Sugar And Ice

chapter 22

            Walking back to my apartment after work. I look up at the sky, no stars but still lit up with the city lights. It's been six months since we left. Returning back home or atleast I thought my home. My mother made the decision to sell the bakery that very day. And we moved away as quickly as we could. We managed to change our identity as best we could. Getting rid of anything that could be trace to us.

             I told her everything that happened, every single detail except the intimate stuff that happened between Dimitri and myself. She's still confused on my father's part as she doesn't recollect anything strange about him or any memory about anyone in particular... To her in her memory, everything was normal. Hazel mentioned that she doesn't remember because of the shield she has on. She ask me if I wanted it off but for now. I think it's safest to keep it on.

             My mother moved to Florida and retired with the money she made selling her business and the money she's been saving as her retirement plan. As far as we know, no one knows our true identities. I went to New York. A very crowded city. Hoping it'll be very difficult to be found in it.

"Hi Mila, how was work? " Mr. Jones ask. Who's my elderly neighbor, holding the door for me as he's leaving and I'm going in into our apartment complex.

"Just the same as everyday, thank you" Smiling at him. Making my way in. "I'll see you tomorrow." Waving at him.

             I work at a small bakery in the kitchen area. Keeping myself hidden from everyone. My mother's childhood friend got me the job and the apartment. It's on a rent controlled apartment building which i can afford at the price they've had it since they were friends.

            Opening the door, i head straight to my black couch and turn the TV on. Putting my food on the wooden coffee table. It's a simple one bedroom apartment. White walls and one window in the living room. Small kitchen, one bathroom. Your typical small New York apartment.

          Seating down, i take my shoes off. For tonight, I got myself chinese food for dinner. My once and a while treat. Normally, I try to just eat in and keep it simple. My phone starts ringing. Looking down, it's my mother.

"Hello"

"Hey sweetie, how was work?"

"Same as always, everything was great. Just baking away. What about you? "

"Just sunshine and drinks. I'm playing bingo with the girls. Just wanted to catch you after work."

"That sounds fun." Chewing on my food as we talk.

"Anything new?"

Knowing exactly what she means.

"Nothing new. But I'm always keeping my eyes and ears open."

"Mila...."

"No mom. I love you. I got to go."

"I love you too, bye honey." Both of us hanging the phone up at the same time.

              My mom keeps insisting on me going back to Dimitri. She says the way I looked at him and the way he looked at me was real love. That she knows in her heart he's the one for me. She could be right but I can't. Not until I figure out everything.

              I finish my dinner, turing the TV off. Picking up my mess, going to the kitchen to throw it away.

I go to my bedroom directly to my bathroom. I turn the bath water on to take a bath. Putting in bubble bath mixture. I take my clothes off. Regular jeans and white top. looking at myself in the mirror.