COMPLICATED

16. Wage.

Alec is sitting on the floor; he has not showered. He has downed a bottle full of whiskey and he was just going for another before I walked in.

"Alec. No." I walk to him and I grab the bottle from him.

"Give me the bottle. Let me drink my sorrows away." He tries to take it back but I walk to the sink and I pure are the whiskey in the remaining bottle.

An act that gets him real angry "what the fuck is wrong with you bitch," he yells out of nowhere throwing his laptop and phone that were at the table. And I watch their screens crush to pieces. "Don't act like you know my pain, you don't fucking know so leave me alone and stop pitying me."

Hearing him say those words hurt the hell out of me.

"what? Is that what you think? That I'm pitying you?" I move slowly closer to him despite the fear that he might throw something at me. "you are right I don't know the pain you are feeling, neither do I know what you are going through but I am not pitying you, you're more than a friend to me and you have been there for me not once not twice but very many times so let me fucking be there for you." I can't believe I'm saying all these. "so stop being a pussy and get in the shower your mother would like you to be present in her wage sober and strong for Ciara, you hear me?"

What I just said made him cool down. At least we are making progress.

Baby steps.

"yeah."

"Good, now make it quick they're waiting."
He slowly stands and walks to the bathroom. The room is a mess, so I pick the bottle on the floor and I drop it in the dustbin. I pick the destroyed phone and laptop and I place them on the table, I don't know what he'll do with that.

I walk to his closet and I pick a black suit that we picked from the store this morning and I lay it on the bed for him.

**********

We finally arrive at the church and I'm glad he has not broken down yet. Everybody is seated and the somber music is playing. The wage has already started and we walk to the second bench where Jake and Curtis are seated.

"what took you guys so long?" Curtis asks after we are seated next to him with Alec at the middle.

"Nothing, at least we are here." I whisper.
Sam walks to the pulpit. She is strong enough to run the ceremony. She is holding some papers in her hand.

She turns the mick on, "Ladies and gentlemen," she starts "we are gathered here today to celebrate the life of Mrs. James, we are so sad to loose such a good person and we really want justice to be done. The people behind this should pay."

"This session is for the loved ones and the people who were close to her to say something. My deep condolences to the James family."

Mr. James stands up and walks to the pulpit and gives sam a light paque before she goes to sit.

Moments later, the wage is over and the guests are living.

"guys something needs to be done with this shit man." Zac sounds so frustrated and I don't blame him at all.

"we just need to hold on a little bit, the evidence against them is almost done and the warrant of arrest will be issued." Taylor says rubbing Ciara's back comfortingly.

He has been there for her.

Suddenly, I hear footsteps from behind me with heels hitting the marble floor as someone walks in and I watch as everyone raise their eyes to look over my shoulders.
"life was peaceful without you know." Curtis whines rolling his eyes all the way up, he really looks disappointed to see her.

With everyone rolling their eyes after looking at her I get curious and turn only to come face to face with the bitch from the restaurant "oh God it's you again." I voice my thoughts and Danny looks at me.
"you've met her?" she asks.

I open my mouth to answer but, "yeah."  She beats me at it. "well I won't deny that you two freaks looks like each other."

Jake's voice is low and intimidating "please show yourself out. This is really not the right time, Liz."

She doesn't do as told though "oh, don't deny you missed me." She smirks flopping in the seat.

"why didn't anyone tell me that you guys are griefing." She fakes disappointment. "imagine finding it out from the news." She looks at Alec who's is holding my hand and I'm holding his tightly "looks like the death of your mother got you wordless. But anyway condolences Alec." She keeps quiet for a moment to hear what Alec has to say and when he keeps quiet, she glances at Ciara who is leaning weakly on Taylor. "you too blondie." Ciara doesn't even look at her

"I don't know you but it looks like you brought trouble so leave." Taylor speaks and she turns fully to face him.

"And who are you? I see blondie got herself a boyfriend."

"call her blondie again and you will see the side of me you would rather not."

"oooow." She spikes. "somebody is becoming protective over her hoe."

"okay that is enough." Danny raises her voice.

"you know what bitch?" I let go Alec's hand and I walk to her. "you see these men here, they're gentlemen and they can't raise a hand on a woman." I move closer "but I," I narrow my eyes dangerously at her "am not a man. Which means I can kick your ass right now right here if you keep talking nonsense about my friends."

"Are you threatening me!?"

"actually it was a warning but you can call it what you want. I take it that the message has been received."

"you don't know who you're talking to."

"I know I'm talking to the bitch that made my sister motherless, the bitch that keeps making my friend's lives a living hell."

"what?" Danny stops me "how do you know abo..."
"I know a lot. I listen you know." I cut her midsentence before turning back to Liz, or whatever her name is.
"so as I was saying, get out or I'll make you."

she shifts to make herself comfortable ignoring what I said.
"she was not kidding you know." That is Alec.

"And I for one is ready to help her drag your lazy ugly ass out." Sam says and deep down I'm happy they are backing me up.

She rolls her eyes before standing up and walking out grudgily. "to be continued." She sneers at the door before living.

I go back to where I was sitting with Alec and he laces our hands. "Thanks baby, I dint have the energy to talk to her." His voice is low and nobody heard him.

I lean close to him and I whisper, "you left me at the baby part."

"I know I haven't officially asked you to be my girlfriend." He says "but I will when all of these is over."