curiosity, Linda couldn’t help but continue, “Ms. Oberick, the grandfather you mentioned earlier, is he the Mr. Oberick that I’m thinking of?”
Nora pursed her lips as she pondered about the question. “Don’t think so much. Meeting you was fate, so let’s drink to that!”
It was at that moment when I realized how little I knew about Nora. We had initially met in Venria, and even though everyone shared their stories, we all kept them brief. Even I didn’t divulge much about myself, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if she had held back information about herself too.
Linda noticed Nora’s reluctance to elaborate and thus didn’t ask any further. It was also then when the food and drinks got delivered.
Linda poured us our wine and raised a toast to us. “Once again, I have to thank the two of you for today. Here’s to our friendship!”
Nora raised her glass of wine in return and drank it in one gulp.
“I’m still curious though, how did you get in here? We didn’t even see you around before this. It seems too much of a coincidence, doesn’t it?” Linda quizzed.
Nora raised her head and glanced at me. “I had long noticed the commotion when you were still in the lobby. Then I heard the staff mention the old lecher wanting to get a room, so I told them to let me in first.”
Linda nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank goodness for you. I still shudder to think what Derek might have done to us otherwise.”
Just then, I mustered up my courage and turned to Nora. “I was rash earlier today, and I apologize for that. Thank you for still helping us get rid of Derek.”
Nora seemed to be in self-reflection as she held my gaze. “It’s not entirely your fault. I’m sure you have your reasons, so I shouldn’t have forced you for an answer. Besides, when it comes to affairs of the heart, everyone handles them differently. I shouldn’t have meddled in yours. I am to blame for being so pushy,” she said apologetically.
“No, you aren’t!” I exclaimed. “I don’t know how to handle these problems, and I always seem to overcomplicate them. As an outsider, you have a clearer view of things. And as my friend, it’s only natural that you want to help. At the end of the day, it’s my fault for pushing you away.”
Linda looked at us and burst out laughing. “You guys are adorable! Come on, let’s drink. Real friends don’t keep grudges. After today, we’ll still be friends!”
With the tension between Nora and I all gone, the three of us continued drinking to our hearts’ content.
Nora was terrible when she got under the influence of alcohol. All it took was a few glasses of wine before she latched on to Linda and bombarded her with every question about Armond, from details about his lifestyle to his past relationships.
Linda could still hold back initially, but the more she said, the more enthusiastic she got. Before long, she had managed to spill just about everything she knew about Armond.
I had stopped drinking for fear of getting too drunk and having no one to take care of me. As I continued to be entertained by my friends’ incessant need for gossip, Armond called.
“Where are you?” he asked, slightly fuming.
It suddenly dawned on me that because I had gone out with Linda right after work, I hadn’t been home to make Armond dinner. Is that why he’s angry?
My anxiety drowned out my surroundings as I tried to pull myself together. “Mr. Murphy, I’m so sorry. I’m out with friends tonight, so I- “
“Where are you?” he interrupted.
I was speechless, but Nora replied on my behalf, “Baroness Bar.”
“Who are you with?” Armond snapped. He wasn’t hiding his anger anymore.
“Linda and Nora,” I answered honestly.
After a slight pause, I added, “Mr. Murphy, have you eaten?”
However, all I got was a dial tone in response as Armond had already hung up on me.
Nora, who was now very drunk, tried to snatch my phone away. “Who was that on the phone? Was it Ashton?”
As she fiddled around with my phone, she continued, “You should call him and snatch him back from Ms. Zimmer, or whatever she’s called. He’s your man! How can you let him take care of another woman?”
I slapped my forehead in exasperation. Nora was a little dizzy from all the wine she had had, so I led her over to the sofa to rest.
Linda, on the other hand, was already lying quietly on the sofa. If she had been anything like Nora, I wouldn’t have been able to handle them both.
I got up to get Nora some water, only to realize I felt a little light-headed myself. So much for saying I’d drink less.
“Ashton, your woman is drunk. Are you coming to take care of her?” Nora suddenly piped up.
When I turned to look at her, I found her pressing away on my phone haphazardly. I couldn’t help but frown. “Nora! Stop playing!”
She ignored me as she brought the phone to her ear and shouted, “Baroness Bar!”
