"Umm, I know this is bad timing, but I really have to use the bathroom." I told him, as I took the interior of his apartment in. It was modestly sized, and could fit two, at most. The tile was linoleum, unlike my carpet flooring back home. Its walls were taupe, and a wide closet was built towards the back. A bathroom was to the left of it. The apartment itself was pristine, and so clean. A futon was to the left of me, as I entered the middle of the living space.
"Sure."
"Thanks. Do you want me to put my shoes over there?" I asked him, referring to the neat stack by the door.
"Actually, yeah." He said.
"Okay." I complied, untying my shoe laces as he expectantly looked at me.
"Uh, do you like it?"
"Yes. It's very clean." I shyly replied, as I placed my shoes by the door.
He grinned, "Thanks."
"Welcome." I nodded, heading into the bathroom before shutting the door behind me.
The shower was to the left, and the sink was to the middle of the bathroom. I presumed that his sister payed him occasional visits, due to the pack of Secret deodorant that stood by the faucet. 'What if they weren't for his sister?' I wondered. I shook the thought of another woman being here, off. Razors, and other hygienic products were right below the three fold medicine cabinet, that was positioned by a classic painting. The artwork swirled with black, blue, yellow, and gray hues.
It was Starry Night, and I almost immediately recognized it. I stopped ogling, and took care of my business. I then stepped out, when my curiosity finally took over. "Umm, does your sister come here, sometimes?"
"Yeah, she does. I promise you, I don't use d'ose products."
"I know you don't."
He paused, with a smile, "I sleep on the futon when she's he'a. She sleeps on the bed I have for her."
"Where's t-the..." I stuttered, "bed?"
"Oh, I'll show ya." He said, before taking me to the shut closet by us. He opened it, when a larger space was revealed to me. It had a queen sized bed, and a widescreen TV right in front of it.
"I wanted her ta be comfortable." He explained.
"It looks nice. I like how the clothes are on the sides of the room. Looks comfy."
"It is very comfortable. I usually sleep he'a."
"Nice." I whispered.
"Uh... do ya want something ta drink? Ooh, how about some cuoffee?"
"No, thank you. Uh..." I said, looking over to his kitchen that was to the right side. In front of the kitchen range was a refrigerator, with all kinds of snacks, and bottles of Aquafina water laying on it. A rectangular shaped box of Nesquik caught my attention.
"You can take whatev'a you want. I'll get my gun."
I noticed there was a fold-in table by the fridge. There were two seats next to it, and on top of it were his shades. I smiled, he must have forgotten to take them when he left to see me. He went off into his closet, to fetch his hand gun.
"Hey, is that strawberry Nesquik you have on the fridge there?"
He returned from the closet, "Yes m'am."
"Cool." I said, as I stood on my tip toes to reach the top of the fridge.
"I got dis." Mr. Cole assured me, when my heart began to race. He stood behind me, and my breath caught in my throat at our proximity. His strong hands grabbed the container, and set it down on the kitchen counter next to him.
"Thanks." I whispered.
"I can make it for you."
"If you want..."
"Alright." He grinned, "Do you like your milk warm or cold?"
I stepped away from him, as he opened the fridge. "Warm, please. Just put it in for one minute."
"Okay."
He poured milk into a black mug for me, and put it in inside the microwave by his refrigerator. We stayed quiet for a whole minute, when he took the mug out. "How many spoons?"
"Three would be fine."
"Alright, here you go."
I smiled, "Thanks."
"Be careful, d'ouh, it's hot." He warned.
"I will." I assured him, when I took a seat in one of his chairs. I took a sip of the mix, indulging in the sweet taste of strawberry.
"What are you thinking?" He asked, as he walked towards me.
"That's a personal question, uh... Do you really want to know?"
"Yes, I would."
I shifted in my seat and gulped. "You have photographic memory, right?"
"Yes," he said, taking the seat in front of me, "I do."
"It makes me wonder what you remember about me. It could be something basic. Anything." I said, trying to not to make this any more awkward than it needed to be.
"Ya can't swim, and you have dis...disdain for chocolate. You hate it."
"See, that counts." I nodded, looking down to my lap.
"You also...used ta hate me, but we were cool aft'a dat. But before dat, I uh, kind of told your crush you liked him. You got sup'a angry with me. Rememb'a?"
"Oh, I remember, alright. I wanted to slap you so hard..."
He laughed, "I'm sorry, okay? I sw'ea, I had good intentions!"
"Yeah, sure."
"I won't call ya Naddie anymore, if dat would make it bett'a."
"No, you don't have to do that. It's fine."
"Are you sure?"
I took a last sip of my drink, before the cup emptied. "Yes."
His grin captivated me, left me breathless. "Uh, what'd you get for Christmas?"
"I got a can of pepper spray."
He chuckled, "Pepp'a spray? Are you serious right now?"
"Yep. All I need is a tranquilizer."
"Touché."
I laughed, "How about you?"
"Oh, me? Stuff. Let's just put it dat way."
"Adult...stuff?"
"Yeah... My family is a bit...peculi'a. If you will."
"Mine too. Don't worry about it. Uh, do you like cooking? You have a bunch of cooking supplies by your kitchen."
"I love it actually....it's one of my favorite things. Besides writing and Lit. Ya know, I cook for my nephews. D'ere so cute."
"Do you have a picture of them?"
"I do." He took his Blackberry out, and showed me four little boys with bowl cuts. Their skin was light brown, and their eyes were red from the camera glare.
"They're so adorable."
"Thank you."
I smiled, "I love kids."
His brows furrowed at my statement, "Ya do?"
"Yeah. I might have one of my own someday, when I'm financially stable."
"You'll be a wonderful moth'a." He said, with a distant look on his face.
"I hope so."
He nodded, "Do you want ta watch some TV?"
"Sure." I said, putting my mug inside his kitchen sink. I sauntered over to his closet, and took a seat on his bed. He maintained the space between us, turning the television set on with a remote control. I saw SpongeBob-catching jelly fish on the screen.
"Uh..." he laughed softly, attempting to change the channel as he searched for the guide.
"You're almost in your thirties, and you still watch SpongeBob?"
"It's for my nephews." He muttered.
"Uh-huh."
"I'm serious."
"I know." I giggled.
He smiled widely, "You bett'a.
"Mhm. I still..."
"Still what?" He whispered, as he came closer to me.
"Watch SpongeBob." I admitted, in an ashamed tone of voice.
He flashed a wide grin. "Child."
"Excuse me?" I spat at him.
"You heard me. Child."
I slapped his arm without thought, "Hey!"
He bursted into laughter, "It's da truth. And if you do dat again, you're gonna see what happens."
"What are you going to do? Hold me hostage?"
"Yes."
What? My eyes widened. "I can't tell if you're joking or not."
"I know."
I giggled, "We're weird kids."
"We are," Mr. Cole grinned, "do you want to go to dat place I mentioned?"
"No, I think I want to stay inside. If that's okay with you."
"Yeah, uh, dat would be fine."
I nodded, "What about you? What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking...about how much you've changed. You're the same, yet...you're not."
"How so?" I inquired.
"I..." he started, before his phone rang.
"You..."
"Can I take dis?"
I cleared my throat, "Yeah, uh, go ahead."
He smiled at me. "Hey Philant, what's up bro? Yeah. I did. Oh, nothing much. Naw, I don't have one. Sorry, but yeah, it was mad crazy. It was mad. We were really havin' a good time. Oh true. God bless him, he really needs the encouragement right now. I hope all is well, man. Yeah, thanks for calling me. Alright, bye." Mr. Cole said as he hung up.
I was half focused on his conversation, and the cartoon reruns that were being played for me on the TV. "Nadlan?"
"Yeah?" I said, as I tore my eyes from the screen.
"I'm sorry about dat. Dat was my cousin in Philly. I hadn't heard from him in months."
"It's ok."
He nodded, with a lost look on his face. "I forgot what I was thinking about. No, wait. I rememb'a now. You're strong'a, wis'a. I feel like... I can't keep up."
"You can."
"Perhaps..." he trailed off.
"You have a masters degree." I reminded him.
"Dat's called being book-smart."
"Well, yeah, but you know me. You're also older, you know more."
He nodded, when his brow furrowed, "Nadlan?"
Saying my name, would never fail to make me fluster. "Y-yeah?"
"I don't want you keeping quiet about what happened the oth'a night. I don't trust that guy."
"I don't trust him either." I admitted, shivering at the thought of Riley's hands creeping down my body.
"I'm so sorry. " he whispered.
"It's not your fault, I should've screamed or something."
"That would have helped, but you were scared. I would've been scared too."
"But you would have fought back...."
"Yes."
"I respect that, you know." I told him.
He sighed, "You need ta report what happened."
"I...can't."
"You can, believe me. I'm your witness, I can help."
"I know."
"I'll even come with you."
"You don't have to, but it might actually get me through it." I admitted.
"It might." He nodded, as he took a seat right next to me.
I involuntarily blushed, "I'll call my boss alone, see what happens."
"Thank you." He whispered, as my eyes locked themselves to the screen.
"Sure." I whispered in a tiny voice, as his hand nudged mine. It was apparent that it was an accident. I flinched once again, despite this.
"What happened?" Mr. Cole gently demanded of me.
"I don't know what's..." I shook my head, looking to him.
"You gotta talk ta me...." he told me, as he placed a hand on my shoulder.
His touch caused electricity to run through my body, as I sat on his bed in complete shock. What was he doing? The better question was why I was in this man's bed. Despite this, I found myself scooting closer to him. I found myself leaning towards him, towards his soft lips. That was exactly when I snapped myself out of it. What the hell was wrong with me? Mr. Cole was frozen in place, not even daring to utter a single word.
"I should go." I pulled back, speaking in deep panic.
"I'm sorry..." he began as I got up and out of the bed. I tried to search for any belongings I may have left behind, only to figure I had brought nothing but myself. Could I call Carlos? No, no, that would be an absolutely terrible idea. He was sure to patronize me for even being within Mr. Cole's proximity. Well, what now?
"No, it's ok." I forced a smile in his direction.
"Nad-" he stood from the bed, and came over to me.
"I should go." I stated with a flustered face.
"It's only three thirty, d'ough."
"I still should go, you know?"
He nodded in understanding, "I can walk you out."
"Thanks." I sighed in relief. I had already made a fool of myself, multiple times today.
"Do you need anythin'? Before we go?"
"No, thank you."
"Alright, but I know you're not okay. Something's up. You won't talk ta me."
"I..."
He sighed, "It's okay."
"No, it's not. I want to talk, but I just can't...."
"I know." He told me, taking a few steps back before propping his apartment door open with his foot.
"Sorry."
"No need ta apologize Naddie. Pass me my keys, please."
"Okay." I picked them up from his kitchen counter, "You got your gun?"
"Yep. Wait, hold up." He said as he ventured towards his bedroom.
"Alright." I nodded, when he came back, with a pistol.
"Here." He handed the medium-sized weapon over to me.
"It's not loaded, but Carlos should have some bullets. He'll know da type."
"Why are you giving me this?" I questioned as I took the gun into my hands.
"The gun Carlos gave you was kind of...weak. It's not sufficient if you really want ta protect yourself from harm."
"Oh, I didn't know. Thanks."
"Anytime, come on now. Let's get ya home."
"Wait." I insisted, when he came close to the door.
"What is it?"
"If I'm going to do this, I can't do it alone."
He paused, "You're going to call your boss?"
"Yes." I hesitated, regardless of the fact that I was going to do it. I had to, it was the only way.
He closed the door and took a sigh of relief, "I'll be here with you."
I sat on the futon, that had been converted into a sofa prior to my coming here. I shook all over, but I knew I was strong enough to do this. I set my new pistol over to the left of me, when I felt him by my side. It felt as though I could do this, with him. Without him, I wasn't so sure. He gave me an encouraging smile, when I reached for my Black Berry. I dialed the number, awaiting a response.
"You should put it on speaker." He suggested.
"Sure."
He was so sure, so assertive with this choice. "Rememb'a, I'm he'a."
I nodded, when Mrs. Maria replied. "Hi Nadlan."
"Good afternoon." I spoke with a gulp.
"What's up?" She asked me with a distant, uninterested voice.
"There's something I need to tell you."
"Hm?" She wondered in a hoarse voice. My boss had been smoking, I could tell.
"Riley....touched me."
"Wait, what? I can't hear you."
I could tell Mr. Cole was about to curse this woman out. I put the phone to my shoulder. "Calm down."
"Sorry."
"It's fine." I assured him, when I got back on the phone with her.
"Riley touched me." I repeated.
"Inappropriately?"
"Yes ma'am." My voice quivered as I spoke up.
"I'm going to pull up the cameras. Give me a second, was it yesterday?"
"Ok, and yes." Mr. Cole looked to the ground, tuning in to the whole conversation. Mrs. Maria took a while before she spoke.
"I believe you, Nadlan, but there's no proof."
"No...proof?"
He looked to me, as his brows furrowed. Was he angry or outraged? Because I sure as hell was.
"I'm sorry. The cameras have no footage."
"I'm a witness." Mr. Cole interjected.
"Even so, there's no proof."
His fists and jaw clenched at her excuse. "Yes, d'ere is. That young man violated her. I saw da tears in her eyes, the way she reacted to him. He even ran away from me once he knew I had caught him in da act."
"I understand that sir, but there is no way I can..." she started, before the call went dead. Because I had hung up on her.
"Nadlan, what was dat for?"
"I'm done. Just done with the bullshit."
"Me too, I cannot believe dat woman. I was d'ere, I saw him!"
"I know, but I give up."
"We gotta do something."
"There's nothing to be done." I sighed, as I held back tears. It then occurred to me, what I would do. I would not cry, not for anything or anybody in this world.
"There is so much we can do. We can get girls from Maria's ta testify, doesn't Riley make dem uncomfortable?"
"Yes, of course he does. Nobody ever talks about it though."
"See? Dat's da problem."
"I know," I sighed, "Can you take me to Maria's?"
His voice was cautious, as if he assumed I was going to blow up the whole store. "Why?"
"I just have to buy discount cards for perfume. They're for Lisa and Alexis."
"If I were you, I wouldn't even purchase items from d'ere anymore. It's not worth it." He nodded his head in disapproval.
"You can come with me, it'll be okay."
"Nad-"
"Please?"
"Alright, but if I see dat guy....he bett'a know what's comin' for him."
"I wouldn't. His dad is involved with the mafia."
"So was mine."
I gasped, "What?"
"I have my connections, it's not something I'm proud of dough."
"I mean, as long as you're not involved...."
"No, I'm not. I just know people affiliated with it, like Philant. He keeps our family safe. He's a good guy, I promise you, he doesn't go around shootin' people for cash or anythin'."
"I don't know what to say." I admitted.
"You don't have to say anything, it's a lot ta take in."
I let out a deep sigh, "Just..."
"Hmm?"
"Don't beat him up, no matter how much he may deserve it."
He paced around the room, and unclenched his fists. I could almost feel the rage dissipating in him. His eyes softened, "I won't."
I calmed, "Thank you."
"Welcome."
"Sure, but just know I'm going to do something. When we get to Maria's. Just watch."
"As long as it's nothing violent, rememb'a, double standards."
"I won't, I'm not a violent person."
He scoffed at this, "We'll see."
"I'm not!" I protested.
"Sure." He chuckled, as he stood and walked over to the door.
I tucked the pistol under my belt loop, right next to my pocket knife. It was time to go. I was so nervous, but so ready. I handed him his keys to lock the door. We crossed through the basement to the lobby, into the street. We went down the way we came, but made a right to get to Maria's. I saw the purple roof of the building in sight, and entered with my escort. I came to the cashier, where the grinch was situated.
"I quit." I simply told her, as Mr. Cole's eyes opened in shock. My hips swayed from side to side, when I dramatically made my way over to Riley. He was crouched on the floor, assorting a brand new set of holiday perfume. I crouched down and grinned a wicked grin. He wore a yellow long sleeve shirt and black pants that sagged almost all the way down his legs. This was brilliant. I gestured Cole to keep quiet-and watch. It was later on in the day... that I received a call from him.
"Hello?"
"Did you have ta give him a wedgie?"
YOU ARE READING
Sincerely Yours
RomanceNadlan Villafuente, a rambunctious young adult, struggles in her relationships, both social and romantic, as a victim of rape. She will find a powerful love through a figure in her past, one that is unconventional, and moreover-unorthodox.
