Get your hands off me!

Sophia

I got into the elevator trying to keep my steps as steady as possible. Fuck. Why did I wear these stilettoes? I ignored his smile and placed myself at the corner of the elevator trying to keep myself as far from him as possible. We were now both standing at the same angles from each other as the last time. I glanced at the button panel and saw that the ground floor button was lit green. A wonderful coincidence, wasn’t it? I thought.

I watched as he stood with his head held high. He exuded godly confidence, something you don’t see all the time. I knew there was something about him, but I just couldn’t place my hands on what it was. Suddenly, the elevator chimed and I made for the elevator door when I realized we hadn’t yet gotten to the ground floor. It was just a couple holding each other and laughing.

I had to step out of the way for them to get in, as they didn’t even bother acknowledging us.

Us?

I was now standing directly beside him and I held myself from glancing his way. Now it was even more awkward than the previous time as I could hear the smooching sounds behind me. The couple were kissing. I couldn’t help but glance at the older man’s direction and our eyes met – he still wore his smile. What a bloody day, I thought.

We soon got to the ground floor and I hurried out of the elevator towards the reception.

“Thank you, Isabella,” I said to the slender lady smiling behind the counter before handing her the cardkey.

I had my ways around this city and that was something my dear husband, John didn’t seem to comprehend. I made for the parking lot, reaching into my bag for my car key. I took out a key and realized it was the one I had taken from John’s pants. The nerve of him. I couldn’t believe he drove my very own car to cheat on me. His had been bad for a long time and he had refused to fix it because he preferred driving mine.

I knew John wasn’t as wealthy as I was and my parents had warned against getting married to him, sensing he was after my money and not love. I had proven stubborn as expected being blinded by love and it wasn’t long before he proved my parents right.

I sighted my blue sedan parked in the distance, parked beside a black SUV. I was about getting to my car when I missed my step. Suddenly, I felt a big pair of arms grab hold of me, breaking my fall. I caught the whiff of the scent I had recently gotten familiar with before I caught sight of that smile, yet again.

“Careful now, we don’t want you hurting yourself.” Good lord, his voice.

“I am fine. I am fine,” I said, brushing his arms off mine.

“Hey, take it easy. I was just helping.”

I stood straight back and glared at him.

“Are you following me?”

“I beg your pardon?” It was now my brain registered his British accent.

“I mean are you stalking me? Why do I keep seeing you everywhere I go?” I suddenly realized that I might be in danger and I quickly glanced around. I wasn’t sure what I was searching for. A weapon? An escape route?

“I mean you no harm,” he said, raising his arms in an act of surrender. He gestured to the SUV I had spotted earlier. There was a man in the driver’s seat. This is my car over here, but I couldn’t get in.”

“Why?” I asked.

“I wanted to speak to you first.”

“Speak to me? About what?”

“After seeing you at the elevator, and twice at that, I felt maybe the universe is giving me a sign.”

“Really?” I said, folding my hands in front of me. “Is that the line you use for other girls? I don’t have time for this.” I turned and made for my car when I felt his hand clasp my arm.

“Why are you being mean?” He asked. This time, his tone was authoritative.

“Get your hands off me, you pervert!” I exclaimed. “You are old enough to be my father and yet you go around chasing young girls.

With this, he backed out and I got into my car. I turned the key in the ignition and my car roared to life before I drove out. I glanced at my rear view mirror and I could see him staring at me. He must have had the shock of his life.

I couldn’t explain why I had been mean towards him. The truth was I found him really attractive and I wasn’t sure if it was just my defensive mode going overdrive or the fact that I still felt hurt at what my husband did to me.

When I got home, I locked the gates and headed inside. John wasn’t going to continue living here anymore and I was going to make sure of that. I had concluded that the next time he would step his foot in this house would be when he comes to take his things.

I entered the house and turned on the lights which suddenly bathed the cozy but spacious living room. I walked to one of the large windows and opened it, taking in the cool gentle breeze that blew in from outside. I walked to one of the brown plush sofas that slumped into it before closing my eyes. I still felt the effects of the alcohol which had failed to numb all the emotions I was feeling.

I felt very lonely in the empty house, and it was moments like this, I wished my daughter was with me. Beryl was my world and I would have fallen into depression had it not been for her cheerful laugh and comforting presence. I had taken her to my mom’s place because I didn’t want her to be around for the things I wanted to do.

My phone rang suddenly cutting through the silence in the house. I quickly pulled it out my bag and stared at the screen – it was my mother. I wondered why she was calling me at this time of the night.

“Hello, mom. It’s late and I…”

“Sophia!” My mom’s frantic voice startled me even more. "It’s Beryl! You need to come now!”