The next day seems brighter despite the fact that I woke up without another presence of a body beside me.
It's scary how my body is now tuned in with his warmness being my morning clock only for it to be disappointed by his lack of presence.
I prepare myself for the day, continuing with my usual routine of showering first, packing my waitress uniform as I dress casually in skinny dark jeans and allowing myself to sneak one of Jeremy's t-shirt that is slightly baggy but still fit.
The only reason I put it on is so that I can have his smell on me the whole day.
Jeremy is so right; I have it so bad for him. I think as make my way down the stairs.
Mrs Brown greets me with her famous breakfast consisting of French bread, bacon and pancakes.
She greets me warmly, but soon leaves me to ravish her food, telling me how she will be busy today as the cleaners were coming in.
I take my leave afterwards biding her adieu as I exit the house to meet Mitch in the car. My happiness seems to be infectious as he smiles back at me.
Once insides he soon drives me to Millie's cafe where I am greeted with a foul mouthed Hilly whom I hear has recently broken up with her boyfriend, Marcus.
The man old enough to be her father.
"He lied to Hilly; he never was getting a divorce." Julie fills me in.
"What? Really?" I stare worryingly at Hilly who is currently scowling at her customer.
"But she loved him right?" I ask.
"Of course she did. It was a shock for everyone. The wife found out, she is divorcing him now, but Hilly refuses to put up with him. She might be in love with him, but she knows that his infidelity was wrong."
"Good for her. I wish I had her strength."
"Yeah...she is a tough one."
I smile secretly at her as I move away to serve a new customer.
The café isn't as busy on Mondays and so I spend most of my time messaging Jeremy and grinning recklessly at everything that comes my way.
"You know I still don't get why you are working here." Julie catches up with me behind the counter where I am secretly relishing Jeremy's face.
"I want to." I explain.
"I see that. I can only imagine his disagreement for you to be here. I bet he wants you to become a housewife or something." She laughs at her comment.
I frown at what she says. Housewife?
"Julie, I've been with him for merely two weeks or so, marriage talk is very soon."
"But you love him right?"
I smile secretly staring back at his picture.
"Yes, I do love him."
"I can tell and does he love you too?"
I sigh. "I don't know. I haven't told him yet that I do. I don't think he does."
She looks at me incredulously. "Ley, are you serious? The way he looks at you, no one will doubt he doesn't."
I smile shyly at her. "You only seen him once with me though and that was almost two weeks ago."
"Yeah but he had his eyes on you only, I don't think he even glanced at anyone else."
I grin, her words making me feel warm and gooey inside.
Then I remember how she had been yesterday.
I wrinkle my eyebrows. "So what happened with Matthew when I left?"
I immediately catch her blush but the furrow of her eyebrows tells me something else. She shakes her head.
"What?" I press.
"Nothing happened that's what?"
"Oh?"
"He's attractive that's for sure, but I don't think he even noticed me."
I frown. What exactly had Matthew meant when he'd said, "I have a muffin to finish?"
I had immediately assumed that he wanted to see Julie again.
"He didn't talk to you?"
"Um...he did, he just came back inside, finished his muffin and came to me to pay. The only conversation we had was regarding the pay. That's it." She tells me.
"Hmm...I don't know what you mean by him not noticing you. I think he might just like you. I mean he sought you out for the pay, didn't he? He might have chosen to just leave the money on the table." I reassure her.
What am I doing?
I know I wanted Matthew to shed whatever feelings he had for me, but I shouldn't assume things, let alone encourage Julie only for her to be disappointedly crushed afterwards.
"If you say so." She says skeptically.
"I know so."
Stop. I command myself.
"Okay... now get your butt up and serve the new customer." Julie the commander is back. She slightly pushes me off the chair to the front entrance for me to greet whomever is coming in.
My jaw drops at who I see.
"Well, well... we meet again?" Sav thrills, wearing a somewhat similar outfit from yesterday.
Today she's alone.
"Hi." I greet her giving a small smile.
She smirks. "I didn't know you worked here...well good for you. So what do you have here that's good to eat?" She rambles on moving to a vacant booth, not giving me a chance to respond.
"Here's the menu." I hand her the menu brochure.
She takes it fervently and scans it.
"Mmmh all of this sounds good... So how have you been Leyla? Wow you guys do double chocolate fudge pancakes? I'll have that then." She babbles again, leaving me confused whether I should answer her request about my well-being or to take her order.
I choose the latter.
"Do you want any hot drink with that?"
"Sure..." She scans the brochure again. "Which do you think goes perfectly?" She asks.
"I'll recommend hot chocolate." I smile slightly and take my leave quickly before she pulls me in to an unwanted conversation.
"Isn't that the same woman from yesterday?" Julie asks me as I place her order in the kitchen.
I nod and she frowns at me. "You know her?"
"Slightly."
Her frown deepens.
"What?" I ask, confused by her frown.
"How did you meet?" She asks me. Looking from me to her and I can tell she's trying to figure out how a girl like me knows someone looking as trashy as Sav judging by her clothing.
"It's a long story. I'll tell you one day."
"You better, because there's something off about her, something I don't trust at all."
I only smile reassuring at her before taking Sav's food and reluctantly going to her booth to serve her.
"That looks delicious," she comments before digging in.
"So, how are you Leyla?" She asks again.
"I'm fine." I tell her, frowning slightly but she has her attention sorely on her plate. "How have you been...and Monica?" I add just for pleasantry' s sake.
Sav stops eating and looks up at me a grave tension in her eyes. "Monica's dead, but I have been good." She gives me a fake smile.
My blood runs cold. Monica is dead? She had been the only person that had shown me some concern at that time. She and Sav had looked to be good friends.
"I'm sorry for your loss." I tell her awkwardly.
I had never been good at comforting; it'd been alien to me since no one ever comforted me in my own misery, before Jeremy.
For a brief moment I wonder how she died.
Sav shrugs and stabs her fork on the pancakes.
"Drug overdose...if you're wondering. Of course it wasn't in the news, no, she wasn't as important to make it to the news." She shrugs again and eats.
I shift in my feet, uncomfortably. At this moment I want to make a break for it.
What she is saying, it's too familiar. Only I've witnessed this sort of occurrences during my dark days.
I've always managed to block those dreadful images of seeing people out on the streets dealing, children my age, getting so wasted that all that had been left of them had just been thin bodies on the side of the pavement. I had left that part of the streets soon after realising where I was. I headed straight to charity stores.
Sav is bringing those images back again.
She only smiles at me again, but it doesn't reach her eyes. However, the grave look is gone off her face. "I have Devon taking care of me now. Everything is great."
For a moment I feel an ounce of pity for her, just an ounce.
"Weren't you the one that told me I should be afraid him?"
Thinking about it I couldn't believe it has only been two weeks since that day. It feels like a lifetime ago.
She frowns at her food for a moment but then she giggles coldly, "Yeah I actually did, didn't I?"
She shakes her head, as she stares at me. "He's good to me. He'll take care of me. He promised."
Just as she says this, I catch a glimpse of fragility and uncertainty about her eyes.
"But, I am not here to talk about that am I?"
I frown. What does she mean?
"You, how have you been Leyla? You seem so...so alive since I last saw you." She smiled.
"I have been better."
She smirks at me as if she knows something I don't. "So ... Jeremy Lawson er, you know I swore I recognised that face printed next to him on the newspaper."
I smile at her wearily, not fully getting what she is entailing.
"Oh...come on, you are like famous now. I can't believe how mistaken I was yesterday to assume that man had been the one that chose you instead of us...only for Devon to later show me a picture of you with none other but, the richest man in this city."
I shift in my feet, robbed of any response to give to her.
"So what's it like to sleep with the rich man and to have him buy you luxury in return?" She asks, a snide smirk on her face.
My blood chills and I frown at her. I am ready to counter her comment with a reprimand but then again what business does she have to know my relationship with Jeremy.
Instead of replying her as she expects me to do, I instead ask, "Are you done?" Referring to her now empty plate.
She purses her lips but only nods.
And taking this as a chance of an escape, I retrieve her plate and trudge away from her booth to the kitchen.
Julies notices my slight anxiety. "What happened?"
I shake my head at her and reluctantly head to Sav's booth for her payment.
She grins at me as she pays the right amount. "I notice you didn't answer my question but I take it that it is indeed fabulous to be treated with wealth."
"Sav, I am sorry but my relationship is none of your business." I hiss my nonchalant posture gone.
"So you are his whore then?" She smirks coldly.
My eyes flashes warningly at her and I have to refrain the itch on my fingers to slap her.
"I am certainly not. I was never a whore in the first place."
She hides her mirth, "But, sweetie, he met you just the same way I make my living. You can't ignore that." She puts on her faux sweet tone.
I glower at her.
"Leyla, I'm looking out for the best for you. I'm only warning that you shouldn't get too comfortable, believe me I know how it's like. But soon or later they just get rid of you like you're an old rusty car." She frowns at that. Her expression turning to a vague distant graveness.
I want to laugh at her audacity.
"Thanks for the concern, Sav. But as I said it isn't any of your business and you shouldn't judge with just misguided information. You have no idea of what my relationship with Jeremy is like."
She only sneers at me. "Haven't I? Then why does is seem to me that the paparazzi haven't a clue of how corrupt you are? What would they do or even say once they figure out exactly how you met Jeremy Lawson. I bet they'll pay me an equivalent amount just for me to spill the story."
I gasp. Where is she going with this?
"I am sure you know how when one is in desperate need of cash, one will do absolutely anything." She presses her lips.
My resolve wanes as realisation dawns "Sav--"
"They will pay me what I need unless you don't want the story out."
This goes back to that night Matthew had threatened spilling to the paparazzi. I hadn't cared then and still do not care now what the world would think of me, I had my own reasons for going to those part of the streets that night and the world doesn't need to know them.
But I do care how this will corrupt Jeremy, how this 'juicy tale' will affect his public image and maybe even his company.
"Why would you do this?" I hate how shocked and wavering my voice is. God, I sound weak.
She looks at me, and as I stare back at her, I see a twinge of reluctance, a small fear of something imbedded within her, compelling her do this. It's as if, if she doesn't do this, she'll face punishment. It's a small fleeting emotion crossing her eyes and it is quickly hidden with her resolve.
"I told you my reasons."
I frown, "You do know that blackmailing has consequences."
She presses her lips but doesn't dispense her composure.
"And you do know that it's useless to blackmail me since I have nothing I have to give that's mine, right?"
She then smirks. "You do. I am sure Jeremy has been paying you well for your service."
"That's where you are wrong." I tell her and then I feel a presence behind me.
I turn to face Mitch's concerned expression.
"Is everything alright?" He glances warily at Sav, his stone expression telling me fully well of his mistrust.
I nod at him. I can handle Sav on my own.
He frowns unsure by my expression.
"Oh I get it now. He must be your body guard. Wow, a bit over the top just to protect a whore." Sav mumbles sniggering to herself.
Mitch's stance freezes as he glares daggers at Sav, her blatant comment going unmissed by his ears.
I move towards him, putting my hand in his arm. "She's just an old friend Mitch."
He doesn't believe my lie as he scowls deeply. He doesn't say anything, however, as he accepts my lie and retreats.
I turn back to Sav.
"As I was saying--"
"Stop. You're lying he has paid you money, probably a lot."
"Sav, my relationship with Jeremy is not like that. I am not his whore as you proclaim and misguide me to be." I speak calmly which is rather surprising considering the annoyance and impatience brimming inside me.
That makes her hesitate for a moment. She narrows her eyes me and I can tell there's belief in them.
"So you'd rather me spilling to the paps, because I will do it, Leyla. Don't for a second fool me because I know he's at least given you money."
Impatience has slowly made its way. "Go ahead, Sav. Go and spill to the paparazzi. Don't for a second dare threaten me. I don't care how desperate you are but something tells me they won't believe you anyhow. Do you even know how powerful Jeremy is?"
My outburst surprises her as he moves back slightly. She swallows, obviously waned by how dominantly calculating my voice sounded.
I don't care at this moment I feel good at standing up for myself. My annoyance at her seriously had peaked.
How dare she actually try to blackmail me? Her of all people.
She presses her lips. "They'll believe me. They're paparazi right. They feed on this sort of stuff." She falters obviously this hadn't gone according to her plan. Somehow I had feeling she'd wanted Jeremy's money.
Somehow I had feeling it wasn't even her doing, I had feeling someone had corrupted her to come here to blackmail me.
Someone like Devon.
A sense of pity washes over me for her.
"Sav..."
She senses my tone and frowns. She begins rubbing her arms around her body as if it's a nervous gesture.
"Sav?"
"What?" She starts breathing in pants, barely managing to stand up straight.
What is happening to her?
"Sav are you okay?" My voice is filled with concern.
She seems out of it. Her eyes lids begin to twitch uncontrollably as her fingers scratch her arms. And before I even know it, she's balling down, heaves of tears streaming endlessly from her eyes.
Her mouth is moving, forming incoherent words but I just manage to make out what she's saying before I hear the tell-tale sound of the door indicating a customer entering.
"Stupid bîtch!" A menacingly familiar voice sounds behind me.
Julie, Hilly, Effie even Mitch are beside me in a moment at the scene taking placing, in fact the whole cafe is watching.
"Is she having a seizure--?"
"Somebody call a doctor--!"
"Leyla--"
"What's he doing?"
I hear all the voices behind me as I am crouching down in Sav's level trying to ascertain her state of discomposure. Then I feel firm hands grabbing my arm and pulling me roughly away.
I spin around and watch dumbfounded as Devon curse profanities at Sav who barely seems to be able to breathe.
He roughly grabs her arm and she jerks up at him as he starts dragging her out of the cafe.
"Hey!" I shout as I follow and everyone follows behind me.
But we all stop as the ambulance and police patrol the parking lot, blocking exist for Devon whose scathing grip is on Sav's disoriented form.
I watch the panic seizing him slightly as one of the paramedics approach them and take a hysterical Sav from his grip, guiding her through to be consoled in the ambulance.
For a moment I want to go to her, with her. But a voice tells me it isn't my place.
I watch the suspicious looks the police men give Devon as he enters the ambulance also. Somehow I get a feeling that they must know of his business with those girls.
Minutes later the ambulance and Police retreat away from the lot. And silence fills in the cafe for mere seconds before it erupts again with voices and activity.
"What happened?" Julie asks me and I have all four eyes gazing at me curiously. Even though Mitch is discretely spaced away I know he's listening.
"You guys were having a heated conversation one minute and then she starts having a panic attack." Julie continues.
I am still stunned at what has just happened, that I absentmindedly say,
"She was trying to blackmail me but it didn't go according to her plan."
"What?!" Julie is frantic and Mitch's face turns hard as stone. His jaw twitches.
"Long story short, I think the man with her was the one who forced her to."
"Forced her?" Hilly chips in.
"I don't understand Leyla--"
"You can tell by what she was wearing Jules, what do you think I mean?" I cut her off.
Realisation dawns on her features and Mitch's hard face glowers at the floor.
"Figures," Effie says after a moment of silence. "I smelt prostitution the minute she stepped in the café."
"Wait...wait a damn minute, Leyla?" Julie holds her hands up, confusion setting in.
"How exactly do you know her and what do you mean by forced her?"
"I'm not sure, but I think he has some sort of hold on her and not only her. I have a feeling the police knows about his 'business'." I shift in my feet frowning momentarily.
At this moment I wished Jeremy was here. He'd comfort me and reassure me not to worry about anything.
I fold my arms around me. I need to talk to him, to tell him what happened.
"Wow," Hilly says shaking her head. "That is lot of baggage, I did hear of something like that happening, but then it was at the other part of town, no one dares to go there."
Julie is still in a state of confusion.
"You have a lot of explaining to do." She whispers to me. As everyone else leave for their stations. I take note of how my shift is ending.
"I know but not right now. I just want to go home and shed this off my mind."
She looks at me with a concerned expression. "Okay. Tomorrow."
I nod at her as move toward the changing room.
Afterwards, Mitch leads me to the car and we drive off to Jeremy's house.
His face is still hard as stone and I can tell he's angry.
"Mitch?" I look at him through the review mirror, probing his eyes with my glance.
"I'm sorry." I tell him. I know with my futile attempts earlier to not involve him has somehow insulted his job description.
His face loosens for a moment. "You have nothing to apologise for Leyla."
"I do. I know it's your job to protect me."
He presses his lips.
"And I know, you can handle just about anything learning from this previous example." He smiles reluctantly.
I give him a small smile. "Not anything."
He shakes his head but smiles anyhow.
When we get home, I don't realise how exhausted I am until I'm at Jeremy's bedroom looking at his bed longingly.
It isn't until I realise that I have napped for two hours until I hear a familiar ringtone pulling me from my dreary sleep.
My eyes barely adjust to catch Jeremy's face popping in the screen before I answer.
"Hi." I say.
"Hi." His voice is grim as if he's exhausted.
I can't help the rush of warmth running through me, increasing my heart rate just by hearing him.
"You sound as if you just woke up." He comments.
"I have. Long day."
"Yeah?" He snorts.
I frown at my phone.
"Why didn't you call me?" He sounds worried.
"I...I slept. When I got home I didn't realise I was exhausted and I just forgot. I'm sorry."
He takes a deep cleansing breath.
"I was worried."
"I know."
"And angry. Someone was threatening you Leyla. That's my worst fears realised."
"She didn't exactly threaten me, it was more like blackmail."
"Blackmail?!" He breathes sharply.
"With what?"
"Remember the night you met me?" I sit up leaning against the pillows.
"Yes. What about it?"
I take a deep breath and then tell him everything. About meeting Sav and Monica even Devon; seeing them again yesterday, and again today. I tell him all that was said all the way down to my suspicions about her being forced to blackmail me by Devon.
Jeremy listens attentively on the other end of the phone.
"I'm coming home today." He says, his voice strained of emotion.
"Jeremy you can't drop your work, really it's nothing."
He groans. "Nothing? Leyla I won't have it, someone tried to blackmail you, who knows what else they could've planned just to get my money." His voice strangles at the end and I imagine him fearing the worst.
"They didn't. I don't think they would have. Anyhow, I made it clear for her and I think the police are suspicious of him."
"Damn right they should. The fûcker needs to be locked in bars for what he does!"
"I know. But I am fine everything is fine. So no talk of coming home with your work unfinished."
He breathes exasperatedly on the other end but I sense his smile.
"You sure you're fine though?"
"Yes and I'll be better when you come home safe and soundly tomorrow."
He breathes sharply. "I love the sound of that"
"What?" I ask.
"Home. It gives me hope Leyla, when you say home. I want to make a home with you."
My heart lurches and I swoon inwardly.
"So no temporary stay until I figure it out?"
"Do you really think, for one second, that I'll let you get your own place after what we've shared?"
"Maybe. A tiny bit." I confess.
"I'm telling you right now, I'm never letting you go."
"Jeremy my home is wherever you are." I admit. Giving him another small confession.
I can feel him grinning. "I can't wait to get back. I miss you too much, the next time I have a trip you're coming with me. No arguments."
I grin too, my heart lurching. "Okay."
"You'll allow it?" He sounds incredulous.
"Yes. I'll allow it." I grin.
I feel him grinning too and at that moment I want to tell him. I want pour my heart and soul to him. But saying it through the phone didn't sound much effective.
That's when I vow to tell him when he gets back.
Yes, I am not afraid anymore. I'll tell him.
If he doesn't say it back, I won't mind because I have enough love for him and for the both of us.
"I'll let you get back to your sleep, baby." He says.
"Okay." I swoon, his endearment never failing to send a warm shiver through me.
"I'll see you tomorrow evening."
"I can't wait."
"Me too."
"Night Jeremy."
"Night, baby."
I hang up, my heart pounding irrevocably fast as I grin in the darkness of the room.
I go over my day and soon drift off, wondering what tomorrow may bring.