Kate is sitting on a blue picnic blanket under a willow tree in the park. On top of the blanket there is a picnic basket full of fruit like apples, bananas, grapes, and strawberries. She takes the fruit out and places it on top of a white plastic plate. Her cell phone vibrates, alerting her to the new text message.
Unknown: Hi dear, I have just arrived at the park where are you?
Kate: I am sitting under a willow tree wearing a yellow dress.
Unknown: Ok I see you am coming.
Kate takes out two glasses from the picnic basket and places them on top of the blanket when she hears a voice behind her say, “Hello, sweetheart, I’m here.”
She turns slowly and stares at the tall figure in front of her. Her eyes pop and her mouth is wide open. She stands still. The man keeps blinking and his mouth hangs wide open too. He also stands still. After a while, the man recovers from the shock and tries to speak.
“Kate is…is that you?” he stutters.
Kate replies by picking up the fruit from the plate and throwing it at him. He ducks. Kate picks up the two glasses and the man turns around and runs for dear life. Kate gets up and chases him — she throws the glasses but they fall down and don’t reach him. The man outruns her, gets inside his black BMW X5, and speeds off.
Kate throws herself down on the grass in defeat, covers her face with her hands, and sobs. After a while she stops crying and uses the back of her hands to wipe her tears. She gets up and heads to the willow tree where she was sitting. She picks up her phone to call Nina but Nina doesn’t answer. Kate hangs up and calls Lisa, who picks up.
“Hi friend,” Lisa answers.
“Hi, are you at work?” Kate speaks in a low tone.
“I have just come out of court, I had a case but I’m done now. Are you OK? You sound troubled?”
“It’s all a big mess, I’m at the park, please come get me.” She starts sobbing.
“Don’t worry, I’m on my way.”
“OK, thanks.” Kate takes out a water bottle from the picnic basket and opens it and drinks.
***
A red Mercedes-Benz AMG comes speeding up and stops at the park. The two front doors open, and Lisa and Nina come out in a hurry, rushing to where Kate is sitting.
“Hi,” Nina exhales.
“I am sorry for not answering the phone, I had left it charging in the office, but I’m so glad that Lisa came to fetch me so that we could come here together.”
“What happened? Did he stand you up or did he come and you had a fight so he left?” Lisa asks, concerned.
“Something like that,” Kate looks down.
“I don’t understand, please try to explain.” Nina holds her shoulder.
“This mysterious guy turned out to be someone I know.” Kate’s eyes get teary.
“What!” her friends say in unison.
“Yep, my life is a movie.” Tears flow down her cheeks.
“Who is it? Is it Peter? You know, that guy has some nerve!” Lisa roars with rage.
“I wish it was Peter, maybe this whole situation would be less embarrassing,” she shakes her head.
“If it isn’t Peter then who is it?” Nina asks, with a worried look.
“My number-one enemy: Tony,” she fumes.
“What! That’s terrible, like, it is really bad.” Lisa put her hands on her head while Nina covers her mouth, eyes wide open.
“There it is the story of my life, it’s a game of chess.”
“What will you do now?” Nina asks.
“That is so easy. I am going to commit murder. It is lucky Lisa is a lawyer, she will come get me out of prison.” Kate frowns.
“No, friend, please don’t do that, it is not a wise solution,” her friends plead with her.
“Please take me home, I want to think.” She gets up and heads to the car, leaving her friends staring at her, confused.
Tell us: What do you think will happen next?