Self-Seeker

44

Friday

Emily brought Genesis a steaming cup of green tea to calm her nerves. It was unlike her to have such worry embedded in her features over something concerning herself. Though, she was commonly troubled when something happened to those she cared for as a result of her own actions. This time it was worse, it was someone she had an intimate connection with. The notion that they may never forgive her was eating her up inside.

"Quit beating yourself up, Gen, everything is going to be fine." Emily said, rubbing her friends back soothingly. Genesis wasn't having any of it.

"How can you say such a thing? I was seconds away from murdering the man, a man who has shown me nothing but kindness. There's no coming back from that." Genesis asked before taking another long sip of her tea.

Her trembling hands were causing the cup to shake, it would spill and burn her if she continued. Emily took the mug from her and set it down on the coffee table. Taking Genesis' cold hands in her own, she tried to be the positivity and light that Genesis always saw her as.

"Look Genesis, you could've killed him but you didn't. That has to count for something. He's an understanding person and if you just explain what you were going through then you'll see that you have absolutely nothing to worry about." Emily insisted.

Just then, the doorbell rang and Emily shot her a knowing look, whereas Genesis' eyes widened in shock. She clearly wasn't ready to face him yet. Emily mouthed a 'you've got this' to her friend before getting off the sofa to unlock the front door. She was met with a man who bore a sombre facial expression, though he offered her a gentle smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Emily quickly hugged him before ushering him inside the apartment so she could lock the door.

Genesis had stood from the sofa but remained unmoving, silent as she watched their exchange. Emily glanced between the two, who had yet to say a word to each other. She offered their guest a drink but he kindly declined, probably wanting to get this over with.

"I'll give the two of you some time to talk." Emily said. Genesis only nodded in response.

"Oh Em, before you go, Dominic wanted to know if he could accompany you to the event this evening?" He inquired.

Emily scoffed. "Who else on earth would I want by my side?" She answered before leaving the two in the room alone.

He turned to face Genesis, keeping a neutral expression and waited for her to initiate the conversation. Genesis breathed out heavily, biting on her bottom lip anxiously. Remembering that she was indeed the one who invited him over, she motioned for him to sit on the sofa before taking a seat next to him. Genesis made sure to sit as far over on the other end as she could, she didn't want to invade his personal space and make him feel any more uncomfortable than she assumed he already was.

"I wasn't sure that you'd come, Dimitri." Genesis finally broke the silence, fiddling with the hems of her sleeves while she avoided eye contact. It was unusual for her to be feeling such guilt, she was beginning to realize the impact those around her were having on her emotional stability.

Genesis wasn't the same stone-cold, unwavering woman that had strode down the middle of New York's elite's wedding reception, with a thousand secrets hidden behind a sinister smile. Time had changed her; these people had changed her. She was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of one of those people's voice.

"Well, you sounded pretty serious over the phone. Given what we had, I thought I'd at least give you the benefit of the doubt." He answered, rubbing his palms onto his smart trousers. It appeared that she wasn't the only one nervous about their encounter.