Seira

Nope, no, I did not call the police or even an asylum to take me away.

Instead, I called Ericka because desperate times call for desperate measures.

We met at a cafe and our conversation didn't take that long, as usual.

She's very straight to the point and told me that her brother is out to New York for a client.

With how she was speaking to me, I really don't know if she's disappointed in me or not. It's really hard to tell with her.

"Now, if this is the only thing you're meeting with me for I'll be going now. Leo's video games aren't going to play themselves," she said and instantly went out the door probably to rank up/finish Leo's games.

Without anything to do for the rest of the day, I went back to Oblivion and begged C.W to let me work.

Thankfully she agreed.

"If you're just going to pester me at work all day might as well do something productive. Go to your table!" she commanded and I happily skipped to my little area.

After an hour of segregating files, C.W asked me to run an errand for her with her driver, Mr. Green.

How could I say no to that?

An errand with Mr. Green sounds more exciting than possibly getting a paper cut with all the files C.W wants me to go through.

"Hey, nice to see you Miss Swanson," he greeted.

"You too Mr. Green! My friends call me Seira!" I announced, hoping he'd get my hint.

"Okay, let's go," he replied which earned him a gasp from me.

"You're not my friend Mr Green?" I asked him and crossed my arms.

He face scrunched up, telling me that he is confused.

"Oh! Well Seira, please call me Ed," he offered and finally gets it.

We both got in his car and the first thing I smelled is the stench of cigarettes.

"Do you smoke Ed?" I asked politely as to make sure not to hurt his feelings.

"Crap, can you smell it in the car?"

I pinched my nose and nodded.

"I'm sorry, I'll just open the passenger window then."

He pressed a button and my window rolled down but even if air is circling the car the smell still won't go away.

Instinctively, I looked for the source of the smell—just in case we find something that smells the most so we can get rid of it.

Coincidentally, I caught a whiff of Ed's shirt.

"Holy crap Ed, your shirt smells amazing," my eyes popped and I sniffed his shirt again.

"The 'Sweet Aroma of Paradise' is what I would call your fragrance," I admitted.

He chuckled, "Close enough, it's called Tropical Paradise."

I nodded and gave him a 'chef kiss' of satisfaction, "Fragrance is muy bien!"

"I'm glad you think so," he paused and stopped the car. "But first I need a trip to comfort land. I'll spray the car with my fragrance when I get back. I won't be long," he went out of the car.

I nodded but 10 minutes have passed and I when I can't stand the smell anymore, I decided to search for his cologne myself.

I know he told me he'd do it himself but his 'won't be long' expired already.

I opened the compartment under the dashboard and I'm shocked by the things he's hiding there.

No, it's not a porn magazine. Perverts.

Inside lies a knife and very familiar black hoodie and instantly I'm transported to the terrifying incident I'd like to forget.

I grabbed the knife when the driver's door opened and pointed it in his direction.

Although I'm the one with the weapon, I can still feel that I'm not the one with the upper hand and thoughts of me freezing up again in a perilous situation crossed my mind.

No! I will not think about that anymore.

He stared at me in shock and suddenly we're engaged in a staring contest.

"W-what's going on?" he asked, unsure.

I gripped the knife's handle as tight as I could that I can feel my fingernails digging on my skin.

He raised his hands defensively, "Seira, put the gun down."

Anger clouded my vision and I waved the knife around so he'll keep his distance.

"Step back! Don't you dare go near me!" I furiously commanded.

"Alright, alright, I'll step back. But can you please just stop. Seira, let's talk," Ed offered with a slow and gentle tone.

"No!" I screamed.

"Please, let's just talk things through. Tell me what's going on."

"What the fuck do you mean you don't know what's going on?" I yelled, disgusted by his attempt to pretend innocence.

He shook his head, "I really don't know what's going on."

"Shut up! I know you were there."