FRAGMENTS ; Simon Riley

Chapter 11.

ROSALIE

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"Pretty brown eyes and a mind full of thoughts."

THE days passed slowly, they refused to let me do any physical activity other than walking around the corridors of the medical wing. On the other hand, the lieutenant had managed to leave before me, but he still had to stay home. 

I had no apartment to stay in, other than the little room here in the base. So at the first available moment, I snuck out and went to talk to Price. I wouldn't have stayed long in this boring hell.

"Harrison, you should be resting." John scolded me as soon as he saw me step inside his office, all the while he was busy on a couple of reports.

The room smelled of cigars, even with the windows open. There wasn't much around, just shelves full of folders, some papers and paperweights. In the center, however, was a large desk, very messy, but he seemed fine with that. "It's just a few bruises, I don't need to be treated like a baby." I commented with a small huff.

"Isn't there any place I can stay in? Around the compound's corner?" I asked him, tilting my head slightly to one side.

He seemed to think about it for a moment, before picking up his phone and calling someone. He gave me a quick glance as he stood up and walked over to one of the windows for some privacy. John spoke silently, I didn't hear any names in the conversations, just simple agreements.

Then he hung up the call and turned to me, "I've got it."

Fuck, yes. No more shitty quarters.

From a drawer, he rummaged around a bit, before taking out a couple of keys and throwing them in my direction. I caught them quickly. "The apartment belongs to a good friend of mine, he vacated it last month and left the keys to me, just in case. It's yours now, don't destroy anything."

❀

The air outside was freezing and luckily the building was very close to the compound. I dragged my suitcase with me to the elevator, getting in and pressing the fourth floor. The inside of the building was already nicely arranged, I wouldn't have imagined my new home.

With a little noise, the elevator stopped and I stepped out, looking through the six doors in the corridor to see which one was mine. Number 405.

I reached into my pants' pocket and shoved my keys out, then inserting them in the keyhole. The door clicked open and I shoved my suitcase in. Fuck, it was a big house.

It was modern, yes. Spacious for two people. The kitchen and living room were connected, two large windows on one side overlooking the city. The bedroom was normal, a bed and a wardrobe, just right for me. I didn't even know for how long I would've stay here.

I spent the whole day cleaning the house, every single corner and piece of furniture, until it was perfect in my eyes. Even my things, I furnished with the little I had brought in my suitcase, like the photos and some lucky charms.

The only thing missing was the food in the fridge.

I quickly dressed to go outside and buy something at the nearby supermarket, it a few seconds away and I was starving to death. Just as I was locking the apartment, a door opened behind me.

"Fuckin' hell."

That voice. That damn voice.

Slowly, I turned around and met a couple of brown eyes, glaring down on me. It couldn't be real. Now the fucking lieutenant was my neighbour? 

Simon was wearing simple clothes, all black, from head to toe. A cap covered his head, while a mask covered half his face. He looked like an old man who was afraid of getting sick. There wasn't a moment when he looked normal--but this time he wasn't wearing gloves.

In one hand he held the phone, in the other his keys. I looked quickly at his hands, and there it was, the wedding ring. What an idiotic pig.

I returned his gaze, "I'm not happy either."

And instead, it was a lie, I didn't like holding grudges towards someone. It wasn't like me and I didn't have time for it. What had happened was already behind me, it was up to him to behave like a mature person. Right?

He stared at me, then let out a frustrated sigh. "Just stay out of my sight." He grumbled, but before he could close his door, I took a step forward. "While we're at it, I could come in and meet your wife. I don't want to be surrounded by only men."

I told him confidently, forcing a small smile onto my lips. "No." And the smile disappeared. What the hell, this man.

"She doesn't want to be bothered. Especially by people like you." He told me, annoyed. My jaw dropped at his words, all the blood rushing to my head. I was so close to strangle this man to death. 

He seemed pleased with his own words. He closed the door behind him and walked away briskly, leaving a trail of very strong cologne. For a moment I had a slight headache, I leaned against the door frame. Damn, I had to buy the meds too.

Then my gaze fell on the doorbell of his apartment.

S. Riley

And another name, erased.