FIVE WORDS. Only five words yet they came out like sharp arrows penetrating through my skin and raising my adrenaline levels.
I looked at her and she looked back at me, no one willing to move first; mostly me though.
Then, an expression of anger ran across her face and she abruptly pulled her hand from mine. She was wearing a look strong enough to tell me she hates me. From the eyes, one would easily deduce even the mere thoughts that go on in that head when it came to me. Pure evil!
She heaved a breath and turned to the door to leave when I asked something that seemed strong enough to stop her.
"Do you have a boyfriend????" She immediately looked at me and laughed clapping her hands and gaining the courage to spin around me.
"Why?? Do you wanna rescue me like you did with Angela??? Oh sorry...I don't wanna be one of your goodside-victims...." She pursed her lips and crossed her arms on her chest.
"You got me wrong sweetheart....I was gonna ask if you couldn't find some other time to have fun unlike now that you're working. I mean look at you....is that a lovebite I see on your neck???" I asked seeming concerned.
Surprised, she quickly ran to the mirror and turned her neck so she'd see it. She widened her eyes in horror making me smirk. Then, I noticed finger prints on her cheek which I remembered were from Brennan's slap! How dare he lay his hands on a woman? I promise I was going to get back at him, one way or the other!
"And what happened to your cheek?" I asked purposely. "Same sex???" I asked plainly knowing we were both adults and there was absolutely no reason to keep things reserved between us.
She span around to look at me and I raised my eyebrows at her questioningly.
"Yes" she replied which took my by surprise because I thought she'd throw a tantrum or something.
"Wow....must've been very brutal!" I added remembering exactly how brutal it was. He was the one that seemed to be enjoying it while simply inflicting pain on her. Men!
"Well miss goddess on earth....I think I made it clear when I said I don't want to be your goodside-victims.....so snap out of it...." She turned around and took out some lotion which she applied on her neck to conceal her hickeys but in vain. I saw frustration flash across her face and I couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
"Hey....." I poked the bees again.
"What Eleanor???" She hissed.
"I....I want to help you....anything that's wrong....any problem.....I can help. All this aside...everything else aside....I deeply and sincerely want to help you. What's wrong???" I asked hoping she wouldn't misunderstand me. I didn't want to point out exactly what I was getting at because it would frighten her and I'd scare her off.
Having heard that, she paused and looked at me for a second before bringing her face to show an expression of gratefulness which turned to a smile on her lips.
She seemed disturbed at first and I worried I might not get through to her but after the smile widened on her face, I knew I'd gotten in.
But, like a chameleon, she quickly changed and the smile turned into a manic laugh. She loved her ribs off until she was able to hold her sides.
"You crack very funny jokes Eleanor, I honestly didn't know.....you have this side to you...." She laughed before switching to her usual mean serious self.
She took two steps in front of me and pulled my head back.
"You wanna help me??? Do I look like some charity project to you???"
"No...you misund---"
"I understand everything miss delarue. I do....people like you think everyone is a peasant and you treat them like dirt so when you help them, you finally get a step higher on the pedestal. I mean ..it's a win-win for you. What about me?? People will look down on me my entire life and I'll become the leech that feeds off blood from your body! That's how the world will see me !!"
"Shanice....you got it wrong...I was just---"
"I don't care. I absolutely do not care. So you wanna help me?? You know what, maybe I overreacted am glad you asked. Do me a favour then and pack your things, walk away from this project and walk the hell out of my life.....!" She popped her eyes out and my, she looked hideous.
I chuckled before laughing hard and scratching my chin, while looking at the ceiling in despair.
"Okay. Well I tried with you I won't be held responsible anymore. I see you're nothing more than a selfish brat and I can't bring myself to even think I wanted to make it work between us. Now get this straight....if you have beef with me....keep it at home in your fridge. Am a vegetarian! And also ...while we're here....be sure to act professional and not bring your personal issues into my professional life. I work hard everyday for myself and I will not tolerate anyone trying to snatch my life chances away from me!!"
With that, I fastened my jacket and held my clutch in place. She didn't want my help, her loss. I didn't care.
"It's almost 1pm. Be sure to come on time this time around and also....." I pushed my hair back and smirked at her. "You're in my way!" I brushed my shoulder against hers and opened the door walking out without looking back! She wanted to get to war with me, great. Then a war she was going to get.
******
I resumed my seat in the panel of judges and this time, I found the director here. To think that I saw him with Shanice really shattered all the respect I had for him. When he saw me, I forced a smile at his fake innocence and he did the same. He stood up offering respect to me and I was about to stop him when I saw Shanice form the corner of my eye.
"Good afternoon miss Delarue. ...." He offered his hand for a handshake but knowing where that hand went, I was totally not in the mood.
I simply out my hands together on my chest and grinned.
"Please....you can call me Eleanor....and have your seat...." I pulled my chair and took a seat.
"Did you eat well???" He asked, taking interest.
"Quiet well thank you.....how about you???" I returned the question as I fetched my phone from my clutch and placed it back down. I pulled the chair in further in as I was a distance from the table.
"Do you need help with that???" He asked almost getting up. I was going to say no but once I saw Shanice's eye twitch in frustration, I turned to the director and smiled.
"Uh...I think so .....there must be something wrong with my chair...." I pretended to move it about and got him off his seat. He stood behind me and I raised my butt off the chair waiting for him to test it. He held the chair steady and after shaking it couple of times he asked me to try it.
He moved it swiftly beneath me while I sat and this time, I was right where I wanted.
"Thank you very much director....." I nodded with certainty.
"Oh please Eleanor....call me Brenaan..." He said with surety and it was then I saw someone's hands clench into fists. I turned to look at her and gave her a bitter smile.
'If you have issues, go mop the ocean...' I said to my self as I smirked turning to the director.
In anger, she stomped her feet on the floor, making her heel echo in the entire room. So unprofessional! She arrived at the table and gave each of us a fitting stare before pulling out her chair and dumping herself in it!
Though I was busy with going through my sheets, I knew I was curiosly observing her waiting for what she was going to do next. I saw a shrewd smile spread across her face as she slowly moved her chair back. I could tell Brenaan was burning with fury over what his girlfriend was doing.
Just like me, he also flipped through his papers awaiting for the drama to unfold.
Just when she was about to beckon him, I took the first lead and stepped on it.
"Uh...director----"
"Brenaan....." he corrected.
"Oops....sorry Yes Brenaan....we can start right??. Can we start?? I think we're all set....can we start???" I asked and having him give his attention to me I felt the triumph over Shanice Dhabi.
"Sure....we can..." He briefly looked at her and then turned to me. "Here...call in our next contestant...." He pushed the buzzar to my side and this, I did not expect! I gave a fitting expression for him to notice the joy I was putting in for him.
Shanice on the other hand, was drenched in rage and I knew she could drown me in the Atlantic given the chance. However, this wasn't the real showdown...
"Uh...You can bring in the next contestant. We're ready....." I spoke on the microphone and the entire time I was looking at Brenaan who was looking back at me. The smile on my face was a strong bullet to get to Shanice and cause her to break her pencil in half.
'Settle up bitch. If you wanna fight....pick someone your own size....' I winked at her knowing that one day, she'll get to hear me say this straight to her face!