My cheek still stings when I finished putting on yesterday's clothing. The alcohol stink was gone, the smell of the smoke and the gross vomit were all gone but the memories instilled into my brain were still there, although a bit vague and foggy, I could still fairly recreate the night in my mind. I looked at Elizabeth as she was applying tons of cosmetics on her face. The embarrassment I was feeling was not from anybody else but it was from my own doing, I felt my head becoming heavy and my face flushed.
It took almost a little under an hour before she could get ready and we were ready to leave. I waited by the door and she locked it behind us. Her gaze fell upon my face and she reached out to touch my aching cheek. "I'm so sorry for this. I was just shocked." she said softly.
"It's alright. Although you might want to use the lock on your door next time."
I started walking briskly out of the complex. I think it's pretty awkward to be seen with a lady so early in the morning. Contrary to my plans an old lady came up from the corner and stopped in front of us.
"Good morning Ellie. I see you finally brought a boy home." the old lady greeted us. I offered her a forced smile.
"Oh oh my, Mrs. Maxwell, it's not. We're not...This is my boss. Mr. Andrew Marshall." Elizabeth explained.
The old lady grinned showing the gap between her upper and lower lip. Her mischievous smile told me that there was malice in her mind and imagined that there was something happening between me and Elizabeth.
"We have to get going Mrs. Maxwell. I'll see you at dinner tonight. Take care."
We walked past her and another obstacle appeared out of nowhere, this time it was a mother together with her two children a boy and a girl. The boy came running towards us while the girl tightened her grasp to her mother's leg. The boy then crashed to Elizabeth and hugged her.
"Good morning Isaac, no running in the halls remember?" Elizabeth bent to meet the boy's height and patted his head. "You'll get the landlord mad again."
"Okay. Okay." the boy nodded and replied.
"Have a pleasant day Ellie. I see that you have a company today. What a rare sight to see." the mother said and nodded my way.
One after another, it felt like that I have encountered every tenant on that building before we got to the curb and got into a cab. She was obviously well liked and popular among the tenants in the building. It's hard to believe that she was the same cunning, manipulative and ill-mannered b8tch back in school. The ride was short but the minutes felt long as the awkward silence lengthened every second of the clock.
There was still some throbbing on my face as I got into my office. I can still feel the heat on the part of my cheeks where her palm landed that morning. I opened the camera app on my phone and looked at my face on the screen. The reddish mark in the shape of a hand was still subtly visible on my face. As I was studying my reflection on the mobile device's screen my mind flew across the room and the train of thoughts started with an odd topic. What the hell was I even doing? What more do I really want? What else should I be bitter about? My life's better than hers, undoubtedly, and there is nothing more I should want. I don't know what it is but I should feel happy and glad. Is there something missing? What is it? Is it love? Oh please. I believe that love is nothing but a temporary chemical reaction. It's just a mess. I have my fair share of intimate relations but I have to say, love is currently out of the question.
I have read somewhere that forgiveness is the best revenge one can extract. Okay, since everything has been expended, why don't I try going along with these random sh*t in the internet.
I placed the phone down at the table together with every doubt in my mind. Everybody deserves a second chance and I am ready to give one. I think I am.
It was a little past 3 in the afternoon when I saw that there was a bit of commotion outside my office. I could see people going to Elizabeth's place and was slowly forming into a crowd. I could faintly see them from the frosted glass walls of my office. I guess it arrived then.
A knock disturbed further my peace and I answered, "Come on in."
Elizabeth's face was flushed and it was obvious that she was flustered. "What's the matter?" I asked.
"The flowers, I know they're from you. I'm thankful but..."
"What? You didn't like them? It's just for looking after me last night."
"Yeah but..." she said fiddling.
"What? You can throw them away if you don't want them. It's just a little thank you gift. Why are you being weird?"
"I'm .... I'm...acheeew." she tried hard but it was forcefully left out. A sneeze, it was soft, it was polite and it was cute. I have never seen somebody sneezed in such a charming way.
I burst out laughing until my stomach hurts and my eyes teared up. "I'm sorry" I said while calming my laughter down and wiping my eyes. "I did not know you were allergic. I'm gonna have it cleaned right away."
She sniffed and replied, "Thank you very much Mr. Marshall." She smiled in a way where it felt that it was heart-felt, genuine and deeply true. Her eyes smiled with her lips. Again, this girl, she's really a gorgeous sight to behold.
okay will do.