13
"Well, look at you," Sabrina's voice ruptured through my peaceful sanctuary as she put a strand of her black hair behind her ear. "Looking all cheerful today."
"Yeah, I feel better," I flashed a wide smile.
"What's the occasion?" She asked curiously. "I need to know every single detail from how you met him to how yo..."
"Stop!" I yelled. "Nothing of that sort happened. I just feel a little happy. That's all. Can't a girl be happy for once?"
"There has to be a reason. Hold up," she said, checking her phone. "I see the reason. Your shift ends in ten minutes. Oh wait, nine now."
"About time. It feels like I've been here forever." Sarcasm beautifully rolled off my tongue like a river.
"You can leave now if you want to. I feel generous since you're graduating in a week. And you can have the rest of the week off and the week after graduation too. Consider it a graduation present."
"Are you sure?" I asked in bafflement. "It's 2 weeks?"
"I'm sure and I can handle everything. You worry too much. Go have fun before I change my mind."
"You're the best," I squealed in elation before hugging the gracious woman and pecking her red cheek quickly. "Thank you."
"No problem. Now leave!"
"Aye Aye, captain," I saluted her compelling us both to laugh. Gathering all my belongings, I left the clinic after saying goodbye to Sabrina.
It had been more than two weeks since the misfortunate events took place. I hadn't seen or heard from Leo since then which was good. Everything had been smooth. Surprisingly, Officer Henderson didn't contact me either. He should have updated me about where the case was going and if they found Astor but I got nothing, so I decided to call him instead. He told me that they were doing the best they can and said something about me dropping the case which was extremely ridiculous. The corruption and the tone of his voice made it quite clear that he wasn't taking me seriously, so I blew up and told I'm off. I'm not dropping the case, not today, not ever.
I also took Aunt Wendy's advice and consulted a therapist. In the last two weeks, I made ten trips there already. The first day, I had a grouchy old man as my therapist but the next visit I was assigned Dr. Ray Marino, a handsome young man who was extremely easy to talk to. I opened up like a book to him. I told him everything that had happened. Including the things I didn't tell Aunt Wendy and he helped me cope with it. I felt better going there and always looked forward to the visits.
I knew two weeks weren't long enough, but everything was slowly getting back to normal. I still had nightmares but they simmered down a little and weren't as... horrendous. It felt so good and peaceful. Almost like the calm before the storm and I wished there wasn't any storm rushing my way. I couldn't deal with it.
Arriving home, I bolted towards the kitchen to find Aunt Wendy, but surprisingly she wasn't there. It was her day off so she should've been in the kitchen as usual. It was a pleasant change.
I skipped up the steps to her room only to find her adorning herself in a beautiful blue strapless dress, putting on a diamond necklace that she never took out.
"Is someone going on a date?" I asked with a raised brow, smiling cheekily at her.
"What do you think?" She asked nervously, motioning to her attire.
"Other than your messy hair, you look stunning. The guy will literally fall for you."
"I don't know what to do with my hair though," she pouted like a child.
"I can help you with that." I walked towards her with my hands ready to work some magic in her mane. "Sit."
I pulled her brown locks to the side and made a ponytail. Pinning in little strands of her hair around the ponytail separately, I finished off her look.
"There," I said, urging her to look in the mirror.
"It looks amazing, mermaid. You remind me of the time when I did your hair. Good times," she smiled at me and started to walk out of the room.
"Wait," I held her back. "You forgot the essential." I sprinted to my room and came back with a can of hairspray in my hand. "This will keep it all together." Spraying it all over her new hairstyle, I patted her head. "Now you're good to go."
The door bell rang. "I'll get it!" I sprinted down the stairs excited to see the lucky man. Opening the door, I saw him standing in a blue crisp suit with roses in his hands. "Mike?"
"Ms. Noelle, it's lovely to see you," he said with an enchanting smile on his face. He pulled his eyes away from me and stared at something behind me. Turning around, I noticed Aunt Wendy standing there smiling just as wide as Mike. She sauntered closer with her eyes fixed on the man, completely oblivious to my presence.
"You look," Mike began to speak, but was rendered speechless by the beauty in front of him. "I can't pick a word to describe how enchanting you look." He took her hand in his to plant a little kiss on the back before handing her the bouquet of roses.
"Thank you for the flowers and the compliment," she managed to say despite the notable nervousness with her shaky fingers and flushed cheeks. I had never seen her like this. She was a flustered wreck and this made me chuckle.
I broke their entrancement with my stupid snicker before I cleared my throat and began to speak. "I'm sorry, but you guys are too cute already and I haven't seen her so flustered like this."
Her eyes widened at me in embarrassment. She was going to kill me later for saying that in front of him.
"I'm glad to be the first one to do that," Mike said to me while looking at her. His gaze on her was so strong and full of beautiful emotions that it made me wonder if I'd ever have that in my life. If I'd ever be happy and find love. If a man would even want to be with a girl who got raped.
"I think you guys should get going," I disrupted their eye contact and my thoughts.
"Yeah, we should," said Aunt Wendy.
"After you, my lady." Mike bowed and cleared the path for Queen Wendy.
"How adorable!" I squealed, making them both giggle. They walked down the steps and made their way towards a black Maserati. "Bloody rich bastard," I muttered under my breath and waved at them. "Have fun!" I shouted at them before they entered the vehicle and sped off.
Closing the door happily, I skipped to the kitchen to make some popcorn. Since I was all alone and feeling a bit good, Netflix would be an amazing company.
I didn't know that she was seeing Mike. It bothered me at first, but the way he looked at her threw all the doubts out the window. He looked like a good guy and I hoped he is unlike Leo and his dick of a brother. Aunt Wendy needed to settle down and I wouldn't mind if it was Mike. She'd lead a good life with him seeing that he owns a luxury car. What else would he shower her with. She deserved it all. All the happiness in the world would be less for her.
I was curious to know how they set it all up and how long this had been going on for. I'd be sure to ask her about it after I tell her about my two week break from work. She'd be thrilled.
The door bell ran once again. "Again?" I mumbled to myself. Maybe she forgot something. I wobbled towards the door taking my sweet time. "What did you forget?" My breath hitched immediately upon finding someone else standing in front of me as my eyes widened. I wasn't expecting him.
"Hello, love," he said, his deep, husky voice sending a chill down my spine as usual.
"L-Leo," I stammered nervously in fear. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to check up on you. See how you were doing."
"I'm doing fine. You may leave now." I began to shut the door in his face when he grabbed it with one hand preventing me from closing it any further.
"Please, love," he pleaded. "Don't shut me out. I just want to talk. That's all."
I stood there frozen thinking about whether I should let him in or not. I had my phone in my hand and 911 on speed dial. Let him try something and he'd be in jail before he knows it. "Fine," I finally muster up the courage to say. "Come in."
He entered, walking past me. "You have a lovely home," he said, looking around my humble abode.