𝐴𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑| 𝑅𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑇𝑎𝑦𝑙𝑜𝑟 ✔

XXXI

It has been a couple of days since the incident in the living room, Rogers eye was still bruised, but the swelling had went down a bit. He tried covering it with makeup for gigs, but if you looked hard enough, it was still visible.

I heard Jane rambling on about how James 'mysteriously' happened to get a concussion, she said that he probably deserved it, being such a prick.

I figured she was joking. Or at least half-joking, so I just laughed slightly and carried on with work.

I assumed he hasn't and wouldn't tell anyone about how he received the concussion. It would be daft if he did, considering it was basically self defense since he was trespassing and assaulting Roger.

I heard Jane sigh, sadly from the counter.

"What's wrong?" I asked, raising my head, to look at her from across the room.

"Well... My boyfriend and I recently got engaged" she said, facing down with almost a guilty look on her face.

"And? That's great, isn't it?" I offered her a kind smile.

She looked and and returned the gesture, before continuing. "Well... Yeah, it's terrific. But we made plans to move to Newcastle afte the wedding... Which means the store will be closing down after we leave" she explained.

"Oh" was all I said. I didn't know how to reply. I could tell by her expression that she looked both sad and guilty. "So... What are you worried about? I know leaving the shop will be difficult, but I'm sure there are great shops like this down in Newcastle" I assured.

"I'm not worried about leaving the shop, I mean, yes, I am upset at the fact that I won't be coming to work and annoying you everyday" she grinned, in a joking manner. "But that's the least of my least concerns".

"Then what's got you worried?" I asked, confused.

"You. Where will you work? Times aren't exactly easy to find a job in London. And the ones that are available don't make that great money. I know the money's not the best in here, but it's a little better than most other Jobs in London" she shrugged, her tone concerned.

"Oh, don't bother about me. I'll be find. Just focus on your wedding and Newcastle" I smiled, giving her reassurance. She smiled, walked over, and pulled me in a hug. I accepted it, and wrapped my arms around her back.

"So, when's the wedding?" I asked, smiling, as I pulled back.

"November fourth. Then we leave the day after" she told me, giving a small, apologetic smile.

We chatted about her wedding for the full day, since hardly any customers were coming in today.

When I finished my shift, I said goodbye and left.

I had forgotten to bring an umbrella for the hundredth time, resulting in me getting absolutely drenched, within ten seconds of being outdoors.

When I reaches the building of the flat, I was taken aback when I noticed my mother's car parked out front.

How the fuck does she know our address? And why is she here so soon? She was supposed to come up in three days at a fancy hotel, so Rogers lies from the wedding would be believable... They most certainly aren't now...

I sighed, debating if I should go up or not. Roger was out at a pub with Fred, John and Brian, so I'd half to go in there and face her alone. Besides I knew I couldn't wait out here forever. I was starting to catch my death, as the rain drowned my clothes and skin.

I walked very slowly up each step, the smell of paint and smoke hitting my nose. I had always wondered why flats smell like paint. The smoke part was obvious, everyone in these flats smoked.

I looked down at my feet the entire time I walked up the steps, lifting my gaze, as I reached the last step, meeting face-to-face with the she-devil herself. In fact both the she-devils.

My mother said nothing, just crossed her arms, with a stern, disappointed look on her face, while my sister had a smug smile, mimicking my mother's crossed arms.

I closed my eyes, to hide my eye roll, and unlocked the door, opening it wide to let them in.

"So what happened to mister rich, intelligent?" Catherine teased, raising her eyebrows. Is there another empty vodka bottle somewhere around here?

I didn't reply. "Can I get you a tea? Or coffee?" I offered instead, taking my coat off, and setting it on the radiator.

"No. We're fine. We're not staying long, in case we die of passive-smoking or pneumonia or something like that" my mother stated, holding her nose. I couldn't contain an eye roll at her dramaticness.

They sat down on a couch and I sat across from them. "So this is where you live?" my sister raised an eyebrow, roaming her eyes around the place, with a disgusted – and punchable– look on her face.

"No. This is just some random house I had keys to and sleep here" I shrugged, sarcasm dripping from my voice. Catherine rolled her eyes at me.

"Why is there an awful stench of smoke in here?" my mother asked, scrunching her face up in disgust.

"Because we smoke" I said, holding up a packet of fags, in explanation.

"We?" Catherine asked, giving a surprised look, as if she didn't remember I attended her wedding with a plus one.

"Yes. We. Roger, and I" I flashed a sickly sweet smile.

"You're still seeing each other?" my mother questioned.

"Nope. We just live together because we're both too skint to move out" I shrugged my shoulders.

"You're not funny. Are you still seeing him, yes or no?" My mother looked 'surprisingly' unamused at my humor.

"Yes. We are" I answered, truthfully.

"Finally. A straight answer" the dramatic woman in front of me gave  small round of applause. So she can be funny at times? Who would've thought?

"So where is he?" Catherine asked, sounding unconvinced I had managed to keep a fella for this long.

"He's out with his friends" I told them.

"How come you didn't tag along?" Catherine interrogated.

"Jesus Christ" I muttered, my mother gasped, and placed a hand to her heart, causing the subtle movement of my eyes to roll. "I didn't go, because even though we're dating, doesn't mean I need to be wherever he is. And second of all, I just got back from work".

It was silent for a moment, before my mother cleared her throat and spoke up. "We should get going. We'll be staying at a hotel for a couple of days. Say hello to Roger for us."

They stood up, I walked them to the door, before closing it, as soon as they had passed through. Finally.

I groaned, taking a cigarette from the pack and lighting it in my mouth, taking a long drag, trying to comprehend the whole situation and what was happening in my life. I need Roger.