Harlem's POV
If anyone had told me I'd get physically assaulted by a psycho this week, I would've laughed in their face. Hysterically. Because I've never even been slapped by my parents. Me? Taking rubbish from anyone? Never. Yet here I am, standing in front of Lexi's two-bedroom bungalow with a sore cheek that still feels like it's on fire. My ego hasn't stopped screaming at me since last night, replaying the scene on loop. The woman's hand was quick and brutal, like she'd been training for the Slap Olympics. Probably.
Now I'm outside my best friend's house, crocs on my feet, hair in a messy bun, duffel bag in hand, looking like life dragged me here. It's only Wednesday, but I've already quit the week. Gio gave me the rest off after I stormed into his office and told him a customer shoved me on my ass. Couldn't tell him about the slap. Though if he'd seen the mark on my face, he might've hunted her down himself. What was he going to do though? Slap her back? Because honestly, that's the only thing that would've satisfied me.
I breathe out, finally at one of my two comfort zones and walk up to the door, get out my spare key and unlock the door, I hope she's in, I told her I'd be coming. I confirm she is when I hear the blasting music. Maybe she's in the bathroom, it's only 6am after all.
Yes, I basically ran out of my apartment because I could literally hear my walls mocking me for the unreciprocated handprint on my cheek.
I walked over to her room to see my stolen Guineapig sitting in his cage munching on a lettuce. I smile. The sly woman.
I fall back unto her bed and don't know how long I lie there staring at the ceiling until I fall asleep.
I'm woken up by the sound of clanging plates. I look at my phone and check the time. 12pm? Wow, I was really exhausted. Bless Lex's heart for not waking me. I roll out of Lexi's bed and shrug off the blanket that I was sure I didn't put on myself. I stretch and walk into the kitchen to see my best friend slash God mother of my future kids plating some creamy pasta and some kind of seafood. Yum. She wore a silky robe with an eye mask under her eyes.
"Hey" I say smiling and sitting on the kitchen table. She turns to look at me and beams. "Harry!!!!" she runs to hug me to which I'm almost pushed off the chair. "Nice to meet you too Lex but you're choking me" I say strangled while laughing.
She releases me and holds my face like a mother reuniting with her child. "Girl, you have no idea how much I've missed you, being in the US can be pretty lonely and the food is so greasy. I even tried crossing the street and almost got knocked down and it was literally so terrifying, wait, what the hell happened to your face!!!?" Shit, I thought it was not as noticeable. I force a smile that I'm sure looks more like a wince.
"Well, I came across an evil witch. I was going to tell you, but I was waiting for the right time... which is now, I guess." She looks like I just told her I came across a bear and it almost mauled me. Maybe.
"Don't worry it's really not that bad" I hurriedly reassure her.
"Harlem, you have a handprint on your face, what then is considered bad?" she looks really horrified.
"It happened at the bar; I came across some entitled assholes doing coke in the VIP Section, thought I could dissuade the situation but I was rewarded with a slap by one of the women there, oh and a push that landed me on my ass. Now that I think about it, she was really strong to have pushed me, maybe she WAS a bear." I say thoughtfully.
Lexi looks unimpressed "Are you really joking about this right now? Did you tell Gio?"
What does she take me for? "Yes, of course I did. But I wanted the bar to be on the safe side so I only told him she pushed me."
Lexi looks at me like I just told her the world has ended and we're the only ones left. "You're kidding right? I mean, you have to be, because there's no way some bitch assaulted you, in YOUR workplace might I add, and you decided not to do anything about it. Have you never heard of justice?"
"Look Lex, I know what you mean, but those guys were trouble in human form. With drugs and shit. I'm not sure I'd want to get involved with that, and even if I did per say sue, there's no way I'd be able to sue all six or seven of them because I'd have to. I'm just looking at the facts here and they're really not worth it."
Biting her lip, Lexi looks at me calculatedly, she's the best, but we'd both do better not getting involved with those people.
She sighs, "Fine, I get what you mean but if I hear anything happens again, I'm going to be suing on your behalf. And who still slaps people? What is this? High school?"
Little Miss Blondie probably had the IQ of one anyway. "Yes, of course, I'd let you rage as you please. On my behalf" I say with a smile half-wittedly. "Are we eating now? I'm starving." I grab the plate with food in it and grab a fork. She looks like she still has a lot to say but she drops it, thankfully.
She takes her own plate and dishes out her portion, she sits and we catch up. She told me about her trip, how she had to create sponsorship content for Chanel at their office and how she had so much fun. I was proud of her; she was doing what she loved.
"So…. I got invited to an event in the heart of town, I don't know if you remember but I attended the last two years and they invited me again. I want you to be my plus one" I stop eating and look at her as she speaks.
"When?" I ask. She smiles sweetly, "It's tomorrow night." Really, that close?
"Well, what's the name of the event?" I inquire.
"I think it's called 'Briggs Hollywood sponsorship event'" she answers thoughtfully.
Oh, I remember. She's right about attending before. I remember she was so hyped last year.
"If you want me to come, then I will. Besides, I don't have anything I'm doing tomorrow. So yeah, why not?"
She smiles at me. "Yayy. I literally thought you would pass but I'm happy you didn't. Honestly I'm getting tired of attending this stuff alone and I'm happy you agreed. Trust me girl, this is your time to shine and I'm gonna make sure you do so I took it upon myself to get you a dress while I was in the States"
Uh oh. "What do you mean Lex? You can't be sure I would have agreed to go with you? "I say smiling amusedly and dropping the cup of orange juice I had drunk from.
"Oh, I wasn't. But I would have made you either way. I know you're trying to save up and reduce money spending but it's important to work on your social life. It's an important aspect of you, especially if you want to rise higher and I decided to kill two birds with one stone by not letting you worry about the money aspect." She touches my hand.
"I know Lex. Thanks." I smile at her, grateful.
I can see where she's coming from though, I want to be someone who is known but sometimes I see myself avoiding putting myself out there. I'm not sure what kind of magic I'm expecting to happen.
"Yes. Your dress is gorgeous by the way. I saw it and immediately thought of you. Actually, I'm kidding, I wanted to get it for myself but I remembered it might be my only way of actually getting you to come with me. What a great decision I made." she said excitedly. I laugh; she knows me too well.
"So, what are we doing today? "I ask her. "First of all, we are going to figure out how to get that handprint off your face so you don't walk around tomorrow's event looking like it's a kink." Oh that.
"Well, you know what I always say; It could've been worse." I smile and she shakes her head smiling and we continue small chatter.
Who knew that by tomorrow, I'd wish it hadn't gotten so worse.