Is That.... BLOOD???

"Dave! What the hell." I dropped the bottle I held in shock.

I was surprised, no not just surprised, I was stunned. Dave was at my front door drunk. He smiled sheepishly, muttering words that were incoherent to my hearing.

"Jenny, Jen..." He tried to latch onto my clothes but staggered while trying to doing so.

I was torn at this situation. I didn't know if I should help him in and let him stay here till he was sober or I should shut the door in his face.

I brought out my phone and clicked on browser. I tapped on the search bar...

'What should one do when their ex shows up at their house drunk?'

I wasn't getting any reasonable answer so I put off the phone and kept it in my pocket.

"I miss you Jenny, I really do. I'm so sorry" I sighed at the sight before me.

Memories that I tried burying came rushing back. I quickly went back inside and shut the door in his face. I brought out my phone and dialled the police.

"Hello. Yes, good evening. There's a drunk man trespassing on my property. I would love if you can come and remove him. No, I don't know him."

"The address is B street. Please send someone as soon as possible. He's creating a nuisance."

I ended the call and went to sit on the couch. The continuous ringing of the bell made me angry and I was glad when I heard the sound of sirens approaching.

I stood up and went to my room. I laid on the bed and reminisce about the past. I scoffed as I remembered what just happened outside.

'The nerve of him showing his face after all this while.'

'Why was he here? Wait! Hope he wasn't here to profess the feelings he still has for me.'

I laughed like a maniac rolling on my bed. If that's really the case then I suppose his relationship with Mira didn't work out.

'Hmph. That sly bitch. But it should've lasted, I thought they were birds of a feather so why couldn't they flock together.'

'And how did he even know my address.'

I just hope that nothing of this such happens again because I wouldn't be as kind as I was today.

*******

Arriving at work the next day, greetings filled the air as I made way to my office. Reaching the hallway, I sighted Jane at her desk and smiled.

I stood before her for some seconds but she didn't notice me standing there as she was engrossed in whatever she was typing. I knocked on her desk to gain her attention only for her to scream while holding her chest with her two hands.

"What the hell! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"Please try and make some noise when walking. You're not a ghost."

I laughed at the expression on her face. I didn't even do anything to scare her.

"It's not my fault that you're so fainthearted. Anyway, how is Tessy doing? Hope it wasn't serious."

He mood changed immediately I asked after her cousin.

'Was the situation that serious?'

"The doctor said that she has blood cancer.."

OMG! I really wasn't expecting that when I heard she fainted. I went around the desk to give her a hug.

"I'm so sorry Jane. I can't even imagine how you must be feeling right now" I patted her back as she sobbed quietly into my neck.

"They said it wasn't noticed on time and that the cancer had spread into her blood cells so her chance of survival was very low."

I could only imagine what Jane and her family must be going through. I've met Tessy only once but I could tell that she was a bright child, with her big round curious eyes always looking for the next mischief to get into. She was only eight for Christ sake.

"Why don't you take the day off. It's already weekend so there isn't much work to."

She disengaged from the hug and wiped away her tears.

"I'm fine. I'm not going to mix my personal and work life together."

"And I'm not saying that you should. I insist that you take the day off and resume work on Monday."

"You need to be strong Jane. For both Tessy and her parents. I'll go visit when I have the chance."

"Thank you for this ma'am. I'm not sure I was even mentally stable to start work now. I'll try and sort my emotions out before Monday."

I waved her bye as she left. I went into my office with my shoulders down. The news of Tessy's illness really shook me.

'Guess I'll be borrowing Mary today again.'

I dialled the landline and requested that Mary come over to my office.

*****

Work was a lot stressful with Jane's absence. Not that Mary wasn't much of a help, but she just wasn't Jane.

She was so efficient and tenacious when it came to work.

I had just concluded signing some important documents I had put on hold for a while now when I heard the knock on the door.

"Come in" I looked up to see Mary holding a wrapped box.

"This was sent to you ma" She came forward and dropped it on my desk.

I dismissed her with a wave of my hand staring intently at the box.

'What could it be it.'

I checked for the sender's information but none was written on the box. It only had my name and address.

I shook it to get a clue of what might be inside but to no avail.

I quickly tore the box open only to see my name written in red and chrysanthemum flowers by the side.

A faint metallic smell hit my nose making me gag a little.

'Wait! Is that.... BLOOD???'