Taste of Ms. Alexander

Chapter 20

Sunday | 6:00 PM

AMANDA "ASIA" ALEXANDER

Pain wrapped around my body like a vice, each step a cruel reminder of the hell Jamie had put me through. My muscles ached, swollen and stiff, protested even at the slightest movement. There was no way I could have pushed myself any further. I exhaled sharply as my phone buzzed on the coffee table, vibrating twice before silence swallowed the room again. I had texted Jamie ages ago that I wasn't showing up, and only now he seemed to get the message. The thought of how angry he must have been made me giggle. Why didn't I just pick up? Simple, I wanted to be petty. He could've just texted me whatever he had to say, but instead, he left me on read. Oh well.

Evening had crept in, and I realized I'd barely eaten all day. My stomach tightened, reminding me that all I had was a pitiful serving of overnight oats and way too much water. I wasn't even hungry, but I knew my body needed something substantial before the day was over. The last thing I wanted was to be doubled over in pain from gas. I pulled the fridge open, scanning the near-barren shelves. Supplies were dwindling. Money, too. The end of the month felt like a distant mirage, just out of reach.

Then, three sharp knocks at the door. I froze.

I wasn't expecting visitors, unless it was Spragga, the only person who had a habit of showing up unannounced. However, something felt off. The air in the room seemed heavier. A slow unease crept up my spine as I padded toward the door. I rose onto my tippy toes and tried to peek through the glass panel, but my view was completely blocked by the palm of a hand.

"Who is it?" I called out, voice steady.

Silence.

I sucked my teeth and turned away. If they weren't going to answer, they weren't worth my time, but then another knock. This time, harder. More deliberate.

I stormed back to the door, my fingers curling around the handle before I yanked it open with force. "What the fuck do you want?" I snapped, my voice dripping with venom.

"Damn," he drawled. "Has anyone ever told you how filthy that little mouth of yours is?" 

His words curled around me like smoke, thick and teasing. "Foul language doesn't suit such a beautiful face... unless, of course, you're using it for something a little more" his eyes flickered downward, lingering, "indecent."

Heat licked up my spine, but I refused to let him see his effect. I crossed my arms and tilted my chin defiantly. "Oh, please," I scoffed, forcing nonchalance into my voice.

His smirk deepened, but to my surprise, his gaze stayed locked onto mine. There was something electric in the air between us, something unspoken yet undeniable.It held me captive.

"Instead of criticizing my choice of words, why don't you practice how to properly announce your presence at a stranger's house?" I shot back, arms still crossed in defiance. "Or better yet, how about giving them a heads-up before showing up unannounced? What if I was preoccupied with my man?"

His smirk didn't falter. If anything, it deepened, like I had just amused him rather than warned him off.

"You honestly think I care about your boyfriend?" His voice dripped with amusement, but there was something else beneath it, something almost possessive.

"Maybe he should pay more attention. Your back tire is running flat." His tone shifted slightly. "But let's get back to the main reason I'm here."

Before I could react, his thumb glided along my jawline, tilting my chin upward so I had no choice but to look at him.