The Numbers Game

by Frances Vidakovic

  THE NUMBERS GAME

  By Frances Vidakovic

  AUTHOR’S NOTE:

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents portrayed in it either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews

  Copyright © 2012 Frances Vidakovic

  Frances Vidakovic asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

  THE NUMBERS GAME

  PART 1: The Break

  It is always a question of quality over quantity

  Chapter 1

  If there was one thing in life that Serena didn’t appreciate it was stupid clichés.

  The ones that drove her craziest were the ones about love. ‘Better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all’ made her question whether she was the only sane girl around (for breaking dysfunctional romances off in a heartbeat). ‘Love is blind’ made her wonder why others couldn’t keep their eyes wide open. And the bitchy “All’s fair in love and war” made her want to pin a white flag to her head.

  So how is it then that she, Serena Adams, a savvy and intelligent young woman, fell prey to the biggest cliché ever, the one that had women cringing all round the world when they heard it breathed out loud?

  “I never saw it coming…”

  Except the truth was Serena didn’t see it coming. Honestly she didn’t. Sure, had she analyzed the available data she might have predicted the coming storm. But she wasn’t that type of girl. She instead depended on fortune-tellers for that kind of random information.

  Contrary to popular opinion, Serena took psychics a lot more seriously than others gave them credit for. For one could dissect their own life and come up with lots of interesting insights, like boyfriend mustn’t be happy if he is going out every night but only when the clairvoyant says: trust me, your relationship will be kaput before the month is out does one actually sweep out all the evidence from beneath the rug and investigate it over again.

  God only knows how long Serena had been trotting over the clues.

  She went to see the fortune-teller not long after succumbing to the “Gosh I’m almost thirty” dejection. Serena had succumbed to this melancholy two years ahead of time, yet figured why not? At least by the time her thirtieth birthday rolled around she’d have come to terms with the fact and would maybe – fingers crossed - be rather excited about going over the hill. Or was that being over the hill?

  The point was Serena had high hopes the fortune-teller would be able to put the sparkle back in her eye. She needed something to look forward to…Surely there were plenty of grand things on her horizon─ an exciting new promotion, a whirlwind voyage, or at the very least a marriage proposal.

  Serena decided to take her best friend Tabitha along with her to the event. Okay, so she sort of forced her to come. Tabitha was forever talking about doing things, but never really accomplishing anything so a fresh burst of anticipation would do both of them the world of good. At first Tabitha was a bit resistant (“you have got to be kidding me” were her exact words) but once Serena offered to pay, her friend jumped at the chance.

  On the way over Tabitha immediately started formulating a list of questions to ask Mystic Maria. Like when was she finally going to meet the man of her dreams? Where would she be and what should she be wearing? On her own to-quiz-on-list, Serena hadn’t even touched upon the subject of her boyfriend Markie. That’s because her relationship with Markie was as stable and predictable as loyal dog. Why waste time putting forth questions she already knew the answers to when she could be sucking dry information about all her future social and professional rewards?

  But it just so happened that the meteoric cow didn’t see any social and professional rewards. All she saw was a relationship breakdown flashing in neon lights.

  “You got husband?” the handkerchief-wearing woman asked as soon as Serena had seated. The room was dark so Serena couldn’t pick out whether this was just introductory friendly banter or something stemming from a vision from inside her crystal ball.

  “Nope,” Serena replied, though really the ring-free fingers should have made the fact self-evident. “Just a boyfriend.”

  “How long together?” Mystic Maria asked next, wrinkling her nose.

  “Almost five years. Why, do you see something there?” Serena wondered whether it was possible the connections Markie was always bragging about might eventually bring her success in the artistry field. Her own makeup range perhaps? An innovative skincare line?

  “Ooh, yes I see plenty,” Mystic Marie answered, shaking her head, “and none of it is good.”

  “What do you mean none of it is good?” This information was seriously confusing to Serena.

  “For starters the two of you are going to break up.”

  “Excuse me?” Now this really was crazy. This witch was talking about her and Markie, the epitome of coupledom; they were who as meant-to-be-together as Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire.

  “You are joking right?” Serena smiled. She was trying to work out whether it was acceptable to play April Fools’ Day jokes in the early February.

  “No, no, the ball never jokes.”

  “So when exactly will our unbreakable relationship terminate?” Serena asked, eyeing Mystic Marie suspiciously.

  She had decided then that she might as well go along with this funny little prediction. After all there had to be other good stuff on her horizon. Mystic Marie couldn’t seriously think Serena was going to pay good money to hear just this rubbish.

  “By end of month, if not sooner.”

  “Oh really”. Serena remained unconvinced. “And just what did you mean by “for starters” we will break up? You make it sound as if there’s something more to it.”

  Mystic Maria smiled at her slyly.

  “That’s because there is.”

  Of course Mystic Maria didn’t tell Serena what that special something was. Instead she escorted the two friends to the door, with a million questions still weighing on Serena’s shoulders.

  “It’s a joke, right?” Serena asked Tabitha.

  “It has to be,” Tabitha replied matter-of-factly. “Anyone who knows the two of you knows you and Markie are inseparable. It’s quite sickening how loved up you guys are really.”

  “That’s what I thought. But still…” Serena bit her lip. “Why did she have to go and plant that seed of doubt?”

  It didn’t help either that Tabitha got news of an upcoming love affair and surprise windfall. But she forced herself to put it out of her mind and when she got home and found Markie, her Mr. Perfect, slaving away over a pot on the kitchen stove it made Serena feel better. Ah now that’s what she liked to see: an attractive man with his top off AND making his girlfriend her favorite meal, spaghetti marinara with a dash of coriander if her nose correctly discerned.

  “Gosh, what did I do to deserve such lavish treatment on a Monday night?” Serena asked Markie, planting a kiss on his lower shoulder. She would’ve liked to graze it sexily against his neck but given that it was high up in the clouds (like most necks belonging to six foot four tall men), she needed a few more inches to get there.

  “I thought I’d make it up to you, for spending so much time away with the boys on the weekend.”

  “Oh.” Serena paused, dropping her pink leather bag onto the granite bench top. The pause contained a mixture of shock a
nd then gratitude. “But I didn’t mind.”

  Really she didn’t. Unlike most psycho-jealous women, Serena had felt a sense of relief when Markie announced he was hitting the town with the boys on Friday night. Finally a chance to strip the face of heavy make-up, shed the body of figure hugging clothes and plant herself in front of the TV with some fresh magazines and chocolate for company. Ever since the silly Christmas season, their lives had been as full on as the sports channel on cable TV. Party here, dinner or opening there, it had felt like heaven to hang up her laurels for one night.

  “Yeah I know you didn’t. But I wanted to make sure I wiped the incident completely from your mind.”

  The incident Markie was speaking of pertained to Saturday night, the one night when Serena did have something planned. For the both of them, that is. Because one doesn’t usually buy two tickets to a drive-in cinema on their own, you see. Serena had phoned up earlier in the week and put the tickets on her credit card which was a very considerate thing to do in The World According To Serena but you’d have thought otherwise from the look on Markie’s face. Oh damn, I’ve already planned another night out with the boys. He had frowned. You’re going to kill me right?

  But Markie was wrong actually. If he wanted another night off his leash, Serena was more than happy to accommodate. She wanted to spend more time with Tabitha anyway and dependable Tabitha would definitely go for the drive-in scenario as long as she had a bottomless supply of sweets at her disposal. Oh and one mustn’t forget about potential talk about Rick too. One could get Tabitha rolling through the streets naked if it involved talking about Rick at the same time.

  Just for the record Rick was Markie’s best friend. And apparently for two best friends to go out with another pair of BFF, well that would be a fabulous thing or so believed Tabitha who had shared this vision with her at least a million times. Okay so maybe she did deserve this meal, Serena sighed.

  “Just take a seat and I’ll get dinner served in five. For starters though tell me all about your reputable fortune teller’s predictions.” Markie’s smile widened considerably at the word reputable.

  For starters? Gosh that sounded awfully similar to the words used by Mystic Maria today. To be honest Serena had been hoping to avoid all conversation about that dud hundred-dollar experience because there was not one good thing to tell.

  “What can I say? She thinks you and I are going to break up,” Serena said with a roll of her eyes, as she reached down for some serviettes and folded two into perfect triangles. Markie, who was in the middle of taking out the fine china, simply looked at her and dropped the plates onto the slate kitchen tiles.

  “Damn it,” he swore under his breath.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Serena insisted, “we have more plates you know.”

  “I’m not pissed about the plates. I just, I mean I think I just misheard what you said. The fortune teller…she said something about us breaking up?”

  “Yes but she also said other highly intelligent things like how Tabitha’s going to find a rich man and live in Hollywood.” She rolled her eyes again to show how serious she thought Mystic Maria was.

  “Oh.” The peep came out in the expected tone: so it can’t possibly be true. If anything Markie was quite verbal about the fact that Tabitha would find it hard to find a poor man let alone a wealthy one to put up with her crap.

  “I don’t believe her, you know,” Serena added, “in case you’re worried I’ve gone all superstitious and believe in jinxes. You and I both know we are never, ever going to break up.”

  Markie’s head was buried under the kitchen sink cupboard, searching no doubt for the dustpan so he didn’t reply immediately to her reassurances. In fact, he didn’t say another word until a few minutes later when he was almost done cleaning the mess.

  “Never say never,” Markie laughed uneasily, sweeping the last jagged bits of plate into the dustpan. His motions were so forced and hasty it sent tiny fragments of china flying into the Serena’s leg.

  “Ouch,” Serena flinched, automatically reaching for the wound. She looked down and realized that maybe the pieces weren’t so tiny after all, considering her ankle was now squirting out blood.

  “Damn it, I’m sorry,” Markie said, reaching for the washcloth. “Stay still and hold this against you until I come back with a bandage.”

  “I don’t need a bandage – a band-aid will do fine.”

  “No it won’t,” Markie insisted, “you’re wounded, you don’t know what you need.”

  He ran out of the room and returned thirty seconds later with the first aid kit. From the way he was reacting, Serena was surprised he hadn’t called for an ambulance.

  “Markie, what’s wrong with you? It’s just a cut for God’s sake; it’s not my first and it certainly won’t be the last.”

  “Yeah I know, I know. I’m sorry; I’m just stressed. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”

  “What wasn’t supposed to be like this?”

  “Tonight, later, now.” Markie looked at Serena with his puppy dog eyes. “You know what I mean.”

  “No I don’t actually.”

  “Serena…” he grabbed her hand to alert her that this was a Serious Event. A moment she would surely remember for forever more.

  “Honey I think we need to talk.”

  Chapter 2

  I think we need to talk. Those words will surely go down in history as sending more shivers down spines than “I’m pregnant” and “Will you marry me?” For a tiny moment Serena thought the talk might lead to the latter – a marriage proposal. But Markie’s furrowed eyebrows quickly wiped that thought from her mind. Nup, the prognosis wasn’t going to be good; it didn’t take a genius to work that out.

  “Sit down,” he said, motioning to the living room couch.

  “But I want to stand.”

  “Yeah well you might regret standing in the end, so trust me and take a seat.”

  Trust me. If anything Markie could be trusted so Serena succumbed to his request. Lord only knew what was going on here. The last time they had sat down to a deep and meaningful was over a year ago. Something about how yellow and pink furnishings were not exactly a very masculine look if her memory served her correct.

  “What in the world are you up to?” Serena asked, keeping her voice as light-hearted as possible just in case Markie had a good thing up his sleeve. You never really knew with boys…sometimes they acted all nervous and stuttery but then the next moment it was like they had popped some confidence pill, just like those nerdy men who won the lotto and suddenly end up with a blonde trophy wife on their arm.

  Not that that was a very good example. It was about as likely that Markie had won the lottery as it was that Serena had transformed into a gold digger. She didn’t need anybody else’s money; she was a proudly independent woman. Plus Markie wasn’t into gambling or betting on the false hope scene. Instead he lived by the mantra: take action and exert yourself and you will get results. This advice had helped build his little creative advertising agency to a respectable level, and their relationship too. Um, not that it was evident right now.

  “It’s us, Serena,” Markie sighed, “this isn’t working for me.”

  “What exactly isn’t working?” Serena asked. She was seriously confused now. Up until the plate cut and blood-spillage episode it seemed to her that everything was fine and dandy.

  “Our relationship; I’m not happy with it anymore.”

  “Excuse me?” Serena was seriously tempted to bang Markie over the head with the nearby broom and knock some sense into him. “But last night you…”

  “Look can you just forget about last night, I’m talking about right here and now.”

  “Oh so everything last night was just one big show, was it?” Serena replied snidely. She couldn’t help it. Sunday night was their special time and the night before Markie had gone to extra efforts to please her.

  “No, it wasn’t a show. Actually yes it was.” Markie stopped and then start
ed again, this time making sure to tread more carefully. “I think that sex is actually our whole problem.”

  “Sex is our whole problem?” Serena screamed.

  Now she had truly heard everything. Her boyfriend, with whom she indulged in regular energetic interactions at least three times a week, was complaining about their sex life. That was the funniest joke she had ever heard!

  “What? Are you upset about the fact I don’t let other women join us in bed? That I don’t urinate all over your body?”

  Those had been the wonder tricks of the celluloid porn teen queens they viewed on video last weekend.

  “No.” Markie’s lip began to twitch so Serena couldn’t be sure whether he was telling the truth or not.” It wouldn’t make any difference to me if you did that crap.”

  “That’s just fantastic. I don’t have a hope in hell then.”

  Serena crossed her arms as tightly as possible. Frankly she was way too angry to be upset now. Hell, who’d have thought men could be such wonderful actors in bed. His yearning for her, his moans, they had all seemed real enough. Who would have ever guessed they were all FAKE, FAKE and FAKE.

  “Look Serena it has nothing to do with your love-making ability. You’re great, incredible, and very sexy. Not to mention experienced. But maybe a little too experienced if you know what I mean.”

  “Sorry, I actually don’t get what you mean.”

  Markie couldn’t possibly be referring to her past and the numbers thing. This issue- her twelve ex-lovers versus his two - had caused them a lot of grief in their early days. But they were over it. Markie had said he didn’t care.

  “I lied,” he said, when Serena reminded Markie of the fact. “I do care; in fact I care more than anything else in this world about you opening your legs to complete strangers.”

  Serena reeled back into the couch, as if she’d scored the biggest punch. The pain, the pure shock of his words danced around on her face like a harlot would in the red light district. Like the harlot she apparently was.