The ladies opened the door of my closet and grabbed my coat, bag and glasses before shuffling away, I went into my private changing room which was white with a long mirror, I choose to ignore, I got rid of this stiffy suit I was wearing and change into something more comfortable, a two-piece lounge suit was waiting as I stripped off the uptightness off today to relax; I let my hair down and began to scratch my scalp to relieve the itchiness.
I walked into the room to find Lucie sitting in the corner of the couch typing furiously with a scowl pinched on her face, Azima sat next to her with a charcuterie board on her lap, eating peacefully while Marilyn wore all my jewellery and Tiara standing in front of the mirror and Kai was trying to try my shoes which were too small of her:
I walked deeper into the room "Sorry I am late, I see you have made yourself at home" I smiled.
"This place is amazing, I could write here forever" she waved her hands excitedly.
"Well, forget about that" Marilyn moved to the purple couch as the jewellery jiggled as she sat into the couch "tonight you are going out!" She sang and wiggled in her seat.
Azima who looked stuffed with her legs spread and leaning back on the couch "are those real?" She asked as Marilyn grabbed her boobs, Azima sat forward instantly as Kai bent over, laughing "no, the jewellery, I mean this would be a hotspot" she said as Marilyn shook her head.
"No, they are showpieces," Marilyn said as she fell onto the couch next to Azima.
I fell into an armchair that gathered around a coffee table. "Most of the items in here are either doubles or showpieces," I explained as I pulled my legs to my chest.
Marilyn grabbed Lucie's phone "let's get started" she threw the phone on the couch next to Lucie before grabbing the poor girl and swirling her around.
"Ok," I stood and moved the door "Nina" I called as a woman opened the door and pulled in a rack of clothes while another gave me a cup of coffee "I got my stylist to pick out some outfits for you but we can mix and match" six rounds of clothing stood before the women "Thank you, Nina" I expressed as the lady smiled and left.
"This is so fun" Marilyn ran up the racks and began going through them, Kai followed her while Lucie looked like a child shopping with her parents, her shoulders slumped forward and the giant jersey seemed to swallow her up.
I moved to sit next to Azima who turned to look at me, I felt her analysing my form, she was quiet too quiet like the social part of her went out the door, she shifted in her seat before looking at the two women who were trying to get the jersey off Lucie who was shaking her head frantically, I took this opportunity to watch her bronze-coloured skin were inky sketches came pouring out something I didn't notice before, she sat forward as an inky hand rubbed against her lips while a string of inky zigzag moved across her neck; I sat forward to get a closer look of it but she spoke which made me:
I look forward to Kai smiling at me "What if we ease her out of it" Azima said as the group turned to look at her before going back to what they were doing, she struggled and sat back again.
Marilyn pulled out a polka dot sheath dress with lace caressing the bodice "how about this?" Lucie looked down at it with nervous eyes but she kept touching it.
Kai pulled out a pair of pants "hear me out, what about pants?" Lucie glared at her as I nodded my head.
I raised my hand "I would prefer if you did too" I conveyed as Azima lifted her finger.
"Wait" Azima stood to her feet with arms on her hips, "I thought you didn't like the guy, now I hear he is sus, I don't want her to go" she stressed looking at us if we were crazy.
"Just rumours" Marilyn brushed it off before placing a dress onto Lucie's body.
"Rumours come from somewhere," Kai said in the sing-song way as she pushed the dress away and replaced it with checkerboard pants.
"So you fucking the pool boy is true," Marilyn said as the tension grew and Kai stepped forward ready to fight but Azima stood up.
"Maybe a bit of both" she moved towards to step between the two women and I followed moving past the two.
I moved to the rack "I saw this mesh thing" I began searching through the clothing to find black mesh which was a kind of see-through while Azima pulled out newspaper print pants, a crop top with a purple belt and purple platform boots.
We gave it to Lucie who grabbed it and ran to the dressing room to escape the tensions while Kai and Marilyn eyed each other from opposite sides of the coffee table as Azima looked through the clothing:
"Can I have this?" she asked as she pulled out a long black coat that had backpack straps for belts
I looked down at the item "sure" I said as I moved to one of the closets to grab some jewellery, a hat and placed them on the closet island, I began unpacking the different pieces of jewellery when a hand reached over me and grabbed touched the matt black rings, they were delicate in a simplistic design:
"Beautiful rings, I didn't think you were the type" I turned to see Azima standing weirdly, almost like she was too tall for me.
"I am not…" she was holding a ring between her fingers then gave me a sideways glance which made her hair fall into her eyes "I just like to collect them" I expressed as she just stared at me with a jester smile "do you want one?" I turned around to show her a few.
Her breath hit my neck as she whispered "pick one out for me" I closed my eyes as the tingling sense settled in the pit of my stomach.
"Yea, sure" I quickly opened my eyes they landed on one, they were pitch black and shaped like two wings coming together, the ring was dainty compared to her chunky ones "here" I gave it to her as she pulled her middle finger ring off which made the rings clank together, making that precious ringing sound.
She let me place my hands on her long perfectly formed fingers, they reminded me of spider legs "perfect, not my usual but perfect" she smiled when I finished slipping the ring on, she made a fist which made me smile.
"I don't know about my midriff being so exposed" Lucie's voice moved through the room as we turned to see her slightly bend over to look at her tummy.
We all turned to see Lucie standing in the outfit, she looked dark, mysterious but with a hint of fragile yet then was toughness in her boots, her long hair was hanging down her shoulders still providing us with the shy girl we knew, the mesh was something seductive about it that made a worry pit settle in my stomach and the belt was way too much for the flowy haunted look Azima and I picked out:
Marilyn squealed like a puppy before rushing over to her "it's perfect, you look like a witch going on a haunted date" she grabbed Lucie's hands.
"So pretty" Kai gasped but grabbed the belt "this belt is just too much" she pulled it loose before smiling with motherly joy, holding the belt to her lips in excitement.
Lucie turned to face the mirror, she brought her fingers to her lips "you made me pretty, like really pretty" she pushed her hair out of her face while Azima laughed and moved closer to her.
"You are gorgeous, just a bunch of clothes," she said, coming up behind Lucie and playing with her hair, our eyes met over Lucie's head as I stepped forward to show support.
"The clothes just enhance your beauty," I said as I moved to drink my now cold coffee while Lucie smiled and stared at herself again, she was so untouched and new, I remember being like that, I wanted to capture it and store it away but then I would be a kidnapper.
Lucie smiles abruptly disappeared, a frown settled on her brow "I don't think this will work, I can't wear this" she began to rant over the way she looked "my belly is out, my hips are too predominate and my chest looks like its pouring out of the top, no this is not the image he is projecting" she stressed with her fingers to her forehead while Kai and Marilyn stood out of their element, I walked towards her but Azima beat me to it.
She grabbed Lucie's shoulders "Lucie, what is wrong with it? Truly" she fluttered her fingers which made the ring clink through the room.
"It's just…" she huffed in a teenage tantrum "it's just very gothic, isn't it?" She expressed.
"Do you like it? And are you comfortable in it?" Azima asked as Lucie looked up at her with big puppy eyes, she nodded slowly "then wear it" she patted Lucie's shoulders.
"But" she pleaded
Azima held up her fingers "this is you, don't hide it" she walked towards the coffee table and grabbed a snack "because if this guy can't then you don't" she popped the meat into her mouth before laying onto the couch.
Marilyn grabbed Lucie's shoulders "let's get you done" she smiled before the group disappeared deeper into the closet.
….
I overstepped my bounds out again like I usually do, my mind would forget my position in this group for so the world and keep stepping on the line, now we sit in a dark car squeezing in the backseat with the phone in the cupholder, Bry sat in the front seat staring at the restaurant while Marilyn and Kai watched the phone intense; we heard the shuffling of background noise and annoying voice of this dude who went on and on about himself but not saying thing at all:
"So what do you do?" The man said before continuing his thought "I am a stock trader but my passion is fishing" he went on to say as I rolled my eyes.
"Isn't he amazing?" Marilyn smiled at us as if we were on the same page.
"Well at least she is in a public area," Kai commented to pull at Marilyn's skin.
"Stop" Bry whispered as she leaned her head back in the front seat, the light from the street shone onto the car giving her almond-shaped eyes a mysterious glow in the darkened car, our eyes met in the sun visor as I took my deep breathe in while my eyes followed the contour of them.
"So your place or mine?" The man asked as we all looked at the phone even when Bry turned around.
"Oh" This was the first time we heard Lucie's voice since she sat down.
We could hear the smile in his voice "yea, I have always liked the 'goth' girl" he said as our eyes widened "something about the black lipstick and piercings" we heard this man say while I rolled my eyes "so maybe you can try that dominatrix stuff on me"
There was a silence from Lucie's end for a while "I am gonna leave" we heard the table shuffle.
"Stop" some was shuffling "you can't just leave, I paid for dinner, I brought you to this fancy restaurant and I picked YOU out of women screaming my name" he hissed as I turned to see Bry gone along with Kai.
I watched the two ladies approach the restaurant, Kai was tying up her hair while Bry seemed to float in those heels, I got out of the car following when Lucie came storming out of the restaurant with a chad looking guy behind, he grabbed her arm and pulled her back against him, he forced his tongue down her throat as she desperately tried to push him off, I watched Kai get ready to jump which made me run and grab her pushing her back:
Devon pulled away from Lucie who looked terrified and began whispering something to her, she teared up as I grabbed Bry and pushed her behind me before heading towards them "back off, dude" I said as Lucie gave me a sad expression.
"Mind your own business, bro" he pointed as Marilyn came up behind me.
"Devon, what are you doing?" She asked but he just flipped her off as she gasped.
"Listen here, Dev, the lady doesn't want to go with you, so let her go" I tried to talk him out of the hard grip she had on Lucie's arm.
"Devon" Bry bounced through the empty parking lot "let her go or I will make you" she walked past me and grabbed Lucie from his rasped, pushed her in front of me and I moved behind me as well Bry stepped forward "now fuck off and don't show up at work, consider yourself fired" she explained, as she turned away Devon pulled back a fist.
Suddenly everything went in slow motion, I grabbed Bry by her waist which made her gasp and pushed her behind before grabbing his fist in the palm of my hands, I was just about to throw him off when Kai flew out of nowhere and fly kicked him to the ground, I stared at the unconscious man on the ground before Kai grabbed my shoulder:
"Run!!" She yelled, I looked back to see Bry, Marilyn and Lucie running for the car, I grabbed Kai's hand before we took over too.
….
Benard's voice rang through my ears as I paced the corridor of my guestroom, the ladies were helping Lucie to calm down while I spend time destroying Devon's life because Lucie didn't want to press charges but that doesn't mean I won't give him hell, I mean we had our suspension about him but his daddy bought him out of any courtroom; but guess what, it's my turn to play:
"Devon Ashton, I want him out of the company" I whispered as I heard Benard write it down "and blacklist him," I said as I felt Benard's smile through the phone.
"Anything else? Mrs Kane" he asked as I heard a shuffling in the background.
~Benny, when you coming to bed~
The deep velvety voice made me smile, bringing back fond memories. "Nash is doing fine, he wanted to send you a pie but you hate them" Benard answered my unanswered questions.
"If you ever leave him, I will kill you," I said into the phone as Benard chuckled.
"Who are you going to hire for that?" He teased as I looked to my feet.
"I am sure it will make a mess and be impractical but you will manage," I said as he laughed as silence fell between us.
"You can see him now, you know, you are allowed to" he knew my thought so well.
"Too much time has passed…" he cut me off.
"He was…" I cut him off before he could finish.
"Good night, Benard," I said quickly before my depression could take control before my trauma reared its ugly head.
"Good night, Mrs Kane," he said with pity in his voice, it disgusted me.
Letting my head fall as I stared at my feet which stood at the start of the stairs, the pain palmed itself in the pit of my foot and I exhaled before bending over to grab my shoes as I stumbled forward but I felt a pair of hands on my waist that pulled me back:
"Let me," Azima said as she placed my hands on the wall, began to pull my shoes off.
"You don't have to" I whispered as she smiled to myself.
"I know" she smiled as placed the heels to the side as a loud growl sounded through the empty hallway.
I looked at Azima who had deep blush "You are hungry" I said as she just smiled sheepishly.
She nodded "Yea, I better get going" she huffed.
"I will make your food," I said as I made my way down the stairs while she followed me closely.
She touched my hand "you don't have to do that" she whispered.
I stopped and turned to look up at her, the shadow creating but the chandelier behind her was sculpting her jawline "You saved me from a douche, I am repaying you with food, Ok?" I announced as I turned and moved down the stairs.
My feet patted on the cold tile with Azima following close behind, her combat boots echoed in the quiet house as we neared the kitchen, the copper furnishings, centre island and white light greeted us, I moved instinctively towards the fridge, I pulled out pasta dough, smoked salmon and ricotta cheese, I turned to be faced with Azima looking around the kitchen:
"What are you making?" She asked when she noticed my wandering eye, she leaned on the island which had the oven top and pan hanging above it as a display.
I pulled out two forks and began to tear the salmon "A salmon and ricotta ravioli with apricot jam sauce and white wine lemon sauces" I asked as I threw the ricotta into the dish and began to mix it.
Azima moved behind me "do you have tequila, Aperol, grapefruit soda?" She asked over my shoulder as I pointed to the alcohol cabinet.
"You check there, I do have grapefruit soda in the fridge, what are you making?" I inquired as she began to dig through my fridge, I watched her pause as the three meals rested in the fridge.
She pulled out the grapefruit soda, grapefruit and a lime "you cook and I will mix" she smiled softly, placed the items on the table, then pulled out the dishes, pulled back the cling wrap and began nibbling on it.
We began work alongside each other, Azima ate my food of yesterday while making cocktails, or just pouring herself a whiskey and coconut white Russian which was aromatic, bitter with soothing creamy coconut and strong vodka while scents of apricot and lemon flooded the air, I perfectly formed the pasta pockets then turned to spurred the sauces; I placed a teaspoon in the sauce before moving to Azima, lifting the spoon to her mouth:
"Taste," I said as her lips parted and poured the liquid into her mouth "don't swallow" I whispered, she raised her eyebrows as I turned to take a bit of the white wine sauce and helped it into her mouth "now"
She swallowed bountifully before a moan erupted from the depth of her throat "that's…" she moaned again "amazing" she placed her fingers to her lips.
I blushed looking down at the pot and began dressing the plate "ready?" I asked as I placed ravioli on each plate, poured the apricot sauce on the plate along with white wine sauce.
"Let's go," she said, smirking.
The room was darkened as Kai and Marilyn lay with Lucie between them, they were caressing her hair when we walked into the room, I placed the tray on the bed while Azima placed the drinks on the side table and we joined them, (described the room):
"How are you feeling?" Azima asked as she rubbed Lucie's legs.
Lucie sat up with hair all over the place, her almond-shaped eyes were burdened with redness and tears, she wiped her eyes "I don't know" She whispered as I sat straight up.
"I think we need a group session," I said as the others nodded. "Who does anyone like to share?" We turned to Lucie as she nodded.
She sat straight with posture back "Hey, I am Lucie Malice and I don't feel today" her eyes focused on her feet "my emotions are raging from sad, anger to shame, I don't know how to deal with this" tears fell down her cheeks "I still feel is tongue in my mouth, his hands on my body, I still feel him taking my worth" she whimpered Kai placed her hand on Lucie's shoulder "I want to scrub him off my body" Kai pulled her into a hug.
"Feel it all" she whispered into her ear "you have to so that you make move on and we will be here, no matter what" Lucie wailed in Kai's neck as we all gathered in for a soft hug.