CHAPTER FIVE.

ZYRA.

We went to the museum. It was so beautiful, but the ‘pieces’ weren’t really mesmerizing. I felt a little bit uncomfortable considering my outfit and why so many people were here today, but I realized that Rynnelle had a lot more to worry about than me, so I was okay. We also found out that an auction for an exclusive art event was coming up; I guess that explains the people.

“This piece for a hundred and fifty thousand dollars is insane.” Rynnelle blurted out almost laughing her ass off while looking at the price tag. I’d agreed with her because it wasn’t even pretty to look at.

“Someone’s probably going to buy it after we just finished laughing at it.”

“Crazy stuff.” We laughed and moved to the next piece. In about thirty minutes, we had found no ‘piece’ worth buying, because of their prices and looks, so we just waited around for the main event to finally start.

“I think that we should buy a piece, as a token of the success of our friendship date.” Rynnelle suggested as her eyes scanned the room looking for a piece we hadn’t laughed at; that was worth buying, while we waited for the auction to start.

“Really?” I asked happily, I thought I was the only one who thought of this as a friendship date.

“Of course, that is if you don’t think I’m your friend?” She whined again with that usual fake frown.

“You’re actually the only friend I’ve had that wants a piece as a token for our friendship date, so no piece, I’ll get you something better.” I said, laughing, and she disagreed.

“Common Zyra, please?” She begged, pulling my hand like a little child while I laughed.

“No, the auction is about to start look.” I said, laughing, trying to distract her, but she just wouldn’t budge.

ARDYN.

Mr. Ward had me prepare a statement for the start of the auction. I was about to walk up to the front when I heard a familiar name, Zyra. There were two women, a blonde and a brunette, both had amazing hair and their bodies… I couldn’t and shouldn’t be distracted by such. It could ruin a lot of things I had worked so hard for if the wrong person got a glimpse of me staring on camera. My thoughts were immediately discarded when Zaylen shook me asking if I was ready.

“You ready bro, you seem a bit distracted”. I was, but I called myself to order. I couldn’t take the risk.

“No, I’m alright.”

“Time for the speech, head up.” And I went up.

“Good day everyone. Thank you all for being here. Your presence is acknowledged and appreciated. In a short while-” I was interrupted, but by men this time.

ZYRA.

Seeing those two men fight, was so uncomfortable to watch. It reminded me of a time in my life where violence was all that surrounded me, all the memories and screams of my mum came rushing in, dishes breaking, different things being thrown around the house. And suddenly, everywhere felt too hot and suffocating for me to be in, I needed to leave.

“Zyra, are you okay? Is anything the matter?” I could hear Rynnelle asking but everywhere was too noisy for me to think straight to give her an answer. I couldn’t think, my head was pounding, my vision was becoming blurry, I could see my hands trembling and my body giving in. I could hear him saying I was a piece of shit, I could hear him saying I wasn’t his, I could hear him saying he regretted having anything to do with me, I could hear him saying he hated me; He was all around me, haunting me.

“Hey, hey, hey, listen, listen, he’s not here, nobody is here, you’re with me, Rynnelle. I’m here, nobody is going to hurt you.” I listened to her voice, and it was able to calm me down and bring me back to the real world, a world where he wasn’t haunting me, and a world where he wasn’t all around me. After a while, it dawned on me that I had voiced out all my thoughts and Rynnelle had taken me outside to the parking lot where I was squatting and filled with sweat. I felt so embarrassed and weak. I was never weak. I always thought I had overcome the fears I had of the man, turns out they were just waiting for a time where I would let my guard down and they would come in. Out of sadness and disappointment in myself, I fell into her arms and cried. I hated feeling like this. I hated feeling vulnerable.

“It’s okay baby, let it all out. I’m here.” Those were the last words I heard before falling into a state of unconsciousness.

I woke up in a completely different environment. I was in a different cloth, a pink set of night wear to be precise. I was in the most ‘girly’ room I had ever seen, pink curtains, gold perfumes, white walls, just so much color. It took me a while to process, but I was in Rynnelle’s room. I found it nice believing that she would be so nice to bring me to her home, especially when I needed it the most.

I went downstairs, to look for her and also stretch a little bit. Her house was so big and beautiful. It was nothing like mine. Hers was filled with more happiness and love; you could see it through the color and feel it through the walls. Everything you’d want in your home could be found here. Mine was calmer and more isolated, filled with untold trauma, just like my work.

The investors that worked with me were people that I understood the reason behind their style, the designs they visioned, the places they selected for specific detail and their satisfaction when I brought them to life. I always thought of it as they all had a sad story like mine to tell. I had never worked with anyone that I didn’t understand the reason behind certain designs they wanted me to create.

I continued looking around the house until I found my way to the kitchen, I saw a note on the desk alongside dinner. It was for me and it read “Hello Beautiful, I hope you slept well. I just stepped out to get your car and I’ll be right back. Don’t miss me too much, Rynnelle”. I smiled, she was thoughtful enough to change my clothes, make me dinner, and now, she went to get my car. I was more than grateful and happy; I guess I could take a break from my asylum for a while.