Witness to a Love Story

Thirty: Scandals

My stare lingers a second longer than it should on Shamin. I feel a tug on my wrist from Merrick. My head turns back around to focus on my present situation as I stumble the final steps to the entrance. My senses kick into the slight sting from the pressure Merrick is applying as he roughly brings me to the wide, gold infringed double doors.

I put my foot down a few feet away from the door and yank my arm away to glorious freedom. "What the hell?" I mutter under my breath as I rub my wrist. My minor action was enough to cause Merrick to snap out of his anger induced trance. Turning my attention to Merrick, I wait for a response.

He groans. "I'm sorry, Beatrice. That man that passed us right now, the ginger, he's a dangerous fucker." Merrick runs his hand through his hair and his eyes have a feral look in them. Merrick paces a little bit in front of me.

"Was that really necessary, though?" I pout. Shamin is a toothache for me as well, but Merrick was overreacting. Plus, my wrist ended up being the victim. My eyes shift down to the red, irritated skin and I see Merrick's eyes follow mine.

"Shit, Beatrice. I- I didn't mean to." I inhale sharply as Merrick takes a step forward. He hesitates and thinks better before grabbing me again. Turning around, Merrick passes through the doors.

Rolling my eyes, I see my only choice is to follow Merrick. After all, he is my ride here; wherever "here" is. I enter and my eyes flick around to take in the plush velvet decor and grand bar with polished stools to one side. Sprawled out in a designated space on the black tile in front of the bar are a few clothed tables. Nicely dressed men and women stand around in groups, smoking or dining at the table.

I give them a pointed look as their eyes judge me. Merrick weaves through the maze of tables and goes through yet another door. This one has the same velvet plush and a small, round window which allows me to see into the kitchen. Going through the doors a waft of delectable scents overpowers my nostrils. I can't be distract, though, as I follow Merrick to a back room, where he finally stops.

The back room is more of a cramped office space. One window is of the view of the golf course. A desk is off to one side. A bookcase and mini fridge are one the side with the window. I see Rebecca sitting behind the desk enjoying a lollipop along with Angel sitting on her lap.

"Beatrice?" Rebecca asks in a surprised tone. I nod my head while Merrick squeezes his way to the mini fridge.

Angel's brown eyes light up when she recognizes me. She jumps off and runs up to me, her black hair a gorgeous mess behind her. In a very innocent manner, Angel grabs my shirt but her hand brushes my injured wrist.

Wincing, I carefully remove Angel's hands with a painful smile. "It's good to see you too, Giggles." I tell the little devil. Living up to her nickname, Angel does give me her childish giggle. Rebecca isn't giggling, though, for she is eyeing me intensely.

"Move aside, little lady." Merrick says in a courageous voice as if he's the hero in a fairy tale. Angel giggles once more in response and scuttles over to the desk. Instinctively, I roll my eyes a second time that day because of Merrick. He comes over and gives me an apologetic smile as he lifts my arm by the elbow and presses a cold pack to my wrist.

I try not to cuss as I bite down on my tongue. I take the cold pack from him and hold it against my wrist by myself. "Thanks." I say sarcastically.

Angel looks between the two of us, curiosity etched onto her beautiful face. Walking over to Rebecca, she asks, "What's wrong with the big lady?"

My eyes narrow onto the little girl. Big lady? I give her such a cute nickname and all I get in return is "Big Lady". Children these days. I shake my head from side to side at the thought of all the idiotic acts children run around doing today.