The next couple years went with a blur. Upon finishing my training, I was placed at Rollins Spa in downtown LA. I was happy, at least I am no longer stuck at home, just living life aimlessly and having to depend on someone for my livelihood. No wonder some of my peers used to give me funny looks.
Either way I am happy now that I am doing something with my life for once. The staff at the spa and our boss Michelle were so kind, it felt almost like a second home to me. But just when I thought I would get some form of peace, guess who decides to show her face again?
Yes none other than Giselle.
My blood boiled in rage once I heard her voice coming from the reception area. What was she even doing here? I thought she and Jamie had moved to New York or something. Panic nearly paralysed me once I heard that god awful voice of hers again.
Now do not get me wrong. Giselle is pretty with that supermodel thin figure of hers, the doll like face that seemed unnatural at times whenever she wears makeup, her flat nose and plump lips and that silky black hair of hers. Might have to dye my hair soon.
Either way, I was on my way out to go grab lunch when I stopped in my tracks once her voice boomed from the reception.
"Yes, I do have an appointment for 11." she drawls and rolls her eyes, chewing gum in the loudest and most obnoxious way. Like girl, chew with your mouth closed.
Maya, the receptionist checks her system for details of the appointment. Using that opportunity, I dash out the exit which was close to where I was standing and leave the premises to go grab my lunch outside. Thank goodness I am not attending to her. I do not trust my still fragile mind.
I head to the local Mexican restaurant to grab myself some nice tacos which I eat in the restaurant. It was nice to be out and observe the world from a different perspective.
All that time spent trapped in that damn house for years has done nothing whatsoever for me. I had to go see a therapist during the divorce proceedings. At first I was not willing to say anything but after some gentle nudging from my therapist Carla who so happens to be a trauma expert, I started bawling like a baby. All that pain I had been surpress if for three years began to flow out like a river. I felt relief that day.
Once I was done with lunch, I head back to the spa. Thankfully, Giselle was no longer there. Good riddance. I pray I never see that woman's face ever again.
The next couple hours were spent on attending to clients. Since I am a beautician, I was assigned to the salon. I can perform basic facials but giving hair treatments is much more fun as I get to listen to the clients and my fellow stylists do their thing and the gossip is just so juicy at times. How I missed having a sense of community around me.
Despite this, I also maintain certain boundaries as well. Like any information regarding my past is off-limits. Thank goodness no one has been poking their noses into my business, particularly Grace, the resident gossip of the shop. Okay, she tried but I refused to budge.
Once 5pm rolled around, we closed for the day. After putting away all the equipment and cleaning up, I turned off the lights and locked up the doors and head out.
My home was a couple streets away so I hailed a taxi and head back home. It took me months to get over my fear of taxis due to that horrible accident but thanks to therapy, I was able to work through the fear. I am not scared anymore.
Upon arriving home, I pay the taxi his fare and head inside. An inviting aroma greets me as I walk in. As usual, mother was whipping up something good. One easily forgets that she is a chef and even won a couple awards for her work.
"I'm home!!" I announce as I take off my shoes. "Welcome home sweetie!!" she replies as she keeps on working. I could not help but grin as I smell the wonderful aroma of the chicken. Ah so mother is cooking a chicken dish huh? What a treat.
"I'm gonna go get fresher up." I head up to my old room to go have a shower. During the accident, I spent most of my time in the guest room downstairs thanks to my knee injury.
Now that I can walk properly, it makes better sense to stay in my old room. I smile as I look at the room. Now that I think about it, I had a pretty normal childhood despite the pain I went through.
I look at the old photos of me in the frames and smile sadly. This poor girl had suffered enough. But she is getting better.
Not wanting to wallow down the rabbit hole of self regret, I head to the bathroom to take a shower. My mind then returns to Giselle. Could it be that she was cheating on Jamie? I often hear that the best punishment for cheaters is for them to meet their mirror image.
Wait? Why am I concerning myself with them? It is their life. They made their decision. So let me breathe and just live my life and forget about them. Or wait…is that pain still lingering in my heart?
But that's impossible. Years have passed since then. Surely this should be over and done with. I paused once I remember the therapist's words about healing.
"Healing is not an overnight thing. It takes months if not years depending on how deep the wound is."
I sigh in defeat. I guess I may have been forcing aspects of the healing process to happen. Need to be careful there.