Almost instantly, as though my thoughts had connived against me, I remembered how the close guests blamed me for trusting Michael and Lilian.
And now this stranger was blaming me for him almost hitting me like it was all my fault. Michael and Lilian weren’t here to receive my wrath, but this man definitely was.
Pulling my gown off the ground, I stomped towards the car. With a strong swing, the sharp edge of my heels crashed down onto the headlights before moving to the next.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” The man yelled, his voice melding with the sharp crunch of the glass.
Not pausing, I raised my shoulders and slammed my weight onto the side mirror until it dangled.
A wide smile fleshed out on my lips. “Now you can blame me for this.” With an unsteady gait, I strutted out and hailed a taxi home, leaving the man and his broken car—just like me—in the city too happy for my liking.
****
A week slipped by, and I still hadn’t gotten a hold of Michael or Lilian. The rhythmic tap of my fingers on my lap mingled with the tick of the analogue clock that hung on the light blue walls of my friend's apartment.
Tessy dropped the tray of juice on the small burly wood at the centre of her small living room.
“Were you able to find any work for me?” I reached out for the glass of juice. It’s coldness crept into my fingertips.
After the constant harassment of the loan sharks at my place of work, my boss finally fired me two days ago. I also had to move to spend some days with Tessey.
“The only job available is being a maid.” She sank into the white sofa across from me.
I grunted. “There’s no way that would pay my debt.” I smacked my forehead.
A sharp knock on the door punched the atmosphere, and we whipped her head towards the door.
Tessy sprang to her feet. “I’ll be back,” she said, heading towards the door.
Her yell snatched my attention. I dropped the juice and scurried towards her.
My stomach twisted as my eyes landed on two familiar burly men—the loan shark.
One of them drew closer. “So this is where you’ve been hiding?” His stare was as sinister as the tattoo engraved on his neck.
“I…I…wasn’t…” I stuttered as the words refused to leave my constricted throat.