Chains

Chapter Four

POV: Norma

A few days passed, and each one came as a deja vu. The routine had been the same everyday.

I'd wake up bright and early, go down to the office.
Alex would come into the office at around 8, come and get coffee. I'd join, we'd talk.
Alex would go to work, I'd pretend to be productive by doing 'work', despite the fact that in reality there was no work to do.
Norman would come into the office, we'd talk. Not about Bradley-I kept up all effort to keep all that blocked from his brain for as long as I could. Unfortunately I couldn't say the same for myself. It was still troubling me every night, and despite Alex's advice, I still didn't manage to get sleep (or at least a decent amount of it.)
Late night, Alex would come back. I'd be back in the house by this time, but i'd see the lights from his car shine past my curtains and go out to welcome him-no idea why. It was awkward every time. Neither of us really knew what to do or say, and it usually ended with some awkward exchange of goodnights and separating off from each other.

Today was a whole different day.

It started with a moment that I was torn between wanting to erase from my memory completely out of embarrassment, or secretly wanting to keep a vivid memory of, for reasons that I was failing to explain in my head.

I needed to speak to Alex about something, but he was late for what had now become his routinely visit into the motel office, at around 8am. I checked the clock on the wall; 8:30am. Letting out a frustrated sigh, I walked over to the door and peeked outside. No sign. If he was still asleep, he'd get a kick up the backside.

I strode purposefully down the porch, stopping just outside Room 11. I knocked once, lightly, just in case he was still asleep. Even if i'd be angry if that was the case, I still wouldn't want to startle him. I frowned in confusion for a moment over the fact that I actually cared about that. A while back I wouldn't have given a shit about inconveniencing Alex. I let my thoughts wash over my head, knocking once again when I didn't get a reply. This time I heard him say something, more of a non verbal reply (in the form of a groan), but I took it as a 'come in' kind of gesture. So, that I did. Bad mistake. Or perhaps good mistake....

The minute I pushed open the door, I was immediately loudly yelled at.

"Norma!"

There stood a wide eyed Alex, midway through getting ready. Shirt off.

"Oh!-Oh, jeez, i'm sorry! I'm sorry!" I put my hand over my mouth, fighting to stop an amused smile from appearing. He looked so embarrassed and irritated, and I couldn't help but find it extremely hilarious.

But there was also another feeling, something that i'd never felt with Alex before. I felt the urgency to leave the room before I gave something away, but I couldn't. I just kept staring-and if I could forcefully punch myself in the face, i'd do it. I assumed he'd only just woken up, but he looked....

He looked so....

....Attractive?

Secretly, i'd always been physically attracted to Alex. I managed, or at least thought I managed to mask it throughout the time I used to dislike him. However as much as I attempted to deny it, I still found him intimidatingly attractive. I wouldn't dare tell him though, or make it obvious. Again, it was my stubbornness that had me determined not to give him the satisfaction.

It was those alluring dark eyes, his voice, his muscles-oh god, his arms. It was always obvious through the tight fitting clothes that he was well built, but without his shirt I no longer needed to use my imagination. This was bad, oh, this was really bad.