Stepping Out of The Hotel

Laura's POV

It has been over two weeks since my failed wedding and I was now feeling much better about the whole situation. Especially after talking to Gerard, I felt so relieved. I was really worried about how I was going to explain myself to him. But am glad I was able to vent out everything I was bottling inside before I left the city. 

For a second I thought of considering getting back with him. My heart melted when he begged for me to take him back, I was really thinking about it, but then I didn't want to take chances, the premonition might crawl back to haunt me again. 

*If I can't have you, then no one else can. Soon you'll be begging for my mercy.* Gerard's familiar threat has been silently bothering me. But mum and Metor along with some of the ladies from the foundation have been there for me whenever I needed them, they have been cheering me up I even forgot about it.  

A day after talking to Gerard, I left the city to go for a healing vacation. Metor insisted that I take a break from everything am used to, and leave the city for some change. I used the chance to visit Brooklyn. I've only been there a few times and it was on tight business trips. I hear that the people there are jovial, and quite alert. 

I ran away from the press who were jamming the entrance of girlsmith. Hope they'll stop flooding there when they hear that am out of the city. Metor offered to take care of my baby while am out, she know how I run the company so she'll be able to manage it just fine. 

What happened that day really scarred me, and it is going to take a while for me to forget about it. I sigh thinking about what am going to do with my life. 

Lately I've been convincing myself that I did the right thing to run out on him at the altar, instead of going through the dragging process of signing divorce papers later on. Some part of me still feels remorseful about the whole thing, Gerard was my last chance of enjoying love as a youth. He really had me feeling young again. 

Its a shame that we couldn't make it last forever. I know I still have a long life ahead of me but I think this is where my love story ends. The beautiful memories we share with Gerard are something that am probably going to live with till am no more. And I don't want to jump into someone else's arms again. 

I grabbed my glass of cocktail, as I was enjoying the beautiful balcony view of the hotel I was staying in. I lowered my sunglasses to cover my eyes when the clouds cover moved away. 

"How are you feeling today?" Monica walked to me with a cup of coffee. 

"Am feeling much better today, how about you?" I returned the greeting putting my cup on the side. 

"Am good just a bit tired with work and all, but am alright." 

"Oh I feel your pain, but don't worry I'll be coming soon... And how are the girls doing? I really miss them." I asked wondering how the girls are fairing with the whole issue. I bet some people are probably making fun of them cause of me. 

"The girls are doing fine, though they have been a bit low lately, but its nothing to worry about, they'll be fine. The crowds are getting bored of making fun of them, uhm... and there is something else that has been trending lately, so they might all get over the whole thing earlier than we think." Monica smirked to assure me that things are okay. 

I echo her smile playing along with the flow but deep down I get the feeling she is hiding something. I don't know what it is exact, but I think something is happening at the foundation and she is trying to keep it from me so I don't stress about it.

I was thinking of calling Anna so I can get a more honest log down of what's happening there, but then Metor is having my phone. She insisted I disconnect from the digital world for a while. And though I hate staying without my magic box of many business opportunities, Metor's idea of healing away from the digital world is working out pretty well. Thanks to it, I've had enough time to think about my life without distraction, and it has been helping me make more conscious decisions. 

Metor joined us a while later. She has been visiting me nearly everyday like am a patient. She brought me a shopping bag full of fruits as if she knew I was thinking about them in the morning. I quickly reached for my favorite fruit in the bag. And Metor deliberately bought more of it knowing my weakness. 

"Thanks girl, you are really the best, I don't know what I did in my previous life to deserve someone like you..." I appreciate her cutting my big pear.

"Shh, just enjoy yourself, if you keep acting like we are friends, I'll take the fruits away." We chuckle at her threat.

I do as she asked, I stopped fluttering her with my gratitude. I was saving it for when am done eating. She doesn't like it when I appreciate her too much. She always complains that it makes her feel like she is a new friend that needs to be fluttered. She once told me that, Thanks and sorry are words for people who are getting to know each other, and we are way passed that stage.

We talked for some hours and they left for their homes and I remained all alone in my hotel room. Flashbacks of the fun time I had with the girls crossed my mind. A wide smile forced its way on my face and I widened it realizing just how fortunate I am to have such good people in my life. 

I walked to the balcony to admire the bright stars in the skies. Dad used to love star gazing, I used to find it silly back then, and now am slowly adapting to his silly habit like he passed it to me. 

"Gerard Oceans." I sighed, my heart arched when I saw the famous southern cross constellation. 

Gerard introduced me to it, and it happened to be the only constellation I know. I walked back inside my room blocking out the thoughts of the things we did under the moonlight. 

I quickly reached for my bottle of wine. After downing a glass, I laid on my bed staring at the ceiling. 

"Wonder what he is doing now?" I sigh thinking about how we ended up. 

I couldn't hold myself from thinking about our good times, I miss his cheesy surprises, he used to get me my favorite stuff right when I least expected. I extend my smile to a chuckle as I let go of the memories. The romantic life is no more now, am back to being self sufficient. 

I slept thinking about my next move now that am single again. Metor has been telling me to focus more on healing myself, but I don't think that's necessary for me. Am done with love, my heart can't trust or love again, so what's the point of healing my heart if it is going to stay lonely for the rest of my life? I would rather channel my energy to making more money and empowering more young girls who have a brighter ahead of them. 

A few days later I was feeling bored being cooked up in the hotel, the balcony view of my room was no longer as captivating as it was when I had checked in. It is almost mid day and none of the ladies has showed up today.   

I entered the elevator going to the ground flour, I just want to catch some air outside. I've been cooked up in my room for close to a fortnight. I really need to go outside, I need to find something interest about this place, and if am lucky I can find myself a young girl to take with home.

I notified the ladies at the reception about my move just incase the girls come through while am still out. I walked out of the hotel searching for adventure. 

I quickly got on the first cab that passed. I didn't want the people to notice me and start asking for an autographs and favours. It only dawned on me a few seconds later when I noticed no one was following the car. Am not in New York city, am in Brooklyn and the people here don't know me. 

"Where to madam?" The driver asked peeking through the rear view mirror. 

"Am not quite familiar with the places here, so I guess I'll just take a trip around the city." I tried to guess of a place I know around here, but nothing came to mind. 

Henry, the driver drove me to the most beautiful side of the city as he described it. The more he talked about it, I realized that he was describing the city through his eyes. And I respected his opinion when I remember that his job is to move around the place. He told me more about his work as we were heading to east side of the city. 

We stopped at a crossed road, Henry was waiting for the lights to turn green. I used the chance to watch the people around as I find their dressing interesting. Time paused for me when my eyes landed on the most beautiful thing I ever seen. She is clothed in black and white fur with patches of orange. 

I asked for Henry to pull over right when the light turned green. He quickly got out of the car rushing to the pet store on the corner. 

"Hello madam, welcome to Fur Lovers Pet Store." I land in the old lady's cheerful greeting. 

"Hello madam, I want to buy that cat by the window." I return the greeting going straight to my agenda,. I couldn't wait another minute, I just wanted him to be mine as soon as possible.

"Oh Rex. He is going at a promotional price of $550." Mrs Tims walked out of the counter to go bring Rex.  

Seeing Rex from close felt good, I was happy that I decided to step out of the hotel for some change. I checked my pockets for my cards and I only realized that they are all with Metor. Agitation begged to rule me for a while. 

I quickly asked for if I could her phone to make a call. I was taping foot on the ground as I was waiting for Metor to pick up. 

"Girlfriend its me, Laura. I need some help, I need a thousand or two right now." 

Metor finally picked up and I didn't waste a second.

"What's the money for? What's happening?" She asked sounding surprised.

"Don't worry, I'll tell you about it later. Just send the money." 

"Okay give me a second." She replied hesitantly. 

I sent her the store's account number, and shortly the money reflected in Mrs Tims's account. She got out the papers work and I quickly signed them, Rex was officially mine now. 

I was waiting for Mrs Tims to hand me the difference of my money. Metor had sent me two thousand and I got Rex for his original price of $ 1,050. The difference was going to Henry and the remaining difference will be for the next thing that catches my attention. 

"Uncle! Uncle! Uncle! I want that cat." A little girl shouted making me turn.

The little girl had her eyes fixed on Rex as she tried to get her uncle's attention. The you man was also taking his time to attend to her as they walked towards the counter. They were walking with Mr Tims, I noticed him from the family portraits that are by the counter. 

"That's one beautiful cat you have there." The man made the first statement when they got close. 

"Thanks." 

"Do you mind selling it to my niece Nancy?" He asked looking at the little girl besides him. 

"Sorry sir, but I also need him right now." I get back to facing the man, the little girl's eyes were compelling to give in their offer.

"How much did you pay for him? Am willing to double or triple the price if you want." He tried to negotiate like he owns the pet store and now he is trying to re-buy a pet that he shouldn't have sold. 

"Like I mentioned sir, I right need him as well. It doesn't matter how much you offer me, am not selling him. My apologies to the young girl but am not selling him." I gave out my verdict. 

"Let's talk about it properly, seems like I started things on a wrong note. My name is Austin Smith, and this is my niece Nancy Blake..."

"Madam, what's taking you so long?" Henry walked in interrupting Austin's reintroduction.

"Like I said sir, I also need him. My driver is tired of waiting for me, I have to get going." I got my papers and pulled Rex with me. 

"I didn't get your name." He said after I walked away.

"Laura." I turn a shoulder. 

"It was nice to meet you Laura."

"Nice to meet you to, Mr Smith." 

"The pleasure is mine. And Henry, take good care of her, drive safely." 

"Alright sir." Henry replied with a smirk. 

Henry took me around the city till sun down then he returned me to the hotel at dusk. I had a great time exploring the city, seeing new people and their different styles. My favorite part was the presence of Rex that made me feel good each time he brushed himself against me.