“We start as friends.”
MISSING YOU…
Yvette’s apartmentwas cozy and warm. It smelled like the cocoa butter that Yvette rubbed on her body briskly after getting out of the shower. Today, she had to get up early to meet with her new boss Bleu. She left at six am and told me that she would be back later on. I had no idea what I would do with myself, so I laid curled up in the corner of her oversized sectional couch.
I downloaded the kindle app to my phone and started a new book called “Forever More” by a new to me author by the name of Masterpiece. My entire body felt sluggish, I hadn’t slept since the phone call with Kenric. His breakdown yesterday haunted my mind. I felt it through the phone and desperately wanted tostand on my tippy toes just to wrap my arms around his neck and bring his face to the crook of my neck.
I jumped at the three solid taps to Yvette’s front door. I sat up straight; my stomach tightened in a way that I hated. It wasn’t fear, it was high anticipation and excitement. I rose from the couch and frowned at my wrinkled clothes. Yvette left me a couple of dollars to go out later today and buy myself some clothes from the Walmart down the street from her house.
Soon as I opened the door, my breath caught, then disappointment slowly seeped in. It was Tone, standing right in the center of the door. His shoulders were squared with a mean mug covering his face. I took note of the new fresh haircut and swallowed down my compliment. He actually looked good with the new fade; it brought out his handsome features.
He stared at me for what felt like forever then without a word, he extended his hand. My eyes bulged in shock; it was my violin in a new black leather case. I grabbed it with shaky hands, still trying to choose my next set of words.
“There’s an envelope inside of the case… A hundred thousand dollars to be exact with an audition invitation form that Kenric expects you to fill out for the Avalon Prime’s. Your car is parked out front, the keys to it is inside the case as well.” He uttered unenthused.
I stared at him confused, my heart thumped hard in my chest as I started to panic.
It felt like this was a farewell, Kenric giving me my violin, tons of money and setting me up with an audition with a company bigger than life. He even had my car delivered which extended my freedom.
“Where’s Kenric?” I placed the violin case inside against the door then stepped to the side for Tone to come inside of Yvette’s apartment.
He stepped inside then closed the door behind him. An awkward amount of silence stretched between us as I crossed my arms in front of me.
“Kenric is where you last left him, Mira. You have his number, feel free to call him. I think he’ll love hearing from you…from time to time.” He offered me a half smile.
“From time to time?” I whispered.
“You look tired,” he eyed me closely.
I laughed weakly then looked away trying my hardest to fight away my emotions.
“I haven’t slept, Tone…I didn’t think I would miss him so badly in a short amount of time... I’m worried about him, then there’s these conflicting feelings that tells me I’m crazy because maybe?—”
“Kenric loves you, it started as obsession and him needing you in his possession, but he’s fallen in love…regular people call it love at first sight. Kenric’s language is a little different concerning that…”
Tone looked deeply into my eyes; I could see the sadness behind his slightly tight eyes.
“I was against everything in the beginning when he first laid eyes on you Mira. Kenric is my brother, and I’m his keeper. It doesn’t matter to me if he accepts that or not. I love him. I even understand him well. I want him to experience whatever this is with you because I know it will help him feel more than the empty darkness that he navigates through. Staress says she believes that the universe aligned the two of you together…I’m starting to believe that especially now since Kenric is stepping away from you to let you have space.” He chuckled then flicked his index finger across his nose.
“What does that mean?” I asked failing to hide the panic in my tone of voice.
I didn’t want Kenric to pull fully away from me. I just needed space and a little bit of time to process everything that took place within the six weeks of me being at Grand Corp with him.
“It means that it’s a small start to a little bit of change in him, Mira. Accept it and let it be what it’s going to be. The old Kenric would have had you captured back in his presence the first hour you went missing…he has the muscle and the army to make it happen. I saw him struggle with it too, but he decided this.” Tone smile reached his eyes, his shoulders relaxed.
“Enjoy the gifts, I hope for the best between you two.” Tone continued, he bowed his head then turned toward the door.
Mira’s Birthday
A Month Later…
Beloved Mother. Resting but never forgotten.
“Hey Ma,” I whispered as I swallowed a painful lump that crawled up my throat.
I was feeling many things today, loneliness and sadness was at the top of my list. Today was my twenty-eighth birthday and I did what I did every year since losing my mom. I wiped my hands over my legs and pulled my hoodie tighter around me. I never kept track of the time whenever I did come but most likely I would be forced by security to leave once the cemetery closed.
I needed peace, and somehow this place always offered it. I glanced at my violin case again then back to the sky searching for something that I knew I wouldn’t find. The clouds shifted a little as a soft breeze caressed the side of my face instantly giving me the chills.
