chapter five

 

 

I was told by one of the girls from the club that someone had accompanied me yesterday when I asked them who took me to the hotel room and the answered remains the same which left me to grimace by the confusion and slight disbelief.

 

They all had gone home and left me here all alone with a stranger? No problem.

 

I ignore the teasing the girls are throwing at me inside the group chat in irritation.

 

Can't they tell that I'm angry right now?

 

I feel even more irritated when I couldn't remember the man.

 

But something feels strange when I tried to remember yesterday's event. The man feels familiar but then with my situation yesterday, I'm not so sure anymore.

 

What's wrong with me and keep forgetting? I'm not like this. I let my guard down too much and the thought doesn't satisfy me.

 

I hold a piece of paper in my hand, the words are well written and neat on the paper surface and whoever left me the note is stupid.

 

'You are lucky I didn't lose control yesterday' -Vince

 

My frown gets deeper as I read the message left on the table, on repeat with the little name written down below the scribbles.

 

Who the hell tell someone their name?

 

Nevertheless, I throw the piece of paper in the bin somewhere inside the room I was currently in, and not wanting to waste any more of my time, immediately I make my way out of the hotel room and make my way back home.

 

 

• • •

 

 

By the time, I was done with the house chores it was already five in the evening and I was left doing nothing again.

 

I nodded at my clean-looking apartment, everything is in place. My once messy apartment had turned into a pleasant sight.

 

After taking a long and nice shower that I have been longing for, I was dress in my white tank top paired with satin black shorts.

 

Hair wet and towel still on my hair, I make my way to the kitchen, grabbing a can of coffee stocked in my refrigerator.

 

Today is my day off so, I don't need to go to work- thankfully, but now I remembered that I had nothing to do and was alone in my apartment.

 

What's wrong with me?

 

I should appreciate the free time I'm having right now. Mentally scolding myself I make my way inside my bedroom.

 

I wanted to phone Rose but she must be busy around this hours and I don't want to bother her. I feel fresh after taking a shower that the thought of taking a nap doesn't feel right at the moment. I will not be able to sleep at night later on.

 

I plopped my body down on the bed, staring at my plain ceiling when a sudden realization hit me.

 

l remember that I need to be somewhere and quickly I get dressed in simple and comfortable clothes.

 

____

 

 

I stroll around the area as the destination that I had in my mind was somewhere near my house which makes it, even more, easier for me to reach the shop within a couple of minutes from walking.

 

Once reaching the shop, I look up at the old metal signboard showcasing the name of the shop and I went to stand in front of the glass door to see if it's open.

 

Usually, the shop opens around the evening so, I need to check it first.

 

The place was situated in the isolated area on the side of this street and I would have to say not many people will know or even notice the shop unless someone told them.

 

And not many people lingering around this area too- especially at night.

 

I glance at the time on my wristwatch and make a mental note to head home quickly after I'm done.

 

When I see the same person, the first time I came here standing somewhere inside the shop, I pushed the door open and the bell ringing on top of my head, catching the other person's attention.

 

"Ah you!" the guy from before greeted me with a big smile decorated his mouth, showing me his perfectly white teeth as his eyes narrowed a bit at the gesture. Cheerful vibes radiated from him as he walks closer towards me.

 

"Hello, is he here today?" I take the initiative to ask him whether the same guy from before was around as no sight of other people was around the shop beside him, who was happily cleaning the shop.

 

"Ah Nicolas? he will be here in a moment... do you mind waiting?" I shake my head and went to take a seat on the side.

 

The dark color couch came into my view once approaching the corner and I place my shoulder bag on top of it as my eyes roamed around the shop.

 

My eyes stop at the certain piece of artwork hanging on the wall as I examine the beautiful-looking artwork.

 

"What is this" unknowingly to my own body, I'm now standing right in front of the piece of artwork that was placed at the other corner of the shop.

 

"Ahh you can't pick that one this time..." he rubbed the nape of his neck and I observe him some more.

 

"Why?" my curious self wanted to know why is this unavailable for me to chose when it was hanging on the wall, displaying the other's artwork for tattoo inspiration.

 

"It's-It's only for us?" his voice sounded vague and a little uncertain but my ear catches every word coming from his mouth.

 

Not wanting to bother him further I nodded in understanding. My legs started moving in different directions and I wandered around the other artwork on display in this shop.

 

"Who drew all this" my hands gesture around the wall full of the well-done artwork and his eyes spark with excitement.

 

"Nicolas did mostly all of that but- one of our friends also contribute with the idea and artwork" Interesting. By now the man whom I know as Dominic was standing beside me as he guided me throughout the way around the shop.

 

"Have you pick any design yet? or do you have anything in your mind?" I pondered for a while at his question, leaving him silent for a moment before I shake my head again.

 

"I remember the last time you rejected almost all the designs that we suggested until Nicolas came out with a new design" grin plastered his face when he reminds me back to the first time I was here before he moves towards the counter table.

 

"I am still looking..." He smiles as I said that and with the happy step he pulls me excitedly to the other side along with him, where more artwork was displayed.

 

"How about this" My head move at the rhythm of his hand gesturing to another piece of beautiful artwork and I gasped in amazement.

 

Wow.

 

If you take a glance at the piece of artwork hanging in front of me now, you might be thinking that it was just another piece of a plain and dull butterfly by the look of it but if you look closely- it was crafted very beautifully.

 

The butterfly symbols of life, endurance, change, and hope. In many cultures, people associate butterflies with souls- how beautiful.

 

The man beside me lifted his eyebrows as he sees my reaction and I shyly look at him back and forth and a slight smirk appeared on his lips.

 

"I know you will love it," he said, now hands folded as he stood silently observing the piece with me and I grin at the remark.

 

My eyes catch the name written below the butterfly wings in a signature form. I catch every alphabet written on it and I narrowed my eyes as I try to remember if I ever see the same thing written somewhere.

 

The familiarity of the way the name was written left me in confusion.

 

It couldn't be-

 

Dominic interrupted me make me shift from staring at the piece and off my thought.

 

"Do you like it?" my lips instantly curved a smile at the question before correcting him, "I love it... I think I want this" Dominic clap his hand excitedly again.

 

"Is this one of Nicolas?" I stop the overly excited man as he begins to walk away from me into the closed-door room.

 

He grins before answering me, "no it's the other guy" and disappears into thin air, leaving me alone probably wondering about the 'other guy' who had successfully catch my interest.

 

____

 

 

Dominic comes back later after leaving me for almost half an hour, the same time the front door of the shop bell ringing indicating that someone was here.

 

Nicolas enters the shop with two paper bags in his hand and the shop instantly filled with the smell of food.

 

"Ah, you are here! are you waiting for me?" Nicolas politely greets me first as he saw me sitting on the couch before asking the question. He went to put the paper bag full of food on top of the counter table.

 

I didn't get the chance to answer him when Dominic's voice beat me to it.

 

"Oh no no, she picks Vince's this time" and he winked at me, "Do you want some?" Nicolas offering me the food and I smile while waving my hand, signing that it's fine.

 

I seat silently while the other two were busy talking and sometimes bickering with each other when the name registers in my brain.

 

Vince? Vincenzo?

 

My stubborn self refused to believe that it might be the same Vince or Vincenzo that I know and I waited patiently when Dominic's neck snapped to look at me.

 

"Oh! sorry, you can go inside, he's ready" nodding my head, I make my way inside the room without thinking of anything, leaving the two man behind.

 

Once stepping inside the half-lit room, I stood silently in front of the door after closing it behind me. Waiting for the man who was back facing me to notice my presence.

 

"You can seat first" and my breath pause when I recognized the voice.

 

The man turns to look at me and he pressed his lips together when our eyes collided before a lopsided grin appears on his lips.

 

I scan his form from distance and notice he was in his white dirty t-shirt hugging his body, showing me the shapes of his build body with an open jumpsuit hanging on his waist.

 

"Angela" the name sound deeper coming from his mouth, makes me shudder in something I couldn't describe. The feelings somehow make me scared.

 

The adjustable chair places in the middle of the room are what separates the two of us. He brushed his hand on his clothes after putting the tattoo tools aside on the table behind him before he makes his way closer towards my direction.

 

And one thing that crossed my mind is-

 

 

I never regret coming here.