PRESENT
She was braved way back home that she decided to go there without any plans nor firm decisions on what she should do. After the cab dropped her off, she just stood there waiting for anything to happen.
'I don't need to be his mistress.' she thought.'I have money, I can rent my own space, yes that is not a problem.' she must be crazy now, talking with herself at the back of her mind.'I just have to sacrifice the house.....' she started to walk closer to the doorbell, then stopped immediately, 'but that place is precious to me....' she whispered this time. She inhales a lot of oxygen and then decided to ring the thing. Someone asked who she is. And after a while she was guided inside the house, no it was a mansion.
After a long walk, the man who let her in speaks "Mr. Black is waiting for you inside his library, please knock before you get inside." he instructed her. She slowly nods her head and smiles a little. She feels embarrassed now, with just her indoor slippers and stitched sweater, she should have worn something better. But that's too late now. She came here to do one thing regardless of what she wears.
She knocks and she hears someone let her in. She opens the door and her heart beats faster, the fastest she has ever experienced. Maybe she's nervous? But why does she feel excited to meet him again? Maybe she's scared? Or maybe not. She walks inside and she immediately finds the person she intended to meet. And there he was sitting behind a big wooden table with his reading glasses, wearing only casual clothes like pants and a sweater as well. Suddenly she felt her face blush, the fact that she only wears something close to rags made her blush from embarrassment. She clears her throat and slowly Mr. Black lifts his head and meets her eyes. She felt suffocated all of a sudden. That look in his eyes makes her knees like jelly. She once again clears her throat ready for her speech but suddenly Mr. Black stands up and walks closer to her. Her nervous system this time felt like it will break down. She doesn't know whether to step back or just stay still. But since her knees became jelly she just stood there until he was so close that she can almost smell his scent...
'Is it his shampoo?' she sniffs, 'No, it's his aftershave.' she sniffs again, 'Or maybe his perfume?' she sniffs once more, 'Whatever the hell it is, it smells so heavenly.' she thought without realizing that in the process of her sniffing game, she had closed her eyes leaving Mr. Black grins with amazement.
"It's my aftershave." he huskily whispered. And with that, she opens her eyes only to meet those oceanic eyes of his. And the blush that she wanted to hide shows all over her face. She looks down and clears her throat one more time.
"Good evening, Mr. Black," she said while she steps back. She doesn't feel comfortable being close to him. 'He feels so addicting.' she thought.
"Good evening Ms. Jones." the husky voice he had a while ago drastically changed to an ala-businessman tone. " I guess you've come here to tell me your decision, yes?"
"Yes," she whispers. She looks up and stares into his eyes, she saw him nodding.
"Okay, would you like to sit then?" she shakes her head, she wanted it to be done as soon as possible.
"Thanks, Mr. Black, but I think I just need some minutes to tell you my decision." she doesn't know where she gets her courage and bravery this time.
"As you wish," he said while walking back to his swivel chair. When he settles she started to make an explanation out of her decision. But she thought, 'I don't need to explain, he just wants my answer.' and so she did.
"My answer to your proposal is no, Mr. Black" she meets his gaze again and she saw nothing but coldness. "You can have my property, I just need a week to clear the house and it's all yours," she said hoping she gets his yes to her 1-week request. He nods and didn't even speak. She looks at him silently asking what's the reason for his nodding. She waits for his reply but nearly two minutes later without hearing anything from him she decided to speak again.
"I think that's it. I will consider your silence as a yes to my 1-week request. Thank you, Mr. Black, please treasure my precious property. I'll be off now." she smiles at him thinking that it would be the last time she will see him, so she offers him a genuine smile and turns away but before she opens the door she heard him.
"I'll see you again Ms. Jones, be careful on your way home." she doesn't know if it was a bluff but she doesn't care anymore, she just wanted to go home...
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"Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever ever feel like you're less than perfect. Pretty pretty please, if you ever, ever feel like you're nothing you're fuckin' perfect to me!"
She was awaken by the alarm which she chose a song that really taught her some self love. 'Fuckin perfect.' she whispers. Sometimes she feels worthless but hearing music or songs like this make her self esteem a little much better. She decided to get up and started making her breakfast.
"Today is a long day." she told herself while sipping her coffee. She started to bring out the boxes she bought to store all her belongings she wants to bring with her. Last night she had found a small apartment, with only one room and a small kitchen and living room. The best of it was the veranda where she pictures herself writing and reading books, the only reason she gave in with $500 monthly rental fee. Quite expensive for her, but the comfort it will give is more than just the amount she has to pay.
It was already 3 days after she met Mr. Black, and until now she still is confused by the words he said before she left "I'll see you again, Ms. Jones." it was like a music that constantly playing in her mind.
And just like the other time, she just shrug it off and continue with her tasks. She just went on until she finishes all. When she's done, she realized how her home became instantly empty. 'Just like my life and my heart.' She thinks maybe this is the best for her to totally move on from everything. Maybe this is a good idea after all. To leave everything behind and have a new life. And then she smiles at herself, she thinks that this is kind of exciting. Leaving her comfort zone and know how the real world is. She surely will learn a lot, and maybe she'll enjoy every bit of it.