Page 5 of Euphoria
I remind myself that I am smart, beautiful and worth more than anything in this world. That’s how I can wake up every morning with no issues.
I feel a hand on my shoulder. “Bambi, girl you’ve got this. You’re an amazing person or else I wouldn’t have hired you,” she teases.
I snorted. “Thank you.” I shut my eyes and open them up again. “Okay.”
I take the steps I couldn’t before and unlock the door. I turn back to face her with a smile on my face.
Sasha gives me a smile right back. She and I are about the same height. Five feet and three inches. We both have similar brown skin, except mine is a tad bit more on the mocha latte side. Her impressive Afro is to die for. While mine is so curly, it feels like anything can get knotted in there, so I straighten it. Today I put it up in a tight high bun.
“We’ve got this!” Sasha says with a smile on her face.
“Yeah…” I say, not fully convinced.
I’m not a pessimist or anything but there’s this feeling in the pit of my stomach and I haven’t felt this way since I left this Island. I reach out, running my hand over the 3D tattoo behind my ear. I shut my eyes, knowing what was there. X.O.
* * *
I was worried about nothing.The event is going without a hitch in sight. I walk over to a painting that makes me tilt my head at it. It’s beautiful with bold strokes and I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before.
“This is a beautiful piece,” some man said. “And the name, miracles, it’s so fitting, isn’t it?”
I turn to face him. He’s a sight to behold from the bold blue eyes, blonde hair and exquisite taste in his expensive clothing. He looks just like a man looking for trouble. I look in those blue eyes and I can see with the way he’s watching me that his intention is to get me into his bed. I give him a polite smile, one that shows that I definitely will NOT be getting into anyone’s bed. Call me a prude or whatever but I’m not interested in the blue-eyed sex god. He wickedly smiles at me.
“I’m the curator, Ms. Vasquez. If you are interested in any of the other paintings, please get my attention. I’ll be making my rounds.”
“Ms. Vasquez, I will for sure look for you. I’m very interested in some bodies of art.” He looks me up and down then nods politely. I take the chance to slip away.
After making my rounds for about 45 minutes, Mr. Blonde gets my attention in front of the same painting. I excuse myself and walk over to where he is.
“Have you decided, sir?”
He frowns. “Sir? Come on, you can just ask my name?” He smiles at me again.
This time, I give him a genuine smile, shaking my head. “Where’s the fun in that then?”
He chuckles. It’s refreshing to hear and it causes me to smile wider. Maybe this day won’t end on the wrong foot. I spot Sasha behind me, wide-eyed, giving me a thumbs up. This must be someone of relevancy.
“Hmm, you’re right. Maybe you can get to know it outside of he—…” His words die on his lips as his eyes look past me.
This causes Mr. Blonde’s smile to disappear, and he straightens. He clears his throat. I tilt my head.
“She will not get to know shit.” A voice I will never forget says behind me.
I shut my eyes because this isn’t possible. There’s no way that I haven’t been back a month and this man has found me already.
“She can answer for herself.” Mr. Blonde stands his ground.
I don’t want to open my eyes; I wish the ground could swallow me whole. I stop breathing the moment I feel him right behind me. I shudder when I feel the tip of his finger caress the tattoo behind my right ear like a lover’s caress. This gives me some strength as my eyes pop open and I turn to face him. My eyes travel higher and higher until our eyes connect. Those golden-brown eyes glare at me with hurt blatantly displayed in them. I sigh because he’s so beautiful.
“She’s not on the market,” he says without taking his eyes off me.
“Phoenix…” My voice is below a whisper. I doubt even he heard me but I know he did because his brows furrow.
“Are you sure she isn’t?” Mr. Blonde asks again. “Miss Vasquez, you can tell him to leave.”
I open my mouth but shut it immediately when Phoenix smirks. If there’s any chance I know him like I used to then opening my mouth would cause something catastrophic. When nothing happens I relax and he notices.
“Now, why would she tell her husband to leave?” The way the words fall from Phoenix’s lips burn as if hot sulfur is slowly dripping and burning me alive.
“Husband?” I whisper the same time the blonde man says it louder, drawing a mini audience.
Phoenix tugs his bottom lip into his mouth and nods. The mischievous glint in his eyes is out to play. “She didn’t tell you?” He takes his eyes off me to glare at the guy, then he looks at me again. “We’ve been married for fourteen years now, you remember that paper you signed, wife?” He spat the title like it was a curse.
My lashes flutter as I try to remember, and then it all hits me. There was a paper I signed. Phoenix told me to read over it before I gave it back to him. To make sure that I couldn’t go back on my decision. I thought it was the fact that I wanted to get a car and I needed him to cosign it.
“No,” I say breathlessly.
This time Phoenix gives both me and the man a sinister smile. “Yes, wife. Now, shut the fuck up and show me around before I murder this man in cold blood, then spread it all over your beautiful pant suit.”
I shudder as goosebumps spread all over my body and I know that I’m physically shaking. Not because I’m scared of him, well I am afraid of Phoenix, but also, it’s all the emotions that have rushed back. Emotions I thought I got rid of. This is the time where my new found glory and backbone need to be applied but I’m wiser than that. Plus, I just got this new job and I would be a fool to destroy an excellent opportunity.
