Swapping Places Chapter 37

Read Chapter 36 here.

Kobby’s phone rang. He glanced at the unknown number on the screen. He swiped the screen.

“Hello.”

“Hi…this is Robert.”

“Robert who?” He heard a chuckle from the other end.

“Robert…Delphine’s boyfriend.”

“Oh…Robert, is it? So I suppose Del gave you my number?”

“Yeah…I told her I wanted us to straighten things out and start afresh. I’ve had it for quite some time but I haven’t had the courage to call you yet.”

“I see…so what broke the spell?” Kobby asked, crossing his leg as he watched an NBA game.

“The twins’ birthday.” Kobby’s mind raced fast. What date was it again? Oh yeah…wow, he almost forgot.

“You had forgotten about it, hadn’t you?” Robert asked.

“I must admit, it had escaped me. But I would have definitely remembered before the day arrived. Daphne would by all means remind me.”

“Of course. So I was thinking that we could combine our powers and do something special for them. Since we will be in-laws very soon hopefully, I hoped we could start afresh now…what do you say?”

“Did you say, in-laws? Is that a future hope or a certainty?”

“Well, it’s more likely a certainty since she said yes when I proposed. She hasn’t told you?”

“Apparently not. When was this?”

“Before she went on her trip. I thought you knew. Perhaps she is waiting for the right time to let you know.”

“Uh huh…ah well, I think it’s a good idea about planning something for the ladies. I’ll get back to you and we’ll see what we can do.”

“Sure. So we’re good, right? Hopefully friends one day?”

“Let’s see. Bye.” He ended the call. He let out a heavy sigh. Why wouldn’t Del tell him about it?

*

Daphne and Kobby ate their dinner quietly. Daphne could tell he was upset about something. She tried probing but he shut her out with a shake of his head. Her phone rang. She answered immediately.

“Hi sweetie! I’ve been expecting your call all day! Are you home?”

“Yeah. Just arrived. Mum told me you were home, waiting up for me.”

“Yeah, wanted us to catch up but it was getting late and I had to return home to perform my wifely duties,” she said, looking at Kobby who paid her no attention.

“How noble of you. When you have a long talker as a boss, you know you’re doomed when he starts sharing his thoughts ten minutes to departure. Don’t worry, we’ll catch up soon. I have this event I have to attend tomorrow…let’s see how that goes. We can hang out afterwards.”

“Ok sure. Kobby’s here. Want to say hi?” Kobby shook his finger at her.

“Yeah! We haven’t spoken in ages!” Daphne gave her husband a questioning look. She mouthed ‘why?’ Kobby only shook his head.

“Um…I don’t know what’s up with him but he can’t come to the phone right now.”

“Is everything okay?”

“I’m not so sure. Let’s talk tomorrow, yeah? Welcome back and get some rest.”

“Thanks, sis. Goodnight.” The line went dead. 

“Okay…what was that for?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing? You refused to speak to Delphine of all people and you say it’s nothing? What is it? Did I do something wrong?” He shook his head.

“Is it work?” Another headshake.

“Okay…when you’re ready to talk, you know where to find me.” She got up with her plate and walked out of the dining room.

*
Delphine kept wondering why Kobby didn’t speak with her. No matter how busy he was, he could spare a minute to just say hello, right? Was he mad at her for taking the trip without telling him? Gosh, what kind of brother-in-law has she got? She opened WhatsApp and tapped on his name.

Kobby stared at his phone. Delphine was online. Who could she be chatting with, Robert? Maybe he should confront her about the engagement now. He began to type.

Delphine had started typing when she noticed he was typing too. She paused. Maybe she should wait to read what he was typing.

He paused when he saw that she was typing. He refusing to speak with her might have gotten to her. 

Typing… What at all is he typing? Delphine wondered anxiously. She deleted what she had typed so far and waited.

Kobby deleted his text. Delphine wasn’t typing anymore but was still online. He sighed.

Delphine grew tired of waiting and exited the app. She laid down and stared up at the ceiling. 

Kobby left the chat and put his phone down when Daphne joined him in bed. He closed his eyes.

*

Delphine smiled at the usher and stepped inside the conference room. She glanced around to have a sense of the people present. It was a private cocktail networking event. The room smelled of rich and fairly comfortable people. Great. She was tired from her trip but she had to put on her charming face to win over some potential clients tonight. She checked her phone. This should be over in four hours.

Kobby sipped his drink. His phone vibrated. He took his phone out of his breast pocket. It was a Facebook notification that Delphine Coleman was nearby. How near, he wondered as he glanced around. He hadn’t thought he would bump into her here. He smiled mischievously. The night was going to get interesting.

Delphine noticed a hand waving at her and noticed her boss. She smiled and walked up to him. He introduced her to the people he was standing with and they all shook hands with her. After chatting for a while, he led her to another group of people standing together.

“Hey Mike, meet my able marketing executive. Delphine, meet Mike, Manager of Operations at Guinness.”

“Hello. Nice meeting you.”

“The pleasure is mine. Meet my good friend, Kobby Hayford…” Delphine turned her head and their eyes met.

“Is it me or does she look exactly like your wife? I’ve seen her frame on your desk,” a man next to Kobby said. He smiled.

“Yeah, that’s because she’s my wife’s sister. Hello, sister-in-law.”

“Hello, brother-in-law.” She exchanged a few words with Mike before she walked away with her boss. 

“Thank you,” Del said as she took a cocktail glass from the tray.

“So are you going to avoid me all night?” She heard behind her.

“Unlike you, I’m actually here to work. I’m sorry, can’t talk right now.”

“Oh, you sound like you’re angry with me.”

“Please, my world doesn’t revolve around you.” He held her left hand and raised it.

“So it’s true. When were you going to tell me?”

“Is that what yesterday was about?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Delphine yanked her hand out of his.

“We’re at a public place for crying out loud.”

“Fine, let’s talk at a quiet place then.” He took the glass out of her hand put it on a table nearby. He pulled her outside.

“You have no right to manhandle me like this, Kobby.” He let go of her.

“I’m sorry. I just don’t know why I have to hear it from him of all people. Yeah, your guy called me.” 

“I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you in person but I went on the trip…but the last time we talked, you were okay with me making it work with Robert so why are you getting yourself all worked up?”

“I was and I am but I felt slighted that you wouldn’t tell me. I thought we were close.”

“Of course we are. Again, I don’t understand why you’re making this about you. You should be happy for me.”

“I know…I am. Do you even love this guy?” Del raised a brow.

“Where is this coming from?”

“Listen, I know how it feels to marry someone you love but not enough to live with the rest of your life. I don’t want you to go through the same thing.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I thought we could go back to normal after what happened between us but I can’t help but think about you all the time.” 

“Um…unless I suddenly forgot my English or you’re mistaking me for someone else, I can see we are reading from two different books right now.”

“I’m sorry to bring this up at a time like this but…”

“Delphine?” Del turned. It was her boss.

“There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

“Sure; excuse me,” She said and walked away. Kobby sighed as he pocketed his hands. He went back inside. He kept an eye out for Del the rest of the night but never once did she look his way. When the event closed, Del and her boss talked for a while and he left. She made a couple of calls and walked to her car. She found Kobby leaning against it, waiting for her.

“Del…” She raised a hand to stop him. 

“I’m sorry, Kobby; I’m exhausted. I can’t do this right now.”

“I know…I’m sorry. I just want to clear the air and make sure we’re on the same page.”

“It’s late. Don’t you have a wife to get home to?” She pressed the unlock button for her car. She opened the door.

“Just give me a minute. We just can’t ignore what happened…”

“And I’m out,” she said and sat in her car. She closed the door and started the engine. She drove away without another look at Kobby.

Why was she being so difficult? He could understand that she wanted to suppress the memory of their indiscretion but she just couldn’t brush it off like that. He walked to his car, sat in and drove off. 

Del called Daphne.

“Hey.”

“Hey. I’m sorry but we can’t meet up. I’m pretty exhausted from the trip and running into your husband just made it worse. We had  an argument about me not telling him about Robert’s proposal which just pissed me off so I want to go home, take a shower and sleep it off.”

“You had an argument?”

“Yeah…and my boss walked in on us. Please tell him to give me a break, yeah? I’ve my own life to live.”

“I’ll talk to him. Get home safely and get some rest. Will catch up soon.” The line went dead.
Kobby entered the house and threw his keys on the table next to the front door. Daphne lay on the sofa with arms crossed.

“Hey.”

“Hey…how did it go?”

“It was alright.”

“So it seems you didn’t take me along because you were intent on going to give my sister a hard time.”

“What, she called you? It wasn’t like that, trust me.”

“Between you and her, I’m afraid I’m going to take her word over yours.”

“Wow…and we are supposed to be married, right? That hurts. It wasn’t supposed to be an argument. She was quite stressed and…”

“Of course she was! She just returned from a work trip. I must confess, I’m jealous of you two.”

“What do you mean? What is there to be jealous of?”

“You two can even have an argument. I can’t even boast of one with you.”

“Are you kidding me right now? You’re going to make a case out an argument I had with Del?”

“Why wouldn’t I? It seems you can’t stand me long enough to have an argument. You walk out before we even start.”

“You’re unbelievably petty, Daphne; one I’ve no tolerance for,” he said and started walking out.

“You just proved my point! Why do you sometimes make me feel that you married the wrong twin?” That caught Kobby off guard. He turned. Daphne’s eyes were full of anger. 

“Surprisingly, you make me feel same too. I guess the feeling is mutual,” he said and entered the bedroom. Daphne gasped. He just didn’t say that to her, did he?!

*
The cold shower didn’t help cool Del’s fuming chest. She hit her toe against the bed. She cried out in pain as she held her hurt foot and hopped on the other leg. She sat down and examined it. She could feel it breathing. Ouch. She laid on her bed and sighed. What the hell was Kobby going on about what had happened between them? Was it the kiss he placed on her forehead and cheek? Seriously? She thought it was girls who held on to such moments with such emotion in their hearts and not guys. How she wished she could go far away from him forever…her phone rang. It was Robert.

“Hey.”

“Hey love, how did the event go?”

“It was okay; a lot of handshakes and smiles all round. The fact that I’m exhausted didn’t make it easy.”

“Sorry…then let me leave you to get some rest.”

“Oh no, your voice is exactly what I need at this moment. I need to calm myself down.”

“Why, did something happen?”

“Maybe…don’t want to talk about it. Just make me feel better.”

“Okay.” Robert cleared his throat and began to sing. Delphine chuckled.

“You sing? I didn’t know that.”

“There’s a lot to this guy you’re yet to discover, my lady. I’m a bottomless well of goodness.”

Del chuckled. “Okay, sing me a song and take me to sweet dreamland.”

“Your wish is my command, milady.”

(c) Josephine Amoako 2017