Page 61 of Heightened Assurance
For the most part I moved back and forth between putting fixtures and things where I wanted them. Ava had done well in making sure things were delivered on time and labeled so I knew what was what. She’d be here about an hour after I left to finish what I started. She handled all that I didn’t and did a great job.
“Hey Jade, I’m about to run to the café up front and grab something to drink, do you want anything?” Jewels asked. She was one of my employees who would be coming from the other store to this one when it opened.
“Uh, yeah. Can you get me a mango tea with a splash of lemonade? I’ve been so damn dehydrated.”
“Okay, I got you. I’ll be quick.”
I nodded.
I was looking through a massive box behind the counter, putting together a fixture, when I heard someone clear their throat. When I looked up my eyes landed on a face I didn’t want to see while anxiety coursed through my entire being. What was he doing here?
“Hey Jade, I haven’t heard from you in a while.” Ant’s face housed a smile that made my skin crawl. Now that I looked at him, he did seem extremely unbalanced.
“Um, what are you doing here?” I looked around, sure not to take my eyes off him for too long.
“Just thought I’d stop by. I haven’t seen you lately and your wi?—”
“You shouldn’t be here.” I moved over a little, keeping my hand on the metal rod I had been holding for one of the fixtures.
“I shouldn’t be here,” he repeated, confused, looking at me like I was speaking a language other than English.
“No, you shouldn’t.”
He crossed his arms, then laughed dryly. “Why not? You just disappeared and haven’t answered any of my calls. I miss talking to you.” His entire being was off, from the odd slant of his glasses to the wrinkled undershirt below his plaid button up. For the first time since I first laid eyes on him, I saw how beady his eyes were. Not only that, but they were also hollow.
“You’re fucking stalking me. I know it’s you doing all of this calling.”
Shock covered his features. His jaw literally dropped. The way he looked had me thinking he was about to deny it, but his words were nowhere near denial.
“Stalking you? I was protecting you. Everything I have ever done was to make sure you are protected from the bullshit you let into your life. So fucking gullible!” His eyes began to jump back and forth like a pinball in a machine.
“Leave, Ant.”
“No!” His voice elevated and he shook his head violently. “After everything, this is what you think you want? You keep letting these ungodly people around you and now you think you can push me to the curb. I’ve watched you for months, so I know what’s best for you, even though you don’t.”
“You need to leave.” I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t frightened, but I couldn’t show fear at this moment. Instead, I tightened my grip on the rod.
“I’ve come here to get you. I can’t spend another day without you. I shouldn’t have to. I have your best interest at heart.” I could see in his eyes he was getting ready to move in my direction, so I gripped the rod like it was a baseball bat.
“I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Yes you ar?—”
“No, the fuck she isn’t. As a matter of fact, I done sat here and asked myself a million times how I could get your body up outtathis crowded ass mall if I splattered your shit all over this store.” Karim’s voice let me know she was here.
I looked around him and there Karim stood, much smaller than his tall lanky frame with a gun to the back of his head.
“Like I could really end your shit right here, but getting rid of you would be too much. So do me a favor and get the fuck out of here before my common sense takes a ride. Spend the time you got because your shit is coming to an end.”
By the time she finished speaking, he had already scurried out. It was at that moment I realized I had been holding my breath the entire encounter. Then, as if there was something sickening in the air, I felt like I needed to throw up, so I ran to the back to empty my guts.
By the time I was finished, I felt like I needed to be in bed and not here. I didn’t know if it was being in his presence or the fact that I’d microwaved my omelet this morning, but I felt extremely ill after this whole encounter.
Instead of going to lunch with Karim, I had her drop me off at Oden’s place. My appetite had disappeared with my need to throw up and the act of doing so. As soon as I came in, I stripped out of my clothes and took a warm shower, then got in bed. I was drained and so exhausted. I just needed sleep. I was on my way to getting it, then out of nowhere, my phone started to ring.
When I looked at the phone I sighed, momentarily irritated because I knew Reminisce would call back if I didn’t answer.
“Yes, Reminisce?” I answered, pissed about it.
