Fulfillment(71)

“I just wanted to personally come by and offer my condolences to you both. I heard about the fall and subsequent miscarriage and broken foot. I’m terribly sorry. I also wanted to apologise for skipping out on your birthday party. I felt very ill quite suddenly and needed to lie down.”

He had not long entered the room and sat down on the couch opposite me, before I felt my chest rise and fall dramatically, the heat in the room also rising rather quickly.

Bryce had made his way over to the bar to fetch us all a drink.

“I need something strong,” I said as I locked eyes with Gareth, desperately trying to calm myself.

“Do you want a gin then?” Bryce asked.

I removed my stare from Gareth, switching it toward Bryce while wiping my sweaty hands on my pants. “Yes, gin is great,” I replied rather quickly.

“So Alexis, how are you feeling?” Gareth asked.

“Fucking awful,” I honestly replied. “How do you expect to me feel?” My tone was defensive and angry, I couldn’t help it.

Bryce sat down next to me and handed me my drink, a worried and curious look on his face. “Here.” He placed his arm around my neck and rested his hand on my shoulder.

“I’m sorry, Alexis. I didn’t mean to sound insensitive.”

Gareth leaned forward and placed his drink on the coffee table when I caught a hint of his aftershave. It washed over my senses and triggered my visions and flashbacks to return. I saw myself hopping along the walkway like I’d seen in my head time and time again, only this time I smelled Gareth’s aftershave as I took my first step. It was a deep woody, earth-like aroma. I didn’t like it. In fact, I hated it; it made me nauseated.

“Alexis! Alexis, hey are you alright?” Bryce was lightly shaking my shoulder with his hand in an attempt to get my attention.

I looked at him, then to Gareth. My breathing spiked and I could feel my body temperature rising. I turned back to Bryce and shook my head at him.

The last thing I remember is Bryce leaning forward to put his drink down and saying, “Shit! Not again.”

***

This time when I came round, I noticed that Bryce had swivelled me to a lying position and propped my legs high on the edge of the sofa. The second thing I noticed is that my blouse was drenched and smelled of gin, and the third thing I noticed was Gareth standing next to Bryce—rather close—and that Bryce was on the phone.

“Yes, Janette, she’s coming round now, her eyes just opened.” He smiled warmly at me. “No, I’ll call Jessica. You stay where you are and sort out your incident. Thanks for your help. I’m thinking I will have to give you a raise in salary very soon.” He chuckled back at her response and then hung up the phone, dialling Jessica instantly.

“Hi, Jessica. Alexis has had another panic attack and again she passed out.” He walked over to the sofa and knelt down beside me. “No. No, she’s been fine other than that.” He picked up my hand and kissed the top of it quickly. “Yes, please. I’d appreciate it. Thanks, I’ll see you soon.”

I noticed Gareth fidget from the corner of my eye.

“Jessica is on her way, Hunny. How do you feel now?”

“Okay, I guess. I’m a bit soggy, but I’m okay.”

“I’ll get you another top.” He went to get up.

I grabbed his arm. “No, don’t leave me,” I begged, while glancing at Gareth.

“Okay, I won’t leav—”

Gareth butted in. “I gotta go, got a lot of work to do. I’m glad you’re alright, Alexis.” He nodded at Bryce then hastily left the room.

***

I had moved out to the balcony to get some air when Jessica arrived. She followed Bryce out and stood next to me at the balustrade. I had rugged myself up in a thick coat and Jessica—thank goodness—had done the same.

“So, what happened?” she enquired.

“I’m not quite sure,” I answered dishonestly while glancing quickly toward Bryce.

Jessica noticed my subtle eye movement and proceeded to remedy the situation.

“Bryce, I would like to speak to Alexis alone if you wouldn’t mind.”

He let out a breath in a stoic manner. “Sure. I need to go and check the progress of the Metropol renovations anyway.” He kissed my forehead. “Call me when you’re done, okay?”

I nodded.

He turned and walked inside.

“Thank fuck,” I blurted out while looking around my vicinity, desperate for something to poke into my cast. “Where are all the long pointy things? I swear he has removed everything and anything that could be used to scratch my leg, damn controlling arse that he is.”

I was just about to hop over to the Yucca plant and tear of a leaf when Jessica smirked at me and handed me her pen.