“So, what’s in the box that you don’t want me to see?” His voice is by my ear. I jump and glance his way, his face is only a few centimeters off mine. His mesmerizing eyes capture me. I try to pull away, but I am frozen. I can’t think straight, all I can focus on is his velvet voice. My body relaxes, and I can’t tear my eyes away from his. Is this what it feels like to be hypnotized? Will he ask me to do something and I won’t be able to resist?
Theo moves closer, his lips are so close. All I have to do is lean forward and they’d meet mine. I have the urge to give in, I want to kiss him and see where it takes us. I stare at his lips, licking my own.
Theo doesn’t give me the chance to make the decision. He moves first, leaning in and softly his lips barely brush mine. A teasing smile creeps its way onto his face and his eyes sparkle at me.
I open my mouth to answer him, to ask why when the elevator doors ding, signaling our arrival back to the first floor. Theo pulls back, a mischievous smile on his face, and I shake my head trying to understand what just happened. Did I imagine it? I could have got lost in his hypnotic eyes for hours and not noticed the time pass by. Shaking my head, I step out of the elevator.
“Goodnight Imogen.” Theo’s words snap me from my daze.
“Night,” I whisper, my brain foggy. Theo’s arrival, the offer of help, the kiss, it’s just too much to process. I feel like I’m a cartoon character – I have smoke pouring from my ears.
I stumble back to the apartment, the box held close to me. The receptionist glares at me as I pass by. No more fake welcoming smiles now that I don’t have Theo or Tobias around. Juggling the heavy box on my hip, I slip the key into the door and open it. I plop my loot down on a bench and fish the bag of dirty laundry out. I toss it in the washing machine, which even comes with its own detergent, before unpacking my hair straightener and my make up bag in the bathroom. Walking back out, I grab the first bottle I lay my hands on and pop the cap. Pouring a large glass, I mosey back over to the couch and get comfortable. I turn the TV on, flipping through the channels till I find the local news station.
I sit there for hours, sipping my drink and gradually chipping away at the bottle until it’s half empty. I reach to pour another glass and notice the heft is off on the bottle of tequila. Oops, I’d probably had enough at this point. I get up to put the alcohol away when the room spins around me, making me feel like I stumbled off a tea cup ride. I abandon the bottle and grab onto the counter, trying to hold myself steady. I kick the glass coffee table while righting myself and I wince at the dull throbbing pain.
Hobbling my way into the bedroom, I collapse backwards onto the king-sized bed. I enjoy the sensation of the bounce I get when my body hits the mattress. I want to throw my hands out and laugh, but I also don’t want to risk getting really sick. I yawn hard, staring up at the ceiling, they live up there. I wince at my stench, I really need a shower, but this is just too comfortable. I’ll take one in a few minutes.
Sunlight pours into my eyes and I wince, reaching for my cover to throw over my head. The stupid windshield seems to reflect that crap right at me in the mornings, and my alarm hasn’t gone off so I know it’s early. Wait, something’s off, I blink hard and stretch my non sore body. I’m not in my car, or the storage unit.
I sit up and reach for my head as it throbs, a punishment from overdoing it last night. My whole night rushes back to me and I groan, dropping my face into my hands. I really need that shower now. I stretch, and hobble out of bed. My alarm hasn’t gone off, but here I am up again just in time for 7. I’m a human alarm clock by this point.
Forcing myself up, I jump into the shower. I sigh and relax under the hot stream of water, my skin turning pink from the heat. This is heaven. Finally, hot water that isn’t restricted I can get as close to burning as I want and just let it pound into my tight muscles. I haven’t had a shower this hot in months. The memories of the showers at the hospital and the parking garage fade away. I stretch my back in the shower, moaning at just how good it feels, this is better than sex. Granted, it has been more than a while since my last sexual encounter, but still. Unless it’s Theo and Tobias in here with me all soaped up in the middle, I don’t see how anything could be more perfect in this solitary moment of bliss.
Spending far more time than necessary in the shower, I reluctantly get out and notice the time. No! I’m going to be late at this rate! I race around, trying to find something decent to wear for work, settling on some black slacks and a white button up blouse. It’s strange, having my clothes all hung up, waiting for me to pick them.
Everything looks so crisp, and I’m pretty sure there are clothes in there I’ve never owned before. I finish getting dressed and work on my makeup, without having to worry about using a small mirror or worrying about jabbing my eye out because someone comes up behind me.