Page 39 of Sweet
I leaned against her as her smell wrapped around me, instantly taking the pain away. “Yes, let’s go home.”
CHAPTER TEN
DREAM
“Ahhh.”I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, basking in the sun. Its warmth beamed down on my face, thawing my blue mood. “No more storm clouds.” I took a small sip of my coffee before catching my reflection in the salon window. “Oh!” I admired myself, securing the tight tube top and adjusting the band of my oversized sweats. The little jewels on my freshly manicured nails glistened in the sunlight. I raised my hand high, admiring my nail tech’s hard work.
These bad boys are going to look so good clawing down his back. Too bad I won’t be able to sink my teeth into him for a few days.
My smile fell and I started to feel blue again. “No…no storm clouds.” I took another sip of my coffee, putting my earphones in as I picked a song to listen to on my walk home.
Today had been my first real day off in a while and I was currently trying to find ways to fill it without Felix. He had spent the last couple days at my apartment resting, and only just returned to work. Thankfully, he had no broken bones or major injuries, but he was beat up and pretty sore, completely drained from the wreck. I did everything I could to help him rest and recover, but he fought me the whole time.
Silly stalker.
“Oh!” I took another sip of my coffee, stepping into the local pet store.
Lady Zaza needs some more crickets.
I scanned the wall of colorful fish tanks, their flickering lights resembling tiny little raves. “You guys need some music.” I stuck one of my earphones against the glass tank, swaying with the music, pretending to DJ to the little glowy fish. They swam around, creating a moving rainbow of neon. I giggled, then removed the headphone and returned it to my ear. “See you next time, little ravers.” I continued past the remaining tanks and made my way to the live insects. The employee working recognized me, her face beaming as she hurried to get me some crickets.
We spoke for a few minutes, the two of us geeking out over our spiders and other bugs, before another customer politely interrupted us, asking for help. The employee excused herself and I left to check out.
I stepped back out onto the sidewalk, raising the clear tub of crickets high. They jumped around in a frenzy, perfectly plump and grown. “Lady Zaza is going to love you,” I whispered. A smile grew along my face, remembering how Felix had taken the time to learn how to care for my tarantula, despite being obviously terrified of spiders. Just to help me out.
I never once imagined I’d actually want something else in life other than money and power…but yet here I am, obsessing over my stalker. I guess I really am crazy.
I clutched the tub close and spun around in glee.
“I should hurry and get you little guys home,” I said to the insects. A tinge of sadness hit my heart as I continued my journey, realizing that referring to the apartment without Felix didn’t really feel like home. It felt empty.
Felix wouldn’t be back tonight and told me he'd be staying at his place for a few nights.
The storm clouds in my mind returned, and I felt blue again.
I pulled out my phone and sent a simple text to him.
Miss you.
He didn’t respond, but a few seconds later, the song I was listening to changed to one he knew I loved. I smiled and my phone buzzed.
Better?
I sent back an emoji of a kissy-faced bunny. Felix hearted it and I immediately felt better.
Get home safe, cottontail.
I hearted his message and stuck the phone back in my pocket, floating on cloud nine.
I followed my usual path home, turning down an alley that cut through to the neighborhood across from my building. The sun drifted behind the clouds, setting the world in a shadowy blanket. The alley got a little dark, but I kept on, listening to the song. I stopped and glanced up at the sky for a moment, feeling an odd sensation along my back.
Someone’s eyes are on me…not curious, hungry eyes like when Felix stalked me. No…these feel dangerous. Violent.
I gently pulled one of the earphones from my ear and lowered my head, looking back to see Ray standing only a few feet away from me. He was wearing a gray hoodie, his hands stuffed into his pockets as he looked at me with that wicked smile of his.
“Mija.”
I turned to face him, keeping a straight face. “Ray.” I hesitated, and he remained still. “I thought I told you to leave me alone?” He took a step forward as a sense of impending doom reached from his shadow and snaked up into my chest.
