Tension

Even though he is a super mysterious hot hotty - I am so glad I didn't say that out loud- I order my usual and scan the coffee house so far not seeing the ...man in question. Watching the windows I see him, but he is not alone.

He is walking with Natasha from the office. Well I don't care... Of course I care. I sit giving my legs a rest and try to focus on my coffee ignoring the fact that they are both getting into a car and driving off. Michael with a stern look on his face and Natasha looking disheveled.

"What are you thinking about?" Sarah asks "you look both angry and upset" she follows my gaze and looks back at me.

"Who is he?" "No one..." "Ariya you are a horrible liar" Nick smirks to himself and sips his cup of black coffee. 

"He is my boss" Sarah chokes on her coffee and looks at me "WHAT?" "I said he is my boss" "You love him...don't you?" "No. Sarah, I just met him. He is completely unlikable ''

''That's not what your eyes and cheeks are saying" I try to calm down so the blood will stop gathering in my cheeks. " When we finished the walk home was filled with silence aside from the occasional giggle of my sister getting tickled by Nick. I watch as the clouds continue to roll overhead. I wish it would rain. Walking back in my house I decide that tomorrow I am going to try to go to work. No use in sitting around the house. Feeling wounded. Even if I am. When I get back to my room I sit down at my laptop and notice an email notification from the office.

Dear Ariya,

I called earlier but didn't get an answer. I am glad to hear you are out of the hospital and hope you will return to work soon. The office is rather dull.

Warmest Regards,

Michael

Why would he message me? Unless he saw me at the coffee shop too. But he has no right to care. I sigh, pulling at my hair in frustration. I delete the email and start looking through my phone. I see an unread message from Marcus, my trainer.

--Hope you are doing alright and are ready to get back to training soon. I have some new stuff we need to go over and there is a wrestling event coming up soon. Let me know how you are feeling.--

--Hey Marcus. I am doing fine...been a rough couple of days. I will stop by tomorrow after work and we can do a light workout. -- I type making promises my body probably can't keep.

I sit in my chair just looking around my room. I notice the pictures on the wall  have started to gather dust. I walk up to the one I recently hung up of me and my mom and our last dog. It stands out against the walls that are a dark blue color. I wanted my room to be painted like the night because I was always drawn to the darkness.

It welcomed me with open arms. Like my moms used to be. I walk back to the chair and notice a tear along the top of the fabric seat. I trace my fingers following the rip. The stuffing lightly poking out of the top as it brushes against my finger tips. I grab my sewing kit and quickly fix the hole, looking almost as good as before I sigh as I just lay a blanket over the chair.

I start to hear rain hitting the roof and look outside. Surprised because of how clear the sky was aside from a couple of clouds. I smell dinner cooking and walk out of my room down the stairs and stop at the bottom to watch my sister and Nick slowly dancing around the kitchen laughing. I clear my throat and my sister runs to my side. Hugging me softly.

"How are you?'' She squeezes my hand slightly. "I am your older sister. Stop trying to take such good care of me. It's going to upset the balance" I snicker.

"Oh shut up" she softly punches my arm. Nick looks at me and smiles softly. I know he is taking care of her. And they both seem happy. I smile back at him. As if to say I approve. Sarah just continues to watch the exchange being cautious but confused. "What are you guys doing?" "Nothing Sarah, it's fine" I say, squeezing her hand back. She smiles slightly and walks back to the kitchen. Bella remains at my feet. As I walk and sit down at our dining room table, the rain continues to pour. "Can you open the kitchen window?" I ask, looking at Nick.

"Absolutely" he slides open the window and the smell of rain floods the house. Bella is laying next to my chair and moves closer. She has never liked storms. I lean over and place a hand on her head. She calms and closes her eyes. I begin to feel pain and quickly sit back up trying to keep a straight face. Nick continues to watch me trying to understand what is happening but I ignore him.

"Did you take your pain meds?"

"Yes" I lied. I don't need pain medication. I'll be fine. "Take another one." Sarah walks over and places one on the table in front of me and gives me a glass of water. She walks back over and I quickly pocket the pill and pretend like I'm drinking the water after the pill. Nick glares at me. I flush and quickly look away. I clean up after dinner and send them off so I don't have to be watched with those eyes. Ignoring the pain my body is yelling at me I wobble upstairs and throw the pill in the trash. Laying in bed a feeling of exhaustion consumes me and I drift off.

    My phone begins ringing and I awake and it's morning already. I quickly get dressed for work and slip out before I hear my sister awaken. Driving to work I feel relieved. Mr. Tobias looks shocked to see me but doesn't question it. My body is starting to hurt all over but I quickly become wrapped up in my work. Ignoring calls from my sister and Nick.

By 3 I am ready to go home. Michael comes in and looks at me surveying the bruises on my face and upper arms. I feel cold under his look. "I'm fine Mr. Tobias"

"I know you like to think that but every time you move I see you grimace. I want you to take this." He hands me a pill and I look at him

"What is this?" "It's a pain pill." "Just take it and you will feel better" "Okay" I put it in my mouth and continued to look at him. I swallow the pill and look back at my screen. He stands leaning in the doorway with his hands in his pockets.

"Isn't it time to go home Ariya?" "Oh yes. I lost track of time. I actually have to get to the gym"

"Are you crazy???"

"No I'm Ariya have we met? '' I say sarcastically.

"You can't go to the gym, especially in your condition." "I will be fine" I say glaring at him and he shakes his head and walks back into his office, closing the door hard behind him. He is just like a little child. He can't tell me what to do. I become even more frustrated. First for showing him weakness and taking that stupid pill and second because he thinks he controls me. I get up, grab my stuff and head for the door.