A Change for Eve ✔

30

NATHAN'S POV

It was Monday morning; the day of delivery of the painting. I strolled out of the steamy bathroom with my towel hanging loosely a little below my waist. Droplets of water from my drenched hair fell slowly onto my shoulders.

I quickly dried my body and hair and got dressed soon after. A white button up shirt, dark tight jeans and a pair of black leather boots, was what I had put together. Before finally heading out, I picked the perfectly wrapped object and my keys.

I fit the canvas into my backseat smoothly and got into the driver's seat. Upon pulling out my phone, I ignited the engine and read the directions to the address. I sighed and followed the guidelines carefully, hoping to make it there soon.

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As I got closer to my destination, the scenery changed slightly. It was a more quiet and discreet area. There was barely anyone seen loitering around. The serene environment calmed the tense feeling from earlier instantly.

Shortly after, I was led into a large compound. I drove through the enormous gates and parked in the space closest to the gateway. I sat in my car for only a moment, admiring my surroundings. Exquisite houses were scattered neatly around and painted in extremely calm colours.

I alighted quickly and grabbed the wrapped piece with both hands. I trod slowly around the compound, trying to be as quiet as possible.

I checked my phone once more and read the address again. Am I at the right place? I looked around and it was indeed the place stated in the address. 'Cocoa Apartments, Off Saint George's street, Apartment number 134.' This is the place. I continued looking around for the said apartment number '134'.

My eyes darted from large colourful flowers to numbers imprinted on doors, to that one number I had been looking for; 134. I walked briskly to the white door which had a brown doormat under it. I exhaled intensely and rose my hand to knock on the wooden structure that stood before me.

The knock turned out louder than I had anticipated. I tuck my phone into my back pocket and waited. I held the painting with both hands, very firmly. I looked around me before I finally heard the door unlocking.

I opened my mouth to speak but my words were caught deep down in my throat, when my eyes met a familiar set of hazel ones. The amount of adrenaline rushing through my body caused everything to spin in a quick moment.

My legs grew weaker and weaker as our eyes met once more. The derisive smile that sat on her face increased the level of annoyance I held towards her at that moment.

I gathered confidence like the man I was, and stood carefully on my wobbly legs. Her smile grew even wider as she still stared at me. "Surprised to see me, Nathan?" I clenched both fists tightly after hearing that voice pierce through my heart. Her dark brown hair had been left to fall to her shoulders as usual.

I handed over the package to the human figure that stood before me. "I came to deliver this. Take it and let me go." Her vexatious laughter infuriated me even more. I stood uneasily, still looking around. She stretched out her thin arms and I quickly placed the painting in it, turning around to leave.

"Don't leave yet, baby boy. Don't you want your money?" I abruptly stopped once she started talking. "I'd need your account details," She quickly put the painting inside and returned to me. The look on her face was one of vagueness.

I voiced out the details to her and she hastily typed it into her phone. "The account name is... Nathan Brown," I looked at her after my name slowly flew out of my mouth.

"Oh, that one I know," She pinched my cheek, giggling and the pain in my chest intensified.

"Don't touch me," I turned my face away from her. Without any more words, I turned and trod to my car quite quickly. Loud laughter erupted behind me as I continued walking.

"See you sometime, baby boy," She shouted these words, hoping I'd look back; but I didn't. Rather, I carried my legs faster to my car, with a racing heartbeat.