Tasting All My Mates by Alexis Dee

401-The Silent Spectator
"Your office is so beautiful." Maynard had his hands in his pants when looking around and complimenting the interior.
Lazio and he were talking. Christina and Valerie were walking around hand in hand. I had no idea they had met before. I was so
clueless all this time, and it irked me. I had so many questions to ask Lazio, but I was keeping myself together at the moment.
We steadily made our way to the office, and while they have been talking, I have stayed silent. I felt so out of place; I didn't
belong here.
"Enya sits here with you?" It was then Maynard cheerfully said my name, and my body trembled at the mention of my name from
his lips. I raised my head and watched everyone staring at me.
"I am so sorry! Oh God, I didn't even see you here." Christina unwrapped her fingers from Valerie's hand and rushed over to give
me a hug. The smile on Valerie's face faded when she watched us smile and talk.
"Yeah! She joined just a day ago," Lazio answered, not looking too fond of talking about me.
"How are you able to work with such a huge detraction?" Maynard commented, and when everyone looked his way, he pointed
at the big window and the view outside.
"Anyway, so when are you guys coming over for dinner again?" Maynard asked Lazio. From the looks of it, it didn’t even look like
they were meeting after such a long time.
"Whenever you call us," Lazio said.
"No! this time we are coming over to your place." Christina shook her finger, walking over to wrap her arms around Maynard's
waist and give him a smile.
"Then I won't be there," Valerie shrugged, pouting as she pretended to be sad.
"Oh! Why not? "Does Enya not allow you in her mansion?" Christina asked, trying to be playful, but it made Lazio steal his eyes
from Valerie.
"No! I just don't feel comfortable welcoming myself into her home," Valerie whispered, lowering her face and looking all dull.
When I said I felt out of place, I didn't lie.

"Why not? You are so comfortable at my place. We have so much fun whenever we meet," Christina pouted, talking in a cheery
tone to her.
I don't know what was up with her, but she was not how I remembered her.
"You guys have met before?" I asked, speaking for the first time, and the instant silence made me uncomfortable. I have been so
silent all these years that it almost made me feel like an alien whenever somebody looked my way.
"Yeah!" Christina awkwardly answered, stealing glances from everyone. They were keeping things from me now.
"Why didn't you guys invite me?" I frowned playfully, tilting my head.
"Because of the very exact reason, you complain a lot." That came from Christina, who had to roll her eyes secretly when talking
about me. "I am joking," she added instantly.
"Anyway, are we guys going for lunch or not?" Christina asked just so that she could divert the topic from their casual house
dinners and gatherings.
"I have made reservations in the best restaurant for us," Lazio said with a pride look on his face.
"Enya! you can take the car because I will be late," Lazio then sneakily let me know I was not welcome. I couldn't even respond
for a moment before I bobbed my head hard with a forced smile on my lips.
"Why is she not coming?” Maynard asked, and everybody went silent again. I wanted the earth to open and swallow me every
time they reacted that way at the mention of my name.
"She doesn't really eat out," Lazio excused on my behalf. I could have exposed him, but for what? It was pretty clear that
Christina didn't want me to tag along.
"Oh! I think she can make an exception for a day. It is not like we meet every day," Maynard argued. This time, he didn't even try
to steal his eyes from Christina.
"I think she is fine," Lazio answered, but more bluntly this time, "Right, Enya?" Lazio asked, and for a split second, the old Enya,
who could turn pretty petty when being pushed, jumped out.
"It is okay. I can make an exception," I said, and the reaction I got was mixed. Valerie threw her hands down, while Christina
awkwardly stared at Maynard. Lazio was glaring at me while Maynard had a sweet smile covering his lips.

I don't know if I did right or wrong, but I felt like joining them, or how else would I know what was going on between Valerie and
Lazio?
"That is great. See! It will be like old times." Maynard excitedly rubbed his palms, whereas Lazio shook his head at me in
disapproval.
They sat down to discuss business, but Lazio made it clear I was not welcomed. I sat at my desk, typing through my blurred
vision.
There was a part of me that I lost that night, but I was beginning to feel like I was losing myself completely. Whenever I turned
my head to look at them, I found Christina staring at me. She would instantly look away whenever our eyes met. I was trying to
understand what happened to her, but it wasn't possible until she talked to me.
After hours of feeling invisible, we finally left for lunch. I took another car while Lazio, Valerie, Maynard, and Christina sat in the
same car.
The fact that Valerie rushed into the car and left me no space concerned me. The lunch was even more awkward. I regretted
inviting myself over.
"Enya doesn't talk anymore?" Maynard once again brought me up, smiling at me as the others looked dull.
"That reminds me of her powers. Enya used to be so vocal," Christina stole the attention of herself, talking about me with Valerie.
"Really?" Valerie asked, trying to look excited to hear about it while ignoring the subject at the same time.
"She used to be the in charge of matters. She would always take matters in her hands and then screw us over." Christina
laughed, making Valerie laugh with her, while Lazio and Maynard awkwardly sat there.