Eira's Perspective
As I stepped out of the hospital, my thoughts swirled in chaos. Tina's cryptic message to Arin continued to baffle me, and her refusal to explain only fueled my frustration. But I knew confronting her would lead nowhere, and risking violence wasn't an option. Jail wasn't on my to-do list.
My only hope lay in Arin's recovery. I prayed the accident wouldn't leave lasting scars, and the doctor's warnings would prove unfounded.
Lost in thought, I lifted my gaze to find a familiar face watching me from across the way. My eyes narrowed, and then recognition clicked, it was the taxi driver who took me home yesterday.
What brought him here? And why was he fixated on me? His steady gaze sent a shiver down my spine.
I broke eye contact, pretending I hadn't noticed him, but my curiosity got the better of me. I glanced back, expecting to catch another glimpse, but he had vanished.
In just a minute, he'd disappeared. It was as if he'd melted into the crowd or never existed at all. I wondered if my tired mind was playing tricks on me. Was I hallucinating?
I stood there, lost in thought, still trying to shake off the feeling of being watched. But my mind had other plans. A forgotten memory resurfaced, and my stomach twisted into knots.
Two weeks ago, I'd gone to Club Eclipse with friends, letting loose after a long stretch of stress. The night was a blur of laughter, music, and drinks, too many drinks.
Suddenly, I was back in that dimly lit club, the pulsating beat throbbing in my ears. I remembered stumbling onto the dance floor, spinning around, and losing myself in the crowd.
And then, his lips.
Soft, warm, and unfamiliar.
My mind replayed the sensation of kissing a stranger, the faceless guy whose features my alcohol-addled brain couldn't recall. The memory was hazy, but the rush of excitement and guilt was vivid.
How did I forget this? The shame and embarrassment hit me like a ton of bricks.
What else did I do that night?
Panic crept in as I struggled to piece together the fragmented memories.
Did I...
No, I couldn't bear to think about it.
I pushed the thoughts away, forcing myself back to the present. But the memory lingered, taunting me with its ambiguity.
Who was he?
And what else happened that night?
And why in the world am I just remembering this now?
Mortification washed over me as I buried my face in my hands. "Never again," I vowed, resolving to swear off alcohol and clubbing for good.
The thought of that mysterious kiss sent a flush through my cheeks. Please, let that be the extent of my reckless behavior. The uncertainty gnawed at me, what else might I have done that night?
I prayed that the stranger and I had only shared that fleeting moment, nothing more. The possibility of further indiscretions made my stomach twist with anxiety.
I hailed a cab and headed home, exhausted. As I stepped inside, an unfamiliar aroma caught my attention, signaling someone's presence.
I entered to find Mrs. Fred, Anna's mother, cooking in the kitchen. "Mrs. Fred!" I exclaimed, smiling.
"Eira, dear!" She warmly replied, rinsing her hands before enveloping me in a hug. "It's been far too long."
I grinned, exchanging pleasantries. My gaze drifted to Anna, engrossed in reading at the dining table, deliberately ignoring us.
I'd always felt more at ease with Mrs. Fred than with Anna; her warmth and kindness made our interactions effortless.
"What brings you here, Mrs. Fred?" I asked.
"Anna has a big interview tomorrow," she replied. "I wanted to cook her favorite dishes for good luck."
Anna finally looked up from her book, her expression unyielding. "I didn't ask you to cook for me," she said flatly.
Mrs. Fred's eyes sparkled with hurt. "A simple 'thank you' would be nice."
"I told you, I'm fine," Anna replied curtly.
"You could have just left the ingredients," Anna continued, her tone growing sharper. "Why go through the trouble of cooking?"
Mrs. Fred attempted to explain, "I only wanted to help because...."
But Anna cut her off. "Can you please leave now? You're distracting me and Eira is uncomfortable."
I raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden inclusion of my name. I hadn't expressed any discomfort.
Mrs. Fred's smile faltered as she gathered her belongings. "Eira, enjoy the food," she said softly, her eyes locking onto mine.
"You can just....." I attempted to respond, but Anna cut me off again.
"Mom, why are you still here?" Anna's impatience was palpable.
Mrs. Fred's gaze lingered on me before she turned to leave. The door closed behind her, and I sighed, feeling compelled to speak up.
"Anna, look," I began, "I know we don't talk much, but you should appreciate your mom's gestures. There are people out there who crave the love you're pushing away."
Anna scoffed, her expression incredulous. "Are you including yourself in that group?"
"This is none of your business," she continued, her voice rising. "She's my mom; I can talk to her however I want. Mind your own business."
With that, she stormed off to her room.
I exhaled heavily as I retreated to my room, regret washing over me. "Why did I ever agree to let her move in?" I thought, shaking my head.
This mess was all my doing. I should have been more discerning when choosing a roommate.
* * *
The next morning, I scanned the shops for part-time job postings, and a cafe's "Help Wanted" sign caught my eye. Just as I approached, a familiar figure emerged.
My brow arched in surprise. He was the spitting image of the blue-eyed driver who had swindled me. His evasive gaze only confirmed my suspicions.
"Excuse me," I said, grasping his arm.
Our eyes met, and I studied his features. That unique face, those piercing blues, it was him.
"Aren't you the driver who left me stranded?" I asked, my tone firm.
He shifted uncomfortably, avoiding direct eye contact.
"I promised myself revenge would be sweet," I said, a sly smile spreading across my face. "And now, here we are."
He frowned, uneasy. "What do you mean?"
My grin widened, leaving him with an unsettling question. "You'll find out soon enough."