The Agent
“Get up,” Lexie demanded as she ripped the blanket from over my body.
The glare from the lights penetrated through my closed eyelids, and goosebumps ran across my arms from the novel chill. Groaning, I turned my head into the pillow. “No,” I mumbled.
Hands wrapped around my ankles. In one smooth yank, I flew across the mattress and landed on the floor.
“Hey!” I exclaimed, finally opening my eyes to look up at her. “The fuck was that for?”
“We’re done with the moping,” she said, setting her hands on her hips. “Even though I loved watching sappy movies and eating junk food with you the past few nights, I’m not letting you rot in this bed any longer. We’re going out.”
“Out where?” I raked my eyes over her attire, noticing the black form-fitting mini dress and stilettos she was wearing. “Don’t tell me we’re going clubbing.”
“Fine. We’re going dancing. Does that sound better?”
I almost rolled my eyes. “Lexie, I’m really not in the-”
“Sorry, I don’t remember the part where I asked.
” She turned on her heel and walked towards my closet.
She flipped through the garments she’d hung up for me the other day.
“Now, get in the shower and wash up. An outfit and matching accessories will be ready when you get out. Oh, and don’t touch your hair. I’ll handle that for you too.”
Sighing, I reluctantly pushed myself up on my feet and headed into the bathroom.
I didn’t think about much as I showered.
My groggy brain was still trying to wake up, and quite frankly, I didn’t really feel like dwelling on any of the somber feelings I’ve been surfing lately.
It’s only been a few days, but the emptiness in my chest from Mateo’s abrupt absence was really bothering me.
I couldn’t believe he really plopped me into the facade of a new, perfect little life and left. Had he really expected me to accept the gift and move on? Did he think it’d be that easy? Was it that way for him?
Judging from his abundance of scars, I couldn’t imagine it was.
As promised, a blue dress and silver jewelry was waiting on the bed when I returned to my room. A bottle of my favorite lotion and a pair of lacy undergarments accompanied the outfit.
“Come here,” Lexie commanded. She was standing at my vanity dresser, lines of hair and makeup products lined up on its surface. “We’ll do your makeup and hair first.”
I sat down in the cushioned stool in front of the vanity and let Lexie get to work.
She started with my hair first, coating it with heat protection before using a wand to create small curls. Her fingers were gentle with my hair, treating each strand with care.
She sat atop the vanity and leaned in close when she moved on to my makeup.
Her lips pursed in a concentrated pout as she brushed different products over my face.
Again, her hands were soft and gentle while she blended in my foundation and swiped eyeliner over my eyelids.
As she was working on my lips, she glanced up at me a few times, noticing my stare.
“What?” She asked.
“I’m…I’m trying to figure out how to thank you,” I replied, trying not to move my mouth too much.
She finished applying the lip liner and reached for a tube of lipstick. “You don’t need to. This is what I’m here for.”
“But, you…you barely even know me, yet you’ve treated me as if we’ve been friends our entire lives. It’s been a rough couple of months and I…I really appreciate the effort you’ve put into making me feel safe.”
“Well, there aren’t a lot of safe spaces in this world for women like us,” she said as she ran the flat tip over my lips. “It only seems right to build some whenever I can. Now go like this.” She pulled her lips in, pressing them against each other and quickly popped them out.
Smiling, I obeyed her command.
I didn’t recognize the woman in the mirror when she was finished with my makeup.
She had my father’s brown eyes and my mother’s plump lips, but she didn’t quite look like their daughter.
Her high cheekbones and defined jawline were no longer hiding behind curtains of hair.
The glow from the perpetual fire in her eyes burned brighter now without restraints.
Her plump lips, free of the faux smile, sat in a natural pout.
I didn’t know I could ever feel so beautiful. So light. So free.
Lexie smiled at me through the mirror. “And you wanted to rot in that bed,” she teased. “You’ve gotta trust me. I know what you need right now.”
I raised a brow. “And what exactly is that?”
“A strong ass drink and music loud enough to drown out the bad thoughts.” She grabbed my hand and tugged me up. “Now, get dressed. I’ll be in the living room when you’re ready.”
I quickly slipped into the dress and put on the accessories Lexie laid out for me.
After slipping into my heels, I stuffed my new ID and cash into the small silver purse.
My hand hovered over the burner phone sitting on my nightstand.
It hasn’t rang since he gave it to me. I doubted tonight would be any different.
I waved off the ache in my chest before it could form, and left the phone behind.
Lexie linked her arm around mine when we reunited in the living room, and together we took the elevator down to the lobby.
Outside, a man with tawny brown skin and low cut dark hair leaned against the passenger door of a black SUV. His gray eyes rose from his phone to us as we approached him. “Took you two long enough,” he muttered.
“Beauty like this takes time,” Lexie replied. “She looks gorgeous, doesn’t she?”
The man’s eyes raked over my attire, but the stony expression on his face didn’t change. “Your boyfriend ain’t crazy, is he?” He asked.
“I don’t have a boyfriend,” I replied. I didn’t feel comfortable classifying my complicated relationship with Mateo as something with romantic labels like that.
Especially not after he left me behind without thinking twice about it.
As far as I was concerned, I’m single - and tonight, I intended to act as such.
“Well, in that case: you are stunning.”
I almost blushed at his kind words. “Thank you.”
“I’m Roman, by the way,” he said, extending his gloved hand.
I shook it. “Simone. It’s nice to meet you.”
Lexie glanced between us as our hands lingered in the hold. “Uh-uh,” she said with a shake of her head. She opened the back door and started shoving me inside. “Don’t even think about it - either of you.”
“Why?” I asked as she slipped in beside me. “Your bodyguard is cute.”
Lexie laughed. “Bodyguard? Roman is not my bodyguard.”
“Her good conscience is more like it,” he chimed in, sliding into the driver’s seat.
“Roman is my best friend,” Lexie explained. “And I am not letting him get killed because you want to piss Mateo off.”
“I’m not trying to-”
The sharp arch of her raised brow cut me off. She didn’t even need to say anything. Her look was all the clocking I needed.
I rolled my eyes. “Girl, fuck him. He can go to hell for all I care.”
She giggled. “As you should. But, you’ve gotta leave my best friend out of your revenge plan. If you really wanna make him mad, find some random to dance up on. Somebody you wouldn’t mind having on your conscience.”
“Or you can stay your ass in our section and dance with Lexie,” Roman said, glancing at us through the rearview mirror.
“Or I can choose violence,” I said with a shrug. “And that sounds pretty good right now.”
Lexie grinned. “Oh, I like you.”
We stopped for some food on the ride to the club. Lexie insisted I needed something in my stomach before we started drinking.
We chomped on French fries in the backseat while Roman continued driving us across town.
The line to enter the club was damn near stretched around the corner by the time we arrived.
Lexie strutted past the line and went straight up to the bouncer.
He smirked at the sight of her. “What’s up, little mama?
” He asked, opening his arms for a hug. “I haven’t seen you since that pretty boy put a ring on your finger. ”
“I know,” she said, leaning into his arms. “It’s been too long.”
“Don’t tell me he’s put your ass on a leash.”
She scoffed. “Please. I will drag his ass by his hair, and he knows it.”
Chuckling, he unhooked the stanchion rope. “Well, come on inside. Your section started collecting dust since you’ve been gone so long.”
“Come visit on your break,” she told him as she started towing us inside. “I owe you a drink.”
“I got you,” he called after us.
Inside, the flashing lights illuminated the silhouettes swinging to the beat blaring from the DJ’s speakers.
Roman and I created a hand chain behind Lexie as she weaved through the crowds towards the stairwell.
She led us towards an empty section in the corner.
The table was engraved with a plaque that read “Reserved” with a drawing of a red lipstick print.
We were barely able to sit down before the servers were ambushing us with greetings for Lexie and inquiries for drink orders.
I didn’t miss the raised brow Roman gave her when they all finally scurried away.
“Don’t start,” Lexie said, waving her hand. “I had to keep some things to myself.”
“Why?” I asked. “You aren’t allowed over these parts or something?”
“At one point in time,” Lexie said with a shrug. “But did I give a fuck? Absolutely not.”
Roman shook his head. “You’re lucky Adrian and Javier didn’t find out your ass was coming over here. The whole block would’ve been up in flames.”
“Well, they’re cool with Aspen and his crew now. So, it’s fine. That doesn’t mean you run back and tell them though.”
“You know I ain’t saying shit.”
“Who’s Adrian and Javier?” I asked.
“My fuckass brothers,” Lexie replied. “I love them to death, but they’re overprotective as hell. Crazy as shit too.”
“And so is she,” Roman said. “Don’t let her fool you.”
“Oh, hush. You know you love my bullshit. Speaking of…” She trailed off as the server arrived with a few bottles and pre-made shots. She picked up one of the shots and held it up to me. “Cheers: to choosing violence.”
Smiling, I grabbed one as well and clinked my glass against hers.