“And when I actually went to the hospital, you weren’t there,” he continues. “And the information Jerome had on you was no good. So I couldn’t file a report or press charges.”
I feel my cheeks heating up with embarrassment because he’s not wrong.
“So, what does that make you? A fugitive?”
“I didn’t mean to cause a fire,” I try explaining calmly. “I didn’t even know the building belonged to you.”
He leans forward so his face is on my side now. “You didn’t, huh? You know what your fire cost me?”
I shake my head.
“Everything,” he spits. His nostrils flare, and the angry man from the coffee shop comes back to life. “And I’ll come for the payment.”
“Alright, folks,”the captain starts an announcement.“Looks like we’re in the clear. Our flight attendants will go and check to see if any of you need medical assistance. Or a strong drink.”
A few chuckles lighten up the atmosphere in the cabin, but they sure can’t do anything with my mood which has now plummeted.
Retreating deeper into my seat, I wait for him to get bored and lose interest in a very ordinary me. He doesn’t for a few seconds, staring me down with his intense brown eyes. I’ve never gotten more attention the whole time I’ve known him than right now.
Then he pulls the divider up, and it feels like the end of the conversation. Which I’m very happy about because I don’t know how much more reprimanding I can take.
Why did I ruin his coffee every time? Why? I know hewas rude. The first time I spiked his coffee with too much sugar was because he cut the line and barked his order at me like I wasn’t even human. And accused me of staring at him while he was doing the same. Just in a little more subtle fashion.
The second time he barked without even acknowledging my presence. Like I was just a coffee machine and not a person. And then I just couldn’t stop because he kept barking like a rabid dog every time he came in, which provoked a fight reaction from me.
Causing the fire in the building was a pure accident. I really didn’t even know he owned the whole place. I still don’t know what happened because even in the haste of the fire, the smoke wasn’t coming from theinsideof the electric oven. At least, not at first. When I couldn’t stop it because it started spreading too far, I called the fire department. Until their arrival, I was trying to stop the flames with towels. It’s a miracle I hadn’t been burned. I got some smoke inhalation, so it was a good idea to stay at the hospital overnight. Plus, I didn’t have anywhere to go at that moment. It was the hospital or the streets until I begged Lulu to take me back to her couch.
And I didn’t know they shut down the building. Would I have come forward if I’d known?Hmm, probably not.
The rest of the flight is uneventful. Thank goodness. I don’t think I could survive more turbulence—after today, I’m done flying. I’ll row a boat if I have to, but I’m done with the skies.
The man doesn’t pay me any attention, not until we land. Nor later. He rushes out of the plane before everyone else, not giving me even one glance.
I don’t know why I feel guilty, but I do. I wish he yelled more at me, so I could yell back. This way, I’d be angry at him andnotsympathetic.
In the airport, after the baggage claim, I pull out the white skirt from the suitcase and put it on instead of my comfy pants. I don’t want to appear too worn-out in front of my family, and the skirt just might make it a little better.
Only a tiny bit, if I’m honest—the turbulence and the last few months of my life have certainly done a number on me.
10
Maeve
“What do you mean there are no more ferries to the island?” I ask the cute clerk, whose level of cuteness is rapidly decreasing as he denies me a path to the family wallet and my salvation. The whole purpose of this trip was to get to themontime. On time before I run out of the hundred Jeff lent me. Which is not enough to rent a room, get food, andthenbuy a ferry ticket.
I knew the upgrade was too good to be true and that fate would throw some New York-sized curveball my way for that. Besides the other balls it has already thrown. Being left on the streets of Bora Bora would just top the cake. I mean, it could be worse, but still.
“Miss,” he sighs tiredly, as if I’ve been standing here and begging him for fifteen minutes. Standing—yes, begging—no. Begging started about five minutes ago. The next step will be threats. And then crying. I’ll reserve that for later. Mylast resort. “I repeat—there are no more ferries today.” He says every word louder as if I can’t hear him. I can. I just refuse tolistento him. “The next one is leaving tomorrow at seven a.m.”
“I can’t afford to stay here overnight!” I shriek, making the clerk raise his brow with obvious disgust.
He scratches his nose, trying to hide a smile behind his hand. “Maybe you should have thought about that before you came toBora Bora,” he mumbles, clicking something on his keyboard.
Judgmental much.I shoot him a death stare Darth Vader would be proud of but refrain from commenting since he still might be of use. I spent the last three hours trying to find my luggage with the very few pieces of clothing I have left—the ones Lulu had in her closet because she ‘borrowed’ them. Well, I borrowed them right back when I had nothing left. When I was finally reunited with my luggage, it was missing another wheel. Now, with two wheels down, I have to practically drag it behind me. The screeching sound it was making as the worker dragged it across the room wasn’t pleasant.
“O-okay, are there any other options available?” I try asking nicely. One tends to catch more flies with honey. But I’m running out of the sweet stuff by now.
He sighs again—louder this time.I heard it the first five times, alright. Drama queen much?
