The Race: The Tale of Love and Betrayal

"Thank you so much, Nicole. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't decided to help me. Jona isn't in town, I thought that he could help, but I haven't been able to get through to him. And besides, you know how much Alisha hates Jonathan. She would've never agreed to stay with him," said Patricia to her best friend Nicole, whom she had befriended during her time in law school. Unlike her, Nicole was a very successful lawyer and had also been helping her with her investigations.

"You're welcome, Patricia. You and your siblings can stay for as long as you like. And I also totally agree with Alisha, that boyfriend of yours Jonathan is so shady, and I am pretty sure that he has some skeletons in his closet. Well... not that you want to believe it since you are 'so madly in love with him'," said Nicole.

"Ok! Alright, stop! Stop slandering my man. You know that he has had his tough times. And besides, I don't understand why you are so against him. Jonathan is a good man. He is very kind, generous, and also hardworking, and he has also been supporting me all this while during my struggles. So can you blame me if I am madly in love with him?" said Patricia, pouting at Nicole to show that she was not happy with what she said about him.

Nicole just shook her head and raised her hands at Patricia to show that she had surrendered. "Ok! Ok! Sorry 'Mrs. Patricia Jonathan Philde'. I promise not to say anything more about your 'husband' even though to me he is still a jerk," said Nicole, and she started laughing. Patricia just shook her head and sighed, then she sat on the bed in the room that Nicole gave her to sleep in and stared silently outside through the window, looking at the golden orange hue-colored sky indicating that it was now sunset. Nicole stopped laughing and silently sat on the bed beside her, gently placing her hand on Patricia's back and rubbing it gently in a comforting manner.

"Oh, Nicole... what am I going to do now? I have lost everything due to my carelessness, my job, my home, and my siblings and I have grown even further apart... how am I going to fix this?" said Patricia, tears glimmering in her eyes. "And it's all that bastard's fault! He is the cause of all this! I swear, Nicole, that I am going to make him pay for what he did to my family! I swear that I am going to make him regret it!" said Patricia, tears of both anger and pain flowing down her cheeks.

"It's ok, Patricia! You don't have to worry! That man is going to get exactly what he deserves! But you don't have to be so invested in him! I mean, look at what is happening right now. Let's not ignore the fact that you lost your job at the university because of your late-night parole at that club. And you still have got no evidence to lead you to the tail of the beast, and it already has been a year now," said Nicole.

"I know, Nicky! I know! But I have no choice but to continue working there since it's the only place left that I have access to a source of income. Alisha and Zach are going to college soon, and I need money for their tuition fees and accommodation. And also, we cannot stay in your house forever now, can we," said Patricia.

"Oh, ok. But you need to look for a better job as well. Why don't you try applying again at Dominic Law Firm? I heard that there are some vacancies now. Maybe this time you can strike your luck and get your dream job there," said Nicole.

"Mmmm... I don't know, Nicky. Besides, if Simon Murray is still the HR at the law firm, I don't think I will be getting that job anytime soon. That guy hates me! And for no reason at all. I never met him in my life until that day I went with Jonathan to apply for a job at the law firm. He literally rejected me even before I could show him my resume," said Patricia.

"Uhhh...! That guy seriously needs to get a life. Rumors are even going around saying that he is gay since nobody ever saw him walking around in the company of a woman. But seriously, that guy is a major jerk! He has been sacking people out of the law firm like crazy these past couple of months. That's why there are vacancies now. But well, since you are his 'archenemy,' I guess looking for a job there is out of the question," said Nicole.

"Yeah... but I am going to try to apply at the city's magistrate court. I heard there are also vacancies there, and I pray that this time luck might fall to my side so that I get the job. Because I really need it," said Patricia.

"Don't worry, girl. I am sure that this time it will work out for you," said Nicole.

"Thanks, Nicky! For everything," said Patricia, and she drew Nicole into a hug and said, "ahhh... what will I ever do without you, my friend."

"Nothing, that's for sure... (chuckling)," replied Nicole.

"Thank you, my friend, for always being there for me," whispered Patricia.

"It's ok, girlfriend. I will always be here whenever you need me," said Nicole, and the two best friends hugged each other tighter to feel each other's comfort.

However, their comfortable, precious moment was interrupted by a commotion underway in the living room downstairs. "We better go and check it out," said Nicole, and the two of them left the room.

As soon as they reached the bottom of the stairs they heard two raised voices yelling at each other. "I don't care about what you want!!! I told you before and I will tell you again!!! Stay the hell away from my sister!!! Or I swear that you are going to regret it!! You damn man-prostitute!!!" "How dare you call me that you little brat!!! You better watch your tone or else....!!" "Or else what!!! Are you going to turn me into a whore like you!!..."

" Alisha!!!!", screamed Patricia after she and Nicole arrived in the living room only to hear and see Alisha and a man who looked to be in his mid twenties. With short wavy brown hair, brown eyes, a sharp nose, pink cherry lips and a medium built body, yelling at each other. "Babe!", said the man and he ran and hugged Patricia and gave her a quick peck on the lips. "Oh brother....I think I am going to barf", snorted Alisha. "Jonathan what are you doing here", asked Patricia.