SCAMMED.

(ALICE)

I quietly cleared out my desk. Leaving like I never worked to be where I was. I handed my project design files over to the next person in charge.

It felt like a movie. Maybe I’m in a dream, because my head still couldn’t wrap around the fact that the life I’ve built for years has totally crumbled in front of me.

So much for trusting a man!

Talking about man. I have to visit Edward. I waited till the office hours were over, to be sure he would be home.

I knocked and Claire appeared yet again.

“Where is Edward?” I was so getting sick of all this.

“Darling. Alice is asking for you.”

“I’d be down in a sec.” I heard Edward say from upstairs.

I sat in the living room like a stranger, like this wasn’t my home. There had been changes, obviously to Claire’s taste.

“Heard you’re looking for me,” he said, descending gracefully on the stairs like a king.

And in that fleeting moment, I wanted to take it all from him.

“Did you have to attack me in my workplace too?”

“Your workplace? Oh, that was Claire’s plan.” His eyes darted towards her.

“Well,” she shrugged, “That is kind of my final revenge for what you did to my brother.”

“What brother?”

“Of course, I knew you wouldn’t remember. You won’t remember Joe that you reported for sexual assault.”

“Joe?” I paused, the details rushing in, “Joe Callister from college?”

“Yes. Glad you remembered.” She came closer to me, “Because of you he went to jail, loosing his guaranteed job offer that he went through so much for. You totally ruined his life,” her tone went a bit higher in anger.

“It was his fault Claire and you know that.”

“Everyone makes mistake Alice but you wouldn’t buy it. Instead, you and your rich parents decided to throw him over. You were just a little princess that didn’t understand life. That is why I waited all these years to take everything from you.” She stopped, catching her breath.

“Claire I …..” the words got caught in my throat. For close to eight years, I couldn’t believe she still held a grudge against me.

“Claire, you know your brother brought that upon himself. If you were in my shoes, you’d have done the same. Your parents too.”

“Oh spare me the talk. I’m so happy it’s finally over.” A smile sat perfectly on her face.

There was nothing I could say. It was obvious Edward had no second thoughts or regrets about helping her get rid of me.

He stood behind her, patting her arms in the most loving way I’ve ever witnessed.

And I turned and left.

The next morning I woke up jobless. I had earlier reset my alarm from 7 am to 9 am, and that was a great start. I did a few stretches, had my breakfast and got ready for an apartment hunt.

Flat line. It was stressful.

There were good apartments but they were either pricey or not what I wanted. There were lots of things to consider and I terribly missed my old home.

(THE NEXT DAY: TUESDAY)

“What’s happening?” I touched a middle aged woman that stood with the crowd.

“Were you also scammed by this agency?”

“Scammed? What do you mean?” my mind refused to process the obvious truth.

“They scammed everyone here, from different parts of the city. Apparently, they’ve been showing the same apartment to people for two months now, telling them to come today when the owner would’ve relocated abroad. We already called the police.”

That was what I was told by the female agent I met when we went to check out the apartment.

“The owner will be relocating to abroad early this morning. You can pay for the furniture and anything you would use.” She had said.

It was a good offer, and they claimed it was because the things in the house were second hand. But anyone would jump on the offer, if you consider the cost of new furniture and cost of moving.

We gave our statements in the police station and I quietly went home.

My money was gone.

The elevator dinged and I stepped in.

“ Hey Alice.”

I turned, it was Alex. I didn’t even notice he was there.

“Oh, hey.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I shrugged.

“Well your voice and face are saying otherwise.”

“I really need a drink.”

He stretched, pressing the elevator button for the down floor.

“If you need a drink, let’s go the bar.”

The hotel bar were filled with people. I really came to a nightlife hotel.

“Two cocktails, please.” Alex ordered.

“I’ll only drink a glass.”

“Of course. You shouldn’t end up in my room again.” We laughed.

“This is good.” I muttered, as I sipped my cocktail.

“So are you going to tell me what’s wrong?”

“Are we friends now?” I cocked my eyebrows.

“Roommates.” he smiled playfully.

I gave a short laugh. His eyes looked mesmerizing, and I think I stared a bit longer.

He cleared his throat, jolting me back.

“So, are you telling me?”

“I got scammed,” I paused, and he waited. “I lost the last bit of money I had to a fake agency, while I was hunting for an apartment.”

“Damn. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s my fault for always trusting easily.” I gulped the remaining cocktail.

“Whoa! Easy.”

“I think I can take one more glass, something stronger.”

“You sure.” His eyes on me for confirmation. I nodded.

I didn’t know what he ordered, but he also got one for himself. We talked and laughed about lots of things.

“So you didn’t know there would be strippers?”

“Do I look like someone that would dress to come see dozens of dicks.” He laughed.

“So, are we friends now?” I asked playfully.

I felt his eyes on me, and no response.

“We could be more.” He muttered.

'What is he saying?' I uttered inaudibly, slowly fading into drowsiness.