The Flower
Nope, nope, nope. I toss the picture into the garbage can. My shame without fail is hitting me hard today. Tossing the picture from last night is just the tip of the iceberg in forgetting the pornographic scene that occurred. Though I’m sure my stalker won’t.
I will admit, it was thrilling. I’m not entirely sure why I trusted him. The way he looks at me as if he wants me to just submit to him. I no longer recognize myself. How could I just let him do that to me? I can’t fault him, though. We both knew I wanted it too. And we both knew I enjoyed it.
I run my toothbrush under warm water and place a commercial-sized glob of toothpaste on it. I run it back under the warm stream before plopping it into my mouth. I scrub and scrub and scrub. The feeling of him being in my mouth left my throat sore.
I rinse and gargle, spitting into the sink. I brushed last night, but the soreness is even more jarring today. I’m sure this is not how you get rid of the sensation, but it’s all I can think of right now.
I have to finish hanging the painting my father gifted me, since I was interrupted. My brain just remembered that I have no nails or screws to hang it on. I guess I have to make a trip to the store. Z should be home. I make my way out into the hall and knock on her closed bedroom door.
“Zoe? Are you here?” I ask, pushing my ear to the door. I hear faint noises on the other side, so I decide to knock again. I'm startled when the door flies open.
“What’s up?” Z asks, breathless. I cock an eyebrow and try to peer into the room behind her. She creaks her door shut a little more, leaving her slightly squished face between it and the frame.
“Uhh, want to go to the store with me? I need some things to hang this new painting my dad gifted me.” I stand there with my eyebrows still raised and curious.
“Yeah, I can tag along! J–Just give me a sec,” she says, shutting the door in my face.
I give her a thumbs-up. Great. I decide to wait for her in the kitchen.
I’m sure it’ll take more than a couple of minutes, anyway.
She always takes forever to get ready, even if it's as simple as going to the store.
My fingers caress the petals of the last living bouquet on the counter island, feeling like soft velvet.
I’m not the best at keeping plants alive.
A green thumb never blessed me. The bouquets lasted long enough for me to enjoy them, though.
It’s not every day that I get them, let alone getting more than I know what to do with all at the same time.
Death is so anomalous. Being brought into this world without a choice, yet it's a gift like no other.
Experiencing and feeling everything that surrounds you.
Even as a flower. Feeling the warmth and joy of the sun, yet contrasted by the cold and dreariness of the night.
So beautiful, yet tragic at the same time.
I’m sorry, little flowers, I couldn't keep you alive for longer.
“Ready?” Zoe says, snatching my attention.
She’s wearing a full face of make-up and looks ready to take on the world.
The internal chuckle is ready to escape, but I push it down.
I need to make sure that we stay on track with getting what we need.
We have a bad habit of buying random things we never use. Nails and Screws and that's it.
We arrive at the nearest store, and I grab a cart because if I know Zoe as well as I think I do, there’s no way we are getting out of here with only two items. An annoying squeak comes in and out of the shopping cart’s wheels as I push it.
Creating an annoying tone as we walk. I should've grabbed a different one. Zoe is clinging to my side like a toddler not wanting to get lost. Or perhaps I’m the toddler she’s not wanting to lose.
“Remember, we need nails, drywall screws, and I think that's it,” I tell her. She gives me a salute.
“Ay, ay, Captain! I may grab a few extra things on the way. Let's split up so we can find them fast?” she asks me. I know deep inside she's hesitant to leave my side, and I love her for that, but I’m sure I’ll be fine in a store.
Plus, we will be here for maybe ten minutes.
I hope. I would have pushed this off, but with how busy I’ve been, I don’t want my dad’s painting to be making a home on the floor.
I give her a nod, and she takes off. People glare at me with the noise emanating from the cart. I just keep roaming the aisles, ignoring the judgy stares. Nothing in the first few aisles. I look up at the large signs with a list of what to expect in each aisle.
I see the home section and make my way there. I round the corner, noticing Zoe already rummaging through little boxes placed on the shelves. Of course she would beat me here. She's bent over at the end of the long section.
An unexpected tap on my shoulder from behind makes me jump. I whirl around, feeling all the blood drain from my face. I try to speak, but nothing comes out. I just stand there with my jaw open.
“Just the girl I’ve been wanting to see,” he says, crossing his arms with something written behind his eyes that I can’t quite make out. I can feel his aura, though. It’s something different, like a possession has overcome him and is trying to escape.
“W-What are you doing here?” I ask hesitantly. I glance over at Zoe, hoping she will see what's happening and come save me. I don’t know why, but I don’t call out to her. I’m afraid to call out to her. I take a step back, meeting the handlebar of the cart with my back, feeling trapped.
“Are you going to tell me what happened the other day? Why the hell did your client interrupt our dinner? And why did you leave with him?” He demands for me to answer.
The look in his eyes is feral, and I’m afraid to say the wrong thing.
I’ve seen him angry before, but this is something…
different. I try my best not to seem nervous.
“Parker, you… advanced on me. You can’t fault someone for stepping in.
I don’t know why he was there, but a part of is glad he was.
You had no right to do that. You also grabbed my arm roughly and left a bruise.
That was not okay,” I whisper loudly, fearing my attempts to not make a scene are failing.
“I thought we were having a good time. You never said you didn’t want it. You’re sending me mixed signals. You're the one who agreed to go out to dinner with me,” he says, putting the blame on me. I stand there, dumbfounded. Not knowing how he came to this conclusion.
“You are my boss. You and I will never be a thing. I only agreed because you pressured me to. You were going to fire me if I didn't say yes.” If I have to spell it out for him, I will. I clutch the cart behind me, not knowing what else to do.
My words set him off, and he comes in close, grabbing my lower face. I wince at the pinch that radiates through my cheeks from his tight grasp. The movement is too fast for me to scream. His hot breath hits my face like a gust of foul provocation, and I hold my breath.
“You know you fucking wanted it, Dahlia. You and I both know you’re a fucking tease. Seeing as your kink is being taken advantage of, I thought I’d help myself,” he whispers. Threat coats the words with unwanted promise.
“Hey! What the fuck are you doing?” The voice of my savior says from behind. I can hear Zoe's steps as she runs toward us. Tears prick in my eyes, and I try my best to not let one fall, but my body betrays me.
He looks her way but doesn't let go. I grab his arm and try to pry it open, but his grip only tightens. The pain makes my jaw feel like it could snap at any moment.
“Let me go!” I scream. My foot comes up and I kick him hard. He groans and falls to the floor, clutching his groin.
“Fucking bitch!” he grits.
“Parker, what the fuck? You just assaulted her. I’m calling the police,” she yells at him, pulling her phone out.
“You’re both fucking fired,” he threatens. He starts to get up slowly, and I back away more. Zoe grabs my hand, pulling me further away from him. I see her typing on her phone before she calls 911.
Her voice fades, my attention solely focused on the searing ache in my face.
I rub it gently in an attempt to soothe it, but it does no good.
More tears spill from my eyes. I’m angry at Parker for doing this to me.
I’m angry that I have now lost what I worked so hard for.
And I’m angry that I couldn’t do more to defend myself.
“They’re on their way. Are you okay?” Z says, rubbing my back.
“I didn't know what to do. I—” I’m cut off.
“Hey it’s okay. You're okay. Deep breaths.”
I take one in and out. Trying to calm the heart attack threatening me. I look forward as I hear footsteps quickly fading away. Parker bolts and I can’t help but feel defeated. I tug on Zoe's sleeve and point to the now vacant floor.
I can see the battle in her eyes, contemplating leaving my side. She decides to stay. Stay with her friend whose world is crumbling down on her at every fucking turn. This time it’s not only about me. She just lost her job now, too, and it’s all my doing.
A faint, deep voice comes from behind us. I feel Z’s hand leave my back. I peer up to see who it is, and I’m caught by surprise. I quickly wipe the tears from my cheeks, cleaning myself up as best I can.
“Oh, thank god,” she says, and in my periphery I can see her wrapping her arms around the tall, muscular guy. My attention is on someone else, though. He rushes to me, placing his hand on my shoulder. The warmth from it makes me feel somewhat relieved. This is the last person I expected to see.
“Are you okay? What happened?” He asks urgently, with eyes squinting in question.
“I’m okay. My boss… the one you met the other night, was here. And he grabbed me again. What are you doing here, Axel?” I’m slightly embarrassed, feeling like all the times he has met me outside of our sessions are me in distress. The fact that he is here has me deeply confused.
“Uhh, Zoe texted Zane.” The words come out hesitantly from his lips.
“Wait. You know each other?” I ask, trying to piece out this complicated puzzle in my head. Axel and Zane both look at each other silently, and I can feel the lies like a thick cloud in the air.
“Yeah. Zane and I are friends,” he admits.
“Wait. Is this the Axel that's your client?” Zoe asks, making the situation even more awkward. I give her a shameful nod. Just kill me now. It would make this less painful. Spare my dignity, please.
“Your face is red. Is this where he grabbed you?” Axel runs his thumb down my cheek, and as much as I want to enjoy the sentiment, the burn it leaves is all I can focus on. I pull my face back.
“Yeah. He took off. I don’t know where he went,” I blurt out, realizing that he might have gotten away. Axel and Zane look at each other one more time, and the look they give each other doesn’t need spoken words.
“Stay until the police show up. It would be good to give them a report,” Zane suggests to Z and me.
“Where are you going?” Z asks him as he lets go of his hold around her waist. Instead of responding, Axel does, with venom laced in his voice.
“To find this motherfucker.”