BURNED

Chapter 8

     The last thing I was expecting to see was Yamina with a woman. On the outside I knew she would see my calm, cool, collected signature expression. But inside I felt uneasy. A spark grew within me, and it was hard admitting to myself that jealousy was wreaking havoc in my subconscious mind. I had come here out of some notion, but I now realize how strange this looks.

     The red headed woman looked at me with a slightly surprised look, but deep within her eyes I could see questions and curiosity. She stood, and although her body was fair and beautiful it was hard for me to take notice. When Yamina was around it was hard for me to focus on anything but her.

      "Miss London, it came to my attention that you had some personal issues. Being that I was passing through the area I thought I would give you my condolences, and possibly have a discussion."

     She tilted her head, I could tell she wished to say something smart but she bit her tongue.

    "I find it highly inappropriate that you sought me out at personal hours. However if you are still in town tomorrow we can definitely have a discussion."

     I nodded, and turned away. It seemed difficult to do. Because now that I had seen her it was hard for me to just turn away. I walked to the BMW that I had taken for the trip, and sat down in the car. For awhile I just stared into the distance. Even as they drove away, I was immersed into my own thoughts.

     I was angry with myself for feeling the way that I did. All the years of avoiding human attachment to any and every human being on earth, and she had to be the one to awaken something within me. I knew I should have given the job to someone else.

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     I woke up the next morning with a few questions in my head. One of the biggest being why was Orion in town? What could he possibly want? And after he had shut off the funds I was using to support my family, I was simply just done with him. Was he obligated to? No, but he had made a promise.

     So as I served yet another customers order, Cana put her hands on her hips, and tapped her foot against the wooden floor.

      "What's wrong?" she asked.

      "I'm just thinking about my old boss. He really let me down. Now suddenly he comes here wanting to talk?"

     Cana sighed heavily motioning for me to sit down. I sat, hands wringing my apron, feeling defeated for some odd reason.

      "Well maybe you should talk to him to see what he has to say then. Look I seen the way he looked at you it seems like he really cares. Hell what could go wrong? All you're doing is listening."

      I sigh, hugging her close, she shoos me off. I send him a text with my address, and a time to show up. Oddly enough I was rushing home to look presentable. I'm sure it was some subconscious thing, but deep down I knew I wanted to look good for him. He was still Orion however, I just wasn't pulled in by his "alluring" charm like the rest of the dimwitted women that saw opportunity lurking in his quarters.

     I wore a tight yet conservative black dress, black stilettos, and my hair pulled back into a bun at the nape of my neck. The final touch was red lipstick. I had told him to meet me at my mother's home. She was fast asleep, although I was sure she would have a fit if she was awake. She did adore him after all. Hailey was at a friend's house.

     It was a knock at the door that pulled me out of my thoughts. I opened the door half expecting him to be there empty handed. But to my surprise he carried several bags inside on his own. I'm not sure why that amazed me. Probably because he could snap his fingers and have everyone do anything for him and yet he didn't. It took him awhile to carry everything inside. Finally he set everything on the counter, and removed his jacket. I started to object, but he raised his brow once his t-shirt was revealed.