Ignite Me: Shards of Glass, Part One

by Mills, L. C.

  I picked up the right shoe and slipped it onto my foot doing the same with the left. They fitted perfectly. I stood up, experimental steps at first as I got used to the height. I ignored my phone ringing in my pocket I knew it would be him but I couldn't talk right now it would be rude, I'd call him back.

  “These are perfect, I'm gonna take them! Do they look okay?!” I didn't want to look cheap, so I hoped they looked okay.

  She stood back and studied me. “They look perfect, seriously they do!” She grinned.

  I sat back down, the ringing hadn't stopped and was starting to distract me. I took them off and put them back in the box.

  “I'll take them to the till for you if you want?!” She popped the lid back on and picked them up.

  “That's fine! I'll just get my shoes back on.” I knew Cameron would be freaking out that I hadn't answered so I pulled my phone from my pocket, a quick text should put this mind at rest.

  I’m in the middle of trying on and buying shoes! I'll call you in a bit! Calm down! X

  I hit send and then made myself busy putting my shoes back on. As I got up I made sure my phone went back in my pocket as I walked over to the register.

  “I'll just ring it up for you.” She smiled as she scanned the box.

  My phone started to ring again as I was rummaging sound for my purse.

  Why can't he just wait?!

  I sighed, I knew he was worried but what the hell did he think would happen that he needed to keep calling me for?! It was actually annoying.

  “That's £50 please.” She smiled.

  I put my card into the machine and carefully typed my pin in.

  She made herself busy as she put the box into the bag, handing it over.

  “Thank you.” I smiled as I took the card from the machine and put it back into my purse, making sure it was safely back in my bag before picking the bag up and walking to the door, I waited till I was back in the main area before I put my bags down and pulled my phone out of my pocket.

  I sighed seeing his missed calls and text.

  Please can you answer? I'm worried about why you would think I just wanted you for your body! It couldn't be further from the truth! Also telling me to calm down didn't really work! CB

  “For fuck sake!” I rolled my eyes and dilated his number. He picked up straight away.

  “Evan! Are you okay?! You didn't answer my calls!” He sounded flustered.

  “I am fine! I was in a shoe shop trying on shoes, then I had to pay for them! I am really sorry I said that! It was meant as a joke!”

  He paused. “A joke?! I didn't find it funny at all! I have told you time and time again that I am head over heels crazy for you!”

  I sighed. “I know and I am really sorry! I didn't mean it literally Cameron! I love you too! I was just being dumb! I'm sorry.” I actually felt panicked by the fact I couldn't go to him and tell him I was sorry. I couldn't see his face, I had no idea what was going to happen.

  He sighed in what sounded like relief. “It's okay! Baby, don't get upset! I'm not there to come get you! I shouldn't have reacted that way! I guess with everything that has gone on today for me, I over reacted! Are you okay?! Evan?!” He spoke softly now.

  I calmed my breathing down. “I'll be okay, I never meant anything! I wish I hadn't said it now!” I glanced at my watch I'd have to go meet Damon soon.

  “It's okay honestly, just breath in and out regularly and you'll be okay! I'll see you soon.” His voice was like velvet now.

  He calmed me down just by listening to his voice. “I'm okay now, hey I got you something today, and I’ll give it to you later! I'll let you get back to your family.”

  He chuckled softly. “I shall look forward to that, I shall also look forward to giving you a massive hug and apologising for being an idiot.”

  I grinned. “Then we're both idiots! I love you, see you later Cameron!”

  I was actually surprised he said he was going to apologise! He must really have freaked out on himself.

  He laughed. “Yes we are and I love you too! See you soon!”

  He sighed happily as the call was cut. I should never have sent the text but at least he had fixed my worries.

  I shoved my phone back into my pocket and picked up my bags and made my way to the upstairs food hall and waited for Damon.

  chapter 25

  “Yo blonde!”

  I turned around to look in the direction of where the shout had come from and rolled my eyes as I saw Damon smirking as he stalked towards me.

  “Very funny!” I grinned at him.

  “Love the hair! Suits you!” He threw his arms around my middle and dragged me towards him. I couldn't do much to stop him because I had shopping bags in each hand.

  “Uh, thanks.” I tried to move back a little, but he just squeezed me harder.

  “You smell great! What perfume is that?!”

  His nose skimmed my neck and I froze.

  “It's not perfume, it's Cameron's body wash as it happens and you can let go now!”

  He let me go at the mention of Cameron. “Might have known! So you ready for pizza?!” He grinned at me, his blue eyes sparkling at me.

  “Hell yes, I am starving!” I stepped off in the direction of the pizza place and hoped he'd start acting normal now he had got that out the way with.

  “So what you been shopping for then?! You brought half the place by the looks of it!” He laughed as he caught up with me.

  “Naw, just some stuff! Yanno shoes and things.” I wasn't gonna go into detail with him, he was being weird with me and it was making me feel uncomfortable.

  I pushed open the door to the pizza place and walked in waiting at the front to be seated.

  “Hello, table for two?!” A young guy in his late teens walked over and smiled as he grabbed two menus.

  “Yes, please!” I smiled.

  “Okay, follow me!” He turned and started to lead us through the restaurant.

  He put the menus down and smiled. “My names Tom I'll be back over to take your order in a while!” He smiled and walked off leaving us to sit down.

  It was a table for two, so I put my bags down and then sat myself down as Damon took a seat the opposite side.

  He glanced at the bag from Agent Provocateur and smirked. “So Mr. Moneybags is in for a treat then!”

  I rolled my eyes. “Not really any of your business is it! And please stop calling him that! It's kinda offensive!”

  He lent on his elbow. “I can imagine you looking hot in anything really to be honest! And how's it offensive when it's the truth?!”

  I raised a brow in warning. He'd never been like this with me before. “I would rather you didn't refer to my boyfriend by that name please.”

  He frowned. “So he can but I can't even make a joke about it! I hardly see you these days!”

  “What has that got to do with it?! He's my boyfriend, he can imagine what he pleases where as you're my friend so I'd rather you didn't! I'm sorry that I got busy and couldn't see you, but I never promised you anything!”

  He was quite clearly spoiling for an argument. I didn't understand why he was being like this, it didn't make sense.

  “You've been seeing him what two weeks and your buying fancy underwear for him already! You have also known that I have had feelings for you since I met you! Yet you rejected me in favor of him, Mr. fucking moneybags!”

  I was fed up of this, what the hell was his problem. I wished I had never said I'd meet him.

  “You’re really starting to piss me off! Don't act like I've done something terrible to you! Cameron and I are none of your business! And whom or why I buy panties for is none of your fucking business!” I was actually really angry now. “Have you been drinking cause you're not normally like this Damon!”

  I was actually worried that he'd driven here.

  He raised a brow. “I bet he's fucking you already! He doesn't want you he just wants what h
e can get! I wouldn't be like that! Also, I may have had one or two drinks!”

  The way he spoke, triggered memories of Sean. I knew I had to get away from him.

  I stood in a hurry, I was actually offended. “I'm going! Don't ever talk to me like that again! Get a coffee and think about what you said!” I went to grab my shopping but he grabbed my wrist and held on tightly, his fingers gripping my wrist.

  “So you are fucking him! Yanno he doesn't deserve you!”

  I looked at his hand. I hated that not one single person was bothering to come over, no they all choose to ignore it. Acting like nothing was happening because it's far too much effort to involve themselves.

  “Get off of me! You’re hurting me!” I tugged my arm backwards attempting to get him to release me.

  “I guess you only sleep with people that buy you expensive watches! I thought you were different, but really you’re not!”

  I used my free hand and slapped him hard across the face. “Fuck you asshole.” The panic in my chest had started to rise and all I wanted to do was leave.

  “Little bitch.” He let go of my hand, his eyes going wide as I stepped back away from him.

  “FYI Damon, I did not deserve what you have done or said! You are meant to be my friend! Why are you being like this?!”

  I knew I should just leave, but I wanted to know what had happened to make him act this way.

  He looked up at me, his big blue eyes turning soft. “Because you’re breaking my heart by being with that fucking arse hole! I thought I could look above it, piss him off by being your friend, but I can't stand the idea of him touching you!” He got up from the chair.

  “I can't talk to you right now. I need to leave! Please don't follow me!” I grabbed my bags and turned on the spot marching away, tears pricked at my eyes. I hadn't meant to lead him on, I didn't even think that I had but maybe he had seen my asking him to help me all the time as an indication that I did like him but it didn't excuse him or what he had done.

  “Wait Evan, don't just walk away from me!” He shouted after me so I picked up my step, if I could put enough distance between us maybe he'd leave me alone.

  I headed for the lift, I wasn't in any mental state to use the escalators, and I would probably trip or something so I hit the call button for the lift and glanced around I couldn't see him but it made me edgy.

  The lift doors rolled open and I stepped in, I studied the lift buttons and worked out I would need lower ground floor so I pressed it and I was relieved when the doors started to roll shut I leant against the wall and closed my eyes for a split second but as I opened them I saw Damon slip in just as the doors rolled shut, trapping me.

  “Leave me alone!” I gave him a death stare and prayed he'd stay in his half of the lift. I felt like a rabbit in the headlights of an oncoming car.

  He stepped towards me.

  So I held my hands up in defence.

  “I never meant for you to fall for me! I never led you on, I was honest with you!” I backed away from him.

  “Then why did you always open the door to me half naked or like not wearing a bra! Agreeing to go out for food with me! The texting! What the fuck was that Evan if it wasn't signs you liked me?!”

  He was too close to me now, I couldn't move backward I could feel the hand rail digging into my back making it hard to concentrate. I looked up at him. His eyes were full of confusion.

  “That was me being your friend! There were no secret meanings! I love Cameron! You’re freaking me out now so can you please leave me alone!”

  He looked so hurt. “So what was coffee about the other day then?! Men like him don't love anyone but themselves and money!”

  I couldn't breathe properly with him so close to me. Why the fuck was the lift taking so long?!

  “Why do you say that?! He does love me! You don't even know him! Don't judge!”

  “I don't need to know him personally! I've seen how he works! He's screwed over innocent working people just to buy out their companies at rock bottom prices, then liquidate it when it doesn’t work out! Innocent people that worked all their lives, leaving them broken only a shadow of their former selves! Then he comes along and gets the girl that I wanted! It's not fair!”

  I blinked up at him, I wanted to scream at him that I had nothing to do with any of that, but his hands were either side of my face, holding my head still and before I could even try and shove him away, his body pinned me still, his mouth on mine, his lips forcing mine to move against his. I could taste the alcohol on his tongue.

  My heart slammed up a gear. Fight or flight mode activated.

  Don't panic kid, if you can't use your hands or arms, use your legs! Bring your knee up swiftly and hard as you can right in the balls, when they back away, run like hell!

  My dad’s advice to my 16 year old self sounded loudly in my mind as I brought my right knee up swiftly and felt it meet its target.

  He staggered away moaning in pain.

  “You ever fucking touch me again and I swear to god you will regret it! I am not just something you choose to take because you think you are owed it! I don't know what your personal issues with my boyfriend are but stay the hell away from me!”

  I moved off towards the door, leaving him doubled over. The doors pinged open and I literally ran out, I didn't stop running until I was outside. I dragged air into my lungs and tried to calm myself down.

  I wanted to go home, but I didn't trust Damon not to go there and try to finish the argument so my only other option was to call Cameron but that would require me to explain and right now I was far too jittery so I dialled Jones I knew he'd tell him but at least it would buy me some time.

  He answered after three rings.

  “Miss Watson is everything okay?!” He sounded worried and I guess I could understand that, he knew if I was calling him I needed help.

  “Um, no not really!” My voice broke. “Something kinda happened and I would like a lift back to Cameron's cause I don't know where his nearest tube station is.” I shivered, I was hungry now as well as trying to understand what happened, it wasn't a great combination I felt sick.

  “Okay, stay where you are, what has happened!” He sounded so calm.

  “I don't even know where to begin! Damon, he's lost the plot! I just, I just don't feel safe to go home!” My voice broke a little and shock.

  “I'm now on my way, has he done anything to you that might require medical attention! You also know I am going to have to call Cameron!”

  I was confused for a second or so, then it hit me that he maybe he thought Damon had assaulted me sexually.

  “No, Jesus, no nothing like that! Things were said, he just lost it and kissed me against my will! I couldn't even stop him.” I actually felt stupid that I had frozen the way I had.

  “That's actually classed as assault Miss Watson! I'll try and censor it for Cameron until he gets in but he will probably have a meltdown! Not at you, you are not to blame! I'll be with you in 10! I'm not that far away, I've been on errands!”

  I sighed. “That's what I was afraid of! Okay, I'll see you soon and thanks.”

  I cut the call. I wondered what he would tell Cameron?! I also knew he'd lose it, he hated Damon and I really wished I had listened to him now.

  10 minutes later the adrenaline had worn off and I felt my legs give out as I slid down one of the concrete pillars. Tears streamed down my face, thinking how much Damon was actually being like Sean, and I cursed myself for ever thinking he was my friend, Cameron had been right the whole time. I glanced up and saw the SUV skid to a halt in front of me, Jones jumped down and ran around to me, I was so pleased to see him, his face was etched with worry, but he lifted me up from the ground like I weighed nothing. I felt safe in his expert arms.

  “You are safe now Miss Watson, let’s get you inside.”

  I let him lift me up and place me in the back of the SUV, he placed my shopping next to me. I felt my shoulder
s sag into the seat as I relaxed, I was safe now.

  “Miss Watson, are you sure you're okay! You look very pale” He looked concerned as he studied me.

  I smiled at him. “I'm okay, a little shaken up, but now I am in here I feel safe!” I pulled my seat belt on. “I had little choice but to use self-defence was the only I could get away really!”

  I stared out of the windows. Damon really had issues with Cameron and I wondered if he knew someone that had been bought out by Cameron's company but it certainly didn't excuse his behaviour.

  “Serves him right! I've told Cameron what happened, I had little choice!”

  We sat in silence as he drove me back towards Cameron's, to safety. The sound of a ringing phone interjected my thoughts.

  “Have you picked her up yet?! Is she okay?! Are you sure he only kissed her! Fucker! I'm on the express train now! Please keep her safe until I get back! Make sure she's okay!” Cameron's worried tones floated through the SUVs speakers on the hands free set.

  “She's with me now Cameron! She's a little shaken up, and that goes without saying!”

  I closed my eyes, he cared and he wasn't angry at me. I didn't want to cry, I wouldn't cry.

  “Evangeline?! Are you okay?!”

  He sounded worried.

  I tried to find my voice. “No not really, but I will be! I'm sorry.” My voice cracked.

  “It's not your fault, don't even think of excusing what that little fucker did to you! I'll be back soon! You're safe now my darling! You did the right thing!” His voice was soft and gentle, full of concern for me.

  “Okay.” Tears ran down my face. I didn't want to say anything else in front of Jones, he was already going out of his way to fetch me.

  “I'll see you soon my darling! And Jones you know what to do!”

  “Of course, I'll be right on it when I get back. I'll pick you up in an hour!”

  “Yes, thank you.” He cut the call and I wondered what it was Jones knew what to do?! Whatever it was Cameron was being secretive about it so I clearly wasn't meant to know.