Part 22

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22. Arya



My grip tightens around Paulina as my stare is locked on the closed laptop in front of me. The house phone starts ringing somewhere in the background. Mr Smith hovers over me. To say that I'm scared of him would be an understatement. He is even taller and bulkier than Seth and when I turn my head to look at his face, the deep lines around his eyes and on his forehead make him look menacing... evil almost.



"You seem shocked. Nobody told you I was back with my family?" He asks, his voice monotone.



Paulina flinches slightly and it doesn't go unnoticed by her father. He grabs onto her waist with both arms and pulls her off the high bar stool that she's been sitting on. The little girl squeals and I have to clench my fists to resist the urge of yanking her out of his strong embrace.



"Nobody did tell me," my eyes snap towards Seth's mother, who cowers underneath my glare. "Nobody told your son either."



"That's right." Mr Smith nods smugly, putting a squirming Paulina onto the ground. Her naked feet clap against the ground with each step as she runs towards her mother. The two of them leave the kitchen together.



"I made sure of that. There's no point in distracting him any more... From what I've heard, young lady, you're doing a good enough job at that." The poison in his voice is clear. Of course he knows. He probably played golf with the principal at some point. Don't all rich old evil men do?



"Why are you even back here? Surely you're not planning to rescind the divorce!" I demand instead of giving him the satisfaction of a discussion about my private issues.



Mr Smith steps around me and opens the large chrome fridge doors. He pulls out a bottle of water and takes his sweet time, twisting open the cap and taking a large gulp of icy liquid.



I hope you choke on it!



Now Seth's mother reappears. She walks up to me and puts her hand on my shoulder. The apologetic look on her face is genuine enough and I know I'm not wanted.



"What am I supposed to tell Seth?" I hiss at the woman. "You know he's not going to let this go. For all I know, he's coming down here right now. He has another game to play! He can't miss it."



Mr. Smith chuckles and I spin to face him. The water bottle put aside, he now has his arms crossed in front of his chest. With a slight smirk on his face the resemblance to his son is uncanny.



"Now you care about his career? You selfish little girl." He spits. "You should not be here right now. If you weren't, none of this would have happened."



He takes a few large strides and comes close to me. I can smell his aftershave and a slight hint of tobacco. As he leans down to me, I try to stand my ground. I can't let this guy win. He's just a bully. I don't let bullies get their way just because they think they can. That's over!



"You brought this onto yourself. Deal with it. Make sure he doesn't come down here. Or...," he threatens through his teeth but doesn't finish.



"Are you threatening me, Mr. Smith?" I don't wait for a reply as I step away from him and leave him and Seth's mother, who stares after me with wide eyes, behind in the kitchen.



As quickly as I can, I run towards the lounge to grab my purse. I pull out the stuffed animal I had gotten at a gas station for Paulina and place it on the couch atop some pillows. Then I'm out of there. I ignore Lilly's goodbyes and my phone that is buzzing inside my purse. I just need to get out of here and get some air.



I need to think!



The gravel of the driveway crunches underneath my feet as I run towards the iron gates. They open automatically as I approach them. Once I've passed them and have managed to get a few steps away from the house, I stop and bend forwards, putting my hands on my knees. My fingers clutch at the hem of my dress as I struggle for breath.



I fish out my phone as it's still buzzing and I can't keep ignoring Seth.



He immediately starts talking when I hit the answer button on screen.



"Arya! Please tell me that didn't just fucking happen!"



I take a few more deep breaths before answering, trying to calm myself down enough.



"They're okay, Seth. Paulina is fine and so is your mother. They'll be fine for one more week. Don't come down here." Of course I know that lying is not the way but I need him to stay put. Paulina is definitely struggling and Seth's mother... she looked wrecked beneath the façade of her perfect housewife/business woman exterior.



"I'm trying to stay calm here," I can hear him inhaling deeply through the phone and imagine him pushing his hair out of his eyes. "Are they really fine? Are you? What happened exactly?"



I tell him everything on my way back to Sam's, making sure to leave out the little details about Paulina and his mother being extremely uncomfortable around his father. Fortunately he buys it and stays calm enough. We agree that it's for the best if he stays put, plays the last game of the season and then comes home. Everything will go as planned. I promise to check in on Paulina every day and make sure that she's okay. I have to promise once more before hanging up.



Sam is still in his boxers and a shirt when I get to his place. He's sprawled out on the couch, playing with his phone. I chuck the spare key onto the coffee table in the tiny living room.



"Don't you have work today?" I ask. It's Monday.



"Took the day off because I knew I'd be useless today. Where were you?"



I step into the kitchen and grab a green apple from the fruit bowl. Taking a bite, I drop down onto the couch as well and cross my legs underneath me, covering them with the skirt of my dress.



"At Seth's," I say through a mouthful of apple. "His dad's back in the picture. Took me by surprise."



"No way," Sam comments, looking up from his phone as I gnaw away at my apple. "I thought his folks got a divorce and everything?"



"We thought so, too." I stifle a yawn and feel my eyes fluttering shut. "I better get a few more hours of sleep. I'm beat."




When I next wake up, it's early in the morning. I check my phone first thing and see that I have two missed calls. One from Seth and one from a hidden number. I delete both and call Seth back as I walk towards the bathroom.



He doesn't answer so I put some music on and go through my morning routine. Shower, lotion up, brush teeth, pluck eyebrows, face wash, make-up, hair. Done. It takes me about an hour to get ready and that's when my phone rings again. I'm wrapped in a towel when I leave the bathroom as I didn't bring clothes in.



Sitting down on my bed, I answer the phone. It's the hidden number again.



"Good morning, Ms. O'Brien?" A cheery female voice greets on the other line.



"This is she. Good morning. Who's this?" I try not to sound rude as I get up and start looking for something to wear.



"This is Mr. Baumgold's office. I was told to set up a meeting with you and our executive Mr. Alexander Crawford. He is the head of our contemporary arts department and would really like to speak with you." She speaks at the speed of light and I have to sit back down to keep up with her. "He's currently on the west coast anyway so we think it would be best to set up a meeting close to you. We have a small office in Fountain Hills. Would that suit you?"



I think about it for a few minutes and realize that Fountain Hills is only about an hours drive from where I live.



"That suits me fine. When would he be coming over here?"



"Mr. Crawford has another meeting to attend in Los Angeles tonight but he will be flying in tomorrow morning. We could set up a meeting for three o'clock tomorrow?" I hear her typing away and I scramble around the room, trying to find pen and paper, to write down the information.



"Sounds good!" My voice is cheery as excitement and nerves grow inside me.



The secretary tells me the address and even offers to pay for my taxi ride to the place and back home. I gladly accept, knowing that Sam would be working tomorrow and going by bus or train would be so stressful and take way too long.



When we both hang up, I almost drop my towel as I throw my hands up in the air and do a little victory dance.



"Yes, yes, yes!" I chant, squealing excitedly.



Once I'm done, getting the excitement out, I pick out a pair of black jeans and a black fitted t-shirt with a v-neckline. I pair it with a floral-patterned scarf, throw on a flowy black cardigan and slip my feet into my usual black sneakers.



As it's Christmas in only a few more weeks, I decide to make a trip downtown to get some shopping done. Usually I would avoid places like the mall like the plague but I'm using my good mood for courage.



Once again I take the bus to get downtown. As it's still pretty early, the mall fortunately is quite empty. Only a few people walk by me as I make my way towards one of the cafés. I grab a cup of coffee and start looking around the mall. A jeweler just across the café grabs my attention.



A tiny charm bracelet and a snowflake charm put a nice little dent into my savings but I have to buy it. Paulina will love it.



For Sam I get a few stocking stuffers and a Nike gift card. He's pretty easy to please.



A lot harder to please is Seth. He's always had money and usually buys something if he wants it. There's nothing he really needs. He doesn't wear jewelry, he only ever listens to music that's on the radio and I don't think I've ever seen him read a whole book. The only thing he's interested in is soccer. Which of course, I know nothing about. I would only buy the wrong thing and make Christmas morning awkward.



So I peruse through one store after another, waiting for a heavenly message to give me a clue.



Then as if it's God telling me to be careful what I wish for, I spot a certain store that I used to not even dream about entering. From the outside it's small but the color-scheme is clearly supposed to attract mostly women. The windows and mannequins are draped in pinks, reds and blacks. The black sign above the entrance is black and in white capital letters it reads:



VICTORIA'S SECRET



I check my surroundings before entering the store. I'm engulfed by a certain sweet smell that I've definitely smelled before without having been to one of the stores. Usually I order my underwear online and pray that it fits. Also I usually don't buy anything too flashy. I stick to my basics. Up until now I wasn't trying to accentuate my body. No, I was always trying to hide it and my underwear showed that too well.



Well, things are about to change. What better gift to get your boyfriend? Right?



Trying to look as casual as possible, I pick up a bra and panty set. It's black and lacy but looks to be about three sizes to small so I quickly hang it back into its designated spot.



This might actually be harder than I thought.



I don't even know what I want to get let alone what Seth would like. We never talk about these things.



I blush when I spot a transparent bra with lace detail and imagine myself in it.



No, definitely not something like that.



"Good morning Miss. Do you need any help?" A friendly voice asks from behind me and I turn.



I'm about to brush her off when I recognize the person in front of me at the same time she recognizes me. Her eyes widen slightly as she looks me up and down.



"Wow, didn't think I'd see you ever again," Leena says with a hint of distaste in her voice.



My high school nemesis Leena and I had buried our differences after graduation but we still are nowhere near friends.



"I could say the same thing about you." I retort but try not to sound impolite. I need her help after all. "So, you work here now?"



Leena cringes and steps backwards. Her fingers clasp onto a pair of panties and she starts playing with its rhinestone detailing absentmindedly. On her face I can see shame as clear as day.



"I was going to go to college, you know? But I had to stay here... had to make some money so I could away from home for good." I nod although I don't really need her to explain. If she has her reasons not to go to college, that's fine. After all, who am I to talk?



"I need your help then," I smile with as much confidence as I can muster, wringing my hands.



Leena drops the underwear in surprise. "If there's one thing I can help you with, it's this."



"Let's do it then because I have no idea."



Ignoring the absurdity of it all, I let Leena take my measurements. When she puts the measuring tape around my waist and bust, I feel like I'm about to choke with embarrassment. That isn't even the worst part. After she's noted down all the details, she tells me to get into one of the changing rooms and wait.



Leena is going to pick out the underwear that I want to surprise my boyfriend with for me. Coincidentally Leena has also slept with said boyfriend before so she must know exactly what he likes.



The thought makes me a bit queasy.



I wait awkwardly in the tiny cabin, trying my hardest to get the image of the two of them together out of my mind.



Leena finally returns with a few choices.



"This," she holds up a crimson red bra with lace detailing and matching high-waisted panties, "I know he will love!"



I swallow and take the set from her. Pulling the curtain close, I take a deep breath before taking off my scarf and cardigan. Then I slowly drag my shirt over my head. I catch a glimpse of my torso in one of the mirrors and my throat goes dry. Before I can let my insecurities get the best of me, I unclasp my own bra and slide the flimsy red straps onto my shoulders. With a bit of a struggle, I manage to close it and shut my eyes.



"How does it fit?" Leena calls through the curtain.



"One second!"



I adjust the band of the bra slightly with my eyes still closed and turn towards the full-length mirror.



Come on! You can do this!


At once, I open my eyes and gasp audibly. Leena pulls away the curtain in one swift motion.



"Look at you! Titties on point," she giggles at herself but I just stare at my reflection stunned.



It doesn't even look like my own body. How is it possible that one article of clothing can turn you into someone else?



"You're genius..." I mutter, turning to the side slightly.



"I know," Leena grins and hands me a few more bras to try on. "Come on! Try these as well. Let me introduce you to the pleasure of a push-up bra."



I spend another hour in the store with Leena, trying on many different types of underwear, getting braver with each pair. At the end, I spend more than I can actually afford but am extremely happy and excited. Now I can barely wait until Christmas and might actually have to give Seth a little sneak-peak at what's to come!



When I exit the store, I try calling Seth again.



He picks up after the second ring.



"Hey, babe. Everything ok?" His voice makes me feel warm and I can't help but smile.



"Everything is absolutely perfect." I grin to myself as I exit the mall. "You know I love you, right?"



"Of course I do," Seth laughs. "You sure you're ok? You're not drunk, are you?"



I laugh giddily. I must sound crazy.



"Not drunk, no. Just excited for you to get here. I miss you."



"I miss you, too."



"I just got your Christmas present," I tease, knowing that the suspense will kill him. "You'll love it, I'm sure of it."



He chuckles secretively on the other line, "You're late, Arya. I've had yours for a very, very long time."

********

So, how do you think the meeting with the executive is going to go? What do you think of Arya's present for Seth and most importantly; What the heck did Seth get her a very, very long time ago??

Don't forget to vote and comment <3 xxx

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