The Gentleman Thug

Part 4

I woke with a startle. I don't know what woke me. It was pitch dark and the place was quiet. Checking the time to see it was 3 am. All my senses were on high alert like something wasn't right. I closed my eyes again listening intently.. A whimper so soft if I wasn't listening out for a noise I would've missed it. It happened again. Throwing the covers off I slowly walked to my bedroom door. Knowing where every piece of furniture was placed I didn't need the light. I stood in front of the door waiting for the sound again. I felt like a idiot. About to walk back to the lounge room a sob escaped. I battled with myself to let her be. It wasn't my business but somehow I found myself lightly tapping on the door.

"Oriana"

I could hear her moving around in the room. The light went on showing her silhouette underneath the door. It opened and she looked as though she had been crying all night.

Oriana- "I'm sorry did I wake you?"

"No. You okay?"

Oriana- "Yes"

She held back her tears.

"What's wrong?"

Oriana- "Nothing I promise. Go back to sleep."

"Do you always promise when you lie?"

She sobbed.

Oriana- "You must think I'm a freak. Don't worry about me I'll be okay."

She gave me a wobbly smile.

Sighing I switched on the hallway light. Putting my hand out for her to take. I led her to the lounge room and made her sit on the chair while I grabbed her some tissues. Waiting for her to compose herself I sat waiting patiently.

"I know we're strangers. But I'm willing to listen if you promise to stop crying."

Oriana- "You don't like seeing girls cry?"

"It terrifies me."

She laughed at that and I returned her smile.

"This have something to do with a guy?"

Oriana- "How'd you know?"

I shrugged.

"The only time a girl cries is over a guy."

Oriana- "Offt! Not true."

"So your not crying over a guy?"

Oriana- "That's beside the point."

"What is the point?"

Oriana- "I have no idea. I've lost my train of thought."

"You were g'na tell me what your crying about."

She stared at her hands on her lap and whispered.

"Have you ever regretted a choice you made involving a relationship. Like you wish if you could turn back time and go back to the day you first met that person and knew then what you know now about them, you'd turn and run the other way?"

"Yes all the time."

Oriana- "Teuila?"

I nodded.

"What are you running from?"

Oriana- "My ex."

"Why? If you don't wanna be with him just tell him that."

Oriana- "It's not that simple and not everything is black and white."

"Are you scared of him?"