Fooled by Perfection

Chapter 3: Get to work

Mikal's POV:

It's two o'clock in the morning, and I can think of better things that I could be doing besides being on the fucking road. I've been trying to reach Ciana repeatedly for like two days now, but she's not responding. I gave her enough time. What else is there for me to do, besides go over there and see what the fuck is going on? If she didn't like her place getting broken into the first time, she should answer me now. I can't wait to get my hands around her throat. She's going to leave with me tonight since that's the only way I can keep an eye on her. I'll gag her, tie her up, and drag her down the stairs if I must.

When I get inside her place, I see nothing but emptiness. What the fuck is this? Where is she? She thinks she's slick with her tricks, just packing up and leaving like I'm just going to let this shit go. If she thought I was crazy before, she hasn't seen anything yet. She's going to bleed behind this one. I demand to be respected. I'm going to look for her, and there's no doubt in my mind that I will find her.

Mikal's POV ended.

My alarm begins buzzing. I lay there for a moment. It's six-fifteen in the morning, and I've got to be at the boutique by eight. After my usual morning routine, I begin to get dressed. My wardrobe consists mostly of designer wear, and I have enough shoes and accessories to open a department store, so options are plentiful. Makeup is usually my next step. I was always so into detailing my look, as far back as I can remember. I get such joy out of dressing up that the fashion industry was a definite calling for me. I finish my look by pinning my hair up, and then I do what I assume all fashionistas do. I turn my face at different angles in the mirror, making sure everything is on point. I turn and make sure the skirt I'm wearing fits my curves the way I want. Everything looked nice, so I headed to the kitchen, trying to figure out what I could eat as I was running too behind to stop for breakfast elsewhere. I toasted some blueberry bagels, and I drank some tea. While sipping, I peek at my phone, and I can see Mikal's been blowing me up like crazy from a different number. I didn't even bother to read the messages that he sent. I have some other missed calls and texts from a few of my friends checking on me and yelling at me for disappearing last night. I text them all, letting them know that I'm okay and that I'll talk to them later. I grab my purse, my shades, and my keys, and then I'm out the door.

I finish up at the boutique called "Lilly's" today at three. Everyone was so nice and welcoming. The boutique itself was beautiful and filled with gorgeous clothing and accessories, among other things. The owner was an older lady named Lilly. In my opinion, she seemed kind of disinterested in her involvement with the boutique, as if her love for fashion was slowly fading with age, or maybe she was just tired of running a business on her own. Either way, I was just happy I could assist her with running the place. Along with some of the other workers, I met a woman named Missy. She was polite and had a certain maturity about her, like someone you could really talk to. She had been working at the boutique for a long time, and she loved her position as a consultant. As she and I got acquainted and chatted more, I became curious and asked her if she had reached out to Lilly in regard to the managing position, as it seemed she would have been the easiest and most deserving pick out of anyone. She basically expressed that she was comfortable and happy just being as she was. She and I bonded very quickly, like friends who hadn't seen each other in a while, compared to two people who'd just met one another.

After leaving the boutique, I headed to the "Hermosa Amor" salon. Hermosa Amor meant beauty and love. Although I wouldn't be seeing any clients for a week, I wanted to come in and get my station organized and set up. I walk inside, and the hairdressers and staff members are just as friendly. I could immediately tell that this was going to be a more noisy and gossipy type of group, but it was still nice. One of the guys reminds me of Jason with his outspoken personality. They asked me lots of questions, such as how I ended up there, and I just explained that the opportunity presented itself and I saw it as a good fit, not wanting to mention the real reason being drama with Mikal. Apparently, they accept my answers to their questions because we share lots of laughs in between different topics before it's time for me to leave. Currently, it's around seven, and I head right for the store.

I got home, and I put my groceries away. I noticed something strange. Hm, there are no more calls or texts from Mikal anymore. With the sudden stop, I was wondering if he was beginning to accept the end of us. I felt happy with that thought, but I also pondered whether he could be up to something I should know about. The concern immediately drops from my mind, and I tell myself that, of course, he's up to something; he's probably with some chick at this exact moment, but whatever, it's no longer my problem.

I hop in the shower, then cook my dinner. Tonight, I made something simple. I made Italian sausage with Spanish rice and some veggies. I taught myself how to cook, and trust me, it took many experiments and throwaways, but I learned, and now it's something I'm really good at. After eating my dinner, I text my closest friends about coming to visit soon, and then I'm off to bed.