Hey everyone. This chapter is mainly a breakdown on who Jazmyn and Sean is and it also introduces two more characters, Tanya and Eric. Keep a close eye on Eric. He is definately a star player in this story. Let me know what you think
Chapter Two: That Feeling Again
Waking up to the smell of eggs, bacon, and toast was the highlight of my mornings. Angela always found ways to wake get me up in the morning so I wouldn't be late for work. Somehow she always seems to wake up before me. I told myself that one day I will wake up before her and wake her up the same way she wakes me. But so far it hasn't happened yet.
I get out of bed feeling like I had 50 pound weights around my ankles. As I drug myself to the bathroom to wash my face, I could hear Angela in the kitchen singing Decode by Paramore. It was the only song she sung that sound decent. Once I finished getting ready for work, I grabbed the plate of food Angela already set for me and sat down to eat.
"Good morning, Little Sis."Angela greeted as I sat down at the table.
"Good morning. You're in a good mood this morning. What's up with that?" I said with a grin. Angela looks down at her plate as if she was trying to hide something. She looks at me and smiles. "Nothing…I'm just…happy. I can't be happy in the morning?" Angela had a sly grin on her face. I knew something was up. Something she wasn't telling me. Whatever it was, it made her smile and that's all that mattered to me.
"Yea, you can. It's just not normal for you. Lately you've be in a crappy mood when you wake up. Like the sandman forgot about you or something. I'm just not use to it." Angela pushes my arm playfully and smiles at my comment. "Whatever it is, I hope it keeps you in a good mood like this. One more morning of Mrs. Grinch, I was going to have to sleep at Jaz's house." We laughed as Angela finished here food. After I was finished, I kissed Angela on the cheek and wished her a great day. I went down stares just as Midnight and Missy were waking up, patted them on the head, and headed to work.
"Good morning, Candice." I said to the receptionist as I got my daily mail.
"Good morning, Karissa." She responded. "How are you doing this morning?" Candice was a beautiful young girl that just graduated from high school. She had the body that could catch any professional man that work in this building but she lacked the brains.
"I'm good. I could be better though. I have class tonight and I'm longing for Cosmo." I responded. My face said it all. I knew even though I tried to look my best today spite the way I felt when I woke up this morning.
"Well, I hope things change for you today." Candice smiles that perfect smile as I walk passed her to catch the elevator.
I worked on the 8th floor. That was the floor of the people who has work for the company for a while and is still waiting for their next raise. I knew I was in line for one but the only way I could get it was if I had a Bachelors degree. I was only one more year away.
Once I got off the elevator, I greeted the coworker I passed and headed to my cubical. I glanced over to the cubical beside mines and notice my coworker and close friend, Tanya, smiling from ear to ear.
"Good morning, Tanya. I see you drunk some of that happy juice today." Tanya smiled at my humor.
"Good morning, Karissa. It's just a beautiful day today. Why are you so gloom and doom this morning? Did you have a bad dream last night?" Tanya always knew when I wasn't being myself. I was hesitant. Thinking about what happened yesterday and wondering why it bothered me so much. I smiled a fake smile then sat down in my chair before she could notice the wonder in my face.
She leaned over the cubical wall that separated us.
"Are you ok, hun? You seem out of it today." Tanya taps me on the shoulder to get my attention. But I was already in my own world by then. She taps me again. I finally responded with a smile.
"Yea, I'm fine. I'm just thinking about some things. That's all." I kept the smile on my face as I turn to face my computer and turned it on. I hadn't checked my email yet and I know my professor sent us some homework via email.
"How was your yesterday? Didn't you tell me you were going to the movies with Angela?" Tanya asked. I introduced her and Angela about three years back when I started this job.
"Yea, I did. We had fun. The movie was good but I was distracted by the lovely view I had in the theater." I said as with a smile.
"OHHH, DETAILS!" She knew exactly what I was talking about. When I told her about James and I she seemed to be really happy he was out of my life. She never really liked him and she hated the fact that he was with me. She almost killed him when she found out what he did. That was Tanya. She always seems to have my back.
"It's a long story but so some it all up, I saw these two guys that were very handsome and one of them I just couldn't keep my eyes off of. It was like my attention was being pulled to him. It was kinda weird but great at the same time. I'll tell you the rest when we go to lunch today." I tried to change the subject. I hated having the spotlight when I wasn't really comfortable with a situation. "So what did you do yesterday?"
"Oh, nothing but visit my parents and be hounded about why I wasn't married yet by my mom. She thinks just because my sister went and got married then I should be married too. We may be twins but that doesn't mean we have to do everything together. My sister found that right guy and I'm still looking for mine. That's all there is to it."
I could see the frustration in her face and hear the anger in her voice. Her parents must've thought she would be married by now. Her sister got married a year ago to a man she's known and been dating for several year. Tanya has only had two long relationships with two of the worst guy she could've possible chosen. It was good she didn't marry those losers. She would've been miserable. I kind of felt sorry for her.
I stopped typing and looked up at her to see if she was alright. "But other than that it was a good day?" I asked hoping to take her mind off of it a little.
"Yea, besides that it was a good day." Her smile lets me know her mind was off of it for the moment but knowing her it hasn't left her mind. "Well that's good to here. Now you know we have a project due by the end of the week. Don't you think you should get back to work?" I said jokingly.
"Alright, Alright, I'm going." Tanya throws a piece of balled up paper at me and get back to her work.
After Tanya and I finish our lunch we head back to the office. It was only a block away and we didn't bring our cars so we had to walk back. As we walked and talked I could feel someone staring at me. As I glanced at my surroundings I noticed a Silver Mercedes with tinted windows parked at the curb. I found myself staring at it for a second. Without giving it another thought I shrugged and kept walking with Tanya.
Once we arrived at our building something told me to turn around. I had the same feeling I had at the movies yesterday. I turned around and glanced at the Mercedes at the light. It was the Mercedes I saw a few blocks from the office building. The window was down and I could see the person driving it. It was him. The same guy I saw at the movies. He looks my way and smiled once he saw me. Was this a coincidence or not? I saw him twice in two days. Maybe I was thinking about it too much. "Kari?" Tanya called to me. "Are you coming?" She asked.
"Huh, yea" I responded. Tanya walks into the building to head up to the office. I walked in a few seconds behind her.
"Who was that?" she asked once we caught the elevator. "Someone you know?"
"I don't know but it looked like the same guy I was telling you about. I didn't know he worked around here" That was the very first time I'd seen him around here. Everything seemed kind of crazy and ironic to me. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary though. Maybe he just moved down here and his job was around the corner. Maybe someone he knew worked around here. Whatever it was this was the second I'd seen him. Maybe I should just forget about it and go on with my day. Yeah…that's what will do. Just go on with my business.
As we arrived at our desks I noticed a message sitting beside my computer keyboard. It was from Sean. He called while Tanya and I were at lunch and wanted me to call him as soon as I came back to my desk. I wondered what it was about. I hope Jazmyn was ok. I put the note down, grabbed the phone and dialed Sean's number.
"Hello, Sean here?" Sean answered in his professional voice.
"Hey Sean, what's up? Is Jazmyn ok?" I said. He could tell I was worried by the panicky tone in my voice.
"Calm down, Karissa, everything is ok. Jazmyn is fine. I see you got my message. I wasn't sure if that receptionist would give it to you or not. I really called to ask about you. Jazmyn told me what happened. She said you told her you were distracted. Anything I need to resolve for you?" Sean has always been like a big brother of mine.
I met him when I was five years old and he was seven years old. My parents and I moved to a new house not too far from the military base in Colorado and Sean lived two doors down from us. We officially met one day at the school we attended when I was being bullied by a group of boys and girls for being the new kid at the school. Right when they were pushing and shoving me around, I fell to the ground. They laughed and walked away. That's when Sean came and helped me up. After school I had to walk to the store down the street from the school and wait for my mom to come pick me up. He decided to walk with me. We really got to know each other that day and he promised to always have my back when I needed him. We've been like brother and sister ever since then. Hearing his concern for me brought me back to that day and many other days he was there for me. I loved him for that.
"I'm fine. Someone just distracted me a little that all. You know how that can be at the movies." I tried to change the subject. "Hey, can you make sure Jaz will be in class tonight please. She missed lasted class." It worked a little. Sean knew what I was doing but he went with it.
"Yea, Sweetheart, I'll make sure she's there. I have to go but call me when you get home, ok."
"Alright, talk to you late." I said before I hung up.
The rest of my day was answering phone calls, typing up presentations and coordinating with Tanya on the new project we had together.
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I arrived home after work tired and drained from the amount of work I had. It felt like a long day even though it was only thirty minutes after three in the afternoon. I put my purse on the counter then went into my room to change into my jeans and t-shirt. I walk to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water before walking down stairs to take out the dogs. Missy was lying down curled up in a ball in her bed just waking up while Midnight hopped to his feet as soon as I opened the door. I untied them and let them run outside freely. As I watched the neighbor saw me and waved. I didn't see them much. They were always gone and asking Angela if she could watch their dog them. She would do it even though Missy didn't like their dog one bit. The neighbor walk back inside of the house just as Midnight walked back to where I was standing. Missy soon followed him. I brought them back inside and feed them their food. I left the door open knowing they will want to come in as I got ready for school. I walked back up stair and went to my room to get my books ready for class. I could hear Missy walk up the stair to my room as I called Angela to see what time she'll be home. She's usually here by the time I get home so when she's gone I would always call her to make sure she is alright and to see what time she would be home. She didn't answer so I left a voice mail telling her that I fed the dogs and reminding her that I had class today. Just as I was receiving a text from Angela letting me know she was at her co-worker's house, I called Sean to let him know I made it home ok. We talked a little before promising we would see each other the next tomorrow then hung up. I walked in the kitchen to fix myself a snack then went back to my bedroom to do a little studying. Midnight and Missy laid beside me on the bed while I compared Shakespears Hamlet to his Romeo and Juliet. My phone rang again and again as I ignored it. I never answered my phone when I was studying. Once I finished I took the dogs out once more than tied them back up in the garage. I looked at my phone to see who was calling me while I studied as I walked up to grab my book bag. It was Jazmyn. I decided to text her back.
"What's up, Jaz?" I text.
"How come you didn't answer my calls? You must have been doing some last minute studying, huh?" Jazmyn text back. Sometimes I feel like she knew me too well.
"Yes I was studying. Are you on your way to class, Lady?" I asked her with a grin on my face.
"Of course, I'm actually on my way there now. I'll see you there." Jazmyn text me. I could tell that she has a smile on her face by the smiley face on the end of her text.
I closed the phone, grabbed my phone and headed out the door.
***************
Once I was at school I walked in the class to see Jazmyn sitting in the seat beside mines. I walk over to her and gave her a hug as I sat down.
"I see you made it, finally." I said with a smile.
"Yea, I couldn't miss this one. I'm trying to graduate on time." Jazmyn smiled. She turned to face me as soon as I sat down seeming eager to tell me something. "So did Sean tell you where we went today?"
"No, why would he tell me? Where'd you two go?" I asked her. I was confused at why would Sean just tell me where they went today unless I ask him. And I didn't ask him. I couldn't wait to her this one.
"He took me to a jewelry store today. When we went in he told me to look around and tell him if I see anything I liked." She was giddy when she told me the next part of the story. "I saw a couple of necklaces and bracelets I liked then when I got to the engagement rings I saw this beautiful 2-Carat Yellow Diamond engagement ring. Karissa, I fell in love with that ring." Jazmyn's eyes lit up when she mentioned the ring. I already knew where this story was going before she could even finish it. But I had to ask anyway.
"So did you show Sean?"
"No, I already knew what he was gonna say anyways so I didn't even bother." My mouth dropped when she told that. I knew for sure that was the one thing she would show him first when the time came. I guess I was wrong.
"Wow, Jaz. That's surprising even for you." She couldn't help but laugh at my backhanded comment.
"Whatever! The time is right…for me anyways. But for him, I'm not so sure about. I'm willing to wait though. I love him too much and been through too much shit to let him go and start all over again with someone new. He's stuck with me." Jazmyn said with a serious look on her face. She was right about one thing. They have been through a lot together and I know for sure that Sean is in love with her and only wants her. I guess she's not so sure though. Once she told me they went to a jewelry store that confirmed it for me. I guess I have to start looking for wedding presents now.
Just as the professor walked in Sean sent me a text.
"Hey Sweetheart, are you coming over after school? I have something to show you." Sean asked.
"Yea, what's up? Class is about to start." I responded.
"I'll show you when you get here. A couple of coworkers of mine will be here and were just going to be playing some cards and watching the game."
"Alright, that cool. I'll just follow Jazmyn when we leave." I texted Sean right before the Professor started to talk.
"Alright see you then." Sean respond with a smiley face on the end of the text. I put my phone on vibrate then shoved it into my purse. Jazmyn did the same as we started listening to the professor and jotting down the notes being written on the board.
************
Once class was over I followed Jazmyn to her house. I couldn't help but wonder what Sean wanted to show me. Something told me it had nothing to do with me. I remembered Sean telling me his coworkers were going to be over there. He never invited anyone from work to his house. He always said that was letting the competition to close to home. So what was different about today? Whatever it was I hope they are nice. I don't feel like breaking up a fight tonight. From what I remember, most of his co-workers were assholes. I hope they are different.
I pulled into Jazmyn's driveway right after she did. Suddenly I had that feeling again. It felt like something was pulling me inside the house. The same feeling I had at the movies. I walked in right behind Jazmyn. Sean greeted Jazmyn with a long kiss and a hug then me with a hug and a brotherly kiss on the forehead.
"Hey Baby, hey Kari, How was class?" Sean greeted us while grabbing our coats and grabbing Jazmyn's bags.
"It was fine, babe. How was your day?" Jazmyn asked as he held her in his arms. I scanned the room and notice two people sitting at the dining room table with cards in there had.
"Who are they, babe?" Jazmyn asked as she notice them also. At that moment that feeling became stronger. I sat down on the couch and stared at the hallway. That's when I saw him. They guy from the movie theater. The guy in the Mercades I didn't notice was parked out front. I couldn't move. I just stared. I could hear Sean talking but I couldn't make out what he was saying. I was in my own world. He walked closer to me. With every step he made could feel my heart beating faster and faster. Then he stood right in front of me. I couldn't take my eyes off of him.
"Hi, I'm Eric."
Chapter 3