CHAPTER 3
Okay, Evy. Straighten out your left foot and turn to the side. Good. Now, try to lay on your stomach while you slowly try to wiggle out your right knee. Ever. So. Slightly.
I groaned in pain as my knee protested. I huffed as I plopped my cheek back onto the ground. When you shattered your knee into a million little pieces and got it fixed up with emergency surgery, these were the daily struggles of your life.
I hoped Jay wouldn’t return for at least another twenty minutes because that was how long it would take for me to get up. I didn’t want him to see me swim on the floor of his closet like a fish out of the sea.
Finally, after ages of struggle, I got up and tested out my knee by taking small steps.
I sighed in relief. It was still sore, but it was a whole lot better. I hurried as fast as I could down the stairs. I needed to get out of here.
I rushed to the laundry room and replaced the basket, donning my purse and jacket. Jay stood on the terrace with his back turned to me. Good. I didn’t want to see his face right now. Or give him reasons for the fact that I was in his room for the past thirty minutes.
“Hello, Amelie,” I said cheerfully to the voice that greeted me on the other side of the phone as I walked out of the Blueline and made my way to Central Park. Amelie was my previous client whom I had called just last week to happily tell her I wouldn’t be coming in anymore. She was a complete bitch although her little six-year-old, Theo, was a sweetheart.
“Evelyn. Why are you calling me?” Her usual nonchalant voice asked me.
“Amelie, I know I said I won’t be coming around anymore, but I was wondering if you still needed me,” I asked in an overly sweet voice. Because fake it till you make it . I needed a job lined up before Jay threw me away. Which I anticipated would be a whole lot sooner with the way I grated on his nerves.
“Oh, I already found someone else. I don’t need you anymore.”
And beep. That bitch hung up on me.
Well, that was another dud. Everyone I called told me that they wouldn’t be needing me anymore. And the housekeeping company wasn’t much help either. They said they had no openings at the moment for me, but they would call if anything came up.
I sighed, sinking down on a park bench in Central Park with a five-dollar taco from the food truck; my glamorous lunch.
The chatter that filled the air gave me a sense of comfort.
A sense of belonging.
Like, somehow, I wasn’t alone.
I chewed on the delicious taco as I watched a child running around playing with her mom. Her tiny pigtails flew from her little sprint, giggling as her mom chased her.
It reminded me of Auntie M.
My heart squeezed, surfacing the buried pain.
I missed her so, so much. Life would have been so much easier if she was still with me. I was still so angry with the universe for taking her away from me.
This month was going to be a nightmare. A secret place in my heart wished that Jay would keep me around for a lot longer. Even though he treated me like shit, I would do anything to see his beautiful face every day.
But no, if I had everything I wished for, I would have been a happy, happy girl now. But I was one of the saddest souls barely alive in New York City.
I limped through the subway later that evening to head back home. I stayed at the park for hours, doing what I loved the most.
People watching.
It was early fall in NYC. The leaves were just starting to dry up, and the air had gotten colder, which I loved because the summer was brutal.
“How’s my little girl doing?” I cooed, plopping onto the couch, and Strawberry was all over me in a second. Giving me the cutest barks as I cuddled with her. I scratched her behind the ear in a spot that made her sigh happily.
“Mommy is going to take a shower, then we’ll eat, okay?”
She barked as if she understood what I was talking about.
After the hottest shower that did wonders for my sore body, I slipped on Jay’s old T-shirt and settled on the couch. Strawberry and I scarfed down our meal while some mindless TV show ran in the background.
My mind drifted back to him . As always, I didn’t know how to forget him. And I have tried so hard, but it was impossible now that he was back in my life. All of it rushed back to me as if it were only yesterday when I saw him in the hallway of Bellevue High.
I placed two bags of ice on my knee and popped two pain pills as I started my nightly routine.
Writing. When I wasn’t working, I was writing.
How pathetic was my social life? I still had a text from Marcus that I hadn’t answered yet. The text he sent a couple of days ago asking me out on a date.
Marcus was Rory’s friend (Gabe’s boyfriend). I met him during one of Gabe’s notorious social gatherings that he hosted almost every month. Gabe wanted to be an event planner, so he loved putting something together all the time. He was also like me, trying to make ends meet with a job that paid our bills while we chased our dreams the rest of the time.
Marcus was a manager at an exclusive club here in NYC called The Box. White-collared, blond, a perfect gentleman—the exact opposite of someone I knew. The entire time he talked to me that night I was in a whole other world thinking of him .
I had been on a few dates over the years, forced by Gabe of course. But they were either monotonous or boring since I had already tasted what heaven was like. I felt guilty for leading them on even though it never went past the first date. I just couldn’t stomach the thought of meeting or talking to someone in a romantic manner. My heart was in the hands of someone who would now willingly crush it into a million little pieces if only he knew that I still loved him.
I sighed in relief as my ancient laptop finally powered up. It was about ten years old; Auntie M got it for me when I started high school. It was in very fragile condition, and I anticipated for it to die any day. I prayed it wouldn’t be anytime soon.
I started typing, and it was like an itch that I had to scratch. The clatter of the keyboard filled the room as the story in my head became a reality. A story I had been typing for the past six years that never seemed to end because I just had too much to say. It was ours—Jay’s and mine. Every single moment that we spent, all the emotions, the pain, the frustration, and the loss we felt, but most of it was about our love written in words, in truth. The only way I knew how. I wrote it all for him. For us. For the cosmic bond of our love. I wanted this story out there because it was sacred and holy to me. In written proof, like an evidential manuscript that would last forever.
The smell of expensive air greeted me as I entered the Blueline. I swear they did something to this building that always made it smell so good. It was one secret that I was so curious to figure out.
I waved at Gabe as I walked in. He was busy talking with Mr. Carlton from the third floor, who was “a pain in the ass,” according to Gabe. He grimaced as he waved back to me.
I shook my head and headed upstairs.
Right on the dot today.
I grinned, proud of myself.
Everything was going so perfectly. I woke up with a smile on my face and in the best mood ever. Because I had the most delicious dream last night. Jay and I were in the kitchen pretending to cook while we did other things. I blushed when I thought of what those things were. If only they happened in real life too.
I sighed happily as I punched in the code and sauntered to the kitchen.
The bitter-sweet aroma of coffee greeted me as soon as I entered. Someone with their back to me was brewing a cup from the machine.
“Umm, hello,” I called out as I placed my purse and jacket on the breakfast seat and leaned against the counter.
“Good morning, Ms. May.” Tyler gave me a small smile as he turned back.
“Morning.” I smiled back. “Please call me Evy.” I didn’t know how he knew my name. I guessed Aimee must have told him.
“Yes, Ms. May. I’m Tyler Lock. I’m Mr. Jameson’s personal guard.”
That made so much sense, given the way he looked. Also, he missed that I asked him to call me Evy.
“Nice to meet you, Tyler.” I held out my hand.
His smile widened as he strode forward and shook mine.
The hair on the back of my arms tingled with an awareness of a familiar intent gaze. Tingles ran down my spine as the back of my neck heated.
Tyler dropped my hand like it was on fire.
“Mr. Jameson,” he said, nodding to me as he left the kitchen with his go-to mug.
Why was he always sneaking up on me when I least expected it?
I slowly spun my head and gave him a small smile.
He looked delectable as he sat at the breakfast table, staring straight at me.
I fumbled as my brain tried to form words. What was I supposed to say to him? What was I even supposed to call him? Should I call him sir? Wouldn’t that be weird? Hmm, I wouldn’t mind calling him sir in R-rated scenarios.
I gave him an awkward wave.
“If you didn’t waste time flirting with my employees, my breakfast would be ready by now.”
My eyes widened. What did he just say? “I wasn’t flirting with Tyler.”
“I don’t fucking care.” He completely dismissed me and started to scroll through his phone with a fixed frown on his face.
And I stood there, not knowing what to do.
As if he sensed it, his eyes suddenly darted to mine, and the slight twitch in his jaw gave away his exasperation. “My breakfast, Evelyn.”
I swallowed. Yes, yeah. His breakfast. I must make it.
How was I going to get anything done if he was going to sit there and watch me?
I swiped through Aimee’s instructions and found the menu for Wednesday. It was an omelet. Okay, I could do that. That was easy, right?
I whisked the eggs as I kept sneaking glances at him. Thankfully, he was fully immersed in his phone. Good, I hoped he wouldn’t mind if I added a splash of oil to the pan.
The sizzle of oil touching the pan was masked away quickly because I poured the eggs right after. I did a little internal dance. There you go, Jay, a bit of oil was not going to damage your muscles.
I grinned as I turned around to slice up some fruits.
I felt the same tingle crawl up my spine. My heart picked up an erratic pace as I slowly brought my gaze to him.
There was a glint in his darkening eyes that glued my feet to the ground. The bleak expression told me he knew exactly what I had done.
“Are you done? Or should I wait longer? I don’t appreciate tardiness.”
Oh, thank God, he didn’t notice!
“It’s only eight forty-five. I was told you expected breakfast at nine.”
He didn’t even blink as he replied, “Since you might have to remake them, I anticipate that it could take longer.”
I frowned as I flipped the perfectly cooked eggs onto a plate and arranged them on the tray while I made his coffee.
“Why do I have to redo them? They’re not burned.”
“I’m sure the instructions specifically said the eggs shouldn’t have any oil. If you have trouble reading simple instructions, I could ask Aimee to spell it out for you or, better yet, hire someone else.”
My heart pounded with a hot fury that instantly burned my body, forming a film of sweat on my back. Today was supposed to be a good day. Remember, Evy.
I recited in my head that nothing would change my mood.
I slapped an overly sweet smile on my face. “I’m sure a little oil in your eggs wouldn’t kill you, sir.”
He gave a cold smile as amusement overtook his face. “Funny that you think that you’re in the position to argue with me.”
I stopped short, blinking as I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. My mind flashed back to a memory I didn’t want to relive. Something about the way he said it reminded me of her. Of those dark, dreary days when she taunted me every chance she got.
An automatic nod willed out of me as my eyes burned.
His blues remained impassive, furthering my discomfort.
I silently slipped back to do what he paid me for.
We didn’t speak a word after that. I placed his breakfast in front of him without meeting his eyes.
Time drifted away, but the tension that filled the room was murky and paralyzing.
I felt his eyes on me, but I didn’t dare look up as I vacuumed the floor, continuing with my tasks.
After the minutes turned to an hour, he left. A breath of relief escaped me. His presence made this whole apartment tingle with an electrifying current that affected the hell out of me.
And I wasn’t sure whether I liked it or not.
“I’m never drinking again, not after the tequila fiasco from the other day. Do you know how much trouble it got me in?” I replied to Gabe, who was trying to get me drunk yet again with his sweet persuasive skills.
He rolled his eyes. “You say that every single time you drink. You’re a broken record.”
I batted my eyelashes, trying to be cute. I was sure I came off as a rabid dog that had eye issues. “I’m not just a broken record. I’m a broken everything!” I gestured to my body.
He shook his head. “Okay, fine. And don’t think I forgot about Marcus.”
I groaned
“You need to go out with him. Trust me, he’s perfect for you. He’s invited Rory and I to the club next weekend. He asked if you could join us. You have to come, Evy. It’ll be so much fun.”
“Gabe, Marcus is nice, but I don’t know. I just don’t feel it.” I straightened out my legs. We were currently huddled up on Gabe’s living room floor, eating some much-needed greasy food.
And damn, I was hungry. I scarfed down the entire meal in minutes like a starved animal.
“How would you know if you haven’t even been on a date with him? Also, it’s not nice to ignore people. I know his text is sitting in your phone like a dead stone underwater.”
“I’m not ignoring him.” I smiled sweetly. “I was gonna text him back.”
“Yeah, right, when exactly?” Gabe scoffed.
“Soon,” I mumbled under my breath.
I shifted to the couch as the soreness in my knee started to grow. I might have to do something about it soon.
“Hey, guys,” a voice called out just as the thud of the door closing flowed through the room.
“Rory! Save me from Gabe. Please,” I mumbled against his shirt as he gave me a half-hug.
He glided his hand along my back and sighed heavily. “At this point, I must put him on a leash because the complaints about him could be filed in a ledger.” Rory grinned cheekily as he let me go.
“Babe, no sex for you,” Gabe shot back but smiled as soon as Rory gave him a kiss to shut him up. And soon, they were full-on making out, which was my cue to leave.
“I gotta go,” I mumbled, pulling myself toward the door.
“Evy, no, don’t leave so soon. You still need to tell me everything.”
“Gabe, I have to work tomorrow, remember!” I said with one foot out the door.
He gave me a pointed look. “I know what you do at work.”
“Bye, Gabe.” I smiled, shutting the door behind me.
“You bitch!” His voice filtered through the door.
I shook my head, the smile still dancing on my face as I exited.
As soon as I stepped outside, a cold, harsh wind rippled through the air, freezing my bones. I huddled closer under my jacket, trying to find some warmth.
The constant buzz of the city filled the streets as I made my way to catch the last bus. I missed the days when I used to walk everywhere, those mindless miles slipping away, calming my head. I didn’t even realize that was a luxury until the mess in my knee happened.
Almost a cripple, they said. But I powered through, it took me months to even step foot on the ground, but I was glad I did it.
The constant physical pain was a reminder to never go back to those dark, dark days. I vowed to live for myself, and each day, I tried.
The ring of my phone cut through the air, startling me. I frowned. Who the hell was calling me at this time?
My breath fogged up the screen, and it took me a moment to read the name on the call. And in a flash, my stomach twisted with unease.
I took a deep breath as I slid my thumb to answer.
“Hello, T,” I said in a chirpy voice although I knew exactly why he was calling me.
“Cut the shit, girl. The payment is still due this month. David will chop my head if you don’t pay it. You don’t want me to come and collect it myself, now do you?”
“Of course not, T. I don’t want you to waste your precious time by coming here. I swear I’ll pay it by this Friday.”
“Then you better do that.”
Beep.
The call cut off.
I squeezed my eyes as I exhaled a heavy breath.
Talking with anyone associated with David made me slick with fear. I was grateful that in these past six years, I was able to pay back the money uneventfully without any incidents.
A debt that my mommy dearest left for me as a present. I was pretty sure she wasn’t even alive. Sometimes I wondered if all the drugs she stole finally put an end to her life.
Because heaven forbid, she popped out of nowhere to save me from this miserable situation she put me in.
Hoping for an escape from these confines was like wishing on that one dying star in a sky full of glittering ones.
With my downturned luck, choosing a dying star would be the luckiest thing I have ever done.
Until then, this was what was written for me.
Ironically, in the stars.