Falling

5 | Butter Croissant

Sleep was anything but peaceful that night. Haunted where the dreams of my past and I tossed and turned all night. Before crawling into bed I had ripped up that fucking paper and tossed it in the trash. But it weighed in on me, and I was drained.

My eyes were heavy as I walked into the bright light of the sun while opening the shades in my living room. I debated calling Tatum.

I was more nervous at what she saw or heard, worried that maybe she had found a key to my past. But those were selfish thoughts and for that reason I searched for my phone.

After the second ring she answered "GIRL. I was literally just about to call you," she took a breath and continued "what happened last night?"

I could tell by the worry in her voice she didn't want to let on how nervous she had been, and for that my eyes almost started watering.

"I'm so sorry Tatum... I-"

"Wait. Before you tell me, I want you to know I love you, and would never force you to reveal something you didn't want to."

"I don't deserve you. But no, I got a call from my Aunt who I haven't heard from in 10 years," lying left a bad taste on my tongue...

"I did not want to leave you but I was so worried and shocked that I found myself outside and grabbing the next cab home to really talk to her." I finished with a sigh. My heart clenched at the force it took to lie.

"Of course I'd understand, but never run off like that! I thought you died! Or.. or got kidnapped!" She sounded stressed.

"If it wasn't for that strange man who you had relay the message, I would hav called the cops!"

"I'm sorry Tatum, really I am. The man... he brought you home? No?" I asked with a hint of anxiety, curious of what was really revealed to her.

"Yes. Stupid I know, but you seemed to trust him much and I was already a bit tipsy from that one drink.  He showed me his ID and made me send it to Mads.. I guess it was stupid but I trusted it..," I hated that I made her make a decision like that.

"Oh god Tatum I'm sorry. He... he's someone I had recognized from the bar when I was getting our drinks. We had a quick convo and.., I don't know we both made stupid decisions of trust," I didn't even know how to justify this lie anymore. And it hurt to tell it to Tatum.

"Well, it's behind us now. As long as you're safe and know you can always tell me anything. I trust you enough as an adult, but just never leave my side like that again bitch!" she said with a bit of amusement at the end.

Smiling again I said "I'm sorry again, and I'm glad you made it home safe too."

"I'm going to come by later this week okay? I have to go home to visit my parents from Sunday until Thursday... keep in touch okay?" She asked.

"Of course Tatum... please be safe and call me whenever, I love you"

"I love you more, see you soon babes," and then she hung up.

The tension in my shoulders slowly left. She was safe and that's all that should matter, but I couldn't get the fact I had to lie to her out of my head.

Deciding I should get changed and ready for the day, I moved back into my room.

His eyes were ingrained in my memory. The way he looked at me with such arrogance and smugness, but at the same time so much control. I shivered at the memory.

I would never admit aloud... and I hated even thinking it. But he was devishly handsome.  And I could start to see why all of Manhattan, no, the world, was smitten over this man. Dante Brown was most definitely an important powerful man, and for that was the reason I was in this mess.

Shaking my head I finished getting ready for the day. Deciding I'd head into my favorite coffee shop for a morning coffee and a delicious breakfast to get my mind off things. Obviously it wouldn't work. But it was worth a try.

____________________________________

"Thank you" I spoke to the cab driver as I exited the backseat.

The coffee shop was only a 7 minute cab ride away from my apartment. So we were here in no time. I took a step up to the door and pulled the handle.

The smell of coffee and biscuits filled my senses and my stomach responded with a soft grumble. Stepping up to the counter I ordered my favorite ice coffee and a butter croissant to eat.

As I was waiting for my order, I noticed the TV on in the corner of the room, and on it was none other than Dante Brown.

"Thank you Mayor. I look forward to our future in bettering our local economy as a team, and want nothing more than a bright future for Brown Industries" came the calm and collected voice from the TV screen. It looked to be some sort of press conference and I wondered why it was being aired.

My eyes narrowed and my heart rate spiked. It seemed at just the sight of him my body reacted. And I hated it.

"Amelia! Your order's ready." Came a voice to my left. I thanked the girl and grabbed my coffee and food. Settling in a chair and table opposite the direction of the tv, I began to eat.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a shadow move towards me. Looking up my eyes met with what appeared to be a stranger. An attractive stranger at that. He was tall, but lean and had beautiful golden brown eyes. He held a soft smile and started to talk.

"I couldn't help but notice a beautiful girl sitting alone," I cringed a little at that, but he was trying. "And I was wondering what one had to do to get that said girls number?" He finished with a nervous smile. I shifted all my attention on the young man next to me, and gave him a smile.

"I was told not to talk to strangers," I played along, entertaining the light flirting.. god knows I need some distraction.

He smiled again and said "Well let's change that... my name is Asher, I'd love to know yours."

"Amelia. My name is Amelia." I answered. He kept his smile and extended his hand for a handshake.

I couldn't help but laugh at the gesture, but shaking his hand anyway.

"Well Amelia, I don't want to intrude, so if you wouldn't mind I'd love to leave my number to get in touch soon?" He said with a hopeful glint in his eyes. He seemed nervous.

Deciding I'd put him out of his misery, I gave him my number and he wished me a good rest of my day and left.

That was interesting to say the least...