Chapter 35

Song: by Post Malone. (Circles)

Let go

I got a feeling that its time to let go

I say so

I knew that this was doomed from the get-go

You thought that it was special,

Special

But it was just the sex though,

The sex though

And I still hear the echoes (the echoes)

I got a feeling that its time to let it go,

let it go

(Chorus)

Seasons change and our love went cold

Feed the flames cause we can't let go

Runaway, but we're running in circles

Runaway, run away.

I dare you to do something

Am waiting on you again so I don't take the blame

Runaway, but we're running in circles

Runaway, run away, run away.

***

Sean downed his sixth glass of Bacardi feeling the rush of dopamine through him, satisfied.

Jason watched his friend in disgust, the little bachelor condo he lived in was littered with empty bottles and wraps of smoke.

He wondered when his friend began to smoke cannabis. He understood Sean was still suffering the post-breakup trauma but Jason felt there was something more than just a sleazy girl disappointing him.

"Sean it's enough, not in my presence" Jason spoke snatching the last bottle from his grip effecting a burst of dry laughter from Sean.

"So Jay my man what brings you to an estranged friend?" He mocked showing off his side open teeth with his arms spread as if inviting Jason for a bro hug.

Jason nudged him away. "Charlotte is pregnant!" He stated eagerly.

"Is it yours?" That was all Sean could muster. Jason was disappointed but still replied.

"She claims it's mine, man am conflicted. Just as am getting things right with Sophia she comes up with this?!... Now I see why you had bad blood for Char. She just knows what to do and how to go about her plans" Jason lamented while Sean kept quiet.

"Did you tell daddy and mummy as usual?" Sean finally asked his question dripping with sarcasm but Jason was too tensed to notice.

"Dad was pissed as usual. He promised to take care of everything on one condition Sean!" He cried, gesturing with his hands for emphasis.

"He wants me to agree to work under his company for some certain years and no room for divorce even if the need arises, can you imagine?."

"I mean I have to work under my impossible father for some years!."

Sean bit hard on his teeth gritting. "Why don't you want a child of yours bro?."

"What do you mean?" Confused Jason retorted.

"C'mon man your wife is crippled and can't take in nor satisfy your manly needs. So if you let Charlotte remove it then I guess you want to be without a child all your life!" He deadpanned.

Sean not minding the bombshell he threw at his friend stood and grabbed another bottle from his minibar.

He returned to find Jason in conflict and laughed mythically. "Oh, you never thought of that?."

"I don't care!" Jason adjusted on his position. "I love Sophia and if it weren't for me she wouldn't be in that situation at all so if she's unfruitful so am I" he huffed a breath.

His friend was beginning to get on his nerves with his pessimism, it was so unlike Sean. Sean never let circumstances define him, he stood firm amidst toils and turmoil, it was from him Jason learned to fight for what he felt was right.

But the new Sean disappointed him.

"You hated her so much man, She repulsed you!" Sean started.

"That was in the past" Jason lowered his voice, he'd learned never to use bass once the other person's temper was flaring.

"Oh, so what changed huh? Is she good in bed? Or better than your previous vixen now potential baby mama... You disappoint me, man. You've known Charlotte almost all your university life but you know nothing of that creep, you come here spilling love?!" At this point, Sean was on his twos glaring down at Jason.

"Sophia isn't complicated like some people, she's likable and sweet" Sean felt a tugging need to slap off the daydream of his friend's face.

"Oh wow... Likable and sweet" Sean thought aloud in mockery. "Well then I think our discussion is over since you have your shit together" he spat and made to leave.

"What is your problem, Sean?!" Jason stood six feet two inches decidedly stopping his friend from leaving.

"Oh am now the one with problems eh?" He pointed towards Jason with his corked drink.

"You've been acting up since I came around, am starting to think this impudence is beyond Miriam breaking your heart. Did something happen while I was away?" He took a step closer concerned.

"For you to even defend Charlotte is a shock to me. I mean you hated the floor she walked on. Have you forgotten you were the one who convinced me on my wedding night to marry Sophia while I already made plans to elope with the same Charlotte? But I listened to you. How come you're so bitter about it, about everything?" He challenged.

"Nothing happened!!! Go back to your parents who always clean up your mess and to the women who keep falling for your sorry silly ass, damn you, Jason!" Jason jerked subsequently as Sean impulsively flung the bottle of alcohol, it hit the rosette painted wall by his left side, with a loud excruciating sound it shattered. Tart liquid dripping.

"Look how impulsive you've turned" Jason blamed in regrets. "You look like shit, when did it all start?... Did something happen with your parents?."

"Like you care" Sean retorted dryly.

"I do and you know that. I know I've been occupied with stuff_" Sean snarkily interrupted him.

"Oh yeah, stuff?!... With Sophia? Well, guess what, I've been pretty occupied with something too but turns out it was a waste of my precious time ha!! Headlines Jason am with your_"

"Jay!!!" Charlotte cried in shock as she stood at the entrance her guilty eyes roaming about the scenario.

"Charlotte what do you want?" Jason sighed.

Sean cut them off immediately. "Oh no Jay she's here for me as usual c'mon babe let's get on with it" he smirked as Charlotte bodily signaled him to keep quiet.

At this point, Sean wasn't one to keep quiet because he was fed up. He needed freedom and that was what he was gonna get even at the expense of his long-term friendship.

"What's going on?" Jaso queried.

"It's nothing Jason_"

"Why nothing?!" Sean cut in rudely for the umpteenth time. "Haven't you guessed it already Man? We warm each other during lonely times when you decided to stick it with your cripple and left us alone_"

"Shut the f*k up Sean" Charlotte screamed rushing towards him. She turned to a stiff Jason weary.

"He's lying Jay... I swear. He's a drunk don't listen to him, he had always envied our thing together" she beseeched.

"Nice one Charlotte" drunk Sean applauded her sarcastically. "It lasted while it could. You were worth the double fun, swinging from friend to friend not sure of which to settle for. Or have you forgotten how you complained about Jason's lack of dexterity in pleasuring you? You kept running back to me here?" He goaded her.

"Shut up you pig!" she landed a slap on his firm cheeks.

"I regret ever meeting you, Sean!. You used me just to get back at Jason for always having the good stuff, claiming he deserved nothing because he was a spoilt brat. I was so stupid to have fallen for it" she cried palming her face.

Sean wiped his drowsy face massaging the stinging effect of the slap. Steadily he drew closer to her holding her gaze.

"Nah, you didn't regret it during those days you'd run over to my condo and now I finally got you pregnant. A nice trap for the rich runaway ex. Isn't that what you wanted Charlotte? Huh?!!!" He stimulated.

"you're as much a pig as I am for knowing I loved your friend Miriam but you still came over at nights after she was gone even behind your supposed lover, my best friend!!! Hypocrite!" Sean spat in detest.

Charlotte shook her head in dread slowly retreating from Sean as her eyes shone with hatred for him. "You're a liar!! As much as I want Jason back_"

"Just shut up you two!!!!!!!!!!!" Jason thundered with the most energy he could gather.

The weight of the news kept him afloat in his mind for a while. But he could still hear the truth spill from their nasty lips. All he thought about was how his best friend and girlfriend must have thought him a fool all those while he professed love to Charlotte like a lost puppy.

"Was that... Was that why you coaxed me into marrying Sophia?" He asked Sean painfully. "To have your way with her?!" He pointed towards a quavering Charlotte.

How efficiently Sean chastised him for loving Charlotte and being putty in her hands. Hell! He didn't know it was with an ulterior motive.

His mind in overdrive as he imprecisely placed the pieces together.

"It's not mine?..." He suddenly remembered that part pointing at her belly.

Sean and Charlotte stood still no one ready to admit the obvious.

"Is it mine Charlotte?!!!" Jason yelled with clenched fingers, drawing in a ragged breath.

"No!" She cried "It's for Sean... I'm so sorry, he seduced me. I didn't intend to hurt you or anything you were never around when I needed you, and_" she ranted on.

"Thank God..." in realization Jason whispered.

He felt relieved, like a sack of beans was lifted off his frail shoulders. Without much ado, Jason gave Sean a long glance that spoke volumes.

Volumes, of friendship and bond that was nurtured from childhood but now thorn apart by covetousness. Broken trust, back-stabbing, and hypocrisy begot by lots and lots of lies, pent-up envy, and jealousy the list went on Jason reminisced for a while.

"It would never be the same," he thought as he swiftly made his way out of the shabby-looking condo.

In hindsight, he'd have put Charlotte in her place but they were more pressing matters.

Thanks so much for reaching this level with me. Love y'all.