Soar With Me (✔️)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧

Evelyn

"I assume you got my present." I freeze.

"What present?" I ask in an alarmed tone. My heart starts to race as hundreds of scenarios juggle in my mind.

"You know, the car you mentioned," Michael states in a serious voice through the phone. Not a hint of amusement drips from his words. And that terrifies me.

Gulping a few pulls of water I sit down and look at Miles who cuddles on the couch beside me.

"You better be joking Michael." I rub my temple.

"I'm not. It should be there in...3...2...1." Just as he finishes talking, someone raps on my door, and my nerves tense in distress. Excitement also wraps its arms around me.

"I'm gonna kill you!" Taking long steps, I hurry to the door and yank it open. A stout man  dressed in a uniform greets me with a nice smile and asks me to sign papers for car keys.

"I'm sorry but I'm not signing these papers."

"Mr. Melgren said he'll fire me if you don't." My mouth opens in shock and I hold up a finger at him and walk further into my apartment.

"What the actual fuck Michael? You're gonna fire him if he doesn't give me the keys? You're insane! You big fat cow. I hate you. Trust me I'm gonna fly to New York just to shove these key—"

"Evelyn, God stop! When did your mouth get so dirty? Mom would be turning in her grave." That last comment extinguishes my brimming rage and dejection whirs in my stomach.

"Shit. I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry Eve." Michael sounds regretful.

"No, it's fine. You're right. I shouldn't have used that language. She hated that." A lone tear pours down my cheek and drops from my chin. I watch it land on my foot and burn my skin.

"Look, I'm sorry. I bought you the car because I have a lot of money and I don't have anyone else to spend it on. Sure, I have a nice penthouse, cars, gaming consoles, comp—"

"I know," I whisper.

"—what I'm trying to say is, I wanted to buy this car for you for a long time. I know you hate when I give you anything. But you are the only one I spend my money on. You and I both know that I wouldn't be here without you. You believed in me and pushed me to be here. You helped me break my comfort zone. I owe you big time Evelyn."

By the time Michael ends his speech, more tears make their way down my cheeks.

"That was so sweet. I should have recorded that," I say through my sob.

"Thank God you didn't. Now go and take the keys. You're making a man wait for you."

In a haze, I clean my cheeks and dash to the door. I quickly scribble my signature and thank the man. I take the key chain that has a purple ribbon tied to it. Michael knows purple is my favorite color.

"Thank you, Michael," I say in a hushed tone and step out of my apartment. I gesture for Miles to follow me and he does.

"Anytime. Now take pictures in it and send them to me. Also, you have to send me a snap. Don't break our thousand-day streak." I roll my eyes but a grin hurts my cheeks.

"Of course. And no more presents. I'd rather you come to visit me. I miss you a lot." I sigh as I lean against the wall of the elevator.

"I'm coming at the end of August," Michael confirms and my heart dances excitedly.

"That's awesome. I can't wait to see you, Michael." Miles barks from nearby and I put the phone on speaker as my brother talks to my dog. He doesn't respond much except yapping and wagging his tail but Michael seems content with the replies.