EVERYTHING I DESERVE

SPALLOLALIA

Sphallolalia (sfa•luf•lail•yuh(n.)): Flirtatious talk that leads to nowhere

It's 2:07, I've showered, shaved(just in case), exfoliated, and moisturized. Finish picking out my hair and ask myself.

"Why, why am I putting all this effort into looking presentable? Oh yeah, because this man is finer than fine." I whisper to myself

As I'm looking for my car in the apartment garage, I try to practice what plan to say to the man. I put the name that was on the card into GPS. Thirty-seven minutes away from said, "appointment."

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I'm convinced every New York building has at least seventy-five floors. This building is overwhelming, not to mention the people coming in and out of it. They're all wearing suits with their briefcases, while I'm wearing a cropout, flare leggings, beat-up Converse, aka, my signature outfit. With a beating heart, I walk across the street. The doorman instantly opens the door and the air of luxury, the clacking of heels, and the overlapping talking over each other hits me like a truck, I instantly become overwhelmed and as I turn around I'm stopped by what appears to be a female voice.

"Ms...? Did you have an appointment?" A woman who appears to work in this building asked me

"Oh, I- I uh no, well technically I..." I said nervously

"So, what are you doing here?" The woman asked ungraciously

As much as I wanted to say something, anything, I was frozen by shock at her attitude. She is looking at me like I'm crazy, so I just turn to walk away. My face is hot, my eyes are trying their best to hold back the waterfall of tears, and the lump in my throat is big enough to choke on. Curse my inability to not cry when I get mad.

"Excuse me, Miss. Stewart, our meeting started seven minutes ago." Lorenzo's deep and dark voice pointed out.

And there he was standing at least 6 feet tall, was the man that has taken residence in my mind since the day I set foot in New York. The man was head to toe covered in all black. He steps closer and leans his hand over. Both of his hands appear to be tatted, the one he has extended to me has knives on all five fingers; the other one appears to have a very detailed skull on it. I take his hand and he leads me away from the receptionist's area leaving the rude woman with her mouth agape.

As we make it around the corner, I let go of his hand. He doesn't stop walking, he just turns his head to look at me, as if he is expecting a response. When I don't give him one he smiles and opens a very large door, to what I assume is his office. He sat in a tall chair behind a desk, half the size of me, and I clocked that it was indeed his office.

"Miss Stewart," he said huskily

"Yes," I said very small.

"I want to apologize again for-" he started

"As I stated on the phone, I am fine, you don't have to keep apologizing to me over a genuine mistake," I said.

"I understand, forgive me if I sound rude for asking this, but why did you agree to this meeting then." He said confused with a hint of annoyance in his tone

I inaudibly gasped at his question, because I did, in fact, think he sounded rude. Not only because of what he said but how he said it. He didn't even give me a chance to get a word out on the phone.

I roll my eyes and clear my throat. "I didn't get a chance to respectively decline this meeting, so I took it as a chance to thank you for paying my hospital bill," I say as I give him the most deadly stare I can manage

He comes around his humongous desk and sits on the edge. "Of course. It was the very least I could do." He said loosening his tie around his neck.

For minutes we just stared at each other. He is taking me all in. But as he is examining the person in front of him, I can't help but catch myself doing the very same thing. This is the closest we've been to each other. If I didn't think he was fine. I definitely do now. He carries this type of powerful persona as if he always gets what he wants. His voice alone captivates me, his muscles can be seen through his button-up, and of course, the first few buttons are undone for style reasons. This man looks like he would destroy me in several ways and for that reason I cannot let myself get wrapped in whatever this tension is becoming.

"If there is nothing more to this meeting I do have more pressing matters to attend," I say matter of factly

With that he chuckles and steps in front of me "It was nice to formally meet you Miss Stewart." he says, extending his hand to me while smiling showing most of his teeth.

"It was nice meeting you Mr...?" I said batting my eyes

"Santiago. Lorenzo Santiago" he said, taking my hand and leading me out of his office.

I walk out of this building the same way I came in, my heart beating like crazy. Was he flirting with me and why was I flirting back? I'm probably just being delusional, which is a daily occurrence. I was still fanning over the guy who opened the door for me and several others. I can't afford to have these types of distractions. I have to focus on work and getting into nursing school. I can't and refuse to let another guy make me lose myself again, no matter how fine he is.

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Diagloe is not my strongest skill, but I am trying. Please be understanding and leave respectful criticism. My Instagram is private for now, but please don't hesitate to DM me with questions or concerns. :)!