Mia #2
It gave me an uneasy feeling, so I quickly stepped back inside and closed the door. I gathered my things and rushed out to my car. I’d just started backing out of the driveway when I spotted the woman again—only this time, she was in Wrath’s front yard.
Again, she was glaring at me, which both confused and slightly angered me.
I was tempted to stop and ask her if there was a problem, but I decided against it and continued out of the drive.
I drove straight to my apartment and took a quick shower.
After I got dressed, I decided to go into work, so I could check on things.
When I walked in, I was disappointed to find that there was no sign of Garrett.
I went straight to my office and turned on my laptop, only to find that there was no response to my last three emails.
I was beyond frustrated.
Garrett was talented, and his work was very important him.
I understood that. I supported it. I supported him—which was why I’d gone to that office every day to make sure everything was in order.
It was the least I could do after all he’d done for me, but Garrett couldn’t seem to care less about the studio or what I’d done to keep it running.
It didn’t matter if he cared or not.
I was going to do it because it was the right thing to do.
I gave the place a quick once over and checked for any new messages.
Sadly, there were none, so I decided to close up shop and headed out to my car.
I drove over to the pet store and started looking around at all the necessities for a cat.
Before I knew it, I had an entire cart full of stuff.
After leaving the store, I ran some other errands, paid some bills, and even ran my car through the car wash. I was trying to kill a little time, thinking it might give Wrath some time to get back home.
When I finally ran out of things to do, I headed back to Wrath’s place.
When I pulled up, I was pleased to see that there was no sign of the neighbor.
I thought it was a good sign until I realized that I didn’t have a way back into the house.
I considered texting him and asking if he had a key, but then decided it would just be easier to leave what I’d bought on the back porch.
So, I collected everything and carried it to the backyard.
I hadn’t gotten far when the little black kitten appeared at my feet. “Hey there, buddy. I brought you some goodies.”
I continued for the backyard as I coaxed him to follow. “Come on. I’ll show you what I got.”
As soon as we got to the back porch, I grabbed the bowls I’d bought him and filled one with food.
Then, I used Wrath’s hose to fill the other with water.
The kitten immediately dove in, eating every little morsel of food he could shove in his tiny belly.
I ran my hand over his head as I said, “Poor thing. You were a hungry little guy, weren’t ya? ”
I was busy loving on the kitty when something in the distance caught my eye.
When I turned to look, I found the woman from next door standing in her driveway.
She’d changed out of her t-shirt and was now wearing a cropped tank top and workout leggings, but she was still sporting that same angry scowl on her face.
And like earlier, she was watching my every move.
I glared back at her for a moment but quickly became tired of the childish game. I bent down and picked up the kitty, then did my best to ignore the crazy lady as I carried him and his new bedding out to the barn.
I opened the door and gave a sigh of relief as I slipped inside, shielding myself from the woman’s view. I didn’t want to overthink things, but there was no doubt that something was up with her. I had to know what was going on, so I grabbed my phone from my pocket and texted Wrath.
Me:
Hey.
Wrath.
Hey.
You okay?
Me:
Yeah. I’m fine.
Just wondered what was up with your neighbor.
Wrath:
What did she do?
Me:
Oh, so you know she’s crazy?
Wrath:
What did she do?
Me:
She didn’t really DO anything.
She just keeps watching me.
And I’m pretty sure she wants to take me out.
Wrath:
I’ll handle it.
Me:
That didn’t answer my question.
Wrath:
It’s complicated.
Me:
Oh shit.
You ducked her.
*ducked
Shut.
Shit.
Damn autocorrect.
You had sex with her.
Wrath:
It was nothing.
Me:
Maybe not to you.
Wrath:
Where are you now?
Me:
I’m dropping something off at your place.
Wrath:
What are you dropping off?
Me:
You don’t want to know.
Wrath:
Mia.
Me:
Some cat food.
Wrath:
You didn’t.
Me:
Afraid so.
Wrath:
You going to be there when I get home?
Me:
Guess that depends on when you are getting home.
Wrath:
Let me rephrase that.
Be there when I get home.
Me:
Why? Do you have something planned?
Wrath:
Yeah.
Seeing you.
Me:
Sure thing, Boss
Wrath:
Boss?
I like it.
Me:
Of course, you do.
I’m going to need a way back in the house.
Wrath:
The front door code is 1215.
Me:
Got it.
See you when you get here.
I put my phone back in my pocket, then started looking around the barn.
It was a little more cluttered than I expected, but after a little hunting, I found the perfect spot.
It was up on a makeshift shelf in the back corner of the barn.
I situated the bed, then put the kitten inside it, hoping it might help him find it later.
He did a little twirl, then nestled in with a purr. He seemed quite pleased with the arrangement, so I left him there and started back towards the house. I just stepped out of the barn when I came face to face with the neighbor.
“What are you doing back here?”
I gave her a big, fake smile as I answered, “Well, hello to you, too.”
“Does Wrath know you are in his barn?”
“Does Wrath know you are in his yard?”
“I saw you here last night and again this morning.”
It was clear that she was attempting to provoke a reaction, but I refused to give one. “Yeah, and?”
“What exactly are you doing here?” she huffed. “Are you seeing him?”
“I don’t see where that is any of your business.”
She rolled her eyes, then grumbled, “Well, I hate to break it to you, but you’re not wanted here. Wrath doesn’t do relationships.”
“Or maybe he just doesn’t do relationships with you.”
“Oh, so you think you’re different? You think he actually cares about you? Isn’t that precious.” She rolled her eyes. “He doesn’t care about you. You’re just another notch on his fucking belt. It’s only a matter of time before he sends you on your way.”
“You mean like he tried to do with you?”
I’d always had a temper. It was one of the many things I’d inherited from my father.
I’d lash out and say things I shouldn’t or do things I shouldn’t.
I was trying my best not to let that happen as I pushed passed her and started walking towards the front of the house.
I didn’t get far when I heard her shout, “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“You seem smart enough. Figure it out.”
“You’re a real bitch, you know that?”
“And you’re delusional.”
“You just can’t stand to hear the truth.”
“I have no problem with the truth.” I turned to face her as I added, “But I do have a problem with psychotic cunts who get in my face and talk shit about things they know nothing about! So, back the fuck off and accept the fact that you were just a piece of ass and move on.”
“You don’t know anything about it! We had something until you came along and fucked it up.”
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.”
“He’s mine!”
“You can say it all you want...” I started to walk away as I said, “But it doesn’t make it true.”
I hadn’t gotten far when I felt my hair being pulled back with a forceful tug. Before I had a chance to react, the bitch punched me square in the face, busting my lip. Rage enveloped me, and there was no turning back when I charged at her and said, “Oh, you really shouldn’t have done that.”