14. A New One.

BETH.

Two weeks had passed since Lara’s disappearance. I had no idea where she was and she wouldn’t pick my calls. The girls and I looked for her in places we thought she might be, especially with her ex-boyfriends but none of them seemed to have seen her. When we couldn’t find her, we reported to the police and they said they would help us search for her. I felt at ease. Then I started thinking about the person who was actually more hurt by the whole situation, Tony. I felt sorry for him but didn’t know how to face him. I felt guilty for not telling him about Lara’s lifestyle and how he wasn’t the only one she was even dating.

Meanwhile, I came across an old university mate of mine at a restaurant, Jeremy. He actually used to be a very nice guy back then too and I had a little crush on him back then too, after much back and forth, he confessed to having a crush on me too and we decided to start dating. I was so excited that I met another man who seemed better than my ex. Aith the few weeks we had started to date eachother, he treated me way different than my exes ever did. He was attentive, caring and he seemes very interested in me but then when I introduced him to the girls, they were totally against him. It was almost as if they were seeing something bad in him that I couldn’t even see at all.

“Don’t be stupid, Beth. This Jeremy guy is obviously after your money. Can’t you see?” Grace said.

“What do you mean he’s after my money? Jeremy treats me better than any of exes ever did. And he has his own money, he’s just in a tight fix at the moment, his parents are rich,” I said.

“Sounds like a fraudster to me though, Beth, Grace is right. We think Jeremy is with you for your money. We believe he’s playing you,” Yeesha said.

“I know you guys are after my happiness and I appreciate it but I think I know better what the best for me is, I mean you all aren’t aren’t giving this guy any chance at all, no benefit of doubt. I have to try and at least believe in him, in what we’ve just started and see where it leads us, it might become something blissful and it might lead to marriage and happiness.” I answered.

“It can also lead to sadness,⁶ but okay Beth, we’ll support you if that’s what you want and we’ll be here for you if anything happens, just don’t let your guard down with him, do not be your usual trusting self,” Yeesha said.

Grace and Janet nodded their heads, which meant they were with Yeesha. I smiled at them and they smiled back. They’ve been very good friends and I never really saw it because I was always with Lara but now that Lara was nowhere to be found, I get to see how important their friendship was.

“Thanks girls and don’t worry, I’ll be fine, he seems like a sweetheart.” I replied.

That same week, Jeremy and I were spending some time together at my apartment. He had come over to my place for the weekend. While we were talking and having fun, Jeremy’s face suddenly turned serious.

“Babe, what’s wrong? You look sad. Are you okay?” I asked feeling really concerned.

“I’m fine; it’s just that it has always been my dream to go on a boat cruise. I heard there is a boat preparing to go on a cruise but I’m a little bit low on cash due to the numerous projects I’ve been working on, the ones I told you about, I really want to go on this cruise and get a good rest, I’d even like you to follow me too but then it doesn’t look like it’ll come to reality” Jeremy said looking very sad.

There was silence for a while then I spoke up.

“That’s fine, Babe. If you want it so bad, you’ll get it, Go pack your bags; we’re going on that boat cruise,” I said.

Jeremy was very excited when I said that. He kissed me a couple of times and I felt very happy that he was that happy over a boat cruise.

The day came for us to go on the boat cruise so we left to go to the boat. Jeremy was extremely happy to be here because immediately we got on the boat, he walked off. I saw him approaching a young lady and I thought, ‘maybe he knows her’ so I decided to let him enjoy the boat cruise while I went off to take a look at the room we had booked. I checked the room; it was okay so I dropped our bags and went out to tour the boat.

Just as I was about rounding up my tour, I saw someone familiar walking towards me. It was Tony. He looked like someone who was doing pretty well rather than someone who got stood up by his bride at the altar. When he got closer, he smiled at me and said,

“Hey Beth, how have you been?” he asked.

“I’ve been doing great and you?” I responded.

Then I realized my mistake.

“I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have asked that,” I said.

“What are you doing here?” I said immediately.

“I’m actually here to get my mind off of things, a little rest and all,” he replied. “What about you?” he asked me

“I came with my boyfriend, Jeremy,” I answered.

“Oh that’s nice,” he said.

There was a brief moment of silence before I spoke up again.

“Tony, I’m really sorry about Lara. I had no idea she was going to do that. I mean she had been excited about the wedding and never showed signs of wanting to back out. I’m so so sorry about it all, also, I’m sorry I didn’t even call or anything, I just didn’t know if you would want that or how you’d see it, I was confused and all. I’m so sorry, you really didn’t deserve that at all.” I said.

“Oh please, stop apologizing. You did nothing wrong; you were only supporting your friend, I get it,” Tony said, with a smile, a smile that convinced me that he was not angry with me.

“So have you heard from Lara?” I asked Tony, eager to hear what his response would be.