My temper spikes and I know that I’m frowning, “you had a boyfriend?” I need to start paying way more attention to my little sister’s life.
“Yeah.”
“What happened?”
“We broke up; no big story...” Her words are clipped and she’s looking out the window, avoiding my eye. Her fingers are gripping the door handle. She’s lying.
“This isn’t the best neighbourhood, Maya.” I run a hand through my hair, “how big is your apartment?”
“One bed.”
I frown, “so not enough room for a flatmate...”
“I’m fine on my own.”
“I’d rather you weren’t on your own,” I tell her.
“I’m not a kid.”
“No. You’re a single woman living alone in a dodgy part of the city.”
“It’s hardly dodgy just because it’s not Chelsea...” she argues back, “in fact, there’s more crime in the affluent areas of the city...”
“Point taken; I still would prefer you have a flatmate. Do you have any friends who you could share with?”
She sighs. I’m irritating her. “I can’t afford to move and I don’t have enough room for a flatmate.”
“What if I found you somewhere?” I ask her. “Could you find a roommate or two?”
“I guess I could talk to Lara and Zara,” she gives in, “I don’t know what good it will do.”
“Just try,” I plead.
“Fine,” she tells me as she opens the car door.
I call Landon as soon as Maya is out of the car. “Alright Andrew, what’s up?” Landon’s voice is light and humorous as if he’s just answered the phone after laughing at a joke. I think he’s been enjoying having time off work. I can’t really say I blame him. Landon doesn’t tend to take much time off.
“Everything’s great,” I tell him. It’s not quite accurate. Everything at work is great but things with Clara are far from perfect. “I just wanted to ask you for a favour.”
“Sure. Anything.” I know he’s sincere. He’s given me his company to look after. There’s perhaps only one thing he loves more and that’s Aurora.
“Can I pop round?” I sigh, “It will be easier to explain in person.”
“Sure. Let yourself up when you get here.”
“Thanks,” I do a u-turn in a quiet residential road before heading towards Landon’s apartment.
Barely ten minutes later, Landon is letting me into his apartment. He leads me into the sitting room where Aurora is reading a book. “How’s the shoulder Aurora?” I ask politely. I don’t really know Aurora. In fact, I think this might be the first time we’ve actually met but I’ve heard a lot about her. I’ve even betted on the outcome of her and Landon’s relationship with the rest of the office.
“Could be better,” she laughs melodically and there’s something slightly familiar about the sound, “thank you for looking after the company for Landon. He hasn’t let me out of his sight so work would have been a bit of a challenge.” I’m not sure if she’s really grateful or if Landon’s ever present bossiness is beginning to irritate her.
“Do you feel a bit suffocated?” I wink at her.
“Just a tad,” she tells me impishly, “I’m being very well looked after...”
“Would you like me to take him away for the evening?”
“Oh would you?” her eyes are alight with mischief.
Landon chimes in, “I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Aurora.” I turn to face Landon and although I can note he’s smiling, he also looks concerned.
“I’ll have a girls’ night... I can get Tallulah, Aileen and maybe even Grace to come round. We can watch movies in the home theatre upstairs and wear facemasks and eat junk food.” Her voice is so hopeful that I know Landon is going to give in to her. She’s his greatest weakness.
“What have you got in mind, Andrew?” he says with a sigh; giving in.
“A night out... there’s a girl...”
Aurora laughs, “There’s always a girl.”
“Is it Delos?” Landon takes me by surprise.
Oh shit. What if he’s heard the office gossip? “How did you know?” I ask him. I keep my composure. My face is void of expression; or at least that’s what I’m aiming for but in reality I probably just look like I’m trying not to laugh. My mother always used to tell me that she couldn’t take me seriously. She used to find it frustrating whenever she would try to tell me off because I’d give her a cheeky grin and she would work so hard to keep her face straight but she’d never succeed. Before she knew it we’d both be laughing.
“Something you both said in your interviews...” at my puzzled expression he elaborates, “When I hired you. You both gave the same story about wanting to get into advertising. You were her inspiration and she was yours.” His eyes are sparkling; trust Landon to find entertainment in my downfall because that’s what she is. She’s my downfall. I’m at a complete loss without her. Every time I see her I open my mouth to bark out some quick remark at her but have to slam it shut again. She’d just think I was laughing at her expense. After all that’s all I’ve ever done.
“Are you serious?” I’m completely flabbergasted.
“For real. So tell me, what’s the story with you and Delos?”
Aurora closes her book, her attention keenly focused on me, “this is more interesting than my book.”
“We went to school together. I liked her and like most boys that age I teased her... or bullied her depending on how you look at it. She’d tell you I bullied her but whatever I did, I hurt her and that’s really all that matters. Any way I kissed her the other day and now we aren’t talking at all. It’s complicated. She doesn’t think I’m serious and she’s convinced we can’t see each other without being unprofessional at work.”
“Well I can understand why she might think that,” Landon says to himself. “So what is the plan? How are you going to win sweet maiden’s heart?” he winks at Aurora.
“She’s going to be at the Kent Mockery tonight,” I tell him. I don’t want to admit that that is as far as my planning has taken me.
“So we’re going out on a boy’s night just so we can crash her night out?” he’s smirking. His eyes are on Aurora though, “good things always start at the Kent.”
I’m missing something. I don’t know what but it’s clearly personal so I choose to ignore it. “I want to come too,” Aurora almost whines.
“You know that could help,” I grin at her, “you’re pretty approachable.”
“Absolutely not,” Landon’s demeanour has changed. “Don’t encourage her or she’ll never rest.”
“Sorry.” I’m laughing gently. He’s very protective of Aurora but then again I think I would be if I was in his place, having almost lost the woman I love.
“Don’t apologise Andrew,” Aurora grins, “I’ve been resting for weeks. I won’t dance. I won’t drink. I’ll just sit and talk to this Delos woman. I’ll be your wing woman, Andrew!”
“You’re high on prescription medication right now,” Landon chuckles.
“That’s why I won’t drink,” she smiles at him, “can we pretend to be on an Mi5 mission with code words and everything?”
Landon is shaking his head, laughing at his fiancée’s words. “I guess we haven’t been out to celebrate our engagement yet. We haven’t told you, have we Andrew?”
“You’re engaged?” I smile at them both, “Congratulations.”
“It’s brilliant, isn’t it?” Aurora is smiling.
Landon gives her a gentle smile. It’s strange seeing that expression on his face. He’s usually so impersonal in his expressions. I knew he’d give in. I think he’d give Aurora anything she would ask him for. Aurora looks like she’s about to explode with excitement at the prospect of going out. “I’m going to go make some calls.” She’s on her feet and out the door faster than I would have thought possible considering her shoulder.
“She’s a firecracker,” I smile at Landon.
“She’s an angel,” is his response.
I nod. “So you are in?”
“I guess so,” he smirks, “I’ll invite a ton of people. It will give you an excuse to be there.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me yet. We still need to work out what you are going to say to win her over.”
Landon and Aurora have gone all out. We’re in the largest VIP area at The Kent Mockery. They’ve invited nearly everyone they know and so our part of the bar is heaving with bodies. I grin at Landon, “I think this might just work.” She’ll never know that the only reason all these people are here is for her.
“Of course it will,” Landon looks cool and in control whereas I’m sure I look like a wreck. I’d managed to talk my brother Jacob into coming. I’d told him all about Aurora’s Mi5 mission. I’d even told him it was all for the same girl he used to tease me about. That had been the icing on the cake. He was almost desperate to meet Clara.
“Have you invited Michael Vincent?”
Landon nods his head, “of course. Clara is out with Mike and her friends tonight. Mike and Sarah said that since they were already coming here tonight anyway they’d drop in on our little gathering.”
“Great.” I’m nodding my head as I remember the plan.
“I said to them that they should bring their friends with them since we have plenty of free booze to go around.”
“Good idea.” No one ever turns down the idea of free drinks.
“I know,” Landon smirks, “it will be easier to woo her if you have less competition.”
“Less competition?” I’m laughing now, “Our section of the bar is the busiest.”
Landon pats me on the back, “you can do it. It’s going to be fine. Aurora’s been stalking her on social media for hours. As soon as she arrives Aurora is going to make a beeline for her.”
“Won’t that be a bit weird?”
“That’s Aurora’s way.” Landon says with something akin to amusement, “she’ll make it look natural.”
“I’ll ask her if she dyes her hair that colour or if it’s natural,” Aurora pipes up as she comes to stand next to Landon. “I’ll say I’ve been thinking of dying my own hair but I haven’t found the right shade.”
“See...” Landon says pointedly.
Aurora almost squeals in delight a moment later when Clara walks into the bar. “Just wait,” Aurora is saying under her breath. She waits for Clara and her friends to enter the VIP area, “come on Landon. Let’s go say hi to our guests.” She winks at me.
I watch from one of the booths where I’m sat with Jacob while Aurora talks to Clara avidly. If nothing else happens tonight, Clara’s definitely made a new friend. “So that’s her?” Jacob asks.
“Yeah,” I don’t want to say more. I’m a bit wary. Even though we’ve both grown up and he no longer teases me about girls, Clara’s different. If he was going to tease me about anyone, it would be Clara.
“She’s pretty,” Jacob says. “I’ve got an idea.”
“What idea?” I ask without taking my eyes off Clara.
“Before you try talking to her,” he’s saying, “I could apologise to her... it’s kind of my fault you teased her.”
“I don’t know if that would help.” I’m pretty sure it won’t.
“Or we could have a conversation about it and she can overhear us,” he tries.
“Or I could just be a grown up and accept responsibility for my actions.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“Spoken like a true lawyer. Besides I think Maya may have already told her about you teasing me.”
“Shame. It sounded like a fine plan to me,” he smirks, “I could chat up one of her friends if that helps?”
I laugh at that one, “going to pimp yourself out for the cause?”
“If I need to,” he’s laughing too now.
“Perhaps we should just get a drink.”
“I like how your mind works little brother... the bar is right next to your little ray of sunshine after all.”
“Can’t you take anything seriously?” I shake my head.
“Little brother the only things I take seriously are sex, the law and Christmas.”
His words almost make me laugh, except I know it’s the complete and utter truth.
I do my best to keep my distance until I get the signal from Aurora and even then I go to walk passed them but Aurora calls me over just like we’d planned earlier in Aurora and Landon’s apartment. “Andrew!” Aurora is smiling at me, “you need to hear Clara’s story... it is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Clara is blushing now, “there’s no point. Andrew already knows the story.”
“I do?” Oh shit. She’s probably been telling her about how I used to bully her. She really isn’t going to forgive me. I should probably just give up.
“He does?” Aurora’s frowning now.
“It was about him,” Clara is so quiet I’m not sure I heard her correctly over the sound of the music.
“Now I definitely need to hear this story,” I say with a smirk, pretending to be unaffected.
“I was telling Aurora about your penchant for apples.”
I laugh, “It’s true I really do like apples.” And apple pie...
Aurora smiles, “Clara was telling me about a time when you threw an apple at her accidentally. Apparently you were aiming for the bin.”
I can remember that day. We’d just gotten back from Christmas break and my mother had just tried to kill herself. I’d been lashing out at everyone; Clara especially. “She threw it back at me,” I tell Aurora without looking at her. My eyes are completely focused on Clara, “it hit me square on the nose.”
Aurora must catch the sad look on my face or something because she quickly asks why I did it. Clara answers before I can, “he did it because he loved to ridicule me. It was a game.”
I close my eyes, “that’s not true. I threw that apple at you because I wanted your attention.”
She shakes her head. She doesn’t believe me. “We’d just got back from Christmas break and my mother had just tried to kill herself with her razor blade. I needed you to notice me. I needed you to see me. Just you. Not anyone else.”
I step back. I’ve said too much. I’ve said more than I’d planned. “I’m heading home, Aurora.” I sigh, “I just wanted to say congratulations again.” I pull her into a hug and whisper my thanks. I really am grateful for her effort, even if it is wasted. There is no world in which Clara Delos is ever going to forgive me for once being a child.
I quickly say my goodbyes to Landon. He gives me an almost pitying look. When I find Jacob, he’s in a mouth lock with one of Aurora’s friends, I think her name is Grace, so I just leave him to it.
I’m out on the street when a small hand pulls my arm back, “Andrew.” I’d recognise that voice anywhere. I turn on the spot to see Clara Delos looking anxiously up at me. I wait for her to speak. I’ve made myself vulnerable enough for one night. “Did you mean what you said?”
“Clara that’s not the sort of thing I joke about,” the words come out harsher than I intend.
“Sorry... I didn’t know,” her eyes are soft and kind; compassionate.
“No one at school did,” I tell her, “except James.”
She’s nodding, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your problem...” I don’t understand why I sound so cold all of a sudden. Is it because I’ve let her see a part of me that I normally keep hidden; buried?
“I know but... can we go somewhere? Can we talk?”
“I don’t want to talk about my mother.”
“Not about your mother,” she says quietly, “not unless you want to. I want to talk about us.”
“Clara, you’ve made it clear there is no us,” I don’t know why I’m trying to push her away when she’s everything I want.
“Sometimes I’m wrong,” she all but whispers.
I sigh, considering my options,
but as much as I might want to right now, I know I can’t walk away from her. Not now. Not ever. “You can come to my place if you want.”
My words hang in the air between us and she seems to take an age to respond, “okay.” I’m relieved when she finally answers me. I’m feeling more exposed right now than I’ve ever felt before.
“I was going to walk,” I tell her, “I don’t live too far away.”
“Alright, we can walk,” she takes my hand in hers much to my surprise and falls into step beside me. She’s quiet. She doesn’t speak and I don’t either. I don’t want to ruin the moment. I’m scared that I’ll say the wrong thing and lose whatever advantage I’ve gained. My skin tingles under her touch. I squeeze her fingers gently in my own, “you’re cold.”
“It’s January,” she says simply.
“You should have gloves on,” I tell her as I pull her hand into the pocket of my coat, still holding it in my own.
“I left them in the bar,” she tells me. “I sort of just ran out after you.”
“At least you grabbed your coat,” I grin at her.
There’s an awkward tension when I let her into my apartment. I lead her down the corridor and into the living room. “Can I get you something to drink?” I try to break into the strange atmosphere between us.
“A glass of water would be great,” she’s looking around, probably acknowledging the bareness of the walls. I don’t put photos on the walls. In fact, I don’t think I have a single family photograph in my entire apartment. My mother has more than I can count on the walls of her house. She has always documented our family’s happiest moments with her camera. To look at her walls, you’d think we were the happiest family alive, but that just isn’t true. In reality, those happy moments were few and far between. That’s why I don’t put photographs on my walls. I don’t want them to be a lie. If I ever put photos on my wall, they’ll tell the truth.
“Sure. Make yourself comfortable,” I tell her.
I wander over to the kitchen area, secretly disappointed to have to turn my back on Clara. I pull a glass out of the cupboard above the sink. I fill the glass with ice and water from the fridge before turning back towards Clara. She’s sat on the corner sofa. She’s taken her shoes off and pulled her feet up on the chair next to her. It’s a shame. She looked bloody sexy in those black six inch heels, but then again the sight of her in my apartment is enough to make me hard. I’m perhaps the closest I’ve ever been to getting what I want; Clara Delos. I pass her the glass and watch as she takes a sip. I take a seat on the coach next to her. I need to speak but I’m not sure what to say.
Repeating History (History #1) Page 8