CHAPTER 31

Van Pojas entered the Treballa restaurant. It was mid-afternoon and the restaurant was nearly empty. He immediately scanned the area to see the person he was meeting seated in a secluded corner of the restaurant.

“Sorry, traffic’s a killer” he said, sitting down opposite Cris Nichols. She looked at him, cold and unforgiving. Van grabbed a cigarette from his pocket and lit it.

“This is about you.” Cris began. “and Sen.” Van sat back and took a puff. “He told me everything about you two.”

Van laughed.

“As I expected he would.” He said. “An now you’re going to beg me to leave him and save your family? Well, boo hoo Cris.”

Cris was shocked with Van’s defiance. She had at least expected him to be morose and apologetic. Apparently that was not the case. Van took a puff from his cigarette.

“We have a family. A daughter. Doesn’t that matter to you? And what about Bea?” Cris asked.

“Well Cris, you ruined our chance for a happy life together. Whoever said payback was not going to be a bitch anyway?” Van snapped as he stubbed his cigarette out on the ashtray.

“And Bea” she asked.

“Consider Bea collateral damage. An unwitting pawn.” Van said. Cris could not believe what she was hearing. Van was not like this a few years back. He was young, carefree and very fun-loving- a far cry from the Van seated across him.

“Van, what happened? You used to be a nice kid.” Cris asked.

“People change Cris. Sometimes, something happens to people and they change.” Van explained. “In my case, I just got tired of being the nice kid. They usually finish last. I should have fought for Sen when I had the chance, instead I gave him up.”

Cris was silent. In a way, she understood where Van was coming from, but things are different now.

“Things are different now Van. Sen has a family to take care of. You can still be his friend.” Cris offered. Van let out a laugh again.

“Do you think this is just about you?” Van snapped, the light casting an evil glow on his face.
Cris was puzzled.

“Revenge is a dish best served cold.”