Accidental Encounter

Chapter Twenty-Two

The last few days, Demi pretty much hasn't left my side, unless we were at work. I can't lie, I appreciate it. I hated feeling alone. Hayden has also been in the apartment when I have for the most part and has been making a lot of effort to keep me distracted. It really has been helping, but it wouldn't be the truth if I said I didn't have a breakdown when it was just Demi and I, or me alone if she has to stay late to work on her last song.

The days have been passing quicker than I can register them and it's unfortunately now approaching the end of my shift on Friday; I'm sure you can guess who is staring at me from the other side of my desk.

"How about this week?" Mr Vincent asks me. A shiver runs down my spine at his threatening grin.

Sleeping next to Demi has helped a little with the nightmares, but I still have them and wake up exhausted – meaning my patience for Mr Vincent is non-existent.

I lift my head from the paperwork on my desk and meet Mr Vincent's lustful gaze with a cold, stern look of my own. Standing, I rest my hands on the desk before me and speak. "Mr Vincent, if you do not stop with your advances, I will have to report you for sexual harassment. I suggest you take a seat while you wait for your appointment." My words are not quiet, and I receive a few looks from people in the waiting area.

Abbie walks behind me, touching my arm comfortingly and whispers to me, "It's about time. Good job." Her words warm my numb body for a minute, before the familiar pain returns.

Mr Vincent picks his chin off the ground and with his tail between his legs and finds a seat to sit on. I continue to pack my bag and decide to not wait the five more minutes I'm supposed to work and head towards the door. I wish my farewells to Abbie and Julie, proceeding to step outside. I take in a deep breath, filling my lungs with the fresh air in an attempt to clear my head.

While I walk home, my phone rings. Digging it out of my bag, I see that it's my mum calling. I've been expecting this call for a few days and dreading it. Reluctantly, I accept the call.

"Hey, ma."

"Hi darling, long time no talk. How are you?"

"I'm alright, thanks. How are you and dad?"

"We're all good, thank you. I was wandering if you wanted to come over for lunch on Sunday. I think it'd be good for us all to be together because... well – it's good to spend time together, isn't it?

I can't help but to release a sigh. I know that I should spend more time with my parents, but Sunday is going to be miserable for all of us, I don't know if being around them would be a good idea. But I guess if I can't spend the day with Erin, I should spend it with my parents.

"Sure Ma. Do you guys mind if I bring someone with?" I pull the pack of cigarettes that had been neglected for a while, from the bottom of my bag. I put one between my lips, lighting it in the silence I receive from my mum.

"Hayden is always welcome to come," She says after a moment.

"I didn't mean Hayden."

"Oh, who did you mean?" I can hear the confusion in her voice.

"I'm seeing someone. Don't worry, it definitely is not Christina." I try to lighten the mood with the comment. My mum never did like Christina – she said she had a bad feeling about her, which I guess was right.

"Well, tell me more then, my mysterious daughter." I can hear the pull of a smile on her lips, causing one to form on mine.

"Her name is Demi. She is breath-takingly beautiful, you can't even believe it. We literally walked into each other, that's how we met." My smile only grows as I think about Demi. "She makes me feel things that I've never felt before mum. It's kind of terrifying but incredible at the same time."