His Eyes -ON HOLD-

Chapter 4

 *Next Morning* <Elizabeth Rose Gomez>

~Her Apartment~

  Waking up, I felt really groggy and had a really weird dream; I checked my phone and woke up before my alarm, four hours too early, great. How amazing that is, I got out of bed, and went to my bathroom, then I paused, what the fuck is that smell. It doesn't smell bad, almost like a cologne. No, my mind must be playing tricks on me. I have a bit of time to clean before I start getting ready for work, so that's what I did. I swept, mopped my floors, took out all the trash around my apartment, fluffed out my pillows on my couch, and the smell was stronger here. I checked up and down of my couch but found nothing out of the ordinary, weird. I shook my head and continued what I was doing. I got my little dust feather, Clorox wipes and went near my bookcase that I have. I removed some books and a few nick knacks that I have on there and put them back when I finished their little area. I saw my highest little statue, I went to remove it but, it was stuck. Like it was place with super glue, I could not move it for the life of me, so I cleaned around it. I didn't like that, since I like getting everything clean, I might need to buy something to help me remove it. Oh well, I put away my little stool and moved the bathroom and cleaned it. Once I was done, I checked the time, and I had less than two hours now to get ready. 

   I took a quick shower, put my hair in a messy bun, put on plain jeans, a plain black t-shirt, and very light makeup. I packed my bag, with my phone, my charger, my headphones, my keys, a gloss lipstick, and extra little things I need. I opened my door, and paused, I heard my stomach growl at me, "oh, no. I forgot about breakfast, and worse of all, my coffee. Ugh." I hope Leilah and Maxuel are there, already so I can get a quick bite in. Annoyed is definitely not how I wanted to start my day. I took a deep breath and left my apartment, out the doors and out to the main street. I waited until I see a taxi, but after looking around, I spotted a familiar car, the red mustang. I stared right at it for a while but shook my head out of my daze. That's no way the same car, there's so many red mustangs out there, it's not the same one. I'm good, I'm just tired, that's all. I finally hailed a taxi and made it to the bakery in less than fifteen minutes. I greeted Ruby, and Maxuel. "Hey, Ellie." Ruby greeted me, "Hey, Ruby. Listen, I'm sorry if I'm a bit late, I had a rough morning." She walked with me to the back, "oh, don't worry about it. I understand. How about you stay back here and help with Leilah. Me and Maxuel will be in the front if you need anything, did you at least eat a bite before coming here?" I shook my head no, "I didn't. I couldn't bring myself to, and when I started getting ready, I wanted to, but time slipped, and I didn't have time." Okay, so it technically wasn't a lie. "Aw, well, have anything on the house, even a cup of coffee, darling. If you still don't feel better when we switch, let me know so I can keep you back here, away from customers." She smiled at me, "thank you, Ruby." 

  That's another thing about her I was grateful for, she was a spoke person in high school for mental health, so anytime one of us came in feeling down and out of it, she kept us away from customers and let us work in the back at our own pace. I walked to the back, seeing Leilah working on a batch of cinnamon rolls. "Hey, Ellie. Good morning." She gave me a weak smile, "Good morning, you're not feeling well either, are you, darling?" She put the tray in the oven, "am I that iffy looking?" She set the timer up, "just a bit, babes, no offence." I walked to the lockers area, "but I don't blame you. I feel a bit the same way, and I have no idea why. I was feeling fine yesterday but today I woke up with a weird smell in my apartment." I walked near the sink to wash my hands. "Weird, you think it's the vent? That happened to me a while back and it was the vent that was making my head hurt badly." She started on a cake for samples, "have you checked your vents lately?" I dried my hands, put on gloves and started on some cookies order, "no, but I will when I get home." The rest of the day went smoothly, I was able to work in the front for a bit as I started to feel better. "Here's your order, Ms. Plaxter. Have an amazing day." I handed her bag of order, "thank your dear, see you soon." After she left, there was no one in the small eating area, so I locked up and started cleaning. Leilah left a while ago as well as Maxuel, so it was just me and Ruby now. I was done with the counters, as Ruby came out with a broom and mop. "Ellie, what are you still doing here? You need to go home and rest up, I told you I got the cleaning for the night, so you don't have to worry about it." I cheekily smiled at her, "I know but I started to feel a bit better, so I decided to at least clean the tables and counters." 

  "Well, thank you. I appreciate it but I got the rest, hun. Go home and rest, okay." I nodded my head at her, "Okay, okay. I'm out of here." I got my bag, my phone from the work charger and a water to go. "Thank you, Ellie. See you tomorrow!" I waved at Ruby and closed the door behind me. I looked around, it's a nice night and breeze, I decided not to take a taxi or the bus, I started walking to my apartment. Then I felt it, the eyes, they felt closer and burning, almost like they were trying to do something. I felt shivers go down my spine and I am now regretting not getting a taxi or on the bus. I tried my best to relax, taking deep breathes and focus on my walking. I felt my phone buzz but deciding to ignore it, I'll check it at my apartment. I made it to my neighborhood, clerks closing for the night and kids rushing into the house, as their parents waiting on them. I waved to Jude as he was climbing up the stairs, and he waved back with his mom. "I won a game of basketball, Ms. Ellie! My first one in a while!" He shouted, as I got a bit closer, "That's amazing, Jude. Proud of you!" I clapped to him as his mom smiled, as he went in. "Get home safe, Ellie!" Mrs. Dantes told me, as I kept walking. "I will, Mrs. Dantes." I smiled at her, continuing my walk. I saw my gate come to view but I also say Mrs. Kellies struggling with some bags. "Mrs. Kellies, I'll help you!" I yelled out to her, climbing up her steps, as she turned to look at me. "Oh, Ellie. Thank you, dear." I picked up the bags for her, as she opened her door. "I hate when the delivery put the bags on the ground. It's like I put the table out there for decorations to them." 

   I giggled a bit, "that's bad, maybe if I make you a sign to put up. It could probably help." I put the bags on her dining table. "You know, that actually doesn't sound too bad of an idea." I smiled at her as she walked me to the door. "I'll make it for you, don't worry." We stepped outside, "now, get home safe, baby. I'll keep an eye out for ya." I wished her goodnight and was on my way. I made it to my gate, punch in the code and walked in, making sure the gate closed behind me. After a couple of doors later, I finally made it to my apartment. I locked up, put my bag up, got my phone out and checked the message. "Next time, get a taxi ride. You don't know who's eyes are on you, sweets." I felt a shiver go down my spine, it was a blocked number so I couldn't trace, nor do I want to. I'll just ignore it, yeah, I should be fine. It's probably a wrong number or someone trying to scare me, yeah. That's it. I put my phone to charge and cleaned out the bag I used. I looked around my apartment then remembered what Leilah told me, I got my little step stool and checked my vent, and it did seem a bit dirty, but no smell, just a bit of dust. I closed the vent, put up my stool and got ready for bed. I showered, washed my face and brushed my teeth, put on a tank top and very short shorts for bed, and drifted off to sleep.