Ignite Me: Shards of Glass, Part One

by Mills, L. C.

  As we reached the slick SUV the lights flashed and Jones pulled open the back left hand passenger door for me.

  “Am I not allowed to ride up front?!” I glance at the front passenger door.

  He smiled politely. “It's better if you're in the back! I just prefer things that way!”

  I shrugged and climbed in the open door and pulled the seat belt around and done it up. It wasn't an issue that I had to sit in the back it was just kinda weird. Maybe he thought Cameron wouldn't like it?!

  CHAPTER 19

  A while later and Jones rang my apartment building and told them I'd be needing my code to the underground parking area, he was pleased when they had asked to speak to me to confirm it was above board. I'd never even bothered to go and look at the car park so I had no idea what to expect.

  I smiled as we drove over Tower Bridge. “I can see this from my lounge!” I hadn't spoken for a while now and I felt awkward. “Pretty immense really!” I didn't look at Jones as I spoke he was busy navigating the streets of London.

  “Very good view to have! Not quite as nice as the view of mountains like back home! I miss that! Always made you feel like they were protecting you! Stunning place the Welsh valleys!” His accent slipped for a second and was much deeper than before.

  I smiled. “Wow, sounds amazing! I might just pack a bag and go there one day, I like being spontaneous!” I recognized the streets now, we weren't that far from my building.

  “Please don't do that without telling Cameron first he'll have a meltdown if he doesn't know where you are!” He shook his head.

  I rolled my eyes. “He can't always know where I am! It's not normal!”

  He raised a brow. “Well, I think you know as well as I do that Cameron doesn't do normal, so bare that in mind!”

  I shook my head. He'd have to learn to except I wasn't going to always tell him where I was. It was bizarre to keep tabs on someone all day.

  The car came to a smooth stop as we reached the entrance to the car park.

  “Ah, okay so one touch panel, nice and easy, CCTV, good so far!” He leant out of the window and typed the code in.

  558910. I attempted to remember the code for future use.

  “Here we go!” The lights above the gate flashed and the gates opened inwards to allow us to pass though.

  “Okay, well they said you’re the second penthouse parking bay so I'll head for that! Lifts should be next to that since your penthouse means less walking because it's prime location!”

  “Yeah, I have no clue, I've never even come down here before!” I pulled a face.

  Jones pulled the SUV into a space and turned the engine off. “We have arrived, I can stay down here if you rather and wait for you!”

  “Thought you wanted to check my security out?!” I didn't think it was right to leave him down here like some servant.

  He smiled. “I did, I just wasn't going to invite myself in!”

  I shook my head at him. “You'll prolly hate my coffee after tasting what Cameron had but you're welcome to make yourself a coffee while I go hunt out a shirt for Georgia, she's gonna love it, I want to wear one too so!” I smiled and pushed open the door and climbed down. The car park was all cement and concrete pillars, the door shutting behind myself made a bang which echoed around me making me jump. It smelt of car fumes and the lights threw shadows everywhere setting my imagination off.

  “The lifts are this way Miss Watson!” Jones voice made me jump and my heart slammed in my chest.

  “Jeez, it's creepy down here! Mole man land much!” I rubbed the back of my neck as I let him guide me towards the lifts. There were two sets of lifts, I rummaged for my keys to the resident lift and inserted the smallest key into the lock and twisted it round to allow us to call the lift down.

  “It's because there is no natural light that you don't like it!” The lift doors rolled open with a ping and I stepped in glad to be heading upwards.

  “Yeah, maybe! Or maybe it's just cause I don't like places that feel like a negative space!”

  I pressed my floor button and the doors rolled closed and started to trundle upwards.

  After an hour I had located the band shirts I wanted, Jones was going around making notes on his iPhone about what needed to be done security wise. I didn't see the issue with the type of locks that were on my external doors considering I was 6 floors up, but I let him get on with his task. I wandered off to the bathroom with the lipstick I found in the box of band shirts. I remembered I used to wear it lot it was a dark, rich red, I had bought a whole tonne of them at Halloween one year, it was a blood red mixed with black. I wore a lot of pinks these days, but I wanted to see if I could still pull it off now I was twenty and not a teenager with an attitude. I applied it in the mirror and smirked back at myself. I looked hot! It still worked for me, I wondered if Cameron would approve, he'd never mentioned my make up before so I assumed he didn't mind. I didn't wear a lot of makeup. I was too lazy to make too much effort.

  “Miss Watson I've finished now, are you ready to head back?!” I heard Jones call from just outside the door. I slipped the lipstick into my bag and walked out to greet him. “I just need to go to the bagel place which is literally down the street, can I please meet you back outside where you dropped me off that day?! I'll be gone for twenty minutes if that!” I hoped he would agree and not have been tasked with making sure I was guarded all the time.

  He smiled. “I am meant to go with you, but I won't! However, if you aren't back in 25 minutes I will come looking for you! Okay?!”

  I grinned. “Deal! So you can let yourself out right?! Now you've mastered my security!”

  He laughed. “I can, indeed, I'll be out the front!”

  I nodded at him and headed for the door. “I'll see you soon then!”

  I walked to the lifts and made my way out. I checked my phone as I walked along the wharf, there were various restaurants down this part of the Wharf. I smiled as I checked the texts and saw one from Cameron.

  I miss you already Miss Watson! X CB.

  The smile spread across my face, making it ache. I found it funny how he always signed his name at the end, it was typical of Cameron. I tapped a reply.

  I miss you too! X

  I chuckled to myself as I pushed the phone back into my pocket. I pushed open the door to the bagel place and walked in. The scent attacked my senses as I waited to be served. I scanned the glass unit to see what fillings where available.

  “I thought you'd been kidnapped by Mr. Moneybags! I've not seen you around!”

  I laughed as I looked up to find Damon leaning casually against the counter waiting for his food.

  “Oh trust me he can kidnap me any day of the week he desires!” I chewed my lip, it wasn't the best thing to say in hindsight.

  “Yeah, well so how are you?! How's your ex?!” I smiled brightly at him, changing the subject was a good idea.

  “You got time for a coffee?!” He looked hopeful.

  “Can I help?!”

  I glanced up at the young women behind the counter.

  “Oh yeah, sorry, can I have one bacon and Bree bagel and one salami and Mozzarella bagel please, and two coffees to go, one skinny latte and one?!” I glanced at Damon.

  His face broke out into a full megawatt smile. “Americana please.”

  The girl smiled and nodded and wandered off to get the food order while another girl worked on the coffees.

  “I don't have a massive amount of time, I gotta walk back home, though, so if you can talk and walk at the same time, then we got around 15 minutes!” I grinned.

  He raised a brow. “Mr. Moneybags got you on a time limit?!”

  I rolled my eyes. “Why do you call him that?! And no actually he's at work and I'm surprising him with lunch!” It was almost the truth, I just didn't tell him the whole truth.

  He sighed. “Cause he's too rich that's why! Men like him they don't want to love anyone or anything cause t
hey don't know how Evan, they just want to possess things! He wants to possess you I could see it in his eyes!” He took his food and his coffee from the outstretched hand of the server without even looking at her gaining me a dirty look.

  I paid for my food and took my coffee. The food was in a container inside a brown paper bag. I blew into the hole in the lid of the take away coffee.

  “He doesn't possess me - unless I want him to! He loves me!” I walked towards the door, I still had 15 minutes left.

  Damon pushed open the door and walked alongside me.

  “I wish he didn't.”

  I wasn't sure how I was meant to answer him.

  “What is that even meant to mean?!” I was confused.

  “I wish he didn't love you because I love you too, can't you see that?!” He stopped walking. “I have done since I day we met!”

  I turned around reeling at his confession. I knew he liked me, but I had no idea he'd developed feelings that deep. “You’re meant to be my friend, I should never have got drunk at the club that night, and I didn't think I'd ever see you again! Then when you ended up working where I lived... I like you in a different way than what I do Cameron!”

  He put his coffee down on the floor with his bag of food. “Evan, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that, that night we were both drunk! Both looking for something and who knows, maybe if I had acted sooner rather than leaving it because guys like me, we don't get girls like you! Then maybe I'd be the one you'd be surprising with lunch but I'm not!” He half smiled, half shrugged his eyes cast down.

  My heart broke for him. I had never meant for any of this to happen. “It's just a drunken kiss!! Girls like me?! What do you mean?!”

  He looked down for a second. “You’re beautiful, talented, cool and hot as hell, I'm just your average Joe, working to pay rent!”

  I blushed, feeling embarrassed. “I'm just normal! I didn't ask to grow up in the spot light! I don't know if we would ever have worked! All I know is I love Cameron! He makes me feel safe and that has nothing to do with his wealth! You’re my only friend, if we can't be friends I understand that, but you’re not just some average Joe! You're funny, smart, warm hearted and them baby blues of yours are immense! Don't put yourself down because you grew up, different to me!” I propped my coffee on the railing.

  He looked up at me shyly. “You still owe me a pizza!” He smirked at me and I knew he was okay.

  “I do! You free Saturday night?! We could do pizza, then, friends, though right?!” I studied him.

  He stepped forward and pulled me into a hug. “I am free that night! I'll text you! You’re probably the best friend that's a girl I've ever had!”

  I smiled as I attempted to hug him back, if was hard with a large bag in my left hand. “Best friends I can live with! I need to go now! We can chat over pizza! Enjoy the coffee!”

  He left me go from the hug. “Yeah, I will, enjoy your bagel!” He picked up his cup and food and lent against the metal railings with a smirk.

  I picked up my cup from next to him. “See you Saturday Damon!” I waved as I walked off.

  “See you Evan! Have fun with Mr. Moneybags!” He smirked.

  “Fucker!” I shouted at him as I walked away, I wasn't angry, though I shook my head and laughed.

  “Yeah, but I'm your favourite fucker!” He shouted after me and I snorted with laughter as I walked around the corner and right into Jones. The lid of my coffee fell off and went all over his shirt and my hand, I dropped the cup and swore as I wiped my hand on my jacket wanting to get the coffee off. My right hand was red now from the spilt coffee.

  “Shit! I'm sorry! I didn't even see you!” I cringed as I saw the coffee dribbling from his white shirt. I had gotten off lightly.

  He smiled politely. “Its fine, I should have waited! Cameron text me and said you hadn't replied to his text so I thought I'd better come look for you! Is your hand burnt?!”

  I groaned. Damon had distracted me from seeing if I had a reply. “I saw someone I knew so I stopped to chat was all! I am fine, honest I'm just really sorry you’re wearing my skinny latte!”

  He grinned. “It's fine! I'll change once I'm back at One Hyde Park! I'll let Cameron know you're safe first!” He indicated the SUV.

  “What did he think had happened?! That I had fallen into the river Thames or something?!” I walked back over to the SUV and pulled open the door. I wondered if he had seen me with Damon or not, but I had nothing to hide, I was allowed to have friends.

  “There is no telling Miss Watson!” He was busy tapping his phone, presumably telling Cameron I was fine.

  I pulled the door shut and set the bag down on the floor so the coffee wouldn't make the seat sticky, then pulled my phone from my pocket and checked my texts.

  I had two from Cameron.

  I still didn't finish what I set out to do this morning! I can't stop thinking about it! About you! X CB

  You didn't reply?! Is everything okay?! I love you. CB

  I signed.

  Sorry I didn't see your texts, I was buying us lunch! If you’re lucky we can fix that! Cause I'm not sure the cold shower did the trick for me! X

  I hit send.

  Jones started the SUV up and drove off.

  I smiled when my phone vibrated in my pocket.

  Really?! Well, I do hope you enjoyed bumping into your little friend! CB

  What the fuck is he talking about?! I pulled a face as I thought about it. How could he know I had seen Damon?! He couldn't mean Jones but maybe Jones had seen and told him?! He hadn’t even put a kiss at the end.

  I don't get what you’re driving at but you sound pissed at me! x

  I hit send. I didn't appreciate him being so weird.

  A few seconds later, my phone vibrated again.

  If I was pissed as you'd put it you would be eating lunch alone! I'm just asking if you enjoyed bumping into your little friend! It’s a straightforward enough Evangeline! CB

  I sat with my mouth open in shock. If we weren’t already half way back to his I would have insisted Jones take me home. Somehow he knew I had seen Damon. He was jealous.

  Yes, I did like seeing Damon! He's going through some stuff with his ex at the moment! He wanted someone to talk to about it so I chatted while I walked back to meet Jones! I suppose Jones saw us, not that I have to hide it! And FYI, I hope you choke on your bagel!

  :(

  I added the sad face smiley then hit send and glared angrily at Jones in the rear view mirror. I was angry at him for ratting me out and I was pissed at Cameron for acting like I wasn't allowed to see anyone without telling him I had done so.

  “Oh for fuck's sake.” I forgot my manners as my phone vibrated again.

  Oh, Miss Watson you wound me! I don't wish to choke on my bagel thank you very much! I didn't need Jones to tell me I was emailed photos! He hugged you! I don't like him touching what's mine! CB

  I shook my head.

  Yeah, well he doesn't like you much either! Luckily for you I do, hella! But yes, he did hug me! I awkwardly hugged him back cause I was left with little choice! Don't be jealous! It's you I sleep with! Also, stop talking about me like a possession! Also who the hell sent you photos?!

  I felt like I wanted to point that out to him, remind him who I was dating. I had no idea who could have been around to witness that and send them to Cameron but it was unnerving.

  Yes, you do! Thank you for reminding me, I am sorry I never meant to suggest anything! I am also glad you like me 'hella' too! You can remind me what that means when you get in! Who sent them doesn't matter the fact is they did! You shouldn't go off alone! X

  I grinned, but didn't reply as I saw we were almost back at his apartment. At least the kiss was back.

  “Everything okay, Miss Watson?!” He looked a little worried as he turned into the one way system.

  “Yeah I'm fine.” I could have asked if he saw anybody around, but it would be pointless it was prob
ably someone from the cafe that recognized me and wanted to make some easy money selling the photos online.

  “Oh good!” He parked the SUV up and I undid my seatbelt and picked up the paper bag with the food in it.

  “I've got some things to do so if you make your way back up to the apartment I'll see you both later on, here you'll need this! It's yours to keep!” He handed me a swipe card for the lift. “Cameron wants you to be able to get access to his at any time, he instructed me to have you made one up! Not even his family have one of those Miss Watson, he thinks a lot of you even if he acts like he doesn't care sometimes, he does care!” He looked forward as he said it.

  I took the card and turned it over in my hand, it was black with gold lettering.

  One Hyde Park Apartments. “Thanks, but why didn't he give it to me himself?!” I was confused by that.

  Jones grinned in the mirror. “Well, I think he would have done, but he was interrupted this morning so I'm giving it to you now!”

  “Thanks and sorry again about your shirt!” I smiled as I pushed open the door.

  He laughed. “It's fine, don't worry!”

  I closed the door and walked over to the lifts. I pressed the call button and waited. After a few seconds the doors pinged and rolled open, I walked in and half expected to find Cameron in there, but it was empty, so I swiped the card down the swipe pad and pressed his floor number. I opened the bag to check the food and luckily no coffee had gotten inside. The doors rolled open and I stepped out into the gold and silver room, it smelt of roses.

  I smiled and walked towards the door and pushed it open, before I had even got two steps into the hall Cameron's body made an impact with mine knocking me backwards. His arms wrapped around me holding me tight. I blinked, confused for a second, before dropping the food bag and holding him back just as tight as my knees felt weak. He smelt wonderful.