freak out with worry. I’m sure she’s anxious after the bomb I accidentally dropped on her.
Ricky doesn’t want me to leave but I assure him I’ll see him shortly. He gives me a sweet kiss goodbye. Mm, he looks so boyishly handsome and sexy as he lies naked in bed with his rumpled morning hair. Like an underwear model. He makes a quick call to Antonio, who promptly shows up to take me back home.
After a pretty quick ride, I arrive at my much more modest apartment in the stretch limo to see an unexpected and unwelcome sight at my door. What the hell? It’s Mike. And he’s sitting on the outside steps with flowers.
“What the…” I mutter in disbelief and annoyance.
“Ms. Belle, is everything okay? Do you know that man?” Antonio asks with concern.
“Um, yes. It’s alright, Antonio.” I try to figure out what to do. Why is he here? The sight of him repulses me.
“Ms. Belle, if you’d like, we can go elsewhere. Or I can escort you inside to your home.”
“No, it’s quite alright. Thank you, Antonio.” Then after a pause, “Well, you can stay a moment if you don’t mind.”
“Of course, Ms. Belle.”
“And please, just call me Belle,” I smile sweetly at him. He smiles back then looks at Mike warily. Antonio exits and opens the door for me.
I see Mike’s eyes widen as he see s me emerge from the limo. I wave goodbye to Antonio as I walk towards my apartment and ugh, Mike. I don’t look back but I know Antonio is waiting, just in case.
“Belle? What the fuck? Where are you coming from?” Mike glares angrily at me and then at Antonio.
“Excuse me? It’s none of your business. Mike, what the hell are you doing here anyway?”
“I came to see you last night and Julia said you were out on a date. What the fuck, Belle? All night? I came back this morning and you’re just getting back? And who the fuck is Jeeves over there?”
“You’ve got some nerve. Leave. Right now. I have nothing to say to you.” I feel the red hot anger choking me.
Mike’s eyes narrow in anger as he starts to say something, then looks at Antonio ’s large frame and stops. He shakes his head and seems to think better of it. He takes a deep breath and calmly puts the flowers down on the steps.
“Okay, Belle. I didn’t come here to start a fight with you. I see this isn’t a good time.”
I glare at him. It will never be a good time!
“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I’ll come back some other time.”
“Don’t. I’d rather you not.” I storm past him and quickly enter my building.
I breathe a sigh of relief when I see that he doesn’t follow me. The last thing I need is a scene. Once I get inside, my heart sinks. Just seeing him brings the anger and pain rushing back.
I know I can’t ever trust him or see him in the same light ever again. Why is he doing this to me? After all the lies and cheating? Is it for his stupid ego that he’s refusing to let me move on? Pathetic. I just wish he’d just leave me alone.
Although I don’t ever want to be with that loser again, I can’t help feeling miserable. He’s a sad reminder of my pain and my naïve misplaced trust. Hasn’t he caused enough damage? My heart sinks and I just want to cry. Why doesn’t he disappear and waste someone else’s time? Asshole!
Take a deep breath, Belle! I force myself to calm down before I enter my apartment. It’s not fair for him to affect me this way. I refuse. I won’t let him. And I don’t want to alarm Julia. He’s ancient history in my mind. I take a few minutes to compose myself.
Think happy thoughts. My mind returns to the perfect night I spent with Ricky, and the exciting times ahead to look forward to. I force a smile on my face before I open my apartment door.
As I come in and throw my purse down, I hear Julia call out. “Belle? Is that you?” She comes running out.
“There you are! I was starting to get a little worried. Didn’t you see my texts?”
“Oh. No, I didn’t. I’m
Missy Tippens, Jean C. Gordon, Patricia Johns