The FIRE in You

Chapter 23: I'm not done with her

Ajax's POV

I have tried to come up with a plan to get Aubrey back since I woke up at 3 am and everything I've come up with seems either wrong or cliche. So I only have one option left.

Simone.

She looked like someone Aubrey would confide in, unlike Maya. So there was no way I could move past the fact.

She's been going to Dad's diner a lot for her dates and they have gotten close so I bet he has her number.

I called Dad as soon as I decided to wake up and take a shower. It was a Sunday after all. He answered in one ring. "Ajax? What are you up to?", "Hi, Dad. Your son can't call just to check on you?", i asked. "You do, just not on a Sunday, after seeing your girl on TV", he said and I started feeling embarrassed.

"I'm just messing with ya. There's no shame in falling in love and doing what you can to get the woman you love. So how can I help you?", he asked and I decided to swallow my pride.

"I need to speak to Simone", "OK then, I'm sending her number to you in a minute", he said then hung up. Well, that was easy. It only meant that the next part was going to be my demise.

True to his word he sent me her number and I decided to call her right away. My shift was starting at noon so time was also of the essence.

"Yello Simone speaking!", she answered cheerfully making me release a breath. "Hi, Simone. Its Ajax. I got your number from Dad, I hope that's ok", I said in a rush. I did not hear anything for a couple of minutes, "Hello? Simone?", "I'm here. You just shocked me that's all. What can I do for you?", she said finally getting back to her original self. "I uh... I need your help. Can we meet somewhere tomorrow at around noon? My shift ends at 11 am", "Depends on the reason Ajax. You dumped my sister out of thin air, I can't just meet you without a valid reason", "Fair point. I made a mistake and I want to correct it. I don't like how I handled the situation with Aubrey. She deserves more and I can't let anyone else give it to her. I want her back and I don't know where to start", I said then swallowed hard.

Thinking the words and actually saying them are two different things and now that I have I feel better but I'm terrified because I don't know if it will be enough to make Simone agree to help me.

"Waoh! That was a lot. Ok, then I guess we can meet. But I have to bring Jason with me for witnessing and all", she said and I was ok with that, better yet I believe Jason will be even more supportive. "That's fine with me", "Alright, I'll send you the name of the cafè that I usually have lunch at and we will have a chat during my lunch break", "Thank you Simone", "Don't thank me yet", she said then hung up.

I got ready for work and then left.

"Hey, man. Tracy just showed this gossip news saying Aubrey is dating some guy in a fancy suit. Is it true?", Sam asked looking pissed. "You know it's not", I said while putting my bag in my locker. "You see, I told you", he told Spencer who looked pleased. "I still can't believe you dumped her man. She was the real deal if you ask me. I like corporate women who can blend wherever", he said while putting on his uniform. "Don't forget the body too. Never seen a plus-size woman looking that curvy in a very long time", Ernest said while walking in. Eavesdropping as usual.

"For your information. I'm not done with her yet", I said and saw Sam's jaw hit the floor. "Really? We're getting her back?", Ernest asked with a smile. I nod. "Hell yeah!", Sam said louder than necessary.

"What's going on here?", Tracy asked with the door wide open. "Do you mind knocking next time? What if I was naked?", Sam asked with furrowed brows. "But you're not so get over it, will you? So why were you cheering?", she asked me and I honestly didn't feel like telling her. I was thankful when the guys remained quiet as well making her leave.

The day went smoothly until midnight when we got a call from a boarding school on fire. We rushed to the area and by the time we reached there the dorms were almost toast and the fire was heading towards the laboratories. We put the fire off just in time and tried to rescue what we could which was very little.

By the time we were done, it was already 7 am so we returned to the station. We refilled the tanks and made sure all was in order then made breakfast.

I prepared the report and sent it to our supervisor then returned to my office and started stalking Aubrey on her Instagram page. She rarely posted anything but I settled for her old photos. In some she was alone and in others, she was with her sisters.

"Hey Ajax. Been a while man. Good to see you", Jason said then gave me a bro hug. He was alone. "She's wrapping up a photoshoot. She'll be here any minute. Scratch that, she will rush here any minute", he had just finished the sentence when I saw Simone running towards the cafè like a mad woman making Jason laugh.

"You know her well", I said and he shrugged his shoulders. "She's mine after all", Jason said then stood up ready to welcome her. He gave her a peck and then hugged her. "Hi boyfriend", she said with a huge smile then turned to me. "Hi Ajax", it was too casual so I knew she was still mad at me for what I did.

After ordering she gave me her undivided attention. "I'm all ears", was all she said then folded her hands on her chest. "I'm sorry for what I did that day. I was overwhelmed and intimidated I guess. I chose to run away instead of facing the music. One thing that I need you to know is, I love Aubrey. I've never loved anyone this much and staying apart from her just made me want her more and I can not afford to lose her. I'm ready to fight for her, I'm ready to fight for US. I need your help to do that... please Simone. You're my only hope", I knew I was rambling but I needed to be honest with her.

"Shit!", was all Jason said. "Waoh! Men are just hopeless", she said more to herself than us. "So is that a yes?", "Unfortunately. I mean, she has been miserable without you so there's no point in not teaming up. Jason, you're in?", she said then turned to her better half. "Always. Let's do this", he said with a smirk.