Summer❤
When my palm connects with the cool bedsheets, my eyes flutter open. My brows pinch, spotting the empty space beneath my hand. Pulling myself up into the sitting position, I can’t help but feel disappointed that I have woken up alone. Letting out an exaggerated huff, I fall back onto the pillow, unsure what I’m disappointed about right now. The fact that Bhodi has left, or the fact that I allowed myself to open up for a brief moment of intimacy that I wasn’t forced or guilted into.
Either way, I feel it. I feel unbelievable disappointment and confusion all rolled into one, gliding right over my soul. As my eyes focus on the ceiling, I shake my head, knowing if I allow this to consume me, it’ll do exactly that, and right now, I don’t have the time for his games, and I don’t need them. Taking back some control, I reach for my phone off the bedside table. Scrolling through my contacts, I opt for making plans today instead of wallowing. Tapping on Jame’s name, I open a new message.
Hey, are you free for lunch today? Sorry it’s short notice. I understand if you have plans.
The response comes after a few long minutes. Opening the reply, I feel the smile pull on my lips.
Morning Summer, sure thing! Come by the office around midday. I know a good place.
I don’t know if that’s what James meant by “Call me if you need anything.” But right now, I really need a friend. Plus, it’ll give me a chance to discuss a couple of lingering topics that I have been on my mind since I found out about my dad’s will.
Feeling a little more positive about the day ahead, I head for the shower. Tapping the coffee machine on the way, I begin to play some Guns and Roses loudly as the water falls over me. Refusing to be a victim to anyone any longer, I make a mental note here and now that this is where it ends.
With my new positive mindset in full force. I finish getting ready, spraying some hairspray into my freshly styled loose curls, giving them a little tussle and zipping up my boots. Applying a fresh coat of nude lipstick onto my lips, I take a step back. My cozy, warm outfit suiting the chilly New York weather perfectly.
Over the knee, black boots, thick warm leggings, and an oversized black jumper. Giving a little spin in the mirror, I reach for my long, thick grey wool coat and purse, heading out into the busy street. As the wind blows, I gently push the hair from my face.
When my gaze wanders to my surroundings, my feet pick up the pace, walking to James’s office with a purpose. With the weight of my own misery beginning to lift a little off my shoulders, I allow myself to smile for a change. I’m not in New York for a good reason at all but being here has allowed me to escape cruelty and abuse that I may have been stuck with else, and this is what I need to focus on right now. Doing right by my dad at his funeral and not allowing myself to ever go back and fall into the never ending trap of fear.
For a moment, I grant myself that little bit of happiness, making a note that I’ll never allow myself to be treated in such a way and never allow someone to do it. Finding a good pace, I eventually reach James’s office just as he’s locking the door behind him. Waiting at the bottom of the steps, I quickly glance around the street, preying nothing throws me off.
“Right on time!” James beams at me as he descends the stone steps of the well-presented brownstone. His navy blue suit and camel trench coat perfectly set off his sandy hair and hazel eyes.
“I felt like I needed the walk.” I reply, smiling, as he pulls me into a quick hug.
“Well, I’m glad you called, it can’t be easy in the penthouse alone. No matter how well appointed it is.” He shrugs, but the comment leaves the hairs on the back of my neck on end.
I suppose the idea that people who I barely know, knows what the penthouse looks like. The thought on its own isn’t a red flag, but a masked stalker just letting himself in without question and knowing how to change the codes causes that uneasy feeling to rise in my gut again.
“Hey Summer, are you ok?” James asks with concern, halting in the street for a moment.
Blinking a couple of times, I finally turn to him and pull myself from my mind. Nodding gently, I force a smile.
“Yeah, sorry. I guess it still feels strange being there when dad isn’t.” The left-hand side of my lip curls a little in a sorrowful gesture.
James’s face instantly softens. Looking away for a moment, I also see the sadness in his eyes. But he merely nods, looping my arm in his, and he pulls me close. A smile pulls at his lips as he looks ahead.
“I understand, but you know I’m here to help you in any way I can. You aren’t alone. I’ll accept a lunch date with you whenever you need it.” The words are kind and sincere, almost causing a knot in my throat at how warm someone you barely know can be towards you.
“Thank you, James. You really don’t know how much I needed to hear that.” I say, gently bumping his shoulder.
Stepping into the restaurant, we’re quickly seated at a table by the window. I watch intently as amazing burgers are carried through to different tables, catching me following their journey. James lets out a small chuckle, causing my gaze to move to his.
“Hungry?” He asks, quirking a brow. Right on cue, my stomach grumbles.
As the slight blush creeps over my cheeks, I nod.
“I guess I’ve been skipping meals.”
James blinks and looks away. When he turns back to me, his face is sombre and full of concern.
“I heard about Detective Strode Summer. I’m so sorry about that.” Letting out a heavy sigh as he continues. “Do you know if he’s ok?”
I shake my head no. But James leans in a little closer, lowering his voice. I feel myself lean in, too.
“What happened?”
Scratching my forehead, I briefly look out the window, trying to piece the evening back together without giving too much away. Remembering the gunshots and screams that flood the dark street, followed by the pool of blood I lay in while screaming for help. I try to shrug off the cries and pleads for help as I applied pressure to the wounds on Detective Strode. Shrugging slightly, I turn back to James who holds my gaze without blinking.
“I got into the passenger side of the car, and then all of a sudden, a car passed and started firing. I threw myself across the seats, my head in my hands as the endless bullets seemed to rain down over us.” Swallowing hard, I continue. “Once they stopped, I think the car sped off. I remember hearing tyres screeching. When I threw open the car door, I fell into the road and landed in the blood. I knew it wasn’t good.” Wiping away a single tear, James places his hand over mine.
“Did the police take your statement?”
“Yes, I stupidly ran away from the hospital. I just couldn’t be there; I went home and just stayed. The pissed-off detective eventually tracked me down and took the statement, but I didn’t see anything of any use. It all happened so quickly.”
James listens intently, but the warmth momentarily leaves his face. For a second, I almost feel like I’m being subtly interrogated. He clearly notices this and smiles, but it’s forced this time, and I shift uncomfortably under his gaze.
“Sorry, Summer.” He leans back in his chair, running a hand across his face. “I spent so many years prepping clients for trial, I’ve forgotten how to have a normal conversation with someone that doesn’t end with me pulling answers from them.”
“You were a prosecutor?” I ask, a little surprised by his comment.
“Once upon a time yeah.” Hearing the relief in his voice, I’m unsure whether to ask why he changed his career path.
“What made you change?” I ask curiously, realizing my mouth engaged before my brain.
“I found that sometimes, no matter how hard you work to seek justice that sometimes the law isn’t on your side. I realized there are just some truly bad people in the world that should never be allowed back onto the streets. I just couldn’t carry on; it weighed too heavily on my moral compass, so I decided to leave.” There’s a solemness in James’s words, unsure whether I want to ask more questions. After a moment, I decide against it, nodding my head in agreement I strangely understand what he means.
Studying James’s face, I see that his features are sharp, and he has a strong jaw. But after his brief declaration, I can see how his previous job has taken a toll on him. On closer inspection, he looks tired and worn out, as though he’s carried the world on his shoulders for a long time. I suppose a high-pressure job like that can do that to you, along with the long days and late nights.
The waitress eventually passes by and takes our order. Clearly, we’re both starving and end up ordering the same thing. The conversation falls onto the funeral as a cold shudder rolls over me. Every now and then, the news of my dad’s passing hits me like a runaway train; it’s as though my mind is aware, but my heart is playing catch up all the time. But it’s his murder that leaves me angry and fearful, with detective Strode in the hospital and Bhodi seems to have his mind elsewhere, I worry that it’ll never get solved, and I’ll never know why someone could be some heartless to a kind and loving man who never did a bad thing in his life.
Saying our goodbye’s, James and I part ways. As he disappears out of sight, I feel my confidence falter a little as the afternoon sky appears to darken. Understanding I’m still in an unknown city, I opt for a taxi back home instead of the walk. I seem to walk into bad choices and regrettable decisions permanently, so maybe the walk home isn’t a bright choice for me.
After the short drive home, I step into reception as the concierge nods to me. Offering a polite smile, I don’t stop until I reach the elevator and the doors open immediately. Allowing me to step inside and hit the penthouse button, I feel my body sag against the mirror as my eyes watch the passing floor numbers. When the doors finally open, I reach the front door and punch in the new code, silently thanking Two/Face for his awareness, even though I’d never fucking admit to it.
Pushing open the front door, I see that the apartment, like always, is dark. Locking the door behind me, I place my purse on the side table and allow my back to fall against the solid wood. When my head falls back, I take a deep inhale.
Oh shit…
As the adrenaline begins to pump through my body, my head snaps straight ahead to the living room as the end of a cigarette lights up, the smell wafting through the hall.
“Welcome home, Summer. Have a nice day?”
His words drip with a devilish sarcasm. I watch as the end of the cigarette lights up once again, but I can’t move my feet. My brain is screaming to fucking run. If I run now, I’ll likely get to the elevator in time, but I don’t. Instead, I feel my body being pulled towards the dark reaper, walking into his darkness, and I do so without question.