ELIZABETH
"W-what?" My voice shook as I clutched my phone so tight I thought it would crack.
"It just isn't working out," I heard Stephen say from the other end. My interaction with my parents had left me a sobbing mess. I needed to talk to someone, so I had dialed my boyfriend. To my utmost surprise he had picked up. And now, I couldn't understand what he was driving at.
"Babe, please let's talk about this. All of this is happening because of the distance and I—"
"Liz," He called gently. "We both know that's not the issue. I'm tired, okay?"
I felt the tears fill my eyes. "Of what? Me? Baby please..."
"You're always busy, you never have time to meet up, you're just so dull in general."
I sat up straighter. "But we talked about this before. You know I need to work. And I thought you loved me this way. Why are you talking like this?"
I heard him hiss from the other end. "Look, Liz. I thought I loved the quiet life," He laughed. "But these past few weeks I've met a lot people, experienced a lot of things. I love being in the crowd, Liz. Drinking, partying, having fun, you name it. I need someone who's fun, crazy, full of life. Not a boring law student with a broken family."
I felt blood rush to my ears. "How dare you?!" I yelled. I had confided in him about my family. "Why would you even say that?"
He only sighed. "I'm sorry but that's the truth. Being around you is so draining."
Furiously wiping the tears that streamed down my face, I cleared my throat. "You know what? I'm a good girlfriend and a nice person. And if you can't see that then it's your loss."
The line went silent for a moment.
"Goodbye, Liz."
My shoulders racked with sobs as the line went dead. Why was all of this happening to me? And now? This was the last thing I needed right now. I sobbed until I felt drained of life. My sadness was slowly being replaced by hot fury.
Without really thinking it through, I stormed out of my room. Hearing my parents arguing downstairs, I walked to them. They stopped as soon as they sighted me.
"I am sick and tired of the both of you!"
They stared at me, confusion visible on their faces.
I scoffed. "Let me guess, you don't know what I'm talking about? I am tired of babysitting you two okay? I've had it up to here." I tried to control my voice but it began to break.
I faced Dad. "I used to look up to you so much," I laughed. "Now every time I look at you, all I feel is disappointment."
I saw his features harden.
"Yes, Dad," I spat. "But not anymore. You're going to get a job."
Mom's eyes widened and she approached me. "Beth, please jus—"
"Don't touch me!" I yelled moving backwards. "Both of you, you're gonna get jobs. Whether you want to or not."
"Beth, you know I've been trying..." Dad put in.
I glared at him. "The only thing you've been doing is losing money and making enemies."
He looked like he was going to say something but stopped.
I breathed deeply trying to calm myself. "You're both getting jobs tomorrow or I'm out. And I'm never coming back!"
Tucking my phone deep in my pocket I left the house, banging the door behind me. I had no one now, nobody who cared about me. And no matter how much I cried, it wouldn't change a thing. A notification from my phone drew my attention to the messages I had received. My eyes widening, I realized I was nearly thirty minutes late for my shift. Without bothering to go in and change, I flagged down a taxi.
ENRIQUE
"Damn!" Tariq commented as I finished narrating to him my encounter with the girl at the charity event. "That's cold, bro. Was she really a hooker though?"
I stared at him, puzzled. "Who the fuck cares? She was dressed like one."
"I think I'm starting to see what she saw."
I glared at him. "Whose side are you on?"
"Hers of course," He laughed. "How many women would dare talk to you in that manner? She's a feisty one."
I folded my arms. "She obviously doesn't know who I am. If she did I bet she'd be falling all over me."
Tariq raised his glass to his mouth trying to hide the smile that was beginning to form on his face.
"Asshole," I said as I stood. "I need to use the restroom."
He responded by letting out a loud laugh.
I proceeded to the restroom already feeling tipsy. I was still pissed about my argument with Mom, and I didn't think I was ready to see her. I decided I would spend the night at Tariq's.
As I continued down the restroom, I felt my shoulder jam into someone and immediately cups of liquid spilled all over me.
"Fuck!" I yelled, looking down at my wet shirt in horror.
"Watch where you're going!" Another voice that belonged to the waitress that had spilled the drinks spoke up.
I glared at her. "How dare you..."
I trailed off, and I saw that her brows turned up in recognition at the same time mine did. The girl from the charity event.
I didn't think her eyes could look any angrier but they did. "Of course," She laughed bitterly. "Just great. The night is going just perfect."
Rage bubbled inside me. I longed to make her life a living hell, but at the same time I was curious. Usually I had women falling over themselves in the process of vying for my attention. But she seemed unbothered, and even immune it irritated the hell out of me. Who did she think she was anyway?
I watched as she sighed and began to pick up the pieces of broken glass scattered all over the floor. When she was done, she looked up at me again. "Just stay out of my way," She spat and began to walk away."
This was the second time she was doing this, talking to me like I was a nobody. My jaw clenched in rage. Who the hell was this woman?