She’s Bashful
Veronica made sure to stop at a supermarket to buy some extra treats for Davie but realized her phone had gotten missing along the line. Probably when she was being tossed around like some retarded pillow.
"Shit!", she rushed home as the sun had begun to set so a repeat of the night before wouldn't reoccur. She's also asked a random stranger what day it was and it seems she'd been out cold for over forty-eight hours. "I can't believe I missed work", she grumbled knowing every dime she could manage to gather was not to be taken for granted. Deducting over a hundred dollars just because she missed two stupid days of work was disheartening as well.
'That man said I'd have to repay him', her mood changed on recalling the words in the paper while taking the elevator up to her apartment floor. 'I hope it won't be something too bizarre'. She turned to the corridor her room was in before noticing someone curled up beside her door with their face buried between their knees.
She thought of turning back, but the figure wasn't as huge as the man from the hotel, so she took slow steps before pausing beside him and leaning over to whisper. "Fabian?".
The blonde male pulled his head up to scan the woman, "Ver?", he quickly got up before hugging her on impulse. He pulled back almost immediately after she groaned, scanning her appearance. "Why are you all wrapped up? What the hell happened?", he tried to hold her face but she pulled away within seconds.
"Nothing serious", she searched her pockets before realizing her key was gone as well.
Fabian flicked his tongue, "Don't give me that, I can clearly see that you're not okay, Ver". He put both hands on his head before pacing around to catch his calm down. "You didn't show up for work and you weren't picking up your calls. I was worried sick", his voice was tender and honest. "I thought you'd gotten kidnapped or worse-", he moved closer to caress her cheek with his thumb. "What exactly happened? Don't lie to me".
Veronica tapped her left foot repeatedly before sighing, "Okay, fine! I'll tell you but I lost my keys so let me ask my neighbour for my spare set first, sheesh!", she stomped towards the door across the hallway before knocking "Mrs. Mabota? Are you up? I lost my keys and wanted to know if you still have the spares I gave you!". It was until about two minutes of knocking that they both heard the numerous locks on the other side being shifted by someone.
The door opened just enough for the keys to be tossed out and the old lady locked them back without a word. It seemed like she'd been in the darkness for some reason.
"Well, that was rude...", Fabian frowned as Veronica moved to pick the key up from the floor before turning to unlock her door.
"Don't take it too personally, she's not a bad person".
"And how do you know that?".
Veronica unlocked her door, "I just know".
Davie jumped on her the moment she flung the door open, causing her to fall on her butt. "Ouch!". Instead of licking her face, both his arms were on her shoulders as he whined.
Veronica laughed a bit relieved that he wasn't holding a grudge. "Hey, buddy. Did you miss me or your food?". She rubbed the back of his ears and he licked across her face before sniffing the small bag of meds in her hand.
Fabian cleared his throat, "Forgetting someone?".
Davie left Veronica to greet the blonde man beside them, wagging its tail as he patted its head. "Good boy".
Veronica went in and Davie followed after. She tried to shut the door before Fabian stuck a foot in to stop her. His eyes narrowed at her the same moment their gazes met through the gap by the side of the door. "What are you doing? You said we'll talk".
"I'll tell you tomorrow at work, I'm tired".
"Don't give me that bullshit, you're trying to shut me out like you always do. Tomorrow you'll say you're fine and nothing happened. I'm freaking worried about you Ver!".
"What good will telling you do? Huh?!", she raised her tone to match his before flinging the door open. "I was tossed around and beat up at a bar, okay?! He dragged me into an alley and was about to rape me then, I—I woke up in a freaking hospital! What exactly do you want me to tell you? If I say I'm okay, I'm okay...", her voice almost cracked at the last phrase but she took a deep breath with her eyes closed after feeling a bit lightheaded.
Fabian stared at Veronica in surprise at the outburst. "Ohh fuck...I'm so sorry". He moved closer to hold her but she took another step back, averting her gaze from his.
"I'm fine, okay. I really don't want to feel pathetic when you start sympathizing with me, so please...go home".
"You're trembling...", there was worry written all over his face.
"It's just the cold", she hugged her upper arms where she felt goosebumps. "You won't let me shut the door.
Fabian was silent for a few seconds before turning to hold the door. "Ver", he looked straight ahead. "I don't know what you've been through that you never let anyone get so close to you, and I won't force you to talk about it if you don't want to. But I need you to understand that I care about you", his voice was deadly serious. "For the past few months I've worked with you, I've tried my best to get close to you, no matter how indifferent you seemed".
She stared at his back in silence.
"So if you think I'm leaving this place this night, knowing fully well that you're hurt...", he slammed the door shut before turning back to her with a grin. "Then you don't know just how persistent I can be".
The ending of his speech took her by surprise then he walked past her and towards the kitchen. "I'm assuming you've not eaten any good food lately? Take a shower while I prepare something, you reek".
She remained frozen at a spot for a while wondering how two adults of the opposite sex were going to sleep under the same roof. Regardless, she couldn't deny the fact that she'd appreciate his company.
'Sometimes I can't believe I'm as old as twenty-five'.