Chapter 12

Allison POV

"You should go, hear him out,"

Closing the laptop, I glared at Toniann, she can't be serious, can she?

"Have you lost a fucking screw? Did you read the part in the contract that says I can't come in contact with other men or women," I moved from the computer desk, hurling myself on the sofa "No... It said you can't have sex with other people, not socialize with them... Come on Ali, do you think Hussain is out there putting his life on pause because of you? Plus, he is just your ex, after all, you do deserve closure," Toniann sat beside me, "He isn't just 'some' ex, Toni, he is Gary, and I still have feelings for him," I mumbled,

"And this is why you need closure, the contract is effective to prevent you from doing any stupid, but you just need to find out why you were dump via a text message at that," Toniann threw her hand around my neck, caressing my upper arm,

I guess she is right if Gary and I don't sit down and talk about it, I will never move past it, I mean we were dating for three years... Three damn years, and I deserve to know what went wrong. It's funny how he was the one to break up with me when I had many reasons to. I mean, Gary was a complete nerd, he was way too soft and wears his heart on his sleeve. Our sex life was flavorless, and fatiguing because of him, I wanted someone more dominant, someone, who can easily overpower me, challenge my submissiveness, but not Gary, at times when he was on top of my I often time find myself yawning, wishing I just tell him, 'Stop asking me if I was ok every five minutes and just fuck me until I can't walk for a week' but I didn't want to insult him. I tried leaving hints that I want more, and I had more to offer, but he kept blowing me off, like that one time I gave him a blow job and he didn't kiss me or look me in the eye for two weeks, because to him, it's nasty.

But I loved him, actually... I still do, his contagious laughs, the way he smiles, gets upset when he plays his stupid video game, I miss him, I will never forget him... Never forget the day we first lay eyes on each other, "One night, I went to the movies alone and he got stood up by his date, it was a horror film, and I was there scared shitless, hugging the popcorn pail. We were sitting one seat apart from each other, and I guess he saw how uneasy I was, and he began to talk to me, for fifteen everyone else tried to get him to shut up, but he wouldn't... He decided that he will make me enjoy the rest of the simply by just making me laugh... We were inseparable after that, until now—"

"And that's more reason for you to accept his little date," Toniann snickered, nudging her elbow in my side "It's not a date Toniann," I chuckled, rolling my eyes in annoyance, "Whatever it is, you're going... To hell with Myers and his contract, which reminds me... Did he pay you? Because—" I watched as she pulled a white envelope from underneath the cushion next to her,

"I woke up this morning and saw this under the door,"

Snatching it from her grip, I slipped my finger underneath the paper crease, ripping it open.

"They are going to cut off my water," I groaned, I was so lost in my world, I forgot about reality for a little while and reality came with these responsibilities. Tossing the invoice aside, I folded my arms, "I need a job,"

"Uh... No, you don't,"

"How I am going to pay my bills Toniann, how am I going to survive?"

"Well... the contract did say you're entitled to a hundred grand... Sign-on bonus, I believe he calls it, maybe you can try asking him for it," She shrugged,

"I could do that, but I am sure he remembers, I mean what will he think of me if I run behind for money," I sighed,

Swinging her head back, Toniann burst into a loud cackle, glancing at me with a raised eyebrow,

"You signed a contract to have sex with a man from time to time and you're sitting here, worried about what that man thinks of you? Are you forgetting how you two met?" She snickered, "Wow Toniann you sure know how to cheer up a friend when they are feeling down, I feel so special, thank you," I scoffed "That's the things with adults, you tell the truth and boom... You're being disrespectful,"

"Whatever Toniann, Venice still hasn't paid me for my workdays so I guess I swing by and pick up my check, I will just have to find another job because I'm not asking Hussain for that money,

" I am the HR and firm representative of Myers Corp don't feel bad for asking him for money trust me, I've seen the company's budgeting sheets and I would see the none budgeting ones," Toniann stood from the sofa, packing her stuff into her bag "I am not asking, and that the end of this conversation,"

"Ok... Ok," she threw her hands up in defeat, "and what about Gary?"

"What about him?"

"Are you going to meet him or not,"

"I have to think about it,"

"Allison," she groaned "I don't want to make plans with him to only to not turn up or cause a scene, I will think about it okay... Cut me some slack,"

"Ok, well I have run on down to go get my car, my neighbor is probably done with his stupid pipes, so I don't if I will come back here or go straight home,"

"Ok, and thank you," I looked around at my dazzling apartment, "For cleaning up the entire place for me,"

"Any time," she grinned, " Now I have to go to the police department, explained to them what happened, hope the tell me the impound lot address my car was taken before they start selling parts of my car, piece by piece if they don't believe me, I will just have to give Aiden a call,"

"You have Aiden's number?" I smirked,

"Yes wipe that stupid smile off your face and I will call you later ok," she kept talking as she bolted through the door, running away from the conversation,

Changing into a t-shirt and joggers, I pulled my hair into a high ponytail, it's been a while since I've done that. Scurrying into the kitchen, I opened the refrigerator, searching for my favorite delight, ice cream. Pulling the small bucket from the fridge, I unhooked a spoon from the tact on walls, dipping it into the creamy texture, I enjoyed the vanilla extract savory, melting in my mouth, teasing my taste buds. Hearing a knock on the doors, I chuckled under my breath as I slip the lid back on the ice cream bucket, licking the spoon clean before I threw it in the sink,

"I'm coming Toniann, I knew you would have left something behind," I clutched onto the doorknob, "What did you—"

Seeing him at my doorway, I froze, and one might think, shouldn't you be used to him by now, but that's what I liked about him, every look, every touch, every kiss... Made me weak,

"Hussain," I whispered,

"Allison,"

"What are you doing here?

"Firstly, can you at least invite me inside, if someone recognizes me I can guarantee you that you will have to move by tomorrow evening... The latest,"

"Sorry, please come in," stepping aside, he strolled past me, brushing his body against mine. Thank god Toniann cleaned the apartment, I thought.

"So, what can I get you? A glass of water, wine? Sex?" I scratched the back of my neck in embarrassment,

Walking around, Hussain observed the flat, hands tucked into his pockets, "No, I am ok, I was having lunch nearby with a friend, so I came here to deliver your check, I could have sent it with Aiden, but you know how employees can be nosy," he chuckled, "I hope that's ok though, me dropping by here unannounced,"

"Oh, it's fine, you've stalked my work, learned my full name, my favorite dish, got a hold of my email address and phone number, so this... It's nothing really,"

"I think I have told you, Allison, Carefully with your choices of words, I don't stalk... and I didn't stalk you, I am much too respected for that," he marched around with his back turned to me, "Right, because you've never heard about white criminals," I rolled my eyes,

"Are you sure you're saying that right, I mean it's clear you know the term, but do you know the meaning?"

The room stood still.

"Anyway, you were a charming hostess as always, but I am afraid that I will have to leave you," he mumbled, staring into my eyes as he removed, a white envelope from the inside of his jacket. Stretching it towards me, I slowly reached out for it, taking it from his grip,

"Well," he continued, "I guess I will be seeing you soon," he nodded walking away, towards the door,

"Hussain," I mumbled,

"Allison," he clutches onto the doorknob, gazing back at me,

"Is Myers Corp hiring?"