by Tara Ahmed
“Something wrong?” A lazy drawl escaped his lungs, as he laid on the king sized bed, turning another page to his book.
I supposed he was reading “how to be a total idiot”, or something similar.
I stormed into the room, taking the book off his hands, and slamming it closed. I placed it beside his stomach, glaring at him.
“Don’t touch what’s mine,” he snapped, sitting up.
His eyes were venomous, as he stood to his full height, towering over me. I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest, and taking a step towards him. Jumping, I thumped his forehead, to which he yelped, covering his bruised skin with his palm.
“You’ve got anger issues!” he snapped.
“And you’ve got jerk syndrome issues!—“
“What?” He asked, looking genuinely confused.
The light from the ceiling illuminated his eyes, as he pursed his lips- confusion splashed across his sculpted face.
“I have nowhere to sleep,” I complained, throwing my hands in the air. “Nowhere! You could have told me that there weren’t any extra beds or sleeping bags, before I came. I could have brought something to sleep in for the night. But no, you only think of yourself—“
“Dorothy, just calm down,” he said, placing both hands on my shoulder.
I stepped out of his touch, shooting him a cold glare.
“How can I calm down?” I asked. “This isn’t even about me sleeping on the floor! It’s about you being an inconsiderate person—“
He hesitated, running a hand through his thick mane.
“You can sleep next to me,” he said, licking his bottom lip.
I took a step back, giving him an incredulous stare.
Did he really just say that?
“Stop joking around, James.”
He smiled. “I like when you say my name.”
My ears burned, but I shook away the feeling, for I didn’t want to get distracted by his sugary words that dripped syrup into each flirtatious sentence he uttered.
“Focus,” I snapped. “I’m not going to ever sleep in the same bed with you, so don’t even joke about that, okay?—“
He shrugged, dropping on the bed- his long legs outstretched and head pressed against a plush white pillow.
“I made a mistake, Dorothy. People do make mistakes, you know. Whether you sleep on this bed or not, I could care less. Well, anyways…goodnight. Can you turn off the light?”
My shadow loomed over him, as I stood, glaring.
Without another word, I stormed out of the room, dragging my suitcase with me.
My night was a restless one, for I slept in the room opposite his, using my black winter’s coat as a pillow, and an old tattered sweater, as a blanket. Thank goodness for the heating, or else I would probably freeze to death in the overly large room. Curling into a ball in the corner of the room, I tossed and turned for another hour, before drifting to a quiet sleep.
I woke to the scent of lavender, as James’s fragrance clung to the soft pillow under my head. I sighed against the warm, cotton blanket, hugging it tightly, as I turned to my side. I exhaled a deep sigh, stretching my arms over my head, feeling like I had experienced the best sleep of my life.
It took my lethargic mind a few seconds, before realizing I wasn’t in my prior sleeping quarters.
I shot up from bed, pressing a hand against my thumping chest, as I stared at the bed that James had occupied last night.
I couldn’t have sleep walked here, could I? But, where was James?
I turned my head to the side, noticing a yellow post it note on the pillow next to mine. Chewing my lower lip, I picked up the note, reading the curly, fine writing that could only belong to him.
“Sorry,” it read.
I re read the note, feeling my lips curl upwards to a small smile, as I placed the note on the wall beside the bed. Getting up, I yawned once more, before walking out the door.
It was then that I noticed the impossible. Or, what I thought was the impossible.
As I hovered a hand over the bathroom, on the room that I had slept in last night, curled on the floor- was James. His brown locks were spread over my black winter’s coat, as my brown sweater rested over him like a blanket.
My eyes would not leave the site. I walked towards the open door, leaning against it, as a splash of something I never before felt, flooded through my heart, making it ache just a bit. I shook my head, smiling to myself.
He was the most frustrating man I’d ever met…but perhaps, also the sweetest.
Chapter Twelve
When James woke, his arms danced over his head in an angular like stretch, as he yawned loudly, ruffling his dark brown locks. The white t-shirt pressed over his athletic form, wrinkled like a dry plum against his chest, as my sweater draped over his waist like a blanket. His long legs were slightly curled to the side, crouched towards his stomach in a fetal position, as one arm rested under a pillow, and the other arm, laid gently over his belly.
He looked so vulnerable.
I stood before the door, watching his thick lashes twitch once- then slowly, like a moths wing, flutter open. An extensive, pale arm rested under my black coat, which he’d formed into a neat, square pillow, as he yawned once more, running both hands through the silk of his hair. His golden brown orbs gradually adjusted to the streaming sunlight of the open door, as he squinted at me.
A light smile upturned my lips- my heart thumping as our eyes locked.
“So he wakes,” I said.
He sent me a blank stare, his brows raised, before rising to the ground- scooping the coat and sweater in one hand. The urge to ruffle his unruly, spiked morning hair was tugging like a knot at my insides, as he curtly nodded at me, before pushing past.
I frowned.
The bathroom door slammed shut, as my coat and sweater were dropped to the ground beside the locked door. The sound of running water rushed through- as I walked to the door, crouching down to pick up my belongings. While I prepared to walk to the room I had peacefully slept in, the light rumbling of music streamed the door. The melody coming from the bathroom was so serene, so peaceful, that I had to stop before the door, and listen.
While most people sang in the shower, James listened to classical symphonies. I wasn’t sure if the music came from his phone or perhaps, a radio attached to the bathroom wall, for the stream of the violin was crystal clear. As the music played on, I smiled- walking towards the bedroom, prepared to dress for class.
I gave myself a final look in the mirror, squeezing back my pony tail, which appeared a bright orange against the blistering light of the window by the bed. Smearing cherry Chap Stick over my lips, I turned, as the silky fabric of my knee length white dress, swayed. The sleeves reached my elbows, as I tucked a hand behind my ear, wanting the annoying strand to keep out of my cheek.
My naked feet tapped against the warm wood of the hallway, as I walked through the room, my eyes nonchalantly searching for James. The last I’d seen him, he was in the shower, but perhaps, he had already left the apartment while I was getting dressed. He had said not a word to me all morning, and now, he’d mysteriously vanished. Was he uncomfortable about sleeping on the floor last night? But that made no sense, since he was the one that took me to bed in the first place.
I chewed my lip as I pondered this thought, walking down the expansive living room till I reached the door. I slipped on pale blue flip flops beside the door- circling my palm over the knob.
I gasped.
A shiver crawled through my spine, as his warm palms pressed gently over my lids- his body pushed lightly against mine.
His lips reached the cave of my ear.
“Good morning,” he whispered.
There was a hush to his voice, like a soft lullaby, as his hands squeezed blithely over my eyes. I suppressed a sigh, as the scent of lavender circled over me, swirling under my nose. Pressing my hands over his, I bit my lip, pushing out of his touch.
I turned, facing his usual, trade
mark grin, as he stood in a white dress shirt. Black trousers graced over long legs, as his he tapped his designer clad shoe against the floor. We were matching.
“Morning,” I replied, feeling a bit uneasy for some reason.
My heart jumped as he stood before me- my cheeks burning so deeply, I feared I resembled a ripe tomato.
His eyes raked over me, staring appreciatively at my dress- then lingered, for a moment, on my pale, bare legs. His stare caused another stomach summersault, as I shuffled my feet against the ground, clearing my throat.
“I wanted to thank you,” I said.
His brows rose. “Then thank me.”
“Oh…right,” I said. “Well…thank you—“
He laughed. “You’re shaking. What’s wrong, sunshine? Didn’t get enough sleep last night?”
I didn’t know myself what was wrong. At that moment, I felt as though tiny pins were pricking in a continuous motion along my neck, slowly trickling to the flats of my feet. This was an unfamiliar feeling, and I couldn’t decide whether I should look him in the eye, stare past him, or simply, without question- walk away.
But that made no sense. Why would I walk away from him? He had done nothing wrong. In fact, he had done something good, something kind, and something that deserved my appreciation.
Little mice jumped within my belly, as I resisted the urge to groan. My stomach began to curl tightly, and when he took a step forward, every inch of me began to burn. It was not a warm feeling, but an excruciating one, for a ball of fire slowly glided over my cheeks, down my neck, and rested in the pit of my gut.
“You’re spacing out,” he said. “I think our little Dorothy here has got a fever.”
I exhaled a deep sigh, as my eyes travelled over his hand that was making its way towards my face. A light song, like the classical one he’d played in the shower, spun over my mind, as I lifted my gaze- to his.
The burst of morning light streamed through the window behind him, casting a glow over his frame, illuminating his presence. He resembled an angel without wings, as he stood before me, pressing a palm over my forehead- his lips upturned.
“That’s funny,” he continued. “Your temperature feels fine. Are you homesick?”
“I’m...” My voice escaped as a quiet tremor- my hands shaking by my thighs. “I’m really—“
He clicked his tongue, annoyance reaching his scorching brown eyes. He dipped his head towards me, and though I should have looked away, for my mind, body, and soul, was pounding away- I could not sway my gaze.
It was as though I was seeing him for the first time.
“Dorothy,” he snapped. “Don’t ignore me.”
One thought and one thought only- echoed through my mind, saying one word a million times on repeat.
Don’t do it, my mind warned. Back away. Now.
I should have listened to my mind then, but my heart strummed a different beat, for it pulsed slowly as James licked the bottom of his full, nude lips, staring curiously at me- worried. My stomach jumped once more, as I balanced on my tip toes, prepared for the worst.
Ignoring all rational thought, I focused on his mouth, placing both hands on his shoulders.
When my lips met his, my eyes closed. This kiss was not like the one in the church, for at that moment, I felt the shape of mouth intertwine over mine, and that unlike his hands- his lips were cool.
But the moment, like a passing wind- drifted on as though it had never come, for he gently shoved me back, looking horrified.
“Are you out of your fucking mind?” he snapped.
“I’m sorry—“
His eyes flashed in anger- the veins along his temple, pulsing.
“Don’t get the wrong idea, little girl,” he growled. “I was nice to you last night, but that in no way, means you get to cross a fucking line! You might be married to me now, but you’ll always be nothing more than a maid. You don’t get to touch me, alright? You…are…below…me. Got that?”
I stumbled a few steps back- my chest rising and falling, as I stared at the ground, then at him, and then once more, to the ground. My mouth went dry, as my eyes began to sting, and I was not sure if it was from his outrage, or the fact that I had just broken my own rule.
“I…I’ve got to…I’ve g-g-g-got go,” I stammered.
Unable to meet his eyes, I pushed past him, turning the cool knob, and exiting out the door. I ran down the hall, ignoring the security guard who gaped at me, as my entire body shivered from the heat of a mistake I should never have made. He was right. I was just a maid, and he was only using me through this marriage to get to that damn inheritance. It never bothered me before, but at that moment, his words penetrated through me like a blade through the chest.
His words ran like a siren through my head, as I willed myself not to cry.
He rejected me. But why did I kiss him? Why was I such a fool?
Sunlight beamed down my neck- my ponytail swaying by my shoulder, as I stood outside of the building, panting. My heart continued to scream at me for that cringe worthy kiss, and in my mind, a bright red question mark hovered.
“Why am I such an idiot?” I asked aloud, reaching a hand to my lips. “I’m below him? Is that really what he thinks?”
“I knew you were strange, but didn’t think you were crazy. Talking out loud is a form of insanity, you know.” A familiar voice echoed behind me, as I whipped around, staring questioningly at him.
Richard stood before me- his navy blue dress shirt, swaying against the gentle breeze, as he raised an arched brow. His dark locks were gelled over to the side, as two large brown eyes, glimmered against the warm sunlight.
“Oh...It’s you.” My voice was hollow.
He walked around me, till he stood beside me- his eyes dancing over my face.
“You were crying,” he said. “Trouble in paradise?”
I shook my head, sniffling.
“Allergies,” I lied. “It’s that season. Are you here to see James?”
“No,” he said. “I’m here to see you.”
“Why?” I asked.
He shrugged. “We haven’t had a proper introduction, and the last we met, I wasn’t much of a gentleman—“
“You were a jerk,” I corrected.
His eyes narrowed. “Right. Well, I decided that since I don’t know much about you, we should talk. Actually, I don’t know anything about you…I thought we should be acquainted with each other’s…persona…Well…what I’m trying to say is…you see…the matter is this—“
I sighed. “You’re rambling. What is it? Come on, just shoot it out—“
“Have breakfast with me.” He exhaled a breath, as his cheeks tinted a light pink, and my brows rose, for I could not understand why he was at all, flustered.
My stomach grumbled, as I nodded.
“Let’s go,” I said. “I’m starving.”
I stabbed my fork within the three layered pancake, watching the hot, milky butter swirl down the sweet golden brown bread. I sighed as the first piece entered my mouth- the delicate blend of creamy syrup, melting into my tongue.
I groaned in pleasure, ignoring the annoyed stare an elderly woman shot at me, shaking her grey head.
“Pancake fixes everything,” I sighed- my shoulders slumped against the wooden chair.
For a moment, the events of the morning drowned out of my mind, and the harsh words that James had uttered, dissolved like smog into the open air. I didn’t want to think about him, because he had said what he wanted to, and at that moment, I vowed to keep my distance.
As I took another bite, I felt Richard’s gaze boring a hole through my face. I flicked my eyes to his, expecting him to look away like a normal person, but instead, he smiled. It was not a warm smile, but a curious one, as though he were fascinated by me.
“Eat,” I said, nodding to his half eaten plate of pancakes. “It’ll go cold, so finish up.”
“I’ve never seen a woman eat like you,” he noted.
I placed an el
bow on the table, giving him a cheeky grin.
“You haven’t met many women then,” I said.
He thought about my statement for a moment- then laughed as though realizing the joke a little too late. I gave him a stiff smile- confused.
The diner we sat in had very few people, for I saw only three elderly women huddled against the window at the other end of the room, speaking excitedly amongst each other. A middle aged man at the center of the room- sat in a small round table, flipping through a newspaper, and sipping a cup of black coffee. The place was bright, but old fashioned, as paintings of cowboys and Wild West restaurants hung against the stale white walls. The floor was a deep brown wood, as the waitresses walked around the tables, asking the customers if they needed anything more.
I turned towards Richard, who was leaning against the chair, staring at me. I suppressed a shiver, as I realized that he must have been staring at me the entire time I was looking around the diner.
“I want to ask you something,” I said.
“Ask away.”
“Do you think I’m unattractive?”
He had been sipping tea, but the moment I asked that questioned, he choked on his drink. The beverage dripped past his chin, as he grabbed a tissue from the table, wiping off the liquid.
“Why do you ask?” he asked.
I sighed. “It’s just…I don’t understand your brother.”
His brow rose, as he inched closer in his seat.
“He’s a hard nut to crack,” said Richard. “Did he do something wrong?”
I shook my head. “He didn’t…but I did. Basically…I…well…I held his hand, and he went off on me—“
“Went off on you?”
I didn’t want to tell him that I had kissed James, because he might wonder why a husband would reject a kiss from his wife. But I really wanted an answer to whatever happened this morning, and Richard was the only person I could find an answer from. I would have to twist the truth a bit, but I was determined to get an answer nonetheless.
I pursed my lips. “Basically, we had a bit of an argument of sorts. I don’t want to go into the details, but things went downhill and he said—“
