29-year-old ZJ, a resilient androgynous Malaysian, tragically lost her family in a car crash when she was 18. Growing up in Oldham, she took up waitressing under precarious conditions and pursued a part-time college degree, despite a job that offere...
"Did you come here willingly or was Abs' life depends on it?" Milla quipped.
"So, you are intrigued," I gave a smug. We headed for the outdoor stairs that were connected to the terrace leading down towards the back garden.
"Things have escalated since the last time I saw you. So, yeah I was curious," Milla affirmed. "So, what debt did you owe to Nick?"
"For believing that he's the antagonist to Abs story," I replied. "When all along Abs is the villain to mine." I left a pause for some response but Milla looked down at the stairs we were plodding. "I was expecting 'I told you so' from you."
"Nah, I'll pass," Milla answered. "Your conscious is already aware that Abs' a jackass, but your heart said otherwise. So, what happened to Abs now?"
We reached the bottom of the stairs and walked on the grass areas towards the marque. Our breaths fogged up to visible wisps of cold smoke.
"I don't know, he can go to hell for all I care," I shrugged bitterly. Milla turned to face me, raising her right eyebrow indicating she was confused. "We broke up," I clarified.
"So, you came to Nick for redemption? Or for rebound?" she interrogated.
Her questions caused me to hold my breath, feeling that she was piecing some puzzles in her head. Was she sensing my initial intention to my newfound friendship? Or was she genuinely asking because those were the possible missing links?
"I just want to establish a treaty to clear off my debt," I responded. "That's my new year's resolution."
"Okay. I hope you meant what you said," Milla said in a relief tone. "Not that I am judging but he has gone through a lot of heartbreak trusting people. It made him to become the person he wasn't."
"How was he any different?" I asked. I was aware that Nick's outer layer was as hard as a deadly battle tank but inside he's just a caring person. He's into narcotics but with a heart of Robin Hood.
"You'll know him better once you get to know him," Milla replied. "As a matter of fact, I think you might be the right person for it."
"For what?" I asked warily.
We entered an enclosed reception area outside the marquee and resume our discussion.
"You need to talk him through his inner self, let him open up to you," Milla suggested. "And make him quit his racketeering job. Maybe he could give in to peer pressure."
"No, he told me that it wasn't easy to let go off his gangster duties," I shook my head.
"So, he'll continue killing people?" Milla widened her eyes at me. "That place is making him sick, he's not that sort of guy. You need to take him out of there."
"It's risky for me to do it," I excused. "Why don't you talk him through? You two are best friends."
"I'm out of touch, ZJ. Besides, you're his soft spot," Milla pointed out. "Something that I didn't have. And he looks at you differently too."
"How different? He looks at everybody the same."
"Nick's not a quick-tempered guy, he just acted that way to daunt people. Agree?" she said. "But what happened back there was a different Nick I've never seen before. Even you and I felt it too."
I agree to this. What happened earlier was real and he was genuinely angry. But I would presume that it was fuelled by the presence of Idris Elba dupe causing him to feel uncomfortable. And being a supporter for equality like me. So, bias treatment to a non-alcoholic drinker like me even by an effeminate waiter could cause him to cringe.
"But ZJ, if you have any other intention involving your own selfish gain, I urge you to pull out immediately because I don't want to see him hurt anymore," Milla casted a worried look at me and smiled. "So, when will you two getting hitched?"
I choked in surprise by her unexpected question. "I don't date my boss. It's against my principle."
"Some principles are manmade which can be ignored if your heart tells you, right?" she smirked cunningly. "I bet he checked up on your Kardashian ass once in a while when you're not looking."
"I highly doubt it," I denied, fidgeting.
"Don't be daft, ZJ. You're not listening to your heart hard enough to see the connection between you two. You both rocked the chemistry table," Milla smirked.
"What about you? Is there anyone else in your life?" I changed the subject.
Milla laughed to this. "Not that it matters."
"I just want to make sure that you are happy," I shrugged.
"Some happiness can be found when you are alone, ZJ. You should know that." She shifted her attention to the noise inside the marquee before turning to me. "Do you want to have another dance for old time sake?"
"For all time sake," I echoed.
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