Chapter 19
Charis joined Jenny and me outside after a few moments.
"Ava, are you all right? What actually happened?" Jenny inquired when Charis joined us.
"I'm fine; some jerk tried to do some nasty things with me." I responded. To my surprise, I wasn't crying or having a panic attack. I was still uncomfortable with how the guy had touched me, but I wasn't crying. It must be the adrenaline coursing through my veins that prevented me from reacting.
"Oh, I knew we should have followed you to the restroom." Charis stated
"No, it's fine. I needed to be able to care for myself, so I did. The guy will wake up with a sore neck and aching balls." I said
I knew I wouldn't always have Charis and Jenny with me. People were going to try things, and I needed to be prepared. I had signed up for self-defense classes for a reason, and they were paying off.
"All right, let's go home; if you want, we can stay over to make sure you're okay." Charis expressed concern in her voice.
"No problem, you guys are going to need more sleep than me." I said
They both sighed and groaned as they realized I was correct. We flagged down a taxi and all piled in. We first stopped at Charis' apartment building before proceeding to Jenny and finally mine.
"Are you certain you'll be okay?" Jenny inquired as she led me to my door.
"I am certain, now go get some rest." I responded
I said my goodbyes to Jenny and went into my apartment. My breaths became shorter as soon as I entered my apartment, and when I inhaled, it felt like I wasn't taking in any air. My legs gave out beneath me as I began to tremble.
I was experiencing a panic attack.
I was unable to take a deep breath...
Everything was returning to me, he had touched me. Sylvester could have been that man. Sylvester could have tracked me down and forced me to work for him again. He was going to hit me, he was going to touch me...
"N-No." I said
"I-it wasn't Sly... it wasn't him, and I'm fine. I'm halfway across the country and will never see him again. I protected myself because the man at the bar was just a man at the bar." I reminded myself
I slowed my breathing and rose slowly from the floor. I inhaled and exhaled, feeling the air enter and exit my lungs.
I was a different person and a stronger person than I was three years ago. All of the memories from the basement and club were just that. I couldn't change the past, but I could make sure it didn't have an impact on my future.
I went to my bathroom and turned on the shower. I sat on the toilet for a few minutes, just listening to the water run, to relax. I jumped into the shower and let the hot water wash my worries and fears away.
*******************
"Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring"
"Uggghhh," I moaned as I rolled over to turn off my alarm.
I took out my phone to look at the time: 7:35 a.m.
I screamed, "Shiitttttttt
I was late, I was extremely late.
I dressed in leggings and an oversized t-shirt. As I dashed to the underground subway, I tucked my hair into a bun and grabbed a granola bar. I dashed to Jayson's house after exiting the subway. I dashed into the house as soon as the guards opened the gate.
"Hey Ava," Veronica said as I walked in.
"I'm so sorry, Veronica; I swear I'll never be late for work again." I tried to catch my breath.
"Oh, it's fine." This is the first time you've been late, Ava." She informed me.
"T-thank you a lot." I said.
"Dalia and Emily are in the kitchen; I'm going to leave now that you've arrived." Veronica said as she grabbed her purse from the living room table.
"All right, and once again, I apologize." I responded
"I promise, Ava, it's okay," she said as she walked out the door.
I gathered my thoughts and made my way to Dalia and Emily in the kitchen. When I walked into the kitchen, I noticed Dalia, Emily, and Andrew sitting on the stools. Dalia was laughing at something Andrew said, Emily was taking yogurt, and Andrew was looking at his phone across from Dalia.
Andrew looked stunning, and while his personality was the worst aspect of him, his body was the second best. He was dressed in a white T-shirt that highlighted all of his muscles. His tattoos covered his entire arm and trailed up to his biceps, exposing his arms. His biceps flexed as he made small movements that defined each muscle. His shoulders were wide and strong. His shirt emphasized his chest muscles and stomach. His physique was magnificent.
I told myself I needed to stop staring at him; I shouldn't be admiring his physique.
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