Aphrodite

Decite

A week passed and I still hadn't seen James or heard from him for that matter. I went back to Macy's after I woke up alone, without as much as a goodbye. I was going crazy sitting in the apartment, by Wednesday I went back to work. I wasn't on the schedule since he told me to take some time off, so I reached out to a few girls and offered to cover their bar shifts which they were all grateful for. I worked 4 nights in a row, no one even whispered his name, I had hoped he would be here, having meetings or shut away in his office but I listened at the knock I placed on the door echoed through the empty office. I waited one minute then two but the door never opened.

Ace avoided me like the plague. I had started to wonder if I had done something wrong. Maybe hades told him we slept together and neither can stand me now. I don't regret what we did but....maybe he does. I push the thoughts out of my head and return to the wall of liquor behind me, the bar starting to fill up now that the doors have been open. I help my first round of customers, flirting when necessary and not lingering on the ones i've come to know. I try to distract myself with the busy bodies in the crowd taking a moment to pause on the performers on the stage. Flash backs of me up there, dancing. Max touching my body, and just like then no Hades.

I'm snapped out of my memories when I feel a hand grip my arm. I yank my hand away giving a light smile "sorry hun, I'm only for looking. You'll need to find someone in the back for that" I force a smile to my face while I look up making eye contact. My breath uneven as I search for the words. Not wanting to let him affect me or cry at work I just keep it simple cutting in before he can answer to what I just said. "The usual"? He gives me a small nod as he places his hand on the counter unable to read the expression on his face, the creases in his forehead and exhaustion taking over his body, but his green eyes, there's almost a sparkle behind them. I turn around pouring his drink, but when I place it on the counter he's gone.

I look around, no sign of him the nudge from the bartender next to me grabs my attention. She lifts her chin nodding to the other side of the club, "his office" is all she says before getting back to work. I take a steady breath mumbling to myself as I walk around the bar glass in hand. The same feeling hits me as I near the door walking down the poorly lit hallway. "Here we go" I lift my hand giving one quick knock, part of me hoping he wouldn't hear it. What I didn't expect was the door to open before my hand relaxed down at my side, his suit jacket now off, sleeves rolled up and top button undone. His version of relaxed. He says nothing just motions for me to come in, so I do stepping by making sure not to brush him as I do. I place his glass in front of his chair on the desk as I hear the door close but to my surprise I don't hear it lock. I take my seat across from the desk, aware of the dejavu in this situation. "I wasn't supposed to work today, and neither were you". Before I can answer he talk again, but somethings different about this interaction than the other times I've been in here. Somethings wrong. "Care to explain"? He hasn't looked me in the eyes once. "As for you I don't know why you're here and if you aren't supposed to be then go" I can't help the sass seeping out with every word. "I'm here because I'm helping out some co workers".

Not a lie, just not the whole truth. He finishes his drink tapping his knuckles on the desk. "I'm here because...." He pauses for a long time. "I went to my house first, but you weren't there"
Shock
That's what hit me first, then anger. "What"? I bit. "You cannot be serious". "It's been over a week since I've seen you, heard from you even. For all I knew you didn't plan on coming back". "AND you expected me to be what? Laying in your bed waiting for you to return"? "There is seriously something wrong with you if that's what you think this is- or what you want it to be". "Anna- I hold up my hand to stop him. "If you regret what happened between then just say that. I left right after I woke up and you were gone you didn't need to stay away because I might have still been there".

"I had some business I needed to take care of, it took longer than expected". He says nothing else. Nothing about regret, nothing about leaving me, nothing. "If we're done here, I need to get back to work. I'll have one of the floor girls to bring you another drink". I stand and take a step back. "No you don't" I snap my head up "I am at work, I was in the middle of shift and you dragged me in here, you seem to love doing that. But I have shit to do" that causes a little smirk to pull across his face. "I told you to take time off and you disobeyed". Fury rang through my whole body. "No. I didn't, I waited days, for you. a response, a text, anything, you were no where to be found and I am not going to just sit in my apartment hoping that one day you'd say I could go out again". "I am helping my co workers but if you want me gone then go help them yourselves". "But if you make me leave, again I'm done, our arrangement is over". The words rang in my ears as they came out. I know that's not how this works, but I also know he doesn't want a coward, he likes when I stand up for myself. Stand up to him. I don't think I want it to be over, not for what he's doing for me but I'm not ready to be done with him.

I expect him to argue, threaten to punish me, tell me those aren't the terms of our agreement but all I'm met with is "I'm sorry" his hand combs through his hair "go back to work, we"ll discuss this tonight" my hand placed on the door knob "no we won't". Is all I said before walking back into the crowd. The rest of my shift goes by quick and painless as I try to not think of our conversation. Making quiet movements in the apartment trying not to wake anyone, I sigh sitting on my bed, finally letting all of the emotions hit as they roll through my body, taking over. Anger, sadness, confusion and I cry. Muffling the sobs with my pillow as I let it all out, I don't know how long I cried for before exhaustion took over.

When I woke, I pulled my self out of bed making my way to the bathroom, grabbing the Tylenol to help this throbbing headache ease, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, the bags, dark circles yet my eyes were somehow puffy and sunken in. I grab a glass of water before laying down back in bed, the apartments quite everyone must be at work already. I pick up my phone and scroll through the notifications, a few things for social media, a missed call from my brother I make a mental note to call him back later and a text from Hades.

HADES: I don't see you on the schedule tonight.

ANNA: very observant.

I debated not responding at all, but my attitude got the best of me. His response comes in quick

HADES: would you like to be? Or would you like to come in and talk about ending our agreement?

ANNA: not today. I'm not feeling well.

No response. I lay my phone down closing my eyes praying sleep takes me quickly. Calming my racing thoughts I feel the tension leaving my body, all of the raw emotion being let out last night has me paying for it today, I pull the covers over my head and go to sleep.

AUTHORS NOTE:
Sorry this took so long to get out, I was sick and then on vacation. Hope you liked the chapter:)