33–Joey
It was close to 3.00 AM and I was still sitting on the edge of my bed, in my towel, after showering, close to two hours ago.
Alex’s question rang around and around inside my head.
‘Come back to New York with me.“”
Every time I thought I would be able to get up and at least get dressed, I would slump back onto the bed and stare at the floor. The question came back into my mind and took me away from reality again
Me
Alex.
New York.
Together
He said it was for a holiday, and it would be nice.. but I also remembered what else he had said to me
‘Surely by now, you have noticed I’m a little crazy about you
Yes. I had noticed.
The way he looked at me, the way he was almost jealous at the wedding when Jake and I danced. The way he was so soft and gentle with me, after the reception. The way he seemed surprised at seeing me, and he’d turned into a teen boy, who was trying to talk to his crush. Fumbling over his words.
What did this mean for my future?
Was I really thinking of trading one obsession with a Kazumi, for another?
“You’re never going to be more than a plaything for him…” I muttered to myself. “Plus, he’s freaking Yakuza.”
That one had thrown me more than anything.
Alexander Kazumi–head of security for the leader of a Yakuza clan.
My mind went
stories?
Violens, cruel?
in a million different directions with that thought. Was he like the ones I’d seen articles on, and read about in
I thought back to how gentle and soft Alex had been with me the last time we’d seen each other.
“No. Alex isn’t like that..” I blinked, as I found I was smiling at myself, and I shook my head and stood. Going through the movements, I got dressed and tossed the towel into the bathroom and turned to the small kitchenette. I got myself a glass of water and went back to my bedroom and climbed into bed, ignoring the damp patch left from where I’d been sitting for the last two hours.
I snuggled down in bed and tried to send myself off to sleep, I had to work today, and the last thing I wanted, was to do so
whilst tired
But no matter how much I tried, I just couldn’t stop thinking about Alex’s question.
Move to New York for a little while.
Where would I work?
Well, that was simple. I was a nurse, I could probably walk into any of the local hospitals and get a job within an hour of getting there.
Where would I stay?
Again, simple. Alex probably wouldn’t let me stay anywhere but with him and there would be the problem.
There was this–chemistry between us which was undeniable. No matter what I said to myself, or how I spoke to Alex, about not wanting anything to do with him. it was a lie.
I wanted everything to do with him.
He was so soft and gentle and sexy and kind and protective.
13–Jory*
“Ugh.. stop it!”
I grabbed my pillow and shoved it over my head, trying to make my brain stop. But it wouldn’t and I sat up, grabbing my phone.
It was close to four am. I had a shift in five hours, I needed sleep.
“No, you need time to think about this. It’s not a simple ask,” I muttered, as I found the hospital’s staff number and dialed it
It took a few moments before someone answered. “Hello, this is Constance.”
“Hi, Constance, it’s Jolene Brewster.”
“Oh, hi, Joey. What’s up?”
I grimaced, before I replied, hoping this would work. “I’m not feeling very well, just calling in to say I won’t be able to make my shift at nine.”
“Oh, ok. No worries, I’ll call Gina. She’s been begging for more shifts.”
“Thanks, Constance.”
“No problem. Hope you feel better soon.
The phone clicked and I tossed it back onto the dresser, and laid back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. I couldn’t believe I just did that.. I’d never taken a sick day in my life, and I had always made it to my shifts.
“Fucking Alexander Kazumi
I stared at the ceiling a little while longer, before I realized sleep was definitely not happening. Grumbling to myself. I climbed out of bed and went into the kitchenette and made myself a cup of coffee. Taking it back to my room, I sat on the small chair beside the wardrobe and looked around.
There was still a suitcase, half filled with clothing I hadn’t put away yet. There were some shoes dumped into the corner of the room, alongside a couple of handbags. The photo of my parents hadn’t even made it out either and that’s when 1 realized it probably wouldn’t.
I hadn’t thought of this place as somewhere ‘homely and a place I wanted to stay, so I hadn’t unpacked and settled in properly,
Putting the coffee on the edge of the dresser, I stood and started to empty my wardrobe. I shoved the clothing into the suitcase, leaving out a change of clothing for the day. I changed quickly, shoving my PJs into the case and went to the bathroom, collecting my toiletries and put them into the case too.
Zipping it closed, I stood and stared at the bright pink case, sitting on my bed.
I turned to the dresser and picked up my coffee and my phone and moved to the tiny living area/kitchenette. Sinking into the tiny sofa, I pulled up the same resignation letter I had sent to my last employer and sent it to both the company Id signed up with, and the hospital, changing a couple things, stating another job offer. Again… why was I lying? It just wasn’t
I was only paid up for a week on this tiny dorm apartment, so that would expire on the weekend…
*Fuck.
I had literally just packed up my life into the case and quit my job.
I’d made my mind up, without actually doing it.
I was going to New York with Alex.
