Clear

Clear: Chapter 26

Chapter 26: This Little Piggy

My eyes peeled open to the sound of rain tapping against my window. Their repetitive knocks sounded so inviting that I was tempted to open the window. Carefully turning my head to the side, I caught the numbers on the microwave that let me know it had been approximately three hours since I put my head down on the pillow.

6AM. My body is has finally habituated to my work schedule.

Last night wasn't as rough as it could have been, physically. My feet were still sore from dancing around with Renee and Chris at our happy hour outing last night. My back was pulsing with sharp prickling pains as well, and it was no surprise seeing as to how sleeping on the floor will start to take a toll. Yet, I might have been in less pain if I didn't fall asleep in my work clothes.

I made a promise to myself not to drink. I didn't want to risk making another mistake and dwell on the man who left more messages on my phone last night.

Slow to get up from the ground, I made sure not to disturb Cinna Buns on her side of my pillow. She was was already awake, watching me with eyes no bigger than slits. In a few seconds, I could hear the soft purrs amplify, and I returned a gentle scratch behind her ears.

You are so much happier.

It was strange to admit that my growing kitten was half of my focus as I switched between looking at her still resting and out to the gray scenery blurred by nature's antics. The thought of her becoming a completely different cat was leaning more toward environment than age.

Have I changed? Am I happier?

I suppose I wasn't going to know until I still got a few more things out of the way. One of the main things being the furniture in my apartment. Thanks to the weather, my storage move was going to have to be rescheduled and I was mildly sad about it.

I'd be lying to myself if I didn't think I was going to miss the furnishings I never asked for. I scoffed with laughter at the thought, but these strange feelings about going without has been slowly creeping on me for the last few days.

Ezra. He apologized to me.

My instinct was to think that it was a lie. A faux apology was what I was used to, but he didn't give me much else to work with except for his words and the honesty behind his eyes.

If I've been lied to so much, how would I know what the truth really looks like?

This wasn't what I wanted. It was so typical to consider him in a more affectionate light. But it was so easy to do after the last time he used his key to unlock my door. I was fucked up, and he didn't like it.

That look was on your face then too.

Since that night he hasn't been the same, and I really wanted to know why.

"That's it. I'm just curious," I confirmed to myself before stepping into the shower.  

He was a rich, attractive, mysterious man– the perfect formula for any romantic story with a protagonist that can't seem to unblur the line between her a the all encompassing aura of a dark and mysterious man.

And having money is always a plus. A shitton of it.

There was hardly anything that drew me to men who used their money or looks to try to get away with everything. Then again, I've also never had a man like that make me the target of his affection...or obsession...before.

Does Ezra fall into this markup?

"Shit," I swore, quickly slamming on the 'delete' key to erase the name I accidentally typed in instead of the parameter.