LOVING FIERCELY

13

Felicia's POV

"Angie....I want my hair done this way". Giana said pointing at the image on het iPad.
"Consider it done", Angie replied wrapping the cotton towel around my hair.
"I feel brand new getting my hair done before ushering in the new year", I grinned at my reflection in the mirror.
"You should...you never spend money on yourself."
I threw the hair comb on the vanity at Giana.
"Be careful sweety..". She sat next me returning the comb back to its original position.
"How about next year....we take some pole dancing classes. Or wait belly dancing." Giana asked leaning towards me.
I gazed at her, bewildered by her words.
"When did you become so creative woman ?" I asked sarcastically.
"Did you just notice?" She crossed her legs playing along.
I bursted into laughter imagining the scenario in my head.
"Wh..at??" Giana laughed.
"I don't the picture right Gi....you and poles equals a mess".
Giana rolled her eyes. Flipping her hair, "What about belly dancing??".
I wore a serious expression like I considering the option.
" At least....you have no belly fat to worry about."
"You still don't get woman....this about building confidence, sexiness ".
I tried to keep my head still as Angie styled it.
"Fine....lets do the pole classes instead."
Giana held up her hand as I gave her a quick high five.

Turning North, I stepped on the brake, slowing down to join the traffic along the freeway exit. The night sky was bright, the road very much alive as people welcomed the new year. The sound of fireworks was still very audible even from the distance.

"Almost two o'clock ", I sighed rubbing my neck. Tanney was going to spend a night with Jon, which leaves me alone at home. My phone vibrated as the caller id showed who was calling. I clicked the answer button on the right side of the steering wheel.
"You home yet ??" Giana asked as soon as I answered.
"Stuck in traffic along the exit 6A".
"Bummer", she whined.
"You sound drunk", I giggled .
"I don't think a drunk woman would call you up to ask if you home safely Sweety."
I grinned at her reply. Giana was the type to never take a fall, no matter the subject matter.
"Seems like there was a crash". I said
as the traffic cleared, the cars wheeled around to the left avoiding the accident on the right side of the road.
"What you expect...its amateur night....Night sweety..i feel like my head is about to explode."
"Love you too".

I pulled into the garage. Turning off the steering, I yawned leaning back to rest my head on the car head rest. Stepping out of the car, the quiet Terrace street greeted me.
I decided to check the mailbox at once.
"Seriously.....Felicia who remembers to check their mail at 2am,"
I opened the mail box, retrieving the stack of envelopes and magazines.
I locked the front door behind me, turning on the alarm system before it slips my mind. I threw my handbag on the couch before i started sorting the mail in my hands.
"Bills..bills".
I turned on the lights in the kitchen pouring myself some drinking water.
About to guzzle the water in my mug, I noticed a yellow office envelope sticking out. Setting down the purple mug, i picked up the envelope studying it carefully.
"I know...I ain't expecting any document in the mail."
I carefully ripped open the envelope redeeming its content.
"Who the hell -- " I rifled through the pictures of me.
"Wait...thats me at the hair salon....the mall....with Jon..."
I felt chills running down my spine. I instinctively looked around feelinv like someone watching. My sense of comfort left immediately as sweat clustered around my forehead.
"How....thats me....thats me". The image of the night I spent making love with Ashton crossed my mind while staring at the nude picture of me in my hands.
The shock was electrifying. The pictures fell to the floor, I saw the goosebumps bathe my skin. I felt like the walls and furnitures had eyes and they were on me.
"Someone...no...Is watching me". My lips trembled. "Ashton..."
My joints felt weak causing my legs to give up on supporting me. I fell on my butt.
"Breathe....123.....breathe 456". I repeated closing my eyes.
My heartbeat became unusually fast and hard. Refusing the weakness that was building it's pillar on fear inside  me, I tried to convince myself it was nothing.
I tried to tell myself that Ashton couldn't be behind this.
I used to think that after a few months of therapy and mind management, I would be able to deal with stress effortlessly. But I was remarkably wrong, the memory of almost getting raped flashed vividly. The hot energy was strong hitting me hard as my stress levels grew.

The rays of sunshine came into the living room from the window blinds. The noise in the background was loud bringing back to reality.
"Mom!"
I opened my eyes to find Tanney holding me.
"Mom...why are you sleeping here?" he asked perturbed not noticing the pictures beside me.
"I...I," I stammered. "Thirsty".
Tanney rushed to the kitchen while i shoved the pictures under the couch.
Gulping the water nervously, I stared at my son's face.
"Seriously...are you okay??"
"I just passed out slightly".
"Let's go to the hospital mom....you look so  pale, " he paused. "You're still in last night's cloths ....your makeup", he pointed out.
"I am fine...i had too much to drink", I lied.
Tanney eyed me suspiciously not liking what I said one bit.
"I would escort you up the stairs."
I held his hands for support. Regaining equilibrium, I smiled at him.
"Thank you".

Sitting down on the soft mattress, the pain stung reminding me of my fall the other night. I pretended to be fine in other not explain anything to Tanney.
"I'm fine...i swear."
"Do you need anything ??"
I shook my head.
"I am fine....i hope".

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