Drego
I rolled off the bed, dressing quietly. Toni was still asleep, so I tiptoed out of the room, my shoes in my hand. Maybe if it was someone else I would feel guilty for doing so. But this was Toni. She knew the drill. No sleeping over. No cuddling. No talks about emotions or something more. And unlike most I've been with, Toni understood the drill. She didn't fight me on it. And that's why I liked her.
After closing the door behind me, I walked out of the now packed and full club, straight to my car. The second I was seated comfortably inside my Mercedes, I drove away from the loud fun. My hands did the driving as I enjoyed for the first time in a while, a clear and orderly mind.
No thoughts about Nichole or our fight. Just my body still peaceful from the pleasure of minutes ago.
When my car came to a stop, I realized I was in the office, which wasn't a big surprise. I'd rather be here than at home. It was always my first choice.
My house stopped being a home a long time ago. The day I pulled the trigger and ended the life of the woman I loved sealed the deal.
As my head reclined on my car seat, my reprieve ended. It was short, but very much appreciated.
Avril's face danced in my vision as my eyes closed. I was too tired, too exhausted to fight it. So I let it play. Like a sea after heavy waves, the memories of Avril washed up to the surface of my mind. As fractionated and excerpt as those memories came, I could still fit them in their right places and make them whole pictures again.
Like the first time we met. I could still remember the red dress Avril was wearing. She was beautiful indeed, but what attracted me to her was how desperately she was trying to show how beautiful she was. She wanted validation that night. She wanted to be noticed. So in the cold of that evening she wore a dress with strings for hands. At first, I found it a bit interesting. The party was boring after all, and it didn't help that I'd been forced by my parents to attend. They wanted me to start partaking in events like that one.
"Your musketeers aren't the only ones you need. You have to make friends outside of them. Go. You may just like it." My mother had convinced me.
That night, Avril was the only woman who had caught my interest, and after a few laughs, she'd owned my heart. But I should have known. I shouldn't have forgotten why I chose to avoid such frivolous occasions…
My eyes opened as the sound of knocking grew louder. I looked out my window, wound down and met Nichole's impassive look.
"I just wanted to make sure you weren't dead. Since you're not , I'll be on my way."
She began to walk away.
"Nichole?" I stepped out of my car. "I think I owe—"
"Let me stop you there." She faced me. "I don't want your apology. I don't need it."
"You know it's very discouraging to shut a man down like that. Don't you know men find it difficult to apologise?"
"Right. Because women should be the only ones in the world apologising."
"It was a joke, Nichole. I didn't mean—"
"Drego, it's late. If you haven't noticed, it's very late. I don't think I'm up for jokes tonight."
She began to walk away again.
What was it with her and always having the last word.
"Okay, that's it." I yelled, and she stopped on her tracks. Actually, she kind of froze which was not my intention to cause.
Standing in front of her, I said, "Do you like me or do you hate me? Make up your mind cause it's damn confusing."
She scrunched. "Excuse me?"
"Nichole, you've been so cold to me since the night of the charity gala. You won't let me apologize. You won't hear me out. You're just… do you have to be so mean."
"Mean? Mean is calling me a prostitute."
"I didn't exactly—"
"You didn't have to. I could see it in your eyes. And yes. You do have a right to an opinion. But you don't have the right to give your opinion to me, or impose them on me."
"I wasn't… Nichole I am sorry. But somehow I don't believe you're treating me like this because of that night."
Nichole laughed hysterically. I thought her fake laughter could use a little work though.
"You think it's because I told you I've been in love with you for three years?"
"As a matter of fact, yes I do." I took one step closer to her, she made no sign of moving back.
"I think you're a little bit confused. I told you I was already over you. Weren't you listening? Of course, men never listen. I'll spell it out for you. This time… try to listen. I'm over you. I'm only here because I have a duty and a responsibility."
She stared at me.
"I don't believe you."
For some crazy reason, I pulled Nichole to my body. I didn't have the time to decide if it felt good or bad before Nichole pushed me away, freeing herself.
The next thing I knew, or rather felt, was my cheeks stinging from her slap.
I smiled.
"Don't ever touch me again." She said angrily.
I scoffed. I was getting high on our banter. I didn't understand why I was enjoying this fight so much.
Or why all I could think about at that moment was her lips. Has my life been so boring that this moment felt so exhilarating?
In the darkness of the night, I could see Nichole clearly. For the first time, I could admit that there was an attraction between us. And I didn't want it to end. Something told me I wouldn't mind doing this all night. Watching her stare at me the way she was doing.
"You didn't complain when we kissed three years ago."
Nichole's pupils dilated and she froze in shock.
One drunk morning three years ago, I remembered that my new employee and I had met prior to her employment. More specifically, we'd kissed, and like the fool I was, I'd forgotten about that kiss until a hangover that could have killed me reminded me. Of course, it was too late to talk to her about it. I mean, I forgot we ever met. And since she never tried to remind me, I thought it was best to leave it that way. Until now, that is.
"What?"
"Ni—"
"You remember? Wait, hold up. Let me, let me understand this. You remember the night we met? About the con— about the night?"
"I didn't mean to not tell you."
"What else do you remember?"
There was this look in Nichole's eyes that I couldn't quite understand. It was like she was trying to say something difficult. Something she couldn't, or rather, didn't want to say with her words.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"What else do you remember from that night?"
"Is there something else I should remember?"
I watched as the flickering light in Nichole's eyes gave out.
"Nothing. Nothing. We had a drunken kiss, and that was all. It was clearly a mistake." She said in hostility. "I should leave."
"Nichole, wait."
She waved her hand to dismiss me. She began walking towards her car.
I was about to call after her again when I heard the sound of tires screeching. I looked behind me and found a car coming towards us at full speed.
Nichole noticed the car too and for some reason, she started running back, towards me. I was stunned, which was why it took me a few seconds to gather myself. The second Nichole's palms joined with my own, she pulled me so I was running with her into the office building.
I was still processing when I heard gunshots.
"Run faster." Nichole yelled.
And I did. I ran, pulling her with me as we entered the dark building where it was safe. Nichole sank to the ground, breathing heavily.
Whoever had been after us did not follow us in. I saw the black SUV drive pass the building. I sighed, relieved that the attack this time had left me unscathed.
"They didn't follow us in. We're safe now." I said to Nichole in the dark halls.
"Good. Now please get me to a hospital." She groaned.
Immediately, I fell to my knees, scrutinizing her body. The lights came on and my eyes grew wide with horror when I saw the blood on Nichole's shoulders.
"You got hit."
She nodded, smiling faintly.