At the cafe, Joanna took her to stand in front of the counter where Mrs Parker stood.
"Since you have vehemently forbids me from working today, I will take my leave...,"
"You...,"
"Take care. Do call if things get hectic. I have the feeling that I will be free throughout the remainder of today," Joanna beamed before she turned and started walking towards the exit.
Because Audrey's home was far away from the cafe, unlike the apartment distance which was trekable Joanna hailed a taxi not far away from the cafe.
She was almost at Audrey's home when her cell phone rang. Without wasting a minute she brought out her phone from her handbag and went through her recent inbox.
Her once expectant expression fell when she saw who the sender of the message was.
"It has never been in his nature to text me. He always calls instead of texting. I guess he must still be angry at me and that is why he doesn't want to hear my voice," Joanna said dejectedly.
She returned the cell phone to her handbag and tried not to think about her current misunderstanding with Amos.
On getting to the front of Audrey's home it was already dark and she met Mrs Lopez's car coming out of the house.
The elderly woman who recognised her at first glance parked her car and wound down the side glass at the driver's side.
"Good evening Auntie," Joanna greeted politely.
"How are you, Joanna? It has been a long time since we saw each other. I hope you have been well?" Mrs Lopez gave Joanna her brightest smile; a smile she hasn't seen on the woman's face ever since she forbade Audrey and her from being friends.
"I am fine Auntie. And I am sorry I haven't visited. I have been preoccupied with work and school...,"
"It's ok. Just make sure that you and your best friend take out time to visit us. I am afraid I will forget what my daughter's face looks like if she keeps up this attitude of not coming home to visit us," Mrs Lopez complained bitterly.
"But Drey has been staying at home for days now. She even told me that the two of you were going somewhere yesterday so what do you mean by you will forget what her face looks like?" Joanna asked in confusion.
"Did you just say Audrey has been living at home for a few days now?" Mrs Lopez raised an eyebrow. She didn't know what to make out of what Joanna just said.
"Yes," Joanna asserted.
"Why would she tell you she has been living at home when the last time we saw her was on the day we returned home from the trip?" Mrs Lopez asked the confused lady.
"But...," Joanna stammered. Just then the memory of the previous day popped into her head.
She recalled blocking Audrey's path when she left in a hurry but she doesn't remember Audrey admitting that the one waiting for her at the campus gate was her mother or father.
She cunningly dodged the question back then.
[If Drey has not been staying over at her parent's home neither was the person waiting for her outside the gates her parents then who was it? And why on Earth did she keep it a secret?]
Joanna was lost in thought as she stood there. She totally forgot that she was talking to Audrey's mother before these revelations took place.
"Joanna," Mrs Lopez reached out her hand from inside the car and touched the lady whom she saw was in a daze.
"Are you trying to say that Audrey hasn't been spending the night at her apartment...,"
"Of course not Auntie," Joanna composed herself and put on a fake smile.
"Drey is upset with me because I haven't been giving her much attention lately, I guess that's why she lied to get even with me," Joanna lied to cover up for Audrey.
If Audrey had told her the truth in the first place she wouldn't have come to her parent's home.
She would have covered up for her in the best way she could.
But the silly girl chose to keep her in the dark also.
[Just wait and see Audrey Lopez, I won't forgive you easily for deceiving me until the last minute]
Joanna clenched her fist but she didn't forget to maintain her smile.
"But...,"
"Auntie, I am needed back at home right now. I will take my leave now," Joanna bowed and walked away. She didn't give Mrs Lopez the chance to interrogate her further.
With none available for her to hang out with Joanna paraded the street because she didn't want to go home early.
She was still walking about the busy street when she recalled the conversation she had with Kayden at the hut in the forest.
"Since he has refused to tell me what the hell is going on, I guess the best person to question and expect answers is Kyle. I am sure Mr Fin won't utter a word concerning their operations so my best choice now is him," Joanna mumbled.
She quickly changed the direction she was heading and took the route leading to the club; the only place she knew she would find him.
The first thing that greeted Joanna on stepping feet into the bubbling place wasn't the sweaty bodies rubbing against each other, the purging smell of cigarettes, alcohol or sex but the scent of her best friend.
[She was never fond of clubs. If she was told to pick between clubs and bars, she would not hesitate to pick a bar so why is it that I am perceiving her scent here?]
Joanna lifted her head and peered upstairs where Audrey's scent was the strongest.
[Maybe I am perceiving the scent because I am mad at her]
Joanna concluded that she was wrong as she made her way to the stairs.
Because she has been here a few times she didn't have trouble navigating her way.
Without anyone's guidance, she was able to find her way to Kyle's favourite spot.
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