CHAPTER 98

AFTER A DELICIOUS SNACK TIME AND AN EPISODE OF CHILLING DAY TIME STORIES, Ciara and Caoimhe left but promised to come again that night for a sleepover.

They had booked a room since Caoimhe was here on a business trip. Ciara accompanied her so she would spend some time with me.

I appreciated her for doing that. In such a time I truly need a friend.

"While waiting for your friends, would you rush over to the laundry and collect your cloths for me? I had them sent for dry cleaning and I feel stuffed this afternoon...." the coughed and leaned on the table bending her back down with her hand on her waist. What did she eat to feel this way?

"Sure, I don't mind....." I replied and happily too. This was such a good opportunity for me to get some fresh air. I hadn't been out since the incident and I guess this was the time for it. I had to brace myself and face the world. Black or white, I was still their Eleanor De la Rue, giant in the entertainment circle.

******

I was wearing blue jeans, a poncho and a pair of boots. The air was frosty; I could see my breath and walked quickly with my hands in my pockets. I had to go and return in time for the sleepover. It was 6 already and they'd be here in two hours.

Standing outside the elevator, anxiously waiting, I was finally granted my wish when it came and docked open.

I was still smiling when the door opened and the faces of two women inside the elevator stared back at me. After they saw me, they picked each other with their elbows and it was obvious the atmosphere in the cape had changed. Their faces became dim and like thieves, they crawled through the wall and walked out.

I took out my shades and carefully placed them on my eyes as I walked in.

Humans were very selfish. I was in trouble and they didn't care at all. All they wanted was entertainment on their screen even if it means at my expense all the way down to my death. They didn't give a damn as long as they had a stress reliever each time they worried.

Selfish scoundrels.

I arrived at the laundry and walked straight to the reception. I wasn't going to spend even s minute looking around. The plan was simple, take my clothes and leave.

"Good afternoon, ma'am. How are you?...." the receptionist smiled but I decided to take my own oath and not get to pretend.

"Eleanor delaRue...am here for my cloths....a friend sent them for dry cleaning...." I hit the nail and she became puzzled. She was professional enough to let it slide and checked for my name in the computer.

She wrote something down in her book and gave it to me. She pointed me towards a particular direction and I followed.

One of the shop assistants helped me remove my garmet bags and handed them to me. I smiled at him and turned around to leave.

I raced out through the stairs and my feet picked up the pace as I got out.

I had to get to my car and leave. The encounter with those two ladies broke my heart and I wanted no more drama.

"Eleanor....."

I stopped in my shoes the moment i heard my name being called. The second my mind registered the owner of the voice, I realised just how awkward it was going to be.

Since the luncheon we had and the talk with the girls, I had been avoiding him as per our agreement. What on earth was he doing here??? God. I really like wish I'd disappear.

"Hey...Drake.....You're here. How are you here??." I replied and tried not to make it weird although it seemed to be getting weird anyway.

"Uh...I was passing by...so I saw you..." He replied, the corner of his lips twisting. Something about it told me he was lying. He took off his mirror sunglasses, placed them on his chest and shoved his hands into his pockets.

"Passing by???" I asked suspiciously. This is a laundry, someone just doesn't pass by. Was he following me like Ciara said?

"Yeah...." He repeated.

"Okay....uh..I better get going. I just came for my laundry. I had some cloths in need of a dry clean...." I smiled and made my way to the car but he rushed to stand in front of me and blocked it.

I got nervous and clung to my hangers.

"Please wait....am actually glad I caught you. It's been hard to even get a glimpse of you since after you cancelled the movie role...busy schedule???" He asked and I sucked my lips in.

"Uhhh...something like that" I swallowed my voice and moved aside, slowly walking to my car.

"Umm...do you need something???" I asked after I noticed he was following me.

"Eleanor...." He began his hand touching mine which I snatched away immediately as though it was on fire. I had a feeling him being here would brew some unwanted items.

"What's wrong??" He asked and I dared not to look at him.

"What's wrong??" I sighed and opened my car, placing the hangers in. I closed the door and turned to him with my stare one of the accusating-kind. "What do you want Drake??"

He heaved a sigh too and pinched the bridge above his nose with his eyes lowered.

"I just got used to being with you on set and now that I can't see you anymore, I missed you and it made me happy to run into you over here...." He explained himself and I stared at him stable and cautious.

"Am glad I saw you again after ....a week?? But it feels like you ain't happy to see me...."

My gaze froze and I failed to utter a word. I immediately regretted coming. I should've insisted for her to come alone and not ask me to do it.

It was more like a battle to stay away from Drake after his unwavering attempts to get a hold of me.

He called me several times and even sent me many messages. He booked countless appointments with me through Lauren who purposely either kept ignoring him or kept giving him distant dates which he was surely impatient for. And now, I had nowhere to run. I was caught.

"Eleanor.....are you even listening to me??" He snapped his fingers and I got startled. "What's up????"

"Nothing....nothing...Uh...I just ---"

"Care to join me for lunch??" He popped the question I was afraid he would ask. I really wasn't ready for another date with him.

"Ah...well...." I smiled and shook my head. "I wish I could...."

"But....??" He asked giving me a questioning look.

"I can't. Am booked with the girls today...." I lied and nodded hoping he'd give up and walk away.

"That's fine...how's dinner....?" He asked. Yet again.

I raised my eyebrows and widened my eyes. This could not be happening.

I slipped my hand to my back and pinched myself to be sure I wasn't sleeping and it was true, I was awake.

I looked at him and he was just as expectant for an answer. I crossed my hands on my chest with my left hand on my chin; my finger constantly ticking against it as though in deep thought.

Of course. I was thinking of a better excuse.

"You know Ciara and Griffin are sort of a thing right? She organized dinner at her place and I'll be over there...." I lied again.

"Oh..I see...you're totally booked with the girls today..." He slightly smiled to hide the disappointment flashed on his face.

It took me a second to get his point then I realised I had lied about having lunch with the girls.

"Totally!" I agreed after I finally managed to connect the dots although it was too late.

I had already opened the forbidden Pandora's box.