CALYX

Back then in my school days, and even now I have always met the same category of girls who come in my way and try all they can to be seductive and fitting for me to stay in it. But this girl created another category and put herself there. She gets me crazy without even trying anything. It is still surreal how I had went from hating her guts and her mere presence to doing all the things I did. I wasn’t even sorry that I ruined a good friendship because of her. I felt I achieved my desired purpose even though it resulted in a lot of qualms. This isn’t highschool, a lot time has passed. I cannot say that I am different from before and neither can I say that I have changed much but I am certain about one thing. Gweneth. I fully realized it when she came in. I cannot have her close to me. I still would not accept her even if she has the right qualifications. She herself should know better than come to me like this. She still cracks me. Time did not change that. I didn’t go close to her a while ago because I wanted to see her closely. It was the scent of her homemade bergamot perfume I wanted to smell better. It is like a breathe of fresh air that gave me the feeling similar to that of getting something I have been longing for. It is hitting me like nostalgia. I did not put on my cologne and body mist after the night I woke up with her because I like that the bergamot smell of hers clung to my body. I found the expensive designer perfumes of the women I have been with trashy because of this particular scent. It is drawing me in. It is taking my all not to drag her into my arms and sniff her like a dog. Her mentioning Rex hits me harder than a punch.

I clench my jaw, shutting out the unwelcome memories that are playing in my head.

"I am not giving you the job." I say icily.

"Why?" Came her bitter response. It should be obvious. Just a mere recommendation from a third-rate company is nothing.

"Because you will be a liability.

Do I have to spell it out for you? You do not have what it takes to be in a place like this." I let the words slither out cold to let land the desired effect. It did. Her vision sharpens, the edges burning a slow crimson. Thick lashes fluttered over her dark eyes. Her fist is clenching on her side, her other hand gripping the strap of her bag for her

knuckles to stand out bone white against her skin. She is getting furious. "It is not your fault." She utters in a cracked, strained voice. her lips parting to release a long, soft breath. They are so inviting.

"I’m the stupid one because I know it would be like this. But I wanted to try anyway. What was I expecting?" She says more to herself than to me. Letting out an empty mirthless laughter at the end.

She stops and puts her hand on my desk, leaning across to me. An action that sent more of her knee weakening fragrance my way. And fuck, it is getting me so enthralled. My hands clenches around the handle of my seat, I inch backwards into it which drives me back a few thankful meters.

"And just so you know, this wasn’t my idea. It was Mrs Yates. I am not on board working with a devil!" She marches out after throwing those words.

I was a little worried that she is stomping on her heels too hard. What if it breaks? I have seen that before. I waited for the next applicant. None came past the door. Ronnie comes in min Telephone in my hand, I was just about to call his desk. "Tell the next person to come in. She is wasting time." I say with slight irritation. One of the things I so much dislike is wasting time. My brow pinches as my phone alarm went off. It is 11am so soon? The alarm signals it is time for my wound dressing and antibiotics intake after that. "Disqualify who is supposed to be the next applicant and have the other one come in thirty minutes later." I told him as I head to my resting area to begin my antiseptic dressing. "There are no more applicants. That lady was the last one." I furrow my brows at him. "Let me guess? You didn’t find one suitable out of all forty-five of them?"

GWENETH 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

The cold air slaps at my face like another humiliation. Covering my skin in goosebumps. It is even worse when I come outside. There is also this hotness of anger and morbid humiliation inside me. I do a blink spike to keep my tears in and inwardly chant that it does not hurt and that it is something that I had been expecting from him but who am I kidding? It does hurt.

It freaking hurts! I shouldn’t have come. Damn Mrs Yates for putting me in this situation. I also need to include myself too because I made the decision to come. He called me a liability. I am not going to bemoan over how unfair it is because I have done that enough. I give a sharp defensive turn as a hand touches me. In my distress I don’t instantly recognize him.

"It’s me, Sam." He introduced himself. "You might not find this a nice introduction but I am the bartender from Cherry." My eyes narrows then widens.

"Oh? Sam!"

That was when I finally realized who he was. I carefully tuck my distress aside to seem a little cheerful. "Hi. How have you been?" That does not sound too right. It is not like we are friends or anything. But well, he did give me a drink and listened to me when I told him about being cheated on that day, so that kinda puts him on the friendly list, no?

"Great. What about you?" That extension is polite but not necessary right now.

"I am fine." I say casually.

"Yeah, I would have bought that if I didn’t sight you crying." Wait, what?

"I wasn’t crying."

"Correction, you were not actually, but you looked like you was about to. May I ask why or should I mind my business?"

I put on a micro smirk. "Read the room."

"So that means I should mind my business." I nod. "Yep."

"Okay. See you around Gweneth. And soften your face with a smile. If weren’t so beautiful, you would look like shit." He waves.

I scoffed derisively at his words of advise. Seeing him walk towards the building, I get an unusual crazy idea. My lips press as I hold in the words to call him back. I just hope he wouldn’t mind. I need someone to keep me company. I can’t call Annie and disturb her. That would make me insensitive. I won’t call her. I will tell her at home later how it freaking went. "Wait Sam." I call out just as he approached the revolving door. He pauses and looks back at me.

Wait! He is heading into—

"Do you work here?" I point at Crimson building. "No. I came to see someone." He answered. His casual outfit of black pants and black jacket over a gray shirt says that too.

"Would it be quick? I was thinking maybe you could come with me somewhere—Don’t think too much of it. It’s a request which you can totally refuse!" I blab. Gosh this is silly. What am I even doing?