Ancientt (Elaine Waters)

Caught by the Boss part 21

Added 2023-06-05 04:43:59 +0000 UTC

LEILA

It has been three months. I haven't heard from him. I've kept my eyes on the news, waiting for something terrible to happen, but the company recovered from the stock market dip. Everything is fine, and I've been able to escape the guilt.

After many sleepless nights, I'm starting to feel a little more like myself. Two months ago, I picked up a clerical job at a dentist office. The pay cut was significant, but it's enough to get me by. Most importantly, it gave me a new scene. If I were working in accounting again, I would never be able to focus.

The neighborhood has been disturbed by a series of break ins lately. The last one was three weeks ago. I realize that it's time for me to move. The lock at my window isn't the best, and my landlord is taking his sweet time to reinforce it. I'm not too worried, since I don't walk around the neighborhood flashing jewelry. Hell, I don't even have a car.

I've been reading a lot lately. Self-help books instead of my usual guilty pleasure. I've also been jogging in the morning. My cardio has improved to the point that I can run away if Henry showed up again.

I've wondered what he's been up to. He occasionally pops into my mind. Men like him are hard to forget, for all the wrong reasons. After the cryptic words he said to me, I can't help but feel that he's lingering nearby. He promised that he wouldn't let me go so easily, and he's a determined man.

Today, I'm visiting my sister. She has been bored lately and asked me to come entertain her. She would have a field trip with all the drama that has happened to me, but I'm not sharing it. I want to suppress those memories, and Nurliana wouldn't allow such a thing.

The company might have survived Henry and I leaving, but not my sister's rage. Her rage would collapse the building. I chuckle at the thought. Henry got lucky to have crossed paths with the meeker sister. Nurliana would have kissed that handsome face and punched it immediately after.

I stand outside her door, waiting for her to open. I've been traveling all day and awaiting a slice of the pizza she assured she would buy.

She pulls the door open. The first thing I notice is that her hair is cropped short and dyed dark blue.

"I like the hair color. It brings out your eyes."

She frowns. "My eyes are brown."

"Yeah, it's like your hair's the sea and your eyes are the mud below the waves."

She scowls and pulls me into the house. I chuckle as I b-line for the kitchen.

"Hey! What happened to the pizza?" I demand as I stare at the empty small box.

"I got hungry but I left you the crust!"

"Fuck you, Nurliana!"

She has the last laugh.

— —

I sleep over at my sister's place. Whenever she asks me a question about my life, I kept things vague. She doesn't suspect a thing because my life has always been quiet.

"Oh! I forgot to tell you. I went to this bar with my girlfriends and one of their brothers. The guy is cute. He's apparently from your city. I think you should hit him up."

I shrug. "I think I can manage on my own. Thanks sis."

"You'd manage the life of a seamstress, maybe." She rolls her eyes. "Text the guy! Go on a date. Live a little. How is it that you have been in California for months and can't mention any friends you've made?"

I can't mention Grace or Henry or my dozen other secrets. It's better if she thinks I'm failing socially.

"I'll text him. Send me the info."

I highly doubt I'll be texting anyone except the word "STOP" to those marketing texts I keep getting. I'm not ready to date yet. Henry is still a fresh wound. His voice is still clear in my memory, and his touch—the one I felt when we logged into the Machine, is unforgettable. I get goosebumps just thinking about his fingertips on my skin. Because although it wasn't real, that's how potent the chemistry between us was.

Rewiring my body to forget him will take more than three months.

My sister looks happy to have bullied me into accepting the number. I can't be mad at her when she's only looking after me.

We enjoy the rest of the weekend and video chat mom. She's happy to see her daughters thriving, and although I used to tell her everything when I was in school, I don't have the backbone to mention Henry.

I head home on Sunday. I enjoy the rest of the peaceful day on my couch with the curtains open and the sun streaming in.

My phone dings, and I pick it up assuming that Nurliana texted me to ensure I got home safely. I'm surprised to find an unknown number.

Hey Leila. Your sister gave me your number and said it was alright to text you. How are you?

Nurliana can see right through me. She knew I wasn't going to text this guy and had him text me instead. What was his name again? Joseph?

I lock my phone and sigh. I don't think I'm ready to date, but maybe a drink or two won't hurt. Maybe a friendship with this mystery man will speed up the healing process.

After a long shower, I pick my phone up and reply to him. I find myself chuckling. The police officer is certainly a witty guy. Nurliana was right. I like his sense of humor.

We text over the next week. I find myself automatically picking my phone up during lunch at work. Although I don't feel much of a spark romantically yet, there's a thrill to getting to know him. To tease each other.

It's Friday night when he asks me to grab drinks. I've seen his picture but haven't video chatted with him yet. A face-to-face date sounds nerve-wrecking.

I tell Nurliana, and she threatens to disown me if I don't agree. So with my breath caught, I accepted the date. Then I spend the next hour tearing my closet apart for something to wear. Because although I've been a mess for most of this year, I cannot look like one, too.

I choose tight jeans and a flirty top. I made it clear to him that I want to take things very slow. So there's no need for me to bring out my push-up bra just yet.

I nod at my reflection in the mirror, proud of myself for being open to new things. For allowing excitement to spark in my belly once again.

Then I grab my purse and head outside to meet Joseph at the bar. Except that as soon as I close my apartment door, I know this night will not go as planned. Because standing outside my door is none other than—

"Grace?" I practically hiss.

What the hell is she doing here?! I haven't heard from her in months. And I was hoping things would stay that way.

She leans against the railing, her bottom lip between her teeth and her arms crossed over her chest.

"Hey."

"What are you doing here?" I ask, not interested in pleasantries.

She stands straight, her midi dress swirling around her knees. "Listen, I would have tried texting but obviously you blocked me."

I can't believe she's actually here.

"I heard you're not with Hector. I've been trying to contact him as well but he doesn't answer, so I need—" she clears her throat and drops her gaze. It's clearly a blow to her ego to be here asking me for anything.

"I need you to convince me to call me."

"Why the fuck would I do that?" I ask, torn between laughing and yelling.

She reaches into her purse and pulls out a wad of cash. "I'll compensate for your—"

I slap the money out of her hand when she extends it to me, and the cash flies everywhere.

How dare she come to my home after I've finally found some stability and try to use me for her schemes? Even in the end, she's trying to keep me as a pawn on her game board.

She glares at me. "Are you stupid? That was two thousand dollars!"

"Get the fuck out of here, you snake," I growl and step closer, stomping over her money to corner her.

She shoves my chest away, making a disgusted sound. And this time my hand flies out and catches her cheek. She shrieks and throws her hands at me, and instantly we begin to brawl.

My neighbor's door flies open. I don't know how many minutes I'm slapping Grace around and blocking her blows. But I make sure to get a good grab of her hair and pull her to the ground to drag her over her dirty money.

The police arrive and pull us apart. I'm panting—a complete mess. I lost control big time, but god, it felt good. I felt alive. Relieved to release this angry demon inside of me.

The high tapers off as I'm handcuffed and led to the police cruiser.

Grace follows in a different cruiser, and we're both begrudgingly taken to the nearest precinct. I try to calm my breathing in the car. Try to tell myself that it will all work out.

I screwed up by choosing violence, but part of me regrets nothing.

At the precinct, the small amount of calmness I found completely shatters. Because as soon as I step out of the car, I find two familiar faces:

Joseph and Henry. My date and my ex-boss.