Jake

Chapter 16 - Brothers

I took in my surroundings, clean off white walls and an intricate wainscotting design that ran down the main wide hall in the centre of the home. Delicate gold and white frames were set along either side of the wall with beautifully hand-painted landscaping.
We passed two closed doors and rounded a corner, our shoes echoing on the wooden floorboards. Gentle light from another room flowed outwards, the door slightly ajar.

Imelda stopped and pushed it open to reveal what was inside.

"Jake placed your things inside already, if there's anything else you need, just let me know" She politely offered

I took a step into the room, which was warmly alight from a small luminescent lamp beside the bed.
A ceiling to floor window opposite the bedroom door was guarded by white sheet curtains delicately flowing to the floor. A white iron double bed sat in the centre , the wall behind the low headboard decorated with a hand painted picture of an angelic woman in the middle of a garden, flowers surrounding her.

I moved closer and took in the fine strokes of colour, the woman looked calm, her profile perfect as she sat in a sundress. Her hair was short, curled brown hair as it shaped her face, green eyes.

"She's beautiful" I mumbled out loud, Imelda watching me carefully from the doorway

"She is" She mumbled with an indecipherable small smile before exiting the room.

I stood at the end of the bed, a woven brown rug beneath my feet, my suitcase leaning against a dresser opposite the bed.

All of the furniture was white, and it appeared to have remained untouched as light dust settled in top. A rush of lavender entered my nose again, memories flooding back that I preferred to keep distant.

I carefully dragged my fingertip along the dresser, picking up fine grey particles with a sigh. Gazing at my reflection, a golden arched mirror hung above the dresser, I realised just how run down I appeared.

The edges of my hair danced with rogue wisps, my attempts to flatten it in Jake's car futile. My skin was lighter than usual, heavy darkened bags visible from lack of sleep beneath my eyes. I winced at what my breath must have been like, paranoid and embarrassed.

While staring at my distressed appearance, I caught glimpse of another door tucked into the corner of the room beside the window. Walking towards it, I wondered if it were a closet. I hesitated before curling my hand around the handle and pushing it open. My shoulders fell with relief, a bathroom, my own bathroom.

Instantly I looked forward to a warm shower, eager, giving in and collecting together some clean clothes for a well-deserved reset.

The moment I stepped under the scalding water, everything around me seemed to disappear for a brief moment.
I allowed the warmth to soak me entirely, closing my eyes and leaning my head back, the water washing over my face like a cleansing.

I used a fancy shampoo and conditioner provided inside the shower, ensuring I only used a small necessary amount.
I lathered myself up in soap that smelt of honey and oats, breathing in the refreshing cleanliness before regretfully stepping out a good hour later.

Using a clean white towel hanging, I wrapped myself up, fog in the bathroom slowly dancing around my movements.

I stood in front of the mirror and swiped my hand over the moisture stuck to the glass blocking my reflection.
Thankfully, it seemed that the shower had improved my drawn in features. I felt better.

It was then, in that very moment, reality hit me, like a ton of bricks crashing down on my fragile body as I stared at the necklace around my neck, the ring, the stone.