Donning a black leather jacket, white shirt, orange pants and blue sneakers, I was sitting on the cold chair. I was scanning the whole room with my eyes. They were moving at an incredible speed. I did so to absorb every individual in my vicinity.
Was I sweating? The room had grown cold suddenly.
Why are their so many people around today?
I was tapping my feet since I entered the room. This uneasiness should not be the last feeling I should inhabit before I take the biggest step in my life.
"Next."
I heard the word and jumped out of my seat. I reached the window and a young girl wearing a grey uniform greeted me with a smile.
"Welcome to Atlantic Bank. How may I help you today?"
I cracked an awkward smile at her and handed my documents, as well as my credit and debit cards.
"I-I'd like to make a withdrawal and close my account."
"Sure. Let's see…"
She pressed couple of buttons, verified my identity by asking for my driver's licence. Looked at the screen couple more times and left her seat. She opened the door behind her and fetched the branch's manager to look at the withdrawal figure.
$4,472,602.37
The manager shot a blank look at my face. Seconds later, he covered his face with a smile and exited the room with the cashier. Moments later, security called for me and I was escorted to the manager's office.
"Ms. Madonna, please be comfortable." He greeted me with another one of his smiles.
I took a seat and posed a question, "Why am I in here? I have all the required documentation for the withdrawal."
"I just have some questions I need to ask for verification. Once the formalities are out of the way, we will proceed with the transaction." He replied.
"Sure. Just, make it quick. I have a flight to catch for 7."
Six days since my meeting with Jango.
Five days since I met with the editors.
Four days since I transferred my house in San Francisco Priscilla.
Three days since I handed all my drafts to Cline.
Two days since I had sex with Priscilla.
One day since I cried for her.
I gulped all the feelings down my throat. These are not the feelings I should inhabit before I left everything behind me.
I took all my money and walked out of the bank forty minutes later. I put the Bluetooth headset in the ear while walking towards my car and called Mr. Goodman. I told him I had all my earning with me. He assured me that I'd encounter no problems while going from bank to airport. I thanked him again and threw my bag in the trunk of my Acura.
The airport was thirty minutes away.
I fired the engine and put the car in reverse. Before I could drive away, I decided to listen to Priscilla's first EP, "Gateway", to reminisce our beginnings.
I put on my blue tinted glasses and headed towards the airport.
The last track of the EP "My Mad House" was almost finished when I parked the car in airport parking. A black Passat parked right next to me. I took the CD out of the music player and put it back in its case. I turned around to look at my luggage. Two suitcases, one handbag. I reached for the handbag and put the EP in it. Next, I killed the engine, got out of the car, pulled my luggage out of the backseat and popped the trunk to secure the money in my clutches.
As Mr. Goodman guaranteed, there was no problem in the drive.
I loaded my luggage on the trolley and started heading towards the main gate of airport. I looked at my car, driven away from the parking. What followed my vehicle was the black Passat.
So he didn't need my key after all.
I entered the airport and headed to buy a one-way ticket to Nepal.
It had been two hours since luggage check and personal checks. It wont take long for me to leave this country for good.
Thanks Gian for everything.
Thanks Priscilla for everything pleasant.
I had my boarding pass in my hand. I had made a call to Trigman about my arrival. I wouldn't meet him before a week from now.
I needed to take care of some business before I moved on.
I took out my cellphone out and checked the time.
6:26 P.M.
Not very long now.
Thinking that, I closed my eyes.
"You know, I never liked this part of you."
I recognized that voice. I had heard this voice for four years. I had heard this voice all over radio.
But why was I listening to this voice now?
I looked up and saw Priscilla sitting next to me.
She was wearing her grey sweatsuit and sports shoes.
"Why are you not in the booth?"
"Eh, Cline gave me a break for today. He also said that you were a fluke as a songwriter."
"Well, the secret is out. Does a sorry suffice?"
"Not quite. It means that the foundation of my talent was a lie, doesn't it?"
I looked at her face. Her eyes were blank like a white sheet of paper.
"You really like playing with me, don't ya Mad?", Priscilla said in a tone I was not aware of.
It was rage.
"Go home, P. you have a life to take care of, and that is not my life."
"Was all that we did meaningless, Madonna? Was every moment you spent exploring my body and my soul another one of your tricks and lies?"
"You have learned to ask vague questions Priscilla. I'm proud."
"I don't need you to be proud. I need you to come home."
I gathered my lost spirit and replied," That's not my home anymore. I have someplace to be…"
There was an announcement about the boarding of my flight which had opened.
I stood up and picked my handbag," …And you cant stop me."
I turned as I finished that sentence. I couldn't face Priscilla as I kicked my love off the cliff.
"Wait!" She screamed behind me, "What the fuck did you come in my life for if you were going to leave it in the shreds in the end?"
I turned to look at Priscilla's red face.
"What the hell did you say? Shreds? Look around you Priscilla. You have a life everyone else can only imagine. You have more money that anyone present around you. I gave you this career on a silver platter." I wasn't using my indoor voice anymore.
"With lies. You trampled my dreams to set the foundation for this." Priscilla didn't back down.
"Get real Priscilla. You prefer bouncing off your tits in a skin-tight suit hitting a ball for your life. It wouldn't take long for you to end up between a coach's legs requesting not to bench you in the next game."
"Shut up! The only way I could succeed in rapping because of my talent." The crowd was starting to form a circle around us. P.A.'s presence was attracting the unwanted crowd.
"Well, then take one of your talents and go home. Preserve this career for as long as you can. Because lies or not, I spoon-fed you the success at every step of the process."
"All these bloody lies. What for Mad? Why did you do THIS?"
"For MONEY. Wake up if you haven't. this world is too big. I have seen it when I was busting ass for YOUR concerts. What you are good for is spitting rhymes in a small room. Do what you are good at P.A. and let me be."
"Mad…" Priscilla spoke through her tears, "Did you even love me?"
I walked towards her, picked up her fallen face and wiped away her tears.
"Of course. I did love you." I spoke softly.
"But I love money more."
I kissed her forehead and turned around to board my flight.