The Blind Eye | Part 2

Author's note. Relationships, both romantic and platonic are difficult to manage and maintain. The fact that outsiders can see through a flawed relationship makes for an uneasy friendship with others who only desire the best and not want to see others hurt by those who are insincere in their words and deeds. Taylor is one such victim of a manipulative friend who uses her insecurities to his advantage. Can she finally see through the mirage and save herself in time?

Part 1: Josh hated breaking with Taylor, but she left him no choice. He watched in disappointment as she turned fully toward the window not listening to his pleas. Making a deal with the devil never ends well. He questioned repeatedly what type of relationship did they actually have that caused her to embraced this fierce loyalty to Trent? Apparently, she valued Trent's friendship over their relationship, he thought. Taylor shut her eyes tightly as she heard the echo of the door slam shut. For a second, she wondered if she should cry. Instead, Josh leaving released the tension that had been brewing for months. was a relief. She exhaled, allowing a slight sigh to escape."

Now, Part 2

Trent

With one flick, the vape flew out the window. Droplets trickled inward. That moment, the smell of fresh rain threatened to drown the thick smoke swirling inside.

Coupled with that, thoughts of the recent encounter with Taylor left a chill running though Trent's veins.

Friends. Trent knew that was all she considered their relationship. This realization sent the back of his head on a collision course with the headrest several times.

He felt numb. The seat silently absorbed the contact. Nothing but the sweet taste of her lips; smelled nothing but her perfumed neck; and materialized nothing but the curve of her body against the soft caress of his hands.

His thoughts turned elsewhere as he smirked, Ekman would be proud to know his supposition was experienced in one night. But that night would never end. It couldn't.

Even the thinly clad young lady eyeing him from across the street, while standing against the utility pole issuing a clear invitation, couldn't pull him back to reality and calm his thirst.

He turned up the air to clear the fog. He rubbed his arm against the window to clear a path to her second floor window. He wasn't interested in anything or anyone, except Taylor.

All he needed to do now was wait.

^Source

It's How You Look At It

Taylor didn't want to respond to Josh's outburst. Tired of the same argument, she stood rigid, silently studying his face as though mesmerized. His tone and attitude were distasteful, ones she didn't appreciate. She wasn't an imbecile, as he characterized her, she thought.

Josh was a dream of a man that any woman would be thoroughly pleased to have in her life. Considerate, hard working, a genuinely good person, and a handsome man, she'd often thought why he navigated in her direction.

But was he now actually threatening to break up with her over her friendship with Trent? Suddenly, she grew anxious. She admitted her frequent struggles when it came to decision making. However, it wasn't natural to demand she choose between. It just didn't feel right.

She quickly studied Josh's face, then glanced toward the window, alternating in rapid movements as though trying to resolve internally a choice she didn't want to make.

The keys were thrown onto the hallway table. The door slammed shut. Josh had left.

Would he return? Should she have gone after him; made up, then convinced him of her loyalty? Taylor didn't think so. The argument tonight was the worst. Besides, he wouldn't believe her.

She stood still, staring mindlessly, cemented in her own confusion.

Both men were important. However, at this moment, Trent needed her. The promotion that should have been his was the current turmoil. He was educated, smart, and cunning. The fact that a less qualified "friend" of an upper-level manager, landed the position, tumbled him into a downward spiral.

She had to think of a way to help minimize Trent's situation.

At the end of her apartment stairs, Josh paused and hung on the rail. Clenching his fists, a sickening feeling overcame him as he thought of Trent outside looking up into Taylor's window.

An even disturbing thought was the fact that, once he stormed out the door, he knew that Taylor would return to the window and observe Trent.

Those two deserve each other, Josh thought, as he straightened himself up and walked out the apartment complex.

He didn't stop to search parking lanes across the boulevard. He knew Trent was sitting in the car watching him leave. Stalking them, he should say, as it was more Trent's style. And Josh knew he reveled in it.

In Josh's mind, Trent was no one's friend. At the root of his connections was a plan; a scheme rather, concocted by a master manipulator.

If only he could convince Taylor of this.

A Well Planned Solution

Taylor knew Trent was waiting in his car for Josh to leave. She peeked out the window. Josh was headed down the sidewalk toward his car.

Worried Trent would accost him, she pulled out her mobile phone.

"Yes," Trent answered, attempting a seductive posture. He listened intently. Taylor wouldn't allow him to come up. This was a first. Taylor's voice floating in and out as he remembered high school and college. People flocked to him voluntarily doing his bidding. Was he losing his touch? He couldn't afford to loosen his grip on Taylor. She was central to his master plan.

His voice held steady. The last thing he wanted was to meet in public. But he had no other choice. Stay calm, he thought.

Good thing the restaurant was sparse. Trent glanced around furtively.

He ordered their dinner.

Taylor kept her hands a safe distance from Trent. She also refused wine. This meeting required her full attention.

No one noticed as Trent glided his hand inside her purse that set on the chair between them. Like a snake prowling for a rat, in and out again quickly. Reaching inside his pocket, he found a safe location to store the item.

Didn't matter if that new fling of hers convinced her to change the locks. For his needs, the key impression would work fine.

"Have you decided how you're going to handle the job situation, or are you resigning?" Taylor avoided his eyes.

"I never skulk away from a challenge. He's not as smart as he thinks. I know things about him. His recent stunt naming his boss' friend my position was a rookie move he didn't realize he'd made." Josh drank more than he ate.

"How so?" Taylor was intrigued. She knew if Josh had a plan, she'd better listen carefully. They always involved her.

"I need you." He counted out several large bills and placed them near her plate. "Find a revealing outfit. Something deliciously special for an extra special boss. Oh, and a hair piece. He'll forever regret his ladder move!

Trent carefully laid out his plan.

"Are you sure? I mean, what if I'm not...?" Trent interrupted. "Don't worry. He's already been salivating over your photo."

Taylor bit her lip several times.

"But this will ruin him!"

"Precisely! If you're game, no questions."

"If you think it'll help your career."

Trent continued drinking while Taylor ate in silence.

On Second Thought

"Why are you here?" Josh stepped back after opening his apartment door. He'd played this scene before.

"I couldn't leave the hostility between us. Just concerned about you lately. I wanted to assure you I harbor no ill feelings about how you stormed out of our apartment. It's been two weeks."

"I brought an apology." Taylor extended her hand.

Josh sensed something had changed. Taylor was too calm. No voice cracking; no shivering, no eye twitching as if thinking of the perfect answer.

He had already decided not to rehearse the conversations they'd had, so he inquired about her job and family in small talk. It wouldn't make a difference.

fter almost a year, he also knew he loved her. But their relationship with Trent in the middle wouldn't survive.

Thinking again they would've been the perfect couple had it not been for their constant arguments about her friendship with him, he finally decided to release her and Trent from his life.

For his own sanity, he had to let them go. Seeing her completely melt down numerous times over a Trent situation was disconcerting. But it was her excuses that didn't sit well. Something wasn't right. He just couldn't pinpoint it.

The bottom line was that she was vulnerable. He took advantage of her friendship.

As he'd told Taylor repeatedly, that guy was dangerous.

But he loved Taylor. And she knew it and used it to her advantage, he believed.

He forgot about Trent and their arguments for moment as she approached him. Whispers in his ear melted his resolve, as usual.

Taylor thought about the favor for Trent she agreed to the next week.

It wouldn't be cheating on Josh, she reasoned as she reduced the bedroom light, slipped off her dress, and concentrated just on Josh for that night.