(Now)

Bonus

09:02

Dad hadn’t come home at all last night, I was a little worried about him, but I also knew chances were he had slept over one of his mistress’s houses. This happened very frequently. I hated to admit it, but I liked when he didn’t come home. It was peaceful and I felt safe.

1 rushed in the moming, making breakfast and coffee, and then running down to my car. I sat down and started it, but it wouldn’t start. Shit. Of course, this had to happen. I had to get to work. I couldn’t miss work. Or worse, be late.

Not wanting but having to, I called up Tommy. He answered in a drowsy voice. “I’m so sorry, were you asleep?” I asked.

“Just woke up.” He answered, “What’s up?”

“My car broke down. I have to get to work. Can you please drive me?

He yawned, and I felt terrible for asking. “Sure.” He said. “I’ll be down in five.” He hung up, and I sighed in relief. Looking around, making sure my father wasn’t around, I fished out a cigarette from my car and smoked it while I waited.

“Seriously, Flora?” Tommy laughed. “It’s the fucking morning.”

I shrugged. “One cigarette

He cocked his head to the side, frowning, but didn’t say anything. We quickly got into his car and he began to drive. “Thanks so much, Tommy. I’ll bake you a cake for this.”

He laughed. “No need. You need me to pick you up as well?”

“If you can.” I said. “I’ll call a mechanic today after work. Hopefully it will get fixed.”

“I’ll take a look at it. Give me your keys.” I looked through my bag for a solid two minutes before finding the keys, and handed them to him.

We drove silently. The car ride seemed much shorter now that he was with me. As we neared the gates, I saw Felix from a distance. He was running. He had Airpods in, I think.

His light blue shirt was drenched in sweat. As he ran towards the gates from the other side, he spared a callous glance to Tommy’s car. He ignored us, but then looked back. His eyes zeroed in on me in the car. Tommy stopped the car and Felix slowed down his run. I hurriedly got out, thanking Tommy and running to match pace with Felix till we

were entering the compound together.

“Felix.” [breathed. “Good morning.”

“Ms. White.” He said curtly. He looked back at Tommy once again before quickening his pace and running inside. I slowed down and started walking. Following him

I made my way to the kitchen, and Hannah was already there. She smiled when she saw me. “Flora!” I have to rush out somewhere. Felix will eat breakfast in twenty minutes. He has to go to work so make sure you aren’t late.” I nodded. Before I could ask any questions, she was rushing out the kitchen and then out of the house.This is property © .

In a normal case this would be an inconvenience – since I wouldn’t know what to cook. But I knew Felix like the back of my hand. At least, I used to

I made him an omelet with cheese, mushrooms, peppers, onion and sausage. With that I toasted some bread and made some coffee. He didn’t used to drink coffee, five years ago

. But I saw a machine there, so I just assumed he would want some. I kept sugar and cream to the side. I heard him descend the stairs, so I hurriedly rushed and set the table for him to eat. He sat down, not looking at me. I stood to the side, watching him. He took a sip of his coffee first, frowned, and then added some sugar. I made a mental note in my head. It felt like he was so distant from me. He was a whole new person now. I didn’t know what to make of him. The least I could do was try to learn new things about him.

When he took a bite of the omelet, I felt compelled to ask, “Do y eyes on me the whole time. I shifted, feeling like I could fall to the flour anytime. His eyes narrowed. “Ms. White. Are you hurt?”

You like it?” He turned his head slowly and fixed me with a stare. He chewed slowly, his

My hand ran instinctively to my eye, cupping it. I had put on makeup this morning. I had tried to conceal it as best as I could, but if you concer enough, you could still make out the deep purple bruise underneath.

Felix stood up from his chair and walked to me. Finally. Finally, he was acknowledging me. I knew he remembered. He was just mad. He would accept me now. He would take me back.

He stopped half a foot away from me. But it was still close enough to drive me mad. I wanted to reach out and touch him. I wanted to feel his skin on mine. I was desperate for it.

“Does he hit you? The guy wh

guy who drove you, today?”

“It wasn’t him.” I whispered. “I fell. I swear.”

His fists clenched, and he closed his eyes. His jaw was clenched. Felix had changed so much, but he was still the same. The boy I had grown up with, the man I had loved. I gathered all my courage, and slowly reached out to touch his face. I couldn’t. He stepped back. I felt a lump building in my throat.

*Felix, please.”

He

eturned away, quickly getting out of the house.

I wanted to follow him, but I knew I hadn’t broken in with him, still.

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