Ella's POV
My eyes fluttered open but I closed it immediately due to the invasive sunray. I opened it again, squinting as I adjusted to the light. I could hear loud music blaring throughout the house. That was Claire's morning ritual when preparing for work. It's been five days since I started living with Claire, five days since Jason cheated on me and five days since I heard from him.
" Emma, I'm out. There's pancakes in the microwave." Claire peeped her head into my room to tell me. I just stared at her admiring her looks and how well she's doing financially.
" What's wrong?" Claire entered the room revealing herself fully. She was dressed in a beautiful black bodycon dress that screamed boss lady.
" I'm just admiring my baby sis. You look beautiful."
" Oh thank you" she said smiling showing off her two dimples.
" Are you good Emma?" Her tone laced with concern.
" Yes Claire bear. I'm fine." I said with a genuine smile. The first genuine smile I've given in days. I swung my feet over to a side of the bed, planting my feet on the floor. I strolled out the bedroom door.
" Is that a smile I see?" She said in a dramatic tone following closely behind me.
" You're gonna be late for work Claire, get out of here." I said as I pushed her out the front door.
" Fine! I'm out. Try reading a book today. I know you live for the books." She said
" Bye Claire"
" Love you Emma."
I closed the door as Claire left and was welcomed by the empty house. I went to the kitchen and took out the pancakes from the microwave. I took a bite of it and moan escaped my mouth. It tasted so nice.
I walked into Claire's mini library. Her shelf was scanty, she wasn't much of a reader but I guess I could make do with what I see.
Unwind by Xander Flynn
Immediately my eyes caught the name of the author, I took the book off the shelf. I sat on the couch getting comfortable. I covered myself with a duvet before drowning myself into the pools of words.
I jolted awake to the chiming sound of the door bell. My eye glanced at the wall clock. It was two o'clock pm. It couldn't be Claire neither could it be Nora. They both get off work at five o'clock pm. My eyes widened as it struck me.
Could it be him? Jason? The chiming of the doorbell came again interrupting my train of thoughts. I threw the duvet off me and ran to the door not caring I was still in pyjamas and my hair was all over the place.
I flung the door open, and all the happiness drained out of me. It was a delivery guy that came to drop off a package. It was probably for Claire.
" Hello, please I'm looking for Ms. Emma Wellington." My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. I didn't order anything.
" That's me."
" Here you go then" he said handing over the medium sized brown box to me.
" Sorry I'm confused. I don't remember ordering anything." His lips curled into a smile exposing his dimple on both sides of his cheeks making him even cuter.
" Well, it's your name here. Sign here" he stretched a clipboard holding a paper to me. I signed the paper, thanking him before carrying the box inside.
I looked at the box. It had no return address. A sense of curiosity to know what was in the box filled me. I broke the seal and opened the box. My mouth parted open at the sight of the content. It contained all the books of Xander Flynn, my favourite author. I flipped through the pages inhaling the smell of the new books. Who could have known a perfect gift to give me?
I always told Jason about Xander Flynn's books. Seems this was his way of apologising. I giggled and smiled like a love sick puppy. I was definitely going back home this evening. I went through all the books till the last. At the end of the carton was a white envelope. I took it out and turned to the front, it didn't say from who. I tore the envelope open to get a hold of the letter.
I knew you would love this
Heal my soon
To my obsession.
My eyes widened at realization of who it was, I quickly ran out the door but the delivery man was gone.
How did he know where I was?
I was now certain that I had a stalker. I kept the books back into the carton. The doorbell chimes few hours later. I checked through the peephole to see who it was. It was Claire and Nora. I opened the door quickly and pulled them in.
" Calm down girl, I know you're happy to see us" Nora said with a smile while Claire laughed at my facial expression.
" What's wrong Em?" Claire asked when she saw I was seriously scared.
" I think I have a stalker." I said before pointing at the box on the table.
The trio walked to the box slowly as if the content of the box was a ticking bomb waiting to explode. Claire took out one of the books that were in the box.
" Isn't this your favourite? Xander Flynn."
" There just books." Nora said. Both of them laughing again.
" The problem is that I have no idea who sent it, only few people know that I love Xander Flynn."
" Probably it's Jason. I never thought he had it in him to be this romantic." Claire said in a sad tone.
" It's not Jason" I said handing them the letter that was inside.
" Someone has a secret admirer" Nora shouted happily.
" Do you think it's that nerdy guy on your street?" Claire asked.
" No, it can't be him. He doesn't know anything about novels."
" It could be a coincidence or you're just being paranoid." Nora shrugged.
" But hey! Look on the bright side you have the full collection of Xander Flynn." Claire said with a smile before she walked away.
Maybe it's just a harmless admirer that would fade away with time.
" Hey Nora, do you know how Jason is doing?" I asked since they both work in the same company.
"He's normal, as charming as usual." She said with a sigh.
He had moved on so quickly, like nothing happened. I guess that was my cue to also move on.