Page 66 of Chemistry: The Chemist

The architect. The women. The tailored audience. The ambiance. The furnishings. The structure. The talent. The rules. The staff. Absolutely nothing was average. It was a fantasy. From the second you crossed the threshold, you could feel the shift and it was a significant one. It felt like you walked right into a dream. For most, they did.

The women were all exotic, ranging in many shades of black. From the darkest to the lightest, you’d find everyone was unique. Unrealistically intriguing features made you wonder if you were in a real place. High cheekbones, thick eyebrows, massive lips, long noses, round bottoms, perfect toes, breasts of all kinds, and bodies that were sickening as a collective roamed the facility daily.

I hope.

I hope.

I hope.

I want this love to last forever and ever.

Do you?

Do you?

With my eyes closed, I listened to Ego Ella May confront her feelings for her lover. In twenty minutes, I’d be completely transformed into a more confident, more radiating version of myself. But, for now, I allowed the effects of Chem’s absence to dwell in my spirit.

Just as the song ended and another began, my phone rang. Because the song never stopped running, I realized it wasn’t my main line. The phone that was ringing was the one I stared at for hours on end, hoping for a returned call.

My eyes popped open and I immediately started digging through my bag in search of the vibrating device. Its tone led me straight to it. I slid my finger across the screen, frantic and praying I caught it before it stopped ringing.

With the coolness pressed against my ear, I released a stream of air. Involuntarily, my eyes closed, again. I waited, soundlessly, to regain my composure before speaking. There was no question about who was on the other end. I could feel Chem dominate my existence without even a word being spoken. And when he finally spoke, my emotions toppled over.

“Hello, Eden.”

“I’ve missed you,” I rushed out, breathlessly.

He consumed me.

“You’re not alone.”

Hearing his voice on the other end for the first time soothed every ache I had. Things began to make sense, again. The gloom that was cast over me lifted. The sun began to shine, again, though it was pitch black outside.

“I’d like to see you,” I admitted, drawing circles on my thigh, nervously waiting for him to respond. Silence followed my declaration. And when he was ready, he responded.

“I’ve hated myself every day for the last nine days.”

“I’m sorry.”

“So am I.”

“Ch–” I paused.

“Yes, Choc.”

“I want to see y–”

“You don’t have to tell me twice, Eden. You never had to tell me twice. I heard you the first time. I felt you even before then.”

A smile tugged at my lips as I nodded. The sound of knuckles on the window startled me. I looked up to find Rachel, one of the sweetest girls I’d ever encountered knocking. I rolled the window down a bit to hear whatever she was saying.

“We have less than twenty minutes to pull ourselves together. Come on in, babes.”

“Yes. Of course. I’m on my way inside.”

“Okay. See you in there.”

When I resealed the window, silence coated the line.

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