HER

Chapter Eight

Her

I take a seat at the bus stop, the cold hard bench sure to leave my butt feeling numb. The moon slowly appears in the dark sky, brighter than the stars on some nights and a bit gloomy on others.

Tonight is one of those nights.

I watch the clouds, lost in thoughts of nothing as they close in on the moon and retreat.
I take out my lighter, burning the tip of the joint in between my fingers. I inhale a couple puffs, a weary smile on my face as the effects of the alcohol and weed coursing through me deadens my senses. I lean back, the smell of damp wood and smoke filling my nostrils. A quiet sigh escapes my lips at the quaint sensation.
I pull out my wreck of a phone from my bag, my fingers tracing the cracks on the screen as I select a song. I shut my eyes, sinking deeper in my seat, gradually moving my shoulders to the slow beat.

My mind drifts off to another world due to my current state.
The vodka, the cigarette and the music is the perfect mix, playing loudly from the speaker and I can't feel anymore at ease.
A smile spreads across my face.
A genuine smile.
Cigarette smoke leaves my mouth forming hoops in the air then a giggle that almost doesn't sound like mine.
This is perfect bliss.
An unlasting perfect bliss.
                             
                                  •••
I jerk awake at the sound of my alarm, my fingers raking through my hair as I sit up. I rub my eyes as I try to register where I am, my other hand reaching for my phone.
There's a line waiting for the bus and I mentally scold myself for getting so wasted but I don't regret it. I shove my phone into my purse before anyone notices it, murmuring a prayer, grateful it wasn't stolen while I was asleep.
I shut my eyes as I get up, the excruciating pain in my head almost knocking me off my feet. I hurry into the taxi that pulls in front of me, slumping tiredly onto the seat.

The taxi comes to a halt, reaching my house.
The only blue house on the street. Really hard to miss.
My stomach churns at the sight. The dead garden, half broken gnomes, stained walls. It looks like a nightmare.
No. It is a nightmare.
And it hurts more to know that this was once home. 
The porch creaks as I climb to open the door, revealing the messy living room, the stench of moist walls and alcohol filling my nose.
I bend to pick up the broken glasses while lifting the flower vases, kicking the center table into place.

"Where were you last night?"

I turn to meet Owen, his eyes shooting me deathly glares, clenching and unclenching his fists.
"out" I toss the shards into the trash, getting up.
"You really think I'm in the mood for your shit right? Fine" He stalks towards me, grabbing my arm "what did you say to April" he spits
"Nothing" "nothin– did you just say nothing?" I roll my eyes "you heard me well Owen, I said nothing."
He snickers, turning away "you little – bitch"
A hot slap stings my cheek sending me to the floor. Owens bare foot comes in contact with my stomach, knocking the air out of me "what was the meaning of the stunt you pulled huh?" He asks, his teeth gritted  "Asking April if she thinks you want to marry her son, do you have any idea what the fuck that means?"
He kicks me "who gave you the bloody right to do that?" He kicks me again "do you know what I could lose thanks to your shit"
I clutch my stomach, my breath hitching as the ache in my head worsens with each kick and second that passes.
Blood splatters on the floor as I cough, choking on my tears, praying for death to sweep me off my feet like a knight in shining armor.
People fear death far more than they fear pain and it's pretty strange how they do. They shouldn't.
Heart breaks hurt a lot more than death, losing a loved one hurts more than death. Life hurts a lot more than death but when he comes, It's all over.
He takes it all away.

"Now listen to me" I hear Owen say, squatting as he reaches for me to face him "you will apologize to the Harrez whether you like it or not" he spits "and you will get married to their son, got it?" He gets up, smoothening his pants "if I lose anything because of you consider yourself gone"

                             
I quietly step out of the car, the pain in my stomach overwhelming. My cheek bruised really bad, the whole amount of foundation I used is likely obvious.
My eyes scan the Harrez mansion, taking in every inch of it's beauty. My heart melting at the peek of the garden at the back. I could smell the roses, with a mixture of other flowers and for a moment peace floods in.
Two large cherub statues stood at the entrance of the house, water pouring gracefully from their mouths into the bowls they held in their hands.
A young lady approaches us, hanging her head as she greets "let me take your bag" "no thank you" she clears her throat, rubbing her hand against the black and white outfit she's in then gestures towards the door "this way"

The scent of lavender is the first thing that welcomes me as i step into the living room. I take in a deep breath, relaxing my shoulders as I exhale.
Flowers.
"Have your seats" the lady says with a small smile. I sink into the cozy leather adjusting to be fully comfortable.
"Is there anything I could get you?"
I shake my head but Owen requests for coffee, smiling at the lady before she walks off.
He mutters a thank you after she returns, gently taking the hot China from her "black?" "Yes sir" she replies then turns to take her leave, Owens eyes following her till she disappears into one of the rooms.
I roll my eyes, disgusted by his perverted act. Shameless.
"you better behave yourself" he sips from the cup, looking at me from the corner of his eye "I'd say the same for you"  "don't even–" "Owen"
I look up to see Frank. And April. Honestly, they make the perfect couple and I'm suddenly wondering what Damon would be like. His dad is nice though, but his mother is something else behind all the designer she wears.
If he has green eyes like Frank or blue ones like April.
Or if he's like neither of them.
I shake my head to snap out of my thoughts.
Regardless of what he is I won't let my guard down. People can't ever be trusted.

April loosens her grip around Franks arm as they approach Owen and I.
I slowly get up, careful not to hurt myself more than I already am.
Frank and Owen slap their hands together, sharing an intense hand shake "how are you Owen?" "The same as always" he laughs.
Frank turns to me and takes my hand in his, planting a gentle kiss on it "and you?" "I'm good. Sir" he smiles, nodding his head as he retreats "so what brings you both here today?" He takes a seat, crossing one of his legs over the other.
Owen clears his throat as he sits back down "I wanted to apologize for my... My daughters behavior towards April" he let's out a loud sigh before he continues, shifting in his seat
"I promise she didn't mean anything she said. Please, find it in your hearts to forgive her"
He turns to me "I believe she has learnt her lesson"

I sigh quietly, looking away.

"Owen I appreciate your apology" Frank says "Honestly my wife and I actually discussed this already and it's okay, everything's fine"
Owen looks at April as if to confirm. She smiles nodding her head slightly "thank you so much" Owen smiles "I'm greatly relieved, Thank you"
"After all that being said" April finally speaks, getting up "we were about having lunch, do you mind joining us?"
"No, not at all"