A: Short Story Collection

Chapter 26

"I Know You Don't Like It"

We arrive back to Ime's home and I immediately head to my room.

Gloria and Miss Caroline drop off the rest of stuff and go about their day.

I collapse onto the bed and let out a deep breath.

A person knocks at the door.

"Come in," I said.

The doors open, showing it to be Ime.

"How it go?"

I force a smile. "Great."

Ime sits down next to me. "That's great to hear."

I turn on my side away from Ime.
"Ime, I've been thinking."

Ime leans in. "About what?"

"About this place. I don't think I'm gonna like it here."

"It's only been a day."

"Yeah and I already feel uncomfortable."

Ime scoots closer. "What's making you uncomfortable."

I turn over and looks at him. "Your mom try to offer me to marry you so I'll won't have to worry about money anymore and there's Gloria... She's a hater.

Ime looks serious. "My mother did what?"

"Offered me to marry you."

Ime looks away into thought. "I can't believe she did that."

I sit up. "Yeah I know. Crazy right?"

Ime gets off the bed. "I told her not to do that."

My eyes widen. "You did what?"

Ime looks at me. "I told her not to do that."

"You've talked about this?"

"We've spoke about it."

"So you knew your mom wanted us to get married."

"No, I didn't. It's just I told her..." he looks away. "I wanted to marry you."

My head tilts. "What?"

Ime walks up close to me. "I know you don't like it when I show you love and affection but I..." he couches down to my level and stares directly in my eyes. "want to be with you."

"What?"

"I said-"

"You're crazy!" I interrupt. "What have we done that's so engaging to you?"

Ime grabs my hand softly. "We had our first time together."

I lean in close to him. "This is about sex?"

"Of course."

I pull my hand away. "You're lying. You had sex with that Eris girl."

"She only came over for sex but I made her leave."

I stand up. "Either way you're a liar."

I walk away towards the door and Ime stands up and faces me. "Scarlet, I just want your understanding."

I look at Ime. "I said not to call me that."

Ime walks up to me. "Just please try to understand where I'm coming from."

"Well, I don't. Beside having sex with me was your request, nothing else to it. I got paid and you got laid. It could've been anyone else."

"No it couldn't."

My brow raise. "What you mean?"

Ime sighs. "Who do you think told Emily about the job."

"Emily?"

The girl who quitted on her first day...

"I told Emily about the job so she can get to you."

"You've been stalking me?"

"No, I just noticed you one day I went shopping." Ime stares at the ground. "I wanted to get to know you."

I rub my neck. "Why me of all people?"

"Your smile."

"My smile?"

"Yes, because of your smile." Ime looks melancholy. "I know what it's like to smile around people you don't like."

That look on his face. I can tell he's been hiding.

But I refuse to get involved into someone else's problems.

I try to laugh. "So, you've screwed me and expected me to care about your problems."

Ime looks hurt.

"Have you forgotten I lost my job over you. If you haven't interfere I would probably still be working and wouldn't be in this situation."

"But with me I thought you'll be happy not having work a job you don't enjoy. That's why I got you fired in the first place."

"I don't enjoy it here either."

"But you said wanted to spend time together."

"Not here."

Ime groan and rub his hand across his face. "So, what are we gonna do?"

I walk away from him and grab my bag. "I'm going home."

I walk towards the door.

"You really don't like it here?" Ime said.

I look at Ime. "I expected better."

I leave the room and begin to start walking towards the exit.

How am I gonna get home?

"Wait," Ime said.

I turn around. "What now?"

"I'll take you home."