I Am Back Bitches

2. Trapped

I was in a small café downtown, waiting for a specific brunette who happened to be running fifteen minutes late. I take a sip of my coffee and mechanically look up when the bell to the door rings, just like I have been doing for the past fifteen minutes. And there she stands, scanning the crowd until our eyes meet. She walks over to me casually.

"Sorry I'm late," she says, her voice huskier than what I remembered it being.

"It's okay," I say, accepting her apology and motioning towards the coffee I ordered for her. She thanks me and pulls the strap of her messenger bag over her head, opens the bag, and takes out some papers.

"Okay, so, here is Albert's contract and this is my 'not-to-cross' boundaries list." When she looks me in the eyes, my heart drops to the pit of my stomach. She was still wearing contact lenses just like she was when we were in Albert's office the other day, making her beautiful, natural, ocean colored eyes appear black.

"Why are you wearing lenses?" I blurt out before being able to stop myself.

Alex answers matter-of-factly, "People stare at my eyes and get distracted when I'm not wearing them." I nod, understanding exactly what she was talking about. She used to get questioned constantly about whether she was wearing contact lenses whenever we went out to a bar or a park because of how unbelievably beautiful her eyes are. I take in her face. She looks the same...except her jaw had gotten sharper and the bones on her face more noticeable, making her look undeniably more mature than the last time I had seen her. Her hair was longer, her eyebrows sharper, her skin adorned with a beautiful bronze tan, and her muscles, which were definitely toned, still had the ability to soften the appearance of her beautiful figure. When she talked, she was more confident in herself and, I also noticed that, when she did talk, it was out of necessity, not for the sheer joy of talking. She was no longer the girl who would talk my ears off and who was unsure of her future. She was the same, yet so different also.

"Elianna?"

And there she goes, saying my name the only way she knows how to...

I close my eyes briefly and take a deep breath. "Are you okay?" Alex asks, concerned. "Yes. Yes I am," I say. She just nods and continues on with her boundaries. Most of the boundaries stated, I like. Mainly because there was a distinction made that this whole situation was just a business transaction and nothing more. Our private lives would stay just that: our private lives.

After ten minutes, Alex finally picks up her untouched drink and takes a sip. She almost spits it out, but she quickly puts a hand over her mouth and forcefully swallows the sweet liquid.

"Oh my God! Is it too hot?!?" I asked concerned, as I hand her a napkin.

"What the hell is that?!?" She whisper yells while pointing at the coffee.

I stare at her in disbelief. "It's your usual order. A mocha latte with extra milk and extra sugar...?"

This is one thing I definitely remember about Alex: she loves overly sweet coffee. Alex nods and excuses herself from the table. She throws away the coffee I ordered her in the trash and heads to the cashier to order another coffee. I frown, watching as she takes her new cup of coffee.

Alex comes back with an americano, surprising me. Alex always was biased about my "boring" taste in coffee and, now, here she is with what she would call a "boring" coffee. It's crazy to see the difference...she always made sure there was enough sugar and milk in her coffee. But, that was before...

Alex doesn't attempt to take a seat again. Instead, she takes a napkin and a pen from her bag and starts scribbling something down.

"Here's my number and you already have my email. If there is anything you want to change about the contract, you know how to reach me." And just like that, she's gone.

I'm not sure what I'm doing here, but, I do know one thing: this is going to be one hell of a year...and there is definitely no way out in the next twelve months. Especially when Albert is trying to make a good impression and acquire the whole tech incorporation in Europe. His last sealing of a big deal before his retirement. It's a shame Alex and I had to be dragged into it.

*****

I was on the phone with a project manager but cringed when I saw my overly energetic son jumping on the couch from the kitchen.

"Justin, stop before you get hurt!" I patiently yell for what seems like the millionth time today. As per usual, I'm ignored by the young boy. Must boys always be so reckless? Once I find the much needed files for the project manager, I send them on over and quickly end the call to make my way to the living room.

Putting on my mom tone, I say, "Okay, that's enough. Get down, right now!" When he sees me approaching closer, he runs off giggling.

"No running in the house," I quip tiredly.

"Mommy, can we go to the park with daddy?"

I look outside and see how dark it is. "It's late baby. Maybe another day?" I offer kindly.

"Oh...okay," he mumbles, disappointed.

Softening, I kneel before him and take his hand. "Hey..."

"Is it because I put gum in Jason's hair? Is that why you and daddy were fighting this morning? I won't do it again! Promise!" His chocolatey brown eyes starting to water.

"What?!? No! It's not your fault love, and we weren't fighting. We were just arguing about something, okay?" As I watch Justin nod slowly I start to regret my decision to participate in Albert's little game, my life is a mess now. Even Landon has been sulking ever since Alex and I signed Albert's contract last week. God, I can't even imagine how confusing all this is and will be for my kid when Alex and I go public. Then there's the factor of explaining to him what's going on. Just thinking about such things makes me feel nauseous. I let out a tired sigh and rub my eyes.

"I miss me, you, and daddy hanging out together. And, everytime you say we will, we don't," Justin says with a pout. I just sit there, trying to form the correct response, opening and closing my mouth, not sure what to respond with. Honestly, probably making myself look like a goldfish you win at a carnival, complete with a blank stare and all.

"I'm so sorry honey. I know I've been too busy, but, your father and I love you so so so much. You could never understand our love for you that is as deep as the ocean. I promise you, my love, that we were arguing because that's what parents do. They think differently and, therefore argue when the other doesn't agree with them. It has nothing to do with you though, okay baby? Plus, we already sorted things out," I say soothingly, putting a hand to his cheek.

Justin smiles reassuringly. "Okay mommy! So, may I have ice cream after dinner?!?" I stare at him and blink a couple times, amazed at how fast children can change topics.

"No more sugar for you tonight love. If you get more, I won't be able to sleep because I will be scraping you off the ceiling. Maybe we can go have pizza with your father though?" I say sweetly.

"I. Love. Pizza!!" Justin says, excitedly and starts to dance.

I chuckle and nod, "Alright. Alright. Go get your shoes on and I will call your father."

"YAAAAAY!" Justin yells and runs to go find his shoes.

I sigh and pull out my phone to send a text to my beloved boyfriend. He replies, telling me he'll be on over in fifteen.

Before I can put my phone away, I get another text. This one is from Alex. A reminder of our first public appearance as a couple at a dinner with New York's finest.

I pause and take a deep breath, putting a hand on my heart. I feel trapped...trapped in someone else's life. Everything was getting better! I was even considering moving in with Landon! Then she comes back and, in a blink of an eye, everything gets shattered and confusing. What is she doing to me?