Searching for Anika

Chapter 3

The next morning, I woke up to Xola kissing me goodbye before she left out for work. I've always been a hard sleeper, so I didn't even hear when her alarm went off or whenever she got out of bed. But I instantly woke up when I felt her soft ass lips on mine. I kissed her back and reached over to grab my phone off my nightstand to see what time it was. 6:53 AM.

Xola stood over me, smiling. Then I said to her, "Have a great day at work, beautiful. I love you." Xola turned around to go ahead and walk out the door to leave. Then, I heard her yell back before she closed and locked the door behind her, "I love you, more! And good luck!" Then, I heard the door close and her putting her key in to lock it. I decided to roll back over onto my stomach and go back to sleep for an extra 30 minutes before I had to get up and get ready to meet with Diane.

I arrived at Diane's office at exactly 10:30AM. I ain't gon lie... I was pissed as hell that I couldn't have been there earlier. It's the Virgo in me. I hate running late to anything. Whether it's work, a doctor's appointment... Whatever. I know that there's certain things that are out of my control but, if I can help it, I'm definitely going to try. I just knew for a fact that I could've been here earlier than 10:30. But, of course, typical Atlanta. There was an accident on 17th street, which is a block away from Xola and I's condo. But at least I made it here safely. That's what really matters.

I proceeded to walk up to the receptionist desk to sign my name in. I also greeted Diane's daughter, Egypt, with a "Good morning." Egypt was chewing some gum and looking at whatever was on her computer screen. Then, she looked up, saw me and smiled.

"Good morning.", Egypt stated, in a singing voice. I noticed that Egypt had dyed her hair an auburn red color and also had her hair pressed out. It looked really good on her. As I stood there, admiring Egypt's beauty, she picked up her office phone to call Diane.

"Hey, your 10:30 appointment is here. Ok."

Egypt hung up the phone and said, "She'll be right with you."

"Cool, cool. That color on you looks amazing, by the way." Egypt smiled, showing off her pretty white teeth that she definitely inherited from her mother.

"Thank you.", she replied.

I heard the door to Diane's office open and I turned my head instantly because of the sound. "Good morning, Ms. Elani. Come on in." I looked back at Egypt and gave her a friendly smile. She returned it. I walked into Diane's office and sat down in one of the chairs that was facing her desk. I also noticed the scent in Diane's office was different from 4 months ago. This aroma smelled like a tropical fruit, some berries or something. It smelled wonderful but, I actually like that coffee and vanilla smell she had a while back. I made a mental note to myself to order that for Xola and I's condo. I heard Diane close her office door and her heels walking over to sit at her desk.

She proceeded to sit down in her chair and turn herself slightly to the right, where her metal black file cabinet was. She opened up the first drawer, which had a label on it that said CURRENT CASES in all caps and black marker. Diane looked through a couple of files before she found the folder she was looking for. I could see on the tab of the folder that she had labeled it ELANI/ANIKA, again in black marker, all caps. Before she opened it up, she looked at me and asked, "I just realized Xola isn't here with you today. Is she ok?"

"Oh yeah, she's fine. She's actually at work right now but she sends her best wishes to the both of us.", I responded back. Diane smiled and nodded her head. "Good, good."

Then, Diane looked down at the folder and opened it up.

"So, I know I kind of freaked you out a little bit when I called you yesterday, saying that I had good news and bad news. I apologize for that.", said Diane.