Cordelia
It was almost midnight and I was already feeling frustrated. When will this man get drunk? I'd successfully managed to get him here in the open bar opposite the restaurant we dined in but my plan of making him speak what he knows only when he'll be under the influence of alcohol. By the time he ordered more drinks for us, I peeked into my purse which was on the verge of vanishing.
Seeing only about five bills inside, I decided to call it quits. 'Um, Jackson.'
'Yes?' He dreamily gazed into my eyes.
'I think you've had enough. We should probably leave.'
'What happened to reminisce the past?'
'We were never going to reminiscence. I just asked you to revisit the past with me.'
'There's a difference?'
'Yes! Firstly, our past isn't worth reminiscing, and secondly, revisiting it only means not forgetting the vile emotions we had for each other.'
He smirked for reasons only he knew. 'At least you agree we felt something for each other.'
With an eye roll I replied, 'Jackson, someone hating you isn't something you should be proud of.'
'Why not? At least the emotion was real, unlike the one you showed me that time when you were high on pretense.' I gulped. This hate game began with me every time. I would accept the blame but the guy right in front of me was the one who made me. 'So what do you want to know?' He asked out of the blue catching me off guard.
'Me? What would I want to know?' I dismissed it.
'You're avoiding eye contact.' I looked at him immediately. Before he could say something our drinks arrived. He went on to order some more.
'I told you we should leave.'
'Relax, I'll pay for it.'
My ears heated with embarrassment. You see, with him, I'd always maintained the status quo. When for the brief time we were going out in college I never let him pay for the fear that he would call me cheap in front of his people. He was this popular guy who was loved by everyone, was part of every circle without even knowing he was part of it, knew all the professors, and important people, and always got his way. Maintaining an image in front of him became necessary and it was that very façade that let me get myself into deeper trouble than I already was at that time.
'Do you remember that one time I got you caught?' I asked. If alcohol wasn't working then the painful past would.
He tilted his head. 'How can I forget? You were so good at being a bitch to me.'
I swear he would've gotten a smack on his head for this if I were to not get some answers out of him.
Fourteen years ago
'Delia, our homework is due tomorrow!' Stacy reminded me for the third time now.
'Stacy, I know! But look at this, how cool are these skirts? Let's go to buy them tomorrow.' I moved the fashion magazine in my hand towards her. She reluctantly took a look at it and I knew she was sold. Her mouth fell open. 'Do you still want to do homework?'
She nodded with a stern face. 'Yes, as that is what I am here for.' I sighed. She'd taken special permission from her mother to be at my home using homework as an excuse and if she didn't complete it there was a fair chance she wouldn't be able to join me again for a night stay.
'Fine. How about we finish this first and then look at the magazine?'
'Your eyes look pretty when they shine but let me remind you we have school tomorrow.'
I got up while she was still lying on the bed and nudged her a bit. 'Please learn to live like a teenager, Stacy. When will you grow up?'
'Understanding responsibilities is part of growing up.'
'Hold that thought right there!' I stood up now. 'Stacy, you're talking too old now. We need to do something about it.'
'What are you talking about Delia?' She turned over to stuff her face in the pillow to save her from any crazy idea I might have. Well, she was right. A crazy thought did germinate in my mind.
A few minutes later both of us were coming down from the window in my room using the ladder I'd kept hidden in my room. 'This is ridiculous!' She shouted.
'Shhh. You'll get us caught.' I whispered.
The mufflers we'd wrapped our necks with were doing a pathetic job of keeping us warm and both of us sneezed at the same time. Suddenly, the lights inside the house were lit. 'Shit, what do we do now, Delia?' Stacy was a deer on the verge of getting hit by a car and I had to drag her out of the house through the backyard.
We walked to the end of the road and then turned left to reach the hit place of what could be called the working class in this part of the city. The people who frequented this place were the ones who worked in the houses of the wealthy there. 'The liquor served here is in our budget.'
'Since when do you care about money and how do you even know this place?'
'Mom cut down my pocket money after our economics teacher complained I was missing classes for swimming practice.' Stacy's mouth formed an 'o'. 'As for this place, well someone led me here.'
Her eyes widened. 'You were here with someone? Who are you dating and why I don't know about this?'
'Relax, you know me. I would never date a low class who frequents here.'
'Then you must be a low life too.' Both of us turned to find him standing there in a white t-shirt and denim. He might wear casuals but they were always branded. I could easily tell where the clothes were brought from. But where did he get the money to pay for these remained a mystery. 'I've seen you here before a few times myself.'
I crossed my arms. 'We're not talking to you. Go back to doing whatever you were doing.' I interlocked my arms with Stacy's and was off to the counter that served the drinks. This used to be a shop that was abandoned years ago and since then the worker's association here had taken over to provide for the basic needs of those working in the area.
'I was admiring your beauty. Now that you're allowing me yourself I'll do it shamelessly without hiding.'
'Back off, Jackson!'
'Do your parents know you're here?'
I clenched my fists. 'Listen to me carefully. We don't know each other so just leave us alone.'
'You just took my name. How can I pretend I don't know who you are? Besides, you're beautiful to be forgotten.' His smirk always remains as a reminder for me to not be hypnotized by his lies.
'Too bad, if you weren't serving the morning tea to my neighbors every morning I would've hardly remembered you.' He sneered. Show people their real place and they will find a hard time accepting it. 'Now that you know an heiress like me can never be familiar with a servant like you, you can fuck off.'
Stacy nudged me. 'You're being rude.'
'Whatever.' I moved ahead and she followed me.
'Hey!' Jackson called me from behind.
'Now what?' I was turning when he came in front with a glass of beer and poured it all on my head. As I stood there stupefied the liquid trickled down to ruin my white night dress. Stains on this and the smell of alcohol would not go unnoticed when I enter the house. 'You!'
'Have a good night baby!'
I stomped my foot and returned with Stacy without having the fun I had anticipated. Not only were my plans ruined, as I had thought, but my parents also caught us as soon as we entered the house. Lectures after lecture until my ears were ready to bleed were given to me and then both of us were made to do the pending homework. The next morning Stacy's mother was informed of our little endeavor and any future night stays were canceled altogether, all thanks to that poor peasant!
When I came back from school, the first thing I did was to go and ring the bell of our neighbors. They needed to know where their house help was roaming around during the night.
Present
'Thanks to you I lost my job.' Jackson said gulping down another shot of vodka. I've lost count by now, to be honest.
'You should thank me for freeing you from those good-for-nothing people. I basically did you a favor.'
'So you decided I had to be the victim of your social service.' There was venom in his eyes.
'Everyone has to go through some tough times.' I murmured.
'Like you're experiencing now. Oh, I almost forgot to ask, how does it feel to be not able to pay rent?'
'I paid it.'
He scoffed. 'Then why did your landlady say she was going to kick you out?'
'You talked to her too? What else do you know?'
'Dear Cordelia, you're dying to know what shit you uttered to me while you were drunk that day, don't you?' I gasped. 'I'm not telling you.' He winked.
I groaned and got up to leave when someone blocked my way. A group of guys was trying to sit at the table beside us and were arguing about who will sit where. 'Excuse me, please let me through.' I said loudly. I don't know why people get so sensitive in places like this that the guy right in front of me took offense and pushed me.
I faltered in my steps. 'Can't you see we're talking, you bitch?'
'What the…..' 'Talk to her with respect!' Jackson was by my side in an instant and had an arm around my shoulder.
'Jackson, let me….'
The way the weird guy laughed, I could tell he was already drunk. They were here for a second or third round probably. 'Now that I look at you, why don't you join us?' Oh, he dared to invite me.
'I would pass.' I said making a disgusting face to assure him of the big no.
He still had it in him to move his hand reaching out to me but thankfully Jackson caught it mid-way and twisted it so hard I was afraid he was going to be booked for assault. 'Jackson, leave him. Let's go.'
He removed his hand from me and then took a step to grab the guy by his collar. 'Fuck off from here, before I decide to twist your head for trying to lay a hand on my woman.' I had goosebumps all over my hands hearing that. He called me 'his' woman.
Jackson insisted he drop me home. I didn't decline. He stared at the road all the time while I couldn't take my eyes off him. I shouldn't be drawn to him. He said it in the spur of a moment, Cordelia. He didn't mean it. I told myself continuously.
'I meant it.' His lips uttered and my heart was ready to fall. He hit the break and the sudden jerk forced me to place a hand on his thigh. His glance followed my hand and then our eyes met. I gulped. Don't be like this Jackson. The past cannot repeat itself.
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Jackson
Air has refused to reach my lungs. Her hand is on my thigh. Move in with me. Those words dangerously lurk on my lips and I hold back with all my will because I know it's too early to say it. She would refuse without a second thought.
'I should call a cab.' I said instead. She retreats her hand immediately, disappointment is evident on her face. It gives me a reason to smile. Old flames die hard, especially when they're as hot as me.
'Why are you smiling?'
'Did you want to invite me over?'
'Don't test your luck. I've already had drinks with you.'
'You hardly drank. I'm the one who's drunk here. Now let me call a cab.'
She shifted in her seat. 'Where will you park your car?' I answer her by parking it in her building's parking. She is ready to retaliate but I have no fear for the landlady has already been paid for this. I'd met that old woman earlier and gave a sufficient amount along with Cordelia's due rent so that she doesn't make a ruckus when she sees me around too much.
Cordelia stays in the car so I ask, 'Are you planning on spending the night in here?'
She sighed. 'Tell me honestly Jackson what did I say the night I was drunk?' it has to be something scandalous for her to be so worried about it. Did her father have an affair and now wants the mistress to have all his business and money? Or maybe Cordelia went out of her way and got involved with a guy who would bring shame to the family. There must be a reason why her ex is her ex.
'Why does it matter if I know?'
'You will use it against me.' Her eyes were dead serious about the accusation. She thinks I'm an asshole who would take advantage of her weakness. Well, she is right. I do want to know so that I can use it to my advantage in whatever situation is to arise between us next.
For now, I pretend to be a reformed guy. 'I will never do that.'
'Why not? After all…..'
I stared out the window. The parking lot was empty and dark. Suddenly, I was worried about her security. 'That is something that you do not me.' She was quiet. 'Close the door and windows well when you get into your apartment.'
She scoffed. 'Why? Are you going to break in? I'll not be surprised though. You did try to steal from someone's before.'
I clench my fingers around the steering wheel. 'Cordelia, allow me to remind you there is possibly nothing in that hut of yours that could be of use to me.'
She crosses her hands in front. 'Funny! You could've simply said that you were not a thief.'
'Even if I would've said it, there was no way you were going to believe it.' I looked at her and she held my gaze. I was left disappointed when she opened the door and went out of the car.
I rolled down the window and shouted, 'You know you can still apologize!' She stopped but didn't turn. Just say you're sorry Cordelia. I never got to hear that from you that day.
Fourteen years ago
'Get out!' The lady whose house I was working in barked.
I panicked. 'Where will I go?'
'I don't know. Go wherever you want but you're not staying here anymore. One look at you and I knew you would be trouble.' It was déjà vu. Last month I'd heard the very same words and then I was unemployed for days until I found work here. There was still a significant amount of school time left and I needed money to pay for my tuition.
'Let me stay here until school ends. Please, this is important to me.' I begged.
'The painting that you stole was important to me too.' Her livid eyes accused me and I stared in confusion. I thought she had caught me sleeping during work hours on the weekend. The owner of the house was a woman in her thirties who I had no idea worked where, but she threw cool parties almost every weekend for her friends. She'd hired me because she was too lazy to clean and there was way too much mess she would deal with by the time her guests left. I didn't mind the cleaning and when she offered to let me sleep in the garage I was okay with that too. But this weekend the year-end school assignments and being the librarian's assistant caught up to me and I slipped into sleep for hours until I was woken up by a jar of water. I'd apologized and she'd ignored me as anyone does to a doormat. I thought she was still upset because of that but this.
'I didn't steal anything.'
She scoffed. 'Tell that to the police.' She took out her phone and was about to dial the emergency number when I stopped her hand. She pushed me back. 'How dare you?! Just because a naïve high school girl fell for your charms and the stolen painting that you gifted her, doesn't mean you can go around touching anybody here. I'm a woman of class!'
I gulped. This was all going so wrong. One call from her and my entire career would be spoiled. 'Please ma'am! I can't have a police record. Please forgive me…..' I apologized even if I didn't understand half of the things that she said. Who was the girl she was talking about? When she didn't budge I fell to my knees and begged her again.
She sighed. 'Don't make me look bad! Fine! You don't want me to call the police and then get that painting back from your girlfriend.'
I looked up. 'I don't have a girlfriend.' As soon as those words left my mouth she slapped me so hard across the face I feared I'd lost my hearing. I placed a hand on my cheek where she'd hit me and stood up.
She saw the tears in my eyes. There is no way she missed them. But she laughed and then said, 'Cordelia Rosette was right about you.' She didn't leave me more confused and told me how the girl who stays a block away from her came with the painting saying that she didn't want her boyfriend to be involved in anything illegal. The painting was returned by Cordelia but the house owner wanted to test if I would tell her the truth so she acted as if she was going to call the police.
Cordelia had left me unemployed again, all within a month. There was unmeasured anger in me for her. Why did she have to go all the way out and hit me where she knew I would be hurt the most? Of course! She was the only player opposite me in this hating game.
Present
'It's not like you didn't equal the score.' Without looking back Cordelia reminded me that I might've not got an apology from her for that but I did get back at her.
Suddenly I had the urge to know from her why she did that. I got out too and held her hand before she gets into the elevator. 'Why were you so hell-bent on making me unemployed back then?'
She lifted her head, her chin up as if she was proud of what she did. 'I did what I wanted to.' A ring told us the doors to the elevator had opened and both of us got inside. 'I thought you were going home.'
'My cab hasn't arrived yet.'
'You haven't called a cab yet!' She yelled.
I moved closer to her. 'Shhh. I don't want an audience right now.'
'Strange you wanted an audience back then.' The sharpness of her eyes attacked me.
'I had to get back at you. Not only did you steal a painting and blamed me for that but also cost me my job!' She waited for her floor to arrive and when the elevator door opened again she stepped out. 'Go home, Jackson!' She said when she saw me following behind.
'First, tell me why you did it.'
'You told everyone in school that I was crazy about you and left you a note in your locker.'
We stood outside her door. I knew well she wouldn't open it until I left. 'That was for when you snitched to my previous employer about me being at that worker's bar.'
'You threw beer on me!'
'You called me servant!' The moment I shouted someone from the adjacent apartment came out and yelled, 'Keep it down! We're trying to sleep in here!' And then the door shut in our faces. I looked at Cordelia who was just as fazed as me.
'Time to leave.' She turned and opened the lock with her keys. Before she knew it I pushed inside before her. 'What are you doing?'
'Making a conversation.'
'I'm in no mood to talk to you. Get out!'
'I had to sleep in the school locker rooms for an entire week until I found another job.'
An emotion flashed on her face. 'You want me to apologize but why should I when you have already avenged me for all those things I did?'
'I didn't take my revenge properly.'
She looked sideways as her jaw clenched. 'Properly?! You had me on my knees in front of you, Jackson! With the whole boys' basketball team staring at me weirdly!'
'So what? I promised them a show I gave them one.' I said cockily that didn't go down well with her and she marched forward to slap me. Tomorrow at the meeting I would be stared at. The alcohol had kicked in by the time we left the restaurant but I managed to drive us home. I shouldn't have drunk and driven tough. But since I was already under the influence I could blame it tomorrow morning for what I'm about to do now.
I look at Cordelia and she is breathing heavily no more trying to control her anger. My hand takes her waist and she is instantly pulled towards me. I smashed my mouth on hers. The kiss wasn't meant to be romantic it was meant to remind her that this was still a war. We could've been civil. All she had to do was apologize but she didn't. So let her bare the consequences. My lips took her lower lip and tasted them like I had forgotten what they tasted like. The truth was I had never for once forgotten them, her. My other hand moved to her hair and I grabbed a fistful, might've pulled them a little. But then she placed a hand on my chest and I let go of her hair, now only gently caressing them as my tongue works its magic.
There is no way this is one-sided because she is responding as well. Old flame I told you about. This is it. Both of us as addicted to the drug we know can very well end us. She moaned and I am ready to take her to the couch but then suddenly when my legs hit the table in the center, it knocks some sense into me.
'How about you complete the task that was left incomplete that day?' She stiffens in my arms. I wrapped them even more tightly around her in case she wants an out. 'I'm sure you don't mind getting down on your knees again for me.' I whispered and she does the unthinkable.
Groaning in pain I'm on the floor when the front door opens and her best friend enters the scene with a look of horror on her face. 'What in the hell happened here?'
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