09 — Until you come back

*… My angel, you're everything to me; the air I breathe, the reason my heart beats… And I don't know what will become of me if I spend one more instant away from you. I hope you can forgive me because I can't imagine my future without you. — Absolutely yours, Eric.*
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Letting out a loud, rueful grunt, I crumple this damn card within my fingers…
Hah, I can't believe he's doing this to me.
How is Eric able to write such empty words, after everything he did to me…? After impregnating Laura!
… Laura.
My eyes follow Laura's desk, and I notice that her expression is furious like her trembling lips. I can see the flames of hatred burning in her eyes that always seemed so innocent.
I take a deep breath, turning my eyes to the delicate flowers, the white petals that smell so sweet, but cause me nothing but a screaming anxiety… an urge to run away, to simply disappear…
Especially when everyone around me seems simply delighted with the attitude of my thoughtful boyfriend, without ever imagining the invisible wounds he has caused me. They just talk about how he's sweet for sending white flowers, declaring his love… Just look how lucky I am to have someone who cares so much for me… a romantic soul — my true love.
Bastard.
Setting my gaze on Laura, however, I notice that only the two of us know the cruel truth, the reality that lies beneath our shoulders…. And I really wish I could lie and say Laura's expression doesn't please me. But I'm not a liar.
Seeing the way that she crinkles her lips and tries to contain the burst of anger that's probably causing her to move her hands so eagerly brings a petty satisfaction to my chest.
I really shouldn't feel good to see her like that.
With a narrowed throat and my heart hammering hard in my chest, I hold the bouquet tightly in my trembling hands, crumpling the arrangement, walking over to the trash can.
Without thinking much about it, I open my hands and let it fall, making a loud, pleasurable noise that silences the surrounding voices, making everyone gasp.
I grab my bag, without looking at Laura or the others. I just walk steadily, feeling my appetite return after getting rid of this burden, and liking a bit more of the person I'm becoming.
***
While making my way through the busy streets of New York City, I came across a new establishment that opened recently… A cozy restaurant, with a nice atmosphere, wooden floors and furniture… A unique style, mixing rustic and industrial. And thanks to the good location, it’s quite crowed… I could hardly find a table to sit at.
But fortunately, I got a table, close to the counter.
When I sit down, I’m welcomed by a tall guy with military-style hair and piercing brown eyes that look at me expectantly, with a bright smile, “Welcome, what can I get you today?”
“Hi…” I lift my eyes and greet him with a smile, before lowering it to the menu on the table, “A club sandwich… and a lemonade, please.” I look at him again, watching as his smile widens slightly.
It's a nice smile.
“I'll bring it for you.” He says with a low tone, then turns away, moving past the counter and disappearing from my view….
“How dare you?” I hear Laura's shrill voice, which draws my surprised gaze, “Are you here to meet Eric?”
I frown, saying between my teeth, “What are you doing-”
“There's no use pretending to be innocent!” Laura shouts, resting her hands on her waist, looking around like she wants to draw attention from the other customers — which she does masterfully.
Hah… I really want to sink into this chair and disappear from here.
“Flowers, Angelee? Didn't I tell you to stay away from him?” She raises her tone, sounding even more shrill, if that's even possible.
I snort, closing my eyes tightly.
“He's the father of my baby, how can you act like this, so shameless?”
“Would you please shut your mouth?” I say low, almost hoarsely, finally opening my eyes and looking at her, “You're disturbing the other customers.”
“I wouldn't have to disturb anyone if you respected me!” Laura makes a victorious expression, arching her eyebrows up there, probably happy that people are whispering around me, looking judgmentally.
“Respect? That's a funny word when it comes out of your mouth.” I lean back in the incredibly comfortable chair, feeling my back relax, despite the chest hammering intensely in my chest and the blood bubbling within my veins.
“Ugh, my baby…!”
Laura puts her hand on her belly, arching slightly, letting out a loud painful moan, which makes me flinch and reach out towards her, trying to help, but… When I see a glimpse of her lips, rising in a smug smile, as she lowers her head, pretending to feel pain… I immediately regret worrying about this bitch for even a sec.
“You put me through so much stress…. What if my baby suffers because of you?”
What?
“Really, there's no conscience in you at all…? Disturbing a pregnant woman like that…. We used to be friends, Angelee… How can you act this way with me? I'm expecting a child!”
I open my mouth to protest, but a plate is placed on the table, making a discreet and slightly comforting noise. I raise my eyes, noticing that the guy is standing next to my table, placing the glass full of lemonade next to the lunch I probably won't be able to touch.
Laura also lifts her face, surprised to have her show interrupted — and the expression on her face catches my attention because it's a mixture of surprise and shock that makes her eyes widen slightly. She's looking directly at the man, who looks back at her, but with no hint of disturbance on his face.
She opens her lips, but no sound escapes. But soon lands her angry eyes on me, even sharper than before… burning in flames of hatred so intense that I'm surprised it doesn't burn them, “You're really a person with no shame at all.”
“Excuse me?”
“Now I understand why you came here…” Laura alternates her gaze between me and the guy, who is crossing his arms, making the muscles in his arms bulge slightly. And I can't help but notice his well-worked physique, although it's not as absurdly defined and sinful as Julian's-
… Wait, am I really thinking about him now…?
“My ex-boyfriend, Angelee? While you're dragging yourself at Eric's feet, are you trying to punish me by seducing my ex-boyfriend?”
... *Ex-boyfriend?*
I look surprised at the guy, who doesn't return my gaze — he just holds Laura's eyes with a neutral expression….
Is this really Laura's ex-boyfriend's restaurant?
My thoughts are interrupted when she points her long fingernail in my direction, but says to the guy, “That one… you should be careful with her… Despite her angelic appearance, she can be quite cunning.”
Then, Laura's sharp, harsh eyes land on me again, slightly narrowed, “And you, stay away from Eric!”
Without saying another single word, Laura walks out, slamming her red high heels across the floor, scratching my ears until the moment the door opens and the bell blends with the sound of her footsteps, like a comforting whistle.
Then suddenly, it's like everything goes back to normal and everyone returns to their own private worlds, oblivious to the mess Laura has left behind. However, it's not like I can rid myself of this immense shame that's taking over my face and making my cheeks probably red. Well… At least, it wasn't at the office.
With a regretful sigh, I lift my eyes, noticing that the Owner is looking at me sympathetically, probably feeling sorry for me. Unlike the other people who heard Laura's words and believed that I'm possibly the worst person in this world, he looks at me like… if he understands me, in a way.
“I'm sorry.” I say, wilting.
“It's okay.” He nods, with a sweet smile, not caring how my gaze penetrates his face….
Really, he doesn't have a familiar face, but there's nothing to be done, since Laura had so many boyfriends that I eventually stopped counting.
“I'll be over there if you need anything else.” He points to the counter and walks away with the expression from before, unwavering, yet serene…. Something that really envies me because I'm so transparent that people can read me like a children's book.
Hah… I just let another sigh escape my lips and took a sip of my lemonade, wetting my narrowed throat… All because of those damn white roses.
I take another sip, even more generously.
But somehow, I can calm myself… There's an evil omen spreading through my whole body, running up my spine in the shape of a chill.
In the back of my mind, my intuition screams that this is just the beginning of the hell that awaits me.
And when my phone beeps, I notice that, to my true and deep misfortune, I'm right again…
**[Did you like the flowers, my dear angel? I will send them to you every day... until you come back to me]**.