My Best Friend Read online

  He seems disappointed but satisfied with the answer. I didn’t want to have to elaborate what I meant by that statement.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you had someone.” He says as he slowly backs away and motions towards his red leather couches. I apprehensively walk towards the couch and sit on the edge. If someone happens, maybe I can escape easily. He sits on the opposite side of the couch. He leans back and crosses his legs and continues to stare at me, making me feel uncomfortable.

  The room is quiet besides the sounds of telephones ringing in the distance and the honking of cars from the busy New York streets.

  “You still look as beautiful as ever.” He utters quietly like he’s afraid he will scare me away.

  “Thank you” I whisper, “You still look gorgeous…I mean hot…good. Sorry, I’m nervous.” I’m stuttering like an idiot, oh my God how embarrassing. He is amused at my nervousness, the ass.

  I look around the office and I’m thinking about the potential job opportunity here and wonder if a decade old grudge is worth giving up the chance to put food on the table and to pay my student loans.

  “Is there anyone else who can interview me for the Account Executive position, Alex? Please, I really need this job.”

  He studies me for a minute, his gaze is intense. I feel myself getting hot from just the way he’s looking at me.

  “Tori, I can interview you. I will treat you like any other candidate, just because we have history, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be a good fit at my company.”

  I nod my head slightly, it’s worth a try since I’m already here.

  We both get up from the couch and walk towards his desk. He motions to a chair across from his and I sit down. There are opened file folders and papers scattered everywhere. He was always so disorganized, in school I would have to organize his school notes for finals. Now I guess he can pay someone to organize his documents.

  He opens a manila folder and scans through the paperwork that I’m assuming is my resumé. I had also faxed my references from my internship and letters of recommendations from my professors so I’m hoping that I will be qualified for the position or any position at the company for that matter.

  “Okay, so you graduated with a Bachelor of Science with a 3.6 GPA, very good. References good, job history good.”

  He looks up from reading, “How long have you been living in the city?”

  “A few months now, I wanted bigger opportunities than what Bradshire had to offer.”

  He nods because he understands the feeling, “Well everything looks good, Tori. The position is yours if you want it. I need an account exec, asap. Our clients require our full devotion and they will be your focus. Your duties will include in making sure they are taken care of and all their questions and concerns are answered. The position starts at fifty thousand with benefits but after three months you get a raise depending on your performance.”

  I nod without saying anything. I’m processing everything he has said, it sounds too good to be true. Then he adds, “You will also be required to attend dinner meetings with the heads of the company on occasion.” He leans back in his chair and smirks just waiting for my reaction.

  I look at him pointedly, “Is that so?”

  “Not required but it would be nice if you did.” The asshole, I want to jump over the desk and strangle him but I control myself.

  “Alex, I need this job. If I work here, you and I can’t have anything going on between us. We need to act professional, okay? I can put our past aside and work hard for your company, but what I want in return is for you not to hit on me or flirt with me. Treat me as any other employee, no favouritism.”

  He just stares at me like he’s thinking of what I just said. Maybe this was a mistake, maybe he just wanted to play with my emotions so he was offering a job to worm his way back into my life again.

  He looks like he’s debating whether this was going to be a good idea. After a few minutes he stands up and stretches out his hand, “We will be in touch, Ms. Jones.”

  Seriously, that’s it? Confused, I stand up and shake his hand. I don’t know what else to say so I thank him for his time and turn to leave. I walk over to the doors and turn towards him to say something but he’s staring out the window, lost in thought. I stop myself from saying something that I might regret. I leave his office, past his receptionist without acknowledgment.

  My anger starts to rise as I wait for the elevator doors to open, he was all friendly and flirty when I first arrived and when I say that I don’t want to start something between us, he doesn’t want to give me a job? What pisses me off even more is that I care what his opinion is of me. How dare he make me feel inadequate and insufficient.

  He was the one person that I could always count on, I couldn’t just forget everything he put me through. I don’t care if he is a CEO and that he’s a millionaire. I don’t know the businessman Alexander Santos, I know my best friend Alex Santos. My best friend, the love of my life. I know who that Alex was and that man in that office was not him, not anymore.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Ten Years Earlier…

  Victoria

  I look around the auditorium at my classmates and their families. I will most likely never see these people again. Most of us have our entire lives mapped out. Right now, we are all full of hopes, ambitions and dreams. I have a lot of dreams that I want to make a reality. I wanted to do something with my life, I wanted to be someone. This is the new chapter in mine and Alex’s life, hopefully a life we share together.

  We are a class of 102 students graduating. I am fortunate that through the finals, essays and meltdowns that I had my best friend with me. He has seen me at my worst and he is still here by my side putting up with my bullshit.

  I look at him with a huge smile on my face. The both of us have worked our asses off for this moment. He didn’t graduate with honors, but his grades had significantly improved. He hadn’t gone out on the weekends for the last few months so I could help him with his final essays and help him study for the finals. Considering what his grades were compared to what he graduated with, I was extremely proud of him.

  The entire class shouts and we all jump up when the principal finishes his speech and we all throw our caps in the air like in the movies. I didn’t though, these caps and gowns were rented and I didn’t want to have to pay two hundred bucks to replace it. Alex threw his in the air and shakes his head in amusement when I wouldn’t do the same.

  Alex grabs me and spins me around, I squeal in excitement. He puts me down and we hold each other in a close embrace. He looks at me and before I can process what is happening, he lowers his head and our mouths meet. My mind goes blank, all I’m thinking about is the taste of his mouth. His tongue enters my mouth and seeks out my tongue and they start to massage one another. He starts to nibble on my bottom lip, I go with the flow because I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. After what feels like hours, we pull apart. We stare at each other in shock. His hands roam my backside and land on my bottom. He gives it a squeeze before he raises his arms and wrap them around my back in a hug.

  The smile returns to my face and I hug him again. I whisper in his ear, “I’m so happy right now.”

  “Me too, Tori.”

  We join our classmates in the cheering, excited for our future and what it will bring. Our families were in the audience applauding, beaming with pride. Alex’s mom had said a few times that she was worried that Alex wouldn’t graduate this year because he wasn’t focused in his studies because he was out all the time. I felt responsible for his bad grades because he was always at my house and he wouldn’t want to do homework or do his assignments, so I felt responsible to help him get his grades up so he could pass.

  When the ceremony was over, our class and their families were clearing out of the auditorium, we walked in search of our parents. We spot my parents and Alex’s dad, Bruce talking on the far side. I look around for Alex’s mom but I couldn’t see her.

  A
s we walk closer to our parents, I ask Alex, “Where’s your mom?”

  “She’s probably working, she’s been working a lot lately. She said she would celebrate with us later.” I just nod at his answer not wanting to upset him. Him and his mom have a close relationship, so I think he was a bit upset when she couldn’t come today.

  When we get to our parents, they have big smiles, hugs are exchanged and they tell us how proud they are of us.

  Alex turns to his dad, “Where’s mom?”

  “She had a meeting that couldn’t be rescheduled. She wanted to be here, but it was with heads of departments and she was unable to reschedule. She will be home later though.”

  I look between Alex and his father, Alex looks disappointed but doesn’t say anything else. The thing about Alex is that he always masks his disappointment or sadness and puts on a brave front. He wants to look strong all the time and he doesn’t let himself be vulnerable.

  His mom is such a lively and amazing woman. She reminds me a lot of my own mother. They were best friends growing up and they were like sisters. May is a fashion designer and my mother was her assistant until she had me and then my father had asked her to stay home so she could take care of me.

  After a few minutes of silence, Bruce speaks, “Victoria, if it wasn’t for you I know my Alex wouldn’t have been motivated to graduate so I want to thank you.” Bruce says, his eyes are kind and I know that he really means it. He has been a big part of my life just as Alex has and I am thankful for him and his family.

  “I just pushed him a little. He’s the one that studied and took the finals and passed. He can actually accomplish a lot if he only applied himself.” I nudge Alex in the ribs. He feigns hurt and laughs as he throws his arm around my shoulder as we all talk about the ceremony.

  Our parents started to talk about possible places to take us to eat and celebrate our graduation. I was about to suggest my favorite restaurant, when Alex interrupted.

  “I was thinking I would take Tori to a party some friends are having. It’s more of a farewell party for our class.” Alex tells our parents. I stare at him in confusion, I didn’t know what party he was talking about.

  My mom looks between the two of us like she was disappointed that we didn’t want to go out with them but my dad speaks up, “Oh ok, we can do something another time then.”

  My mom looked like she was going to protest but then my dad whispered something in her ear. Her eyes widened and she giggled, smacking my dad’s arm. Gross, after all these years, they still love each other. They have always been affectionate towards one another. I act annoyed sometimes but in reality, it’s uncommon for a long to last this long. The way they are with each other is something I want for myself one day.

  I’m suddenly pulled away from my thoughts when Alex grabs my hand to leave. We say our goodbyes and our parents leave the auditorium with the others. I turn to look at Alex. “What party are we going to?” I ask him.

  “Trevor and the guys are throwing a small get together at his place and I thought that since it’s grad night, that you would want to come with me and celebrate.” He winks.

  “I don’t know if I’m up to it. You should go though, everyone would want you to go.” I say looking towards the group of some of our class. They are all talking and laughing, I see that Libby girl eyeing us.

  “How many times do I have to tell you that you belong with me.” When he realizes what he said, he quickly adds, “You are my best friend. You belong to the same crowd I do.”

  Maybe I could go for a little bit, it’s not like I’m going to ever see these people again. I smile at him, “Okay, it won’t hurt to go for a bit.” His smile widens and he kisses my forehead.

  Some of his buddies come over to us and they start talking about the party and joking around, while I’m standing off to the side not sure what to do. I always feel awkward in social situations, so I just smile as I look at Alex in his element. Occasionally, he would look at me with a smile and wink, then get back to his conversation with his buddies.

  “I’m not sure why you bother hanging around us, you know that you aren’t good for him right?” I know whose voice that belongs to before I even turn around. Elizabeth Mathews, Libby as everyone calls her. I close my eyes to count to three hoping that she would just magically disappear but unfortunately, she’s still standing in front of me.

  “And why is that?” I ask uninterested.

  She walks closer to me so Alex can’t hear what she has to say, “I mean, look at you. You think Alex wants you when he could have someone like me?”

  I don’t know whether to bitch slap this girl or walk away. I sign inwardly, trying the counting thing again. “He’s my best friend, Libby. If he doesn’t want to keep dating you, it’s not my fault. I don’t tell him who to date.”

  She crosses her arms and starts tapping her stiletto heel on the floor. “You think I don’t know that he always asks you for your opinion and always does whatever you say? Don’t think I don’t know about you filling his head with shit. You’re a nobody and you will always be a nobody.”

  I smirk, “He did tell me why you two broke up last year though. Didn’t you sleep with three guys the night that he and I went out for my birthday dinner? Don’t blame me for the fact that you don’t know how to close your legs.”

  Her mouth is hanging open like she can’t believe what I just said. She’s not used to me sticking up for myself but I don’t have to see this bitch everyday anymore. She’s about to walk up closer to me with her eyes filled with rage when suddenly Alex appears beside me. Thank God.

  “Everything ok?” He asks me, eyeing Libby. I smile at him but don’t say anything.

  “Yes! I was just trying to get to know Tori a little.” She’s completely fake, I hope that Alex can see through it.

  Alex looks at me not buying her story. No one speaks until finally Alex says to me, “We should probably head to the party. See you around, Libby.”

  The bitch’s face lights up when he acknowledges her, how pathetic that she’s that desperate for attention.

  “I’ll see you soon, Alex!” She smiles at him.

  He gives her a chin lift and grabs my hands and we leave towards the exit.

  His arms go around my shoulders, “What were you really talking about with her?” He asks me as we are away from everyone and walking towards his car.

  “She is just trying to let me know who you belong to, trying to piss on her territory, the usual. Hey, listen Alex, maybe you can drop me off at home. She’s going to be there with the others and I’m not in the mood for more of that crap.”

  He stops short and turns to me, “Tori, everything will be fine. You got to stop worrying about what others think of you. How do you expect these people to like you if you don’t talk to them? They have never said anything bad about you, I would never let them. Relax and have fun tonight, it’s our last party in high school.”

  Maybe he’s right. “Okay, okay I’ll go. But we have to leave when I say we do.”

  We continue to make our way to his car, “You got it.” He opens the passenger’s door to his black Ford Explorer, a birthday gift from his parents last year on his seventeenth birthday. I slid in and rest my head on the headrest and close my eyes. He closed the door and jogged around to the driver’s side. He turns on the car and he squeezes my thigh before pulling out of the school parking lot.

  We arrive at a huge house with loud music playing and people everywhere. I see some familiar faces drinking from red Dixie cups. Alex parks on the side of the street and we both get out. I’m wearing a simple strapless emerald green dress that runs right below my knees. I hate wearing dresses but my mom had talked me into it since it was graduation.

  Alex goes around and grabs my hand as we walk towards the entrance. We walk by a few of his friends so we stop and he talks to them. Some give me chin lifts, I give them a tight smile, not sure of what to say. Alex then guides me into the house.

  We walk through the entrance an
d into the foyer where the music is even louder, Alex looks at me and yells into my ears, “Are you ok?”

  I smile at him and nod. He smiles then holds my hand as we walk through the crowd of party goers. The house outside is beautiful, but nothing compares to how amazing and stunning this house is. There’s a grand staircase on the center of the foyer with what looks like marble stairs.

  As I look around, I see all the people drinking from the red cups. There were people scattered everywhere, dancing to the new JLo song and some were making out in the corners of the living room.

  We walk into the kitchen bumping into a few people on the way. Alex makes his way over to the island and checks out the drink selection. I know nothing about alcohol and he drinks quite often when our parents don’t lock their liquor cabinets. He pours a few different things into two cups. He hands me one, “It’s one of my specialties.”

  I look at him, smirking. “I just saw you mix in a bunch of different ones together. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” I ask as I smell it.

  “It’s not that bad, I promise” He knocks my cup with his. “To our graduation.”

  I look at my cup, it looks okay but the smell is strong and disgusting. It’s making my eyes tear up. Holding my breath, I take a sip. It’s not actually that bad, it tastes like peppermint candy canes.

  “It’s actually not bad.” I tell him.

  He laughs, “I told you, don’t you trust me?”

  “Sometimes” I joke.

  We walk around the main floor, I look around at the art work on the walls as Alex talks to different people as we pass them. We walk into the living room, I see Libby looking at us. She starts talking to a smaller girl with blonde ringlets. They both are full on staring at me now, Libby’s face was scrunched up in disgust, she should know that doing that isn’t good for wrinkles.

  I look away from her not wanting a confrontation again, Alex is talking to some bulky football player about something to do with football. Libby is making her way towards us. Before I ask Alex to go, I heard the familiar shrill voice.