RED HOPES

Alanis

“Ma’am we need your cooperation, please come out of the car. I’m afraid I have to fine you wi-“

“I know her, I’m sorry for the inconvenience but I can take her with me.” The words followed my heart unfiltered. While the man gave me a look of doubt. “I just thought it was someone else.” I did and before he could voice his lawful knowledge out I handed him a card. For the first time in my life I was bending rules, giving hush money for someone who didn’t even acknowledge me.

Yet here I was driving my madness over an aimlessly empty road as she was drunk enough to empty her guts drenching the instrumental panel with her puke. She  kept mumbling something under her breath, a foolish smile plastered upon her tiny face.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked blinking ever so innocently, her grey eyes scanning me up and down

“You didn’t give me your address so to nowhere I guess.” I answered ignoring  her face which was more welcoming.

“Uhmmm… I’ll tell you if you get me some good food” I shot an unbelievable stare at her ridiculous demand. “Pizza?”

“It’s past curfew hours and we’re going to your home.” I rubbed a tired hand over my face, half an hour ago I was having a decent dinner with a decent lady and right now my life knocked me into the chaos herself. Manifestation is real.

“I’m hungwyyy!!” those glossy lips puckered into a pout, while her eyes turned puppy. I swiped my gaze away, those anger hormones melting second by second.

“Just give me your address or we’re heading towards my home.” I snapped, my gaze didn’t settle upon her more than a minute. It was getting riskier with the pungent smell making it unbearable to breathe.

“Get me something to eat or I’ll spoil your car again” Reverie warned mimicking a gag, adding another layer of fresh panic inside of me. The smell was unbearable already. This woman was danger.

“Don’t!! I’ll stop over, what do you need?” She had done enough damage and I couldn’t take any more pungent smell ruining my nostrils. I sprinted straight out of the car the speed even faster than that of Usain Bolt. Since many outlets closed my options narrowed to a small stall of greasy burgers and fries. It didn’t take much to return as the chances of Reverie ruining my car depended upon my speed. To my relieve she was fine and eating like a kitten, unlike the one just threw a tantrum few minutes ago.

“Street 59th , upper west, Green Haven, drop me there mister.” She spoke, as fogginess blurred her mind, her eyes misty, I hated the idea of her drinking like that, but the effect alcohol brought to her nullified my earlier rage. We drove towards the said address which was not far from the place of accident. Her car had a small dent which was already being taken care of, She kept blinking again and again to clear the fog in her head, and a curtain against her eyes,  finally squeezing them in my direction.

“What?”

“How did you.. what are you doing here?” She asked her tone was shaky maybe from the accident or alcohol or realisation. “Wher- where’s my car?” Reverie fished for her keys, her hands clutching the doorknob.

“Seriously?” I never felt this helpless in my entire life, it was like walking a rope. “You had an accident and you are in my car.” I answered noticing the realisation knocking her hard. “And how the fuck did you get this much drunk? Don’t you care about life??!” anger rose again in my chest as I spoke, my tone definitely reached higher this time. Unable to distinguish my own feelings right now.

“Stop yelling at me.. You’re not my father. Just a lawyer.  No you’re a jerky lawyer!!” She scrunched her nose while calling me a jerk right on my face, after ruining my sanity, vomiting in my car, this woman possessed all the guts in the world. Her cheeks turned red or were they red the whole time? Her face was flawless, she looked soo innocent unless she opened her mouth. My eyes didn’t stop at just her face but also below, how her chest heaved up and down. I could peek at the sheer violet dress with a neck deep enough to give an evident hint of her breasts yet warned you to keep a safe distance.

“Why is it always you jumping into trouble? Do you hate your life that much?!!” I asked trying to distract myself away from, with mind still on that cleavage, Man if  my eyes got fixed upon them it  would be scandalous for both of us.

“And why do you always jump after me? Are you an idiot?” Even in her drunk state she never missed a chance to spout something sassy. Reverie used the same time and set of words back in the hospital, she knew how to piss me like that.

“If you don’t want me saving you, then go to a place where nobody could see you. ” I spoke all together, while her eyes blinked slowly trying to process my words. She opened her mouth and closed again trying to find correct words maybe.

“There’s no need”

“Stop being corny, I can’t leave you like this in the middle of an empty road and don’t give me the crap of I can handle myself. I saw you taking care of yourself!” I rambled not ready to hear any nonsensical excuse she had to spew. The banter did cut short the route as we already were standing under the building.

“Are you done?” She asked folding her arms around her chest. Lucky arms. Her eyes deadpan making me gulp harder.

“Yeah.” She rolled her eyes, unzipping her sling back. Without even looking back the woman walked inside leaving me completely baffled!

“Did she just walk away?? Not even a thank you?!” Frustration grew harder as I watched her wobbling figure, she did stumble upon what seemed a rock and my quick reflex went on alert. And as angry as I was my steps didn’t stop from approaching her. Soon enough I caught up with her lifting the girl up in my arms. “do whatever you want but I’m not leaving you here alone.” I added scooping her in my arms, while she squirmed  like a kid. Yet my hold was stronger upon her.

“ I can walk on my own! Leave me you jerk!”  Reverie hissed in disdain slapping my shoulders, being correct, it was her place, familiar premises and no need for me to carry her yet an insecure grandma in me decided to make sure she was safe. While her feet kept attacking me. Thanks to the dull hours, or else If anyone could see us they would definitely file a case of molestation against me.

Reverie slapped me cursed me and what not, yet here I was carrying her like she was the most precious thing to me. I could’ve easily thrown her but a stupid voice in my head stopped me every time. We soon reached the entrance and it needed face id to enter. I made her stand straight infront of the camera which beeped when it recognised her face. Before she could fight again I lifted her up again. “Which floor?” I asked and the feral cat was already shooting daggers in my direction. With cheeks turning red as all the blood rushed to this part of her face and eyes burning holes in my heart.

I tried soo hard not to smile at her face, she was soo cute. “15.” She spoke seeing my determination of not leaving her soon. It seemed like I was on a mission to save Reverie every time she was in trouble.

“Card?” I cocked my brows as she tried to search it in her sling. She did open the door half-heartedly, we finally stepped inside, and what would take few minutes took good thirty minutes to reach.

What welcomed us was a white marbled and an unusually clean penthouse. A large hall with floor to ceiling windows, the glass separating the city from her hall. Black chandelier hung in it’s elegant stance. Just one look and I could say her taste was over the top. A path which leads to her room and an adjoining kitchen. Yet the house felt as if no one ever lived here. It was a different type of clean.

“Will you also tuck me in my bed like a baby?” She mocked me with her sharp taunt.

“How come you can’t even walk properly while drunk but still spout poison from your mouth?” I asked back, my arms still circling her waist.

“To make jerks carry me to my apartment.” Damn this woman, I could never argue with her, I was sure if this continued I’d rather kill her or fuck her!! The former option would be best for me.

“Don’t call me a jerk!!

“Then Jerky?” She didn’t hide her sassy smile, as I placed her on the couch with a little force as my anger was getting to the top of my head. As I turned to leave, she held my hand her palm felt cold yet very soft. Her big grey eyes, those curly lashes blinked so effortlessly. “Thank you for bringing me home safe.”

Did I hear correctly?? Her saying thanks to me?? Was I in a delulu? Just few words from her mouth and my anger was already fading. “What did you say?” I asked again only to confirm if I wasn’t hearing things.

“Thank you jerky!!” She started giggling, in a slurry speech which I ignored completely for good reasons and asked “why thank me?”

“Because you’re the first person who didn’t try to fuck me.” She giggled again, taking me by surprise. Spouting something as direct as current in the wires was only an expertise of Reverie Ames “not that I would let you if you had intentions but you’re a microscopic amount of good, Mr. jerky” her soft smile faded into the thinness of the moment. I should’ve left the apartment, I dropped Reverie at her home, carried her like a sac on my shoulder and tucked her into that couch. But my tongue itched and my mind took a stupid flight out of the window, various what ifs needed confirmation.

“What if I do have intentions.” I warned closing the distance between us, my eyes meeting with hers. Even with soiled clothes or a purgatory smell, any man would have his way with her, and I was no saint either.

A brief contact between the blue and grey, the more I looked into her eyes the more I felt sucked into those inviting holes, Her eyes were what lies between white and black, they had both darkness of the night and the light of the day, the most dangerous type! Because it was easier to understand people who were either white or black but she was both. And you couldn’t figure which side she was on just like right now. I decided to break the eye contact, I didn’t want to do the unspeakable to her not in this state atleast.

“Go to sleep.” Saying that I left her apartment with a huge sigh. I drove back to my place, another heavy sigh left my body as I unbuttoned my shirt which now had a faint scent of reverie’s puke mixed with her body mist. Contrary to her audacious personality she smelled like soft flowers. A mix of lavender and ambergris. I threw the shirt on the bed in frustration, getting too much caught in her scent and wondering the tones of her perfume was too much. I took a shower to clear my head and opened my laptop only to realise my biggest worry at this time. “The hearing!”