Rancorous

Chapter 22

PRESENT

Brevin

Pulling up to the bookstore with one thing in mind, I step out of my car. Taking fast strides, I'm in the store in seconds relieved that it's open on a Sunday.

I sigh, stifling a yawn. I haven't gotten an ounce of sleep these last few days.

The revelation that Coval cares so much for that Milo guy swarms my thoughts like wasps. The acrid feeling that doesn't seem to wane is puncturing their venom in my brain.

To think that once I thought she cared that much for me.

It's crushing. Watching her sincerely have fondness for someone while she faked it with me for years.

"Welcome, can I help you in finding a book?" The voice of a woman who sounds like she has wisdom to spare comes from behind the counter. She has dark skin, her hair in multiple braids with half of it tied back.

Just the person I want to see.

Fabricating a smile, I take leisure, calm steps toward her. "Hi, you must be Mrs. Imani?"

She nods proudly with a genuine smile as white as snow. "Owner of the store. And you are?"

"Brevin."

Her eyes shine with recognition, her smile faltering as she seems to remember something. Impossible. This is the first time we're formally meeting. The previous time I wore a cap, shielding my face from her view.

"I don't believe we've met before." I add.

"No, we haven't." She pauses, breaking away from whatever trance she subjected herself to. "But, if you don't mind me asking, do you know a young girl named Herlina?" Her eyes scrutinize my face and she appears eager to hear my next words.

I pinch my eyebrows close, not expecting the question. "Yes. Actually, that's who I came here to talk to you about."

Her eyes drain of joy, but they hold no anger or resentment like I thought they would. A sad frown transforms her lips. "Is this about why I fired her?" Disappointment colors her voice.

"Not at all. It's actually about your nephew Milo. I've been seeing the both of them hanging out recently and I think she's a bad influence for him."

Mrs. Imani sighs, her frown deepening. "Herlina was such a good kid. Showed so much support and trust as soon as she walked through that door. It's disheartening to know she wanted to steal from me." She nods at me with an honest smile. "Thank you Brevin, I'll talk to my nephew."

"You're welcome." I nod back. My feet don't move as a thought looms above my head. Something doesn't make sense. "You asked me if I knew her right after only mentioning my name. I'm just curious, is there a reason for that?" I ad a tilted smile for good measure.

She reciprocates the gesture. But her half smile is reminiscent and real. "Herlina told me about you actually. She'd been working here for half a year and she'd become like a daughter to me." Her eyes fill with light. "She confessed a lot of things in return for advice. One thing I'll never forget is the way she talked about you."

Coval must've talked ill about me, my brain knows it. But this string attached to the organ in my chest pulls, making me want to hear whatever this woman has to say. Like it hasn't gone through so much already, it still wants to feel pain. Clearing my throat, I tread carefully making sure not to come off nervous. "She talked about me. How so?"

"Broken."

For a fraction of a second, I believe my ears stopped functioning. I couldn't have heard her correctly.