Beneath the Ink (COMPLETE)

Overcome

Rhodes Beverley

I shaded in the edges to the center of each pedal, wiping it, doing it again to ensure I was doing alright.

I heard Maddie, our piercer humming Daddy Issues by The Neighborhood.

The bell of the door rang and I looked up, seeing Cecelia walking in.

I was both happy and confused.

She looked at me and smiled.

I cleared my throat.

"Excuse me." I whispered.

"I'm gonna use the restroom real quick is that alright?" The client asked and I nodded.

She walked to me with a bag.

"It's your order from the pub." She said and I nodded, taking it.

"You'll be here a while?" She asked.

I loved her freckles.

"Well is the tattoo fun at least?" She smiled.

"I'll take that as a no." She handed me a plastic cup.

"Water." She said.

I couldn't lie, this was fucking cute.

"Did y-you buy th-this?" I whispered.

She shrugged.

I immediately went to search for my wallet after setting these down.

"No." She said.

I ignored her, going to my station.

I grabbed my wallet, she took it from me.

"No." She repeated.

I rolled my eyes.

"Don't do that! I can buy things too." She crossed her arms over her chest, pressing her breasts up higher in the tank top she wore.

She looked where my eyes had been and scoffed.

I knew she was prepared to lecture me about being a gentleman because that's who she is.

But I smirked and she stopped, snapping her mouth shut.

"No. I don't want your money." She finished.

I held my hand out.

"Don't pull money out of this wallet or I will leave, blasting in the fastest sprint I can manage which isn't that fast but I'll do it!" She squinted.

I just held firm.

She set the wallet in my hand gently.

I opened it, remembering I had cash.

She ran. Literally, like a doe, ran out of the shop.

I think this was the closest I've been to laughing in a very long time.

-

I knocked on her door like I didn't know she was currently crying at her dining table while doing bills.

I count.

Three seconds to pull her bun tighter, five to wipe her tears and mascara from under her eyes, five to walk to the door, three for a deep breath.

Open.

"Hi." She gave a smile almost believable, but I knew her too well.

"W-why the te-tears?" I swallowed, my throat so fucking dry.

Immediately her body slumped, her smile gave.

I frowned.

She shook her head, wiping her eyes before the waterworks began again.