Leather and Lace (Editing)

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

I knocked on the only door I knew I could.

Standing there in the middle of the narrow hallway, surround by the stink of money and bleach I waited quietly for Ian to answer.

I heard movement behind the door and some banging before he finally parted it open slightly, squinting at me tiredly.

I hadn't really taken into consideration it was five in the morning but that was that last thing on my mind.

"A-...Anna?" he stared at me groggily. "What's wro-" he started to say but I interrupted him.

"He's dead Ian." I murmured numbly.

"What? What the hel-"

"Ethan. He's dead..." I stated more clearly, finally waking from the haze I had been in. "He shot himself."

He stood there for a moment, immediately recovering from the early hour and pulled me inside his apartment.

"What do you mean he's dead..?" he asked in a state of total shock.

I heard the quiet footsteps before he did. His 'friend' was emerging from the bedroom, sleep apparent in her eyes as she stumbled upon us.

"Ian? What's going on?"

"Nothing hun, just go back in the other room for a moment." he stated softly, almost lovingly.

Even with everything going on, that hurt, bad.

She sighed and nodded her head lightly, then did something that confused me, she placed a hand on her flat stomach. Almost like a pregnant woman would do.

I stood there. Completely still as I tried to comprehend this knew piece of information.

"So tell me exactly wha-"

"She's pregnant..?" I whispered to him somewhat angrily, it took him by surprise.

It took him a moment to reply "I wanted to tell you but-"

"Just say it Ian!" my voice was rising but I needed to hear him say it.

He paused for a long moment. "Yes, I guess."

A scoff escaped my lips. "You guess? You got some girl pregnant and all you say to me is I guess?!"

"Look-"

"I just want to know one thing Ian. When? When exactly did you knock her up because that sure as hell doesn't look like a five month old bump or anything to me."

"I swear, I never cheated on you. it was before we met,-"

"Oh what a load of shit! Just don't try to talk to me for a while. I need to process this night." I sighed, completely drained and tired.

I didn't believe him for a second.

To top it off, I had completely forgot I was in my bar uniform. My body ached and I just wanted to find somewhere to sleep.

I slowly made my way towards the door and was about the leave when Ian grabbed my wrist and closed the half open door.

"I understand you don't want to talk but I won't let you leave right now. There's a spare room, you will be sleeping there. We will talk in the morning." he murmured in my ear and I was too tired to argue.

His eyes pierced through me for a moment as he looked me over and sighed, before leading me towards what I presumed to be the spare room.

I somehow found myself rapped in a cocoon of sheets and pillows before shutting my eyes into darkness.

***

I woke to the sound of my door closing quietly and was confused for a second before hearing the patter of light footsteps beside the bed.

The mattress shifted as someone leaned in towards me in the darkness and only when the moonlight shone on the figure, was I able to make out the features.

Ian's girl leaned in close to me while I sat there in confusion. She came so close our noses were almost touching and I looked in dread as a viscous look masked her face.

"I get it. You think you can come waltzing in here and take my man?"she whispered so softly it was almost inaudible. "Well you've got another thing coming your way, I'm not backing down without a fight, Ian is MINE."

I sat there stunned as I tried to process this. She didn't seem like the jealous, revengeful type just a moment ago.

She turned towards the door and mumbled "Filthy whore." before exiting like nothing happened.

She was a bit too much like Stacey for comfort, and I wasn't going to fall for her sweet and innocent facade at all. Obviously she had Ian wrapped around her finger. I just had to figure out how.

And I've got a pretty good idea.

***

The smell of bacon woke me from my restless sleep. My dreams had been filled with horrifying images of Ethan, muttering his final words before once and for all losing with fight.

The look of desperation and sorrow in his eyes was burned into my mind wether I was asleep or not, making it impossible to escape.

I stumble from the room quietly and peeked around the corner to see Ian cooking at the stove and his girlfriend sitting at the counter waiting patently.

Reluctantly I emerged and walked towards them, not knowing what to do or how to act around these people.

Ian just seemed like a stranger around her.

I heard a light squeal and was suddenly jolted back as a pare of arms engulfed me in a tight hug, a little too tight.

"Oh my god! I can't believe I actually get to meet one of Ian's friends! I was so excited to talk to you," she talked really fast and seemed honestly glad I was hear. I just rolled my eye discreetly. "I wanted to just wake you up, I was so excited but Ian said you needed rest- oh my god! You don't even know my name! I'm sorry, I'm Olivia." she finally ran out of breath and stopped talking, much to my relief.

I decided to go along with her game for now until I was able to figure out her plan. "I'm Annabelle, just call me Anna though." I stated, smiling kindly.

"Well its nice you two are getting along but breakfast is served." Ian cut in, placeing a delicious smelling meal of bacon, pancakes and maple syrup on the counter.

I walked over and eyed it quizzically.

"Oh come on, try it. Trust me, I know you will love it." Ian stated confidentially.

I pursed my lips, "I don't know... pancakes and bacon? Kinda strange if you ask me.."

But either way my stomach grumbled as I cut a bit up and placed it in my mouth cautiously. I was instantly greeted by the amazing salty sweet combination and almost moaned at the taste.

"It's amazing!" I exclaimed, shocked I hadn't come across it before. "God, I love you." I moaned as I stuffed my face with another huge bite, freezing as I realized my mistake.

Of course I only said it as a compliment of this dish and he seemed to get that as he just chuckled and turned to start cleaning but I could feel Olivia's cold glare and knew I had succeeded in pissing her off.

Just great.