Black Rose

Twenty-Eight

Melrose Pov

Bumping into Raine last night was the last thing I expected to happen. We've managed to stay away from each other for months and I thought we'd go even longer, but not everything works in my favor. I must admit seeing him again sparked a light inside of me. Apart from the permanent hole in my heart from Bella's passing, I've had this empty space inside of me that I know only he can fill. I wish I could say I held my head high and kept moving forward with my life like Raine never existed. I'd be telling the biggest fib ever. There were innumerable days I've missed out on life changing money from customers because I didn't want to see anyone. I'd lie in the bedroom with the drapery shut and nothingness plunging on me like a tidal wave. My conscious had taken control of me and the guilt I felt wouldn't disappear for how I used Raine that night. I've confided into Mrs. Beckford about these feelings but we didn't get anywhere. At one point I truly believe she was insinuating that whatever is and has happened to me is my own fault-- that I have done something erroneous, something so enormous, it's beyond the naked eye. Her different mood swings threw me for a loop. She had her good days where she'd stop at nothing to get to the bottom of my issues and there were other days, she slyly blamed me for why my life has been a shit show, which is why I won't be returning to her. Although, Mrs. Beckford did teach me one important factor about life and the obstacles it tosses at you. When life gets tough, the tough get going, but even when I find myself facing the hardest battles yet, I must keep going, one foot after the other, no matter what. Live bold and bloom!

As for janky Jayna, I reached out to her yesterday and asked to meet with her today. Unlike my past, I refuse to sit back and let the problem manifest into something far more than I can bear. Now, I'm tackling them head on with no consideration of anyone's feelings. I'll never prosper if I don't work on self improvement and this sit down with her is me getting a step closer to that goal.

The weather is nice out today and the coffee shop we're meeting at is literally down the street from my apartment building, so instead of being lazy, I chose to walk there. When I made it to the shop, I was pleased to see it wasn't crowded as it normally be on the weekdays. Walking pass the counter, I spoke to Eugene, the barista and found an empty table by the window. Jayna hadn't arrived yet, so I took this time to call Mr. Abdu since he hasn't answered any of my calls today. The line rings a few times before I heard Mandy's voice flow through the phone.

"You've reached the office of Mr. Yusuf Abdu, this is Mandy speaking and how may I assist you today?" I smiled at how robotic she sounded. The poor woman has repeated the sentence so much, it's apart of her now.

"Hi Mandy, this is Melrose Willoughby. I met with Mr. Abdu last week and he told me to give him a call today after I sent some evidence regarding my case and I've called all day, but haven't been able to reach him."

"My apologies, Ms. Willoughby. Mr. Abdu has been in a meeting all day and staff is short at the moment, so we haven't been able to answer the front desk phone as much. Would you like to leave a message for him?" She queried.

"Not really. I just wanted to know if he received the emails I sent him this morning, but he wouldn't know obviously." I chuckled trying not to come off as rude. Some people will take things the wrong way. "If you can just let him know I called that would be great."

"Oh yes, ma'am. I'll be sure to relay your message to him."

"Ok, thank you so much, Mandy."

"Your welcome. You have great day now. Bye, bye." Ending the call, I placed my phone on the table and looked up to see Jayna coming up to me in a chippering mood with a wide smile plastered on her face. My straight face stayed put as I wanted to make it evident, I came here strictly to confront her. This wasn't a brunch date--this is serious business.