25. Hectic life

The next day Brice leaves my apartment just after breakfast saying that he has a meeting with his agent, then Gemma waltz into my apartment just seconds after him, her face didn't look so friendly.

"So, just like that...you're back with him?"

"Gemma, please don't do this..." I know she was not pleased that I took him back so easily.

"What caring for you? looking out for you? what if he decides to ditch you again? for god's sake Ella, you're not even a stalker, you're just a fan, a very devoted fan maybe. But you don't follow him around and wait for him in some dingy corner." Gemma stared at me in frustration making me feel bad.

"It's his past Gemma, I told you,"

"I know, but what I'm trying to say is be careful."

"I will."

She sighed knowing there's nothing that would change my decision about Brice. Maybe I was a fool, hell...maybe I'm such a masochist for his love.

"Promised?" she raised her pinky like we were back in elementary, keeping each other's crush a secret.

"Promised." I smiled and held out my pinky and swore my heart out just like when we were kids.

Gemma sits on the kitchen stool after helping herself to bottled water from the fridge.

"Alright, that's settled, now we talk about Jacqueline. Did you know your brothers are asking about her, have Benji told you about this?"

"Wait, what?" I almost choke on my coffee. Percy and Grady would flip if they know that my neighbors Jacqueline and Benji are sugar babies.

"Yeah, they're like asking, asking, you know...as if they're interested in dating her, and I know how they feel about people paying for sex. Imagine how they feel about people who are earning from it?"

"Oh, shit."

"Right? Jeez, once they know, they would haul your ass to one of their fancy bachelor pad."

"Have you told them?"

"Are you freaking kidding me? I just got you back, I'm not risking their judgemental asses and plucking you away from me. Nope, I can't be dragged away with you. I'm good here, and I need you here with me."

I giggle when she held out her pinky and for the second time that day she made me swear not to tell them about Jacqueline and Benji.

We talked for another fifteen minutes before she leaves for the office and I was about to start on my painting when I receive a call from Trisha asking me to meet at the gallery.

"Yeah sure, I'm available, let me get ready and I'll see you in about an hour."

I was half excited to start my day, well... I wanted to go out and get coffee and have my favorite espresso brownie from the coffee shop around the corner. Lately, my days had consisted of people frequently asking about my state of mind, but just like a very good drug Brice had cured me of my depression. Or maybe not, but I didn't really care about that. The fact was I'm feeling better, much better.

I was happy, content, and strangely... felt like I was being followed. I looked back to the walkway behind me, several people were minding their own thing, busy walking towards somewhere. Am I being paranoid, what is going on? that's when I thought I wasn't completely cured by my Brice Drug.

Pushing the thoughts away, I decided to walk faster and relax when I entered the small coffee shop to get my coffee and have my breakfast brownie there. Maybe I just need my brownie, because the feeling was gone afterward and I reached the gallery just fine when exiting the taxi.

Yes, I've been revoked in using my car by Grady, that brother was too uptight that he doesn't want me driving around alone after my release from the hospital. He offered me his driver and I reject him haughtily and decided to take a taxi instead, obviously without him knowing. To his knowledge I was still at my apartment, Brice free, painting the day away.

Knowing Grady, he would want to know my whereabouts at all times. Growing up I tend to like Percy better, he's not too uptight. But now being a wealthy grownup made him more like Grady and we drifted apart since a couple of years back that's when I decided to latch myself to Gemma and get an apartment together.

"Ella! come here..." Trisha called me out when she saw me enter the Gallery. Her partner, Devon hugged me, and Briana her quirky assistant offered if I want something to drink.

"No thanks Bree, I'm good." I smiled and let myself be dragged away by Devon to Trisha at the back, who's apparently busy sorting through the deliveries for the Gallery.

"I'm so glad you're back with us," Devon started his greeting, his hands were gesturing wildly as he showed some of my newer pieces and a couple of other artists that were going to be displayed next week. 

"Thanks, Dev, you've been..."

"Ssh, I don't want to hear it," he kissed my cheek then pinch it, forcing me to smile at him, "...you, my princess can have as many meltdowns as you want. Be the diva that you are and create..."

"Dev!" Trisha cut his words and put her hand to his mouth.

"Don't listen to this little dweeb."

I smiled at Trisha and Devon, I always like these two coworkers. They've been so nice to me when I was even at my worst, well...according to them, my worst is when I break out from my shell and produced my greatest pieces.

"Boss, you love this little dweeb." He winked at her and sashayed his way to his office waving his hand telling us that he has stuff to do. I was giggling at their little banter, I have forgotten how I like being in the midst of their working environment. I don't go to the gallery often, but when I do, it felt like home.

"I may have to call your husband to come and get you! I'm sure Jordan had something to say about last night." Trisha giggled grabbing my arm and directing me to her office.

"Bitch, don't you dare!"

His words faded away as we walked further to her office, telling me not to worry about Devon.

"You know I like it here Trish, and strangely I like your little dweeb too."

We giggled louder the second she open her office door, she took her seat on her office sofa and I sit to her front as we discuss the exhibition arrangements for next week.

"Now, tell me if we're going too fast, okay? As always your attendance is not mandatory, again people like a mysterious artists. After what happened," Trisha took my hand and caressed it softly. "I suggest that you skip the event, let people be more curious about you..."

We talked for another hour then I ended up having lunch in her office with Devon babbling about his recent tropical getaway with his husband, Jordan.

They called me a taxi and I was getting inside the car when I felt someone was watching me again. Goosebumps trail from the back of my hand to the back of my neck in seconds. It was still bright daylight, I looked back to where I thought someone was watching me but once again, there was no one.

Once more, I push back my feelings and try to forget about them as I reached my place half an hour later. The traffic was still sparse, the end of office hour was not until an hour later and I relax the second I lock my door and throw myself onto my bed.

I'm good, stop imagining things, Ella.