Page 35 of Drawn to You
I check the interior of my car. My sunglasses are missing. Everything else is still there. Geez. They broke my window just to steal my ten-dollar sunglasses! I’m so mad. I wish I didn’t lock my car door. Now I have to have my window replaced!
I run back to the building and knock on Kim’s door.
“Do you have the footage of the security camera?” I ask as soon as I see her. “Someone broke my truck window and stole my sunglasses.”
“Oh no,” she says while following me out to the parking. “I’ll check, but I’m afraid the camera might not have covered your spot.”
“What?”
“You see, the camera is over there. Even if it had, it would be hard for them to find the person. They usually cover their faces,” she explains as if it has happened a lot in the past. “And even if they found him, he would most likely be homeless. He might go to jail, but he wouldn’t be able to pay for your damage.”
“Are you saying I’ll have to pay for it myself?” I want to cry.
She shrugs. “I’m sorry, but you really should’ve gotten a car alarm.”
“This is unfair,” I mumble. “Why don’t you make a gate to the parking?”
“It costs money, honey. And I would have to increase your rent.”
“So one way or another, I will have to pay for it? Aren’t you going to pay at least half?” Tears trickle down my cheek, although I tell myself not to act like a weak little girl.
She shakes her head. “I’m not liable for thievery. It says on the contract.”
Shit. The contract. I didn’t read every single word, but I remember the part. It didn’t bother me much because I was very eager to have the place and frankly, didn’t think thievery would happen to me, at least not so soon.
“This is unfair,” I say, barely able to keep my tears from gushing out. “I want to cancel the contract.”
“Well, you have one more day to cancel it. And if you want to do it, you’ll have to move out by tomorrow morning.”
Seeing that I’m crying, she probably feels sorry for me, and she adds. “I’ll give you a week, but you’ll have to pay the rents for the days you stay here.”
I nod and get in my truck, letting Kim take care of the shards on the ground.
I drive to Model Body on autopilot. My mind is a bundle of mess. What the hell am I going to do now? I can’t ask Andrew to let me move back to his house. I just can’t. But staying in that apartment isn’t an option either. Shit. I wish I hadn’t slept with Andrew.
Then none of these would’ve happened.
By the time I reach Model Body, I come to another decision. I need to find another apartment as soon as possible. It’s not the end of the world. I tell myself. And then I take a deep breath and get out of my truck.
Andrew is busy on the phone when I come in. I turn on the computer, force my personal issues out of my mind, and focus on work. There are quite a few email inquiries about the gym membership and many newly joined members. I’m happy about the fact. It looks like the ad on Facebook is working, and so are my personal emails to some past members who have discontinued their membership. Just as I’m about to congratulate myself for my hard work, I see a line at the end of an inquiry: “By the way, congrats on Andrew and Melissa’s engagement!” And that knocks the wind out of my sails. Of course, the sudden increase in business must be credited to Melissa’s announcement and has nothing to do with my work. The realization depresses me.
“Shit,” I mutter and stand up to use the bathroom.
Andrew chooses the time to come out of his office. “Is everything okay?” he asks as he studies my face. “You look like you’ve been crying.”
Damn. I should’ve checked myself in the mirror when I came in. “I’m okay,” I say. “I just… didn’t get enough sleep last night.”
“I see. How’s your new place?” He looks worried.
I almost blurt out my complaints, but I bite my lip. “It’s okay. I’m getting used to it.”
He wants to say more but swallows instead. “Let me know if you need anything, okay?”
“Okay, thanks.” I nod and force a smile.
I need you.I want to say, but that’s not an option. Andrew isn’t my family, and I have to learn to take care of myself. Before coming to LA, I didn’t plan to stay in his house for long, anyway.
In the bathroom, I splash some cold water onto my face and smooth my hair. And then I give myself a pet talk. Everything will be okay, I tell myself. I will find a new place. I made a rash decision on the current apartment, but I’ll find a better place.
