52

52
Betty.

“Let me go!” I bellowed as Michael dragged me towards his car. It was a cold night but his firm hands were the only thing that made me feel warm, Even though almost rough yet they felt protective. 
Both of us sat in silence in his car, neither of us said a word. The door clicked shut and the silence lingered in the air like dust in the wind. It was suffocating, I wanted to say something, I needed to.

I wondered what was going on in his mind.
But I couldn’t because I wasn’t a mind reader. 

The next sound I heard was the sound of our breathing and the slow hum of the engine roaring to life.
 The engine died instantly; awkward, Did he do that on purpose? I glared at him from the corner of my eyes. His tousled blonde hair covered part of his face, his blue eyes gleaming in the night. His hands rested on the steering wheel in a tensed way like he was about to start driving any second now.  
I turned to face him, breaking the silence. “So, will you mind telling me why you were at the bar?”
He let out a sigh, avoiding my gaze. “Well, I came to have a drink,” 

“Oh wow! How come it’s the same bar? Are you stalking me ?”

“Well, you should be happy I showed up! Otherwise, you would have been hurt..” he said, his tone rising. I faced forward instantly feeling the poundage of his words, I kept quiet, while he cleared his throat. “ I couldn’t bring myself to sit at home and sulk, so I went to a bar, to drink to stupor and forget about you. Instead, I saw someone who looked just like you struggling with an underpaid and overworked bartender. Turned out it was you .”

I swallowed hard, and a surge of embarrassment filled me. My student was indirectly telling me how low I stooped by almost getting involved with a bartender, “I was drunk.” I boomed.
He nods, “Are you good?”

“Yes, I just need to go home, can you take me home now please?”
He nodded again. “Of course, anything you want.”
The drive to my apartment was quiet, no music, no small talk, just silence and my regrets echoing so loud inside my head.  

I was beginning to regret the way I’d spoken to Michael earlier, he deserved an apology, and he had saved me from this strange man who wanted to take advantage of me.

I wanted to tell him I was sorry, or that I hadn’t meant it. But then what good will that do now? 
It’s too late already. Even though I never intended to hurt him with my words, it was safer this way
I’d drawn the boundaries for a reason. It's time to keep to my words and keep myself out of Adam’s reach and protect my career because that’s all that matters.  

He pulled up in front of my apartment building and I whispered “Good night.”

“Night,” he responded softly, his gaze remaining on me like he wanted to say something else.
I stepped out of the car and didn’t look back, not even once.
Bye for good

I was so shocked when I saw my door slightly open.
For a second I froze my hand on the doorknob, my heart racing. I was so sure I closed it properly before leaving, so how the hell was it opened? I turned on the lights, and it was the same as I had left it. No thief had broken in and stolen anything. Or maybe I didn't lock it properly. I tried to convince myself but as I stepped into the living room, I saw a note neatly folded on the mahogany table.

My heart skipped a beat again. Was someone playing games with me? 

What should I do? Do I call the police or the lease owner?
I slowly opened it and it read. “Hi, B, you did the right thing, I'm proud of you. I hope you keep up with it.”
The handwriting was unusually familiar yet I couldn't place who had it. Oh fuck! 
Of course, I knew who it was. 
“Adam!” I gasped my hand covering my mouth, his name tasted like venom on my lips. That mother fucker!

I tore the note into shreds and spread it all over the room like confetti. 
“Leave me the fuck alone, you bastard!” I bawled, screaming my lungs out. “ I know you are watching me, I know you installed some camera in my home, Adam, I dismissed Michael for my personal reasons not for you, so there isn’t any reason why you should be proud of me, mind your fucking ass business or I’ll arrest you ass!”
Kitty meowed softly from her tree, as if to remind me that I wasn’t alone in my frustration. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “ Sorry for screaming that loud, mama is just pissed some creep won’t leave her alone and stay out of her business.”
I yanked off my leather heels and fell straight to the sofa, still wearing my clothes. I could feel the effects of the alcohol creeping in, and just like that my eyelids kissed one another and the next thing I saw was darkness.

‘Brrrrrrrrr…. Brrrrrrr’

“Fuck!” I cursed as my eyes flew open. I can't believe it's morning already, the sun was up and bright, shining on the blinds and straight in my eyes.

I moaned, rolling over. “Urggh! Can't I just sleep forever?” My mouth still tasted like vodka and cigarettes. The worst feeling ever, but fortunately for me the hangover was mediocre.

I sat up touching my body, I was still wearing my coat, my phone rang on the table across from me, I checked it, and I had five missed calls from Maya.
Immediately I dialed her back, rubbing my temples trying to calm the throbbing pain arising.
“Hi, peach!” she cheered, she sounded so happy, which was weird because it was just 8 am.
“Hey…” my speech slurred, still half asleep.

“Aww… did I wake you?”
“Nah! I'm up, what's up?”
“I have good news!”

“Shoot!”
“Well, I've decided I'm going to come spend a few days with you.”

I sat up, my attention piqued. “Are you for real, Maya?”
“Yeah… a few days won't hurt, and to be honest, I miss clubbing with you, I miss the karaoke night, I kiss all of them.”
I paused, recalling last night's incident, how I was almost assaulted by that bartender. If Michael hadn't shown up like a guardian angel, the outcome would have been different. “Yes, I miss it all too, I can't wait to have you.”

“Yes baby,” she giggled. “ I have so much to tell you, I think I might have found love.”
My jaw dropped. “ So soon? I'm so happy for you nonetheless.”
We said our goodbyes and the line went off.

For the first time in weeks, I felt relieved and happy, Maya's visit will surely help repair my destroyed mental health, she would surely be a great distraction.

She was always the light in the room, always making things better. I smiled to myself, sinking back into the bed. 
Then I heard a loud knock at the door.
“Who is it?” I yelled, dragging my feet to the door. When I opened it, I saw a deliveryman holding a massive bouquet of red and green roses. 
It was crazy cause they were both my favorite color. 
“Are you, Betty Graham?” He asked.
I nod, “ from?”
He smiled. “ You should check the note.”
I pulled out the white note and it read: I hope you smell as fresh as these roses, love, Ethan.”
What???

Ethan?
As in, doctor Ethan, the man who proposed to a random bitch outside my workplace right in front of me?
What silly games was he playing and does he think a flower would win my heart?
“Take them back to the owner, I don’t need them,” I yelled.

“I can’t, it’s already been paid for…”

“Then trash it in the bin, I don’t fucking care, I don’t want them.” I barked slamming the door in his face.

My heart was racing hard now, immediately, my phone rang. It was Ethan.
I swiped the answer button. “ What the hell is this?”
“Did you like them?” He asked slightly, chuckling like I was a clown in the circus.
“I hate them! Don’t you ever send anything to me again, is that clear?” 
“What? Betty, you need to chill, you are overreacting.”
I scoff, “Oh really? So I’m overreacting now, right? You proposed to a random bitch right in front of me, you humiliated me Ethan, and now you are sending roses to me?”
He giggled again. “ That was a harmless prank.”

“Really?”
“Yes, I just wanted to make you jealous a little…”

I hung up on him instantly, my face was red with anger.

My hand nervously trembled as I held the phone, it wasn’t out of fear, it was out of anger. I was done being manipulated by my men. 
“I’m so done with you, Ethan. “ I hissed.