Whimsical Perfection

7. Nothing

"Life... is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."
                  —Macbeth, Macbeth

~♤ ▪︎ ♤ ▪︎ ♤~

Someone left the fucking curtains open again. Just who keeps messing my order of things?

Squinting because of the incoming sunlight, I blindly sent a hand to my left, successfully catching hold of my phone before it fell, again. Thank God for fluffy carpets. The bright light of the phone made me wince and groan. Just what had I done yesterday?

But as the clock showed me it was already eleven in the morning, while I have a meeting at one, made me jump out of bed like it was on fire. Two hours just weren't enough to perfect that perfect icy look I needed every morning. More hell if I was suddenly hungry and needed to eat.

Removing all my clothes off me haphazardly, I was about to hop in the shower, when I caught sight of something red on my skin in the mirror. Oh no, there is something else to add to my hangover? On going closer to the mirror to get a better look, I realized it was a huge red mark on my neck, as if someone had choked me.... fuck. Someone really did choke me.

Looking at how it had obviously worsened, something terrible must have happened yesterday, but why couldn't I remember? Bloody hell! This was gonna take all of my time. Deciding to deal with it later, I jumped in the shower to cleanse off yesterday's smell of alcohol and vomit and everything that was on me.

All the while I was getting ready, I tried hard to recall what had happened, but only had hazy and extremely jumbled memories in my mind. I was sure that yesterday, I went to drink with Aaliyah, then how could I have gotten this bruise? I even woke up alone in my bed this morning, and there was no trace of a man in my house. So it couldn't be a stranger too. Just who the fuck had decided they could mess with me like that? I really hope it wasn't some random stranger because I would love to give them a piece of my mind for almost taking my life.

I somehow managed to cover it up with makeup, and headed straight for John's office. Today was the last meeting where we sit all the cast members together and have a full reading of the play, so that the rehearsals can start after. The car ride was a short one, and I reached in no time, with my handbag in one hand and a Starbucks cup in the other.

Pulling the door to the conference room open, I walked in and realized that it was empty, except for one chair that was occupied by some man. Upon hearing the door open, the chair that had its back towards the door, twisted around and a man way too familiar spoke up,

"Good morning John. Finally I get to see–"

But the words died in his throat once our eyes met. The way his stare hardened after he gave a once over suddenly brought back a shit ton of memories. The bar, the uninvited guests, squabble in the washroom, and the bruise on my neck. This man was the bastard who dared to touch me like that. If I hated him earlier, it was nothing compared to how much I abhorred him now. Now that I got all my memories back after seeing his face, it only proved how ominous he really was. Turning my life topsy turvy in just a second, he was now after my sanity.

Without a word, I gave him a last glare and walked off to find my seat, which was unfortunately right across his. But I knew this devil won't let me live in peace. He immediately remarked,

"Are you not even going to greet me now?"

"I don't think we were told to be extra chummy with each other. Just do your job and let me do mine, that's all we have to do."

He chuckled at my cold reply, and then said, "You really have the ability to make people feel like shit."

My nose flared with anger as I took in his words. Knowing full well that I can't work in this state of mind, I was trying hard to not bring up yesterday's incident, and wanted to do my job quietly, but he was too damn persistent.

Standing up abruptly, I bit back. "Yeah? I don't think I have it better than you, since I don't ever remember going around threatening people with my hands on their neck. If you can just stop bothering me for a second and shut the fuck up, we might be able to work together. But the way you're so damn insistent on ruining my day everyday, I don't think I can go for long before I resign and close this damn project.

"It will be all because of you, and you know what, I wouldn't even regret it because if I need this play badly, you need it more than me. You think I don't know that you're on the brink of retirement? Don't you dare to fuck with me first thing in the morning, or else you and I will both suffer. And for your information, I'll suffer gladly."

By the time I was finished, he looked so red, as if he would burst any moment now. But i was a tenacious woman, this scumbag could never harm me again. I was ready to take whatever he was about to throw at me, when the door opened again and a bunch of people entered. The other cast members, John and the other producers entered too. It was time for the meeting, and he had to shut up.

"Oh wow, you both are already here? What a pleasant surprise! But pardon us for not being on time, let's not waste any more minutes and start right away." John announced as soon as he entered, being totally oblivious to the mood in the room.

Looking at Isaac's fuming red countenance, I smirked sneakily at him while I answered John, "Good morning to you too. And it's fine, you can definitely be a few minutes late. Let's start now, so that we can finish this on time."

Take this, you supercilious bastard. It's always gonna be an eye for an eye with me.

~♤ ▪︎ ♤ ▪︎ ♤~