Girls Need Love

I watched from my bedroom window as last night's conquest climbs jumps from the bathroom window. With shower still running, he wanted to make it seem as if he was still in the bathroom but I had seen it all before. With a heavy sigh, I grab the pink journal from my dresser and cross off his name. Above his were Jackson, Peter, Fernando, Edgar, Michael, George, Remi, Paul, Sean, Amil, and well the list goes on.  I haven't slept with all of them, but they were all potential soulmates. That's all I wanted. A soulmate. Someone to fall asleep with and wake up to, someone to send the grocery list before they came home, someone to tie my laces as we sat in the park, someone to bring lunch to at work, someone to make babies with and spend eternity in our big house protected by white picket fences. A dog named Spencer would live in a small doghouse in our backyard. He would eat what we eat, and our children would always go out to play with him.  That's all.  But the moment they hit they went running.  Or if they didn't hit, I never got a call for a second date. I climbed out of bed, padding to my bathroom. The walls lined with floral wall paper, gloomed happily at me. I wasn't feeling very happy. I looked at my appearance and wondered if that's why they ran. My black hair was stretched in all directions, my eyes had silver dust, and my dark skin was stained with drool marks. I hummed and twisted off the shower, grabbing my toothbrush.  I stared at myself intently as I brushed, my eyes moving to my curves, and then back to my face. My eyes weren't anything special, just so dark brown that it seemed black. But I was pretty though, very pretty.  So it couldn't be my appearance. After I brushed my teeth I hopped into my shower and took a fast bath before slipping Into my work clothes. Black trousers and a simple white chiffon shirt. I put on some black ballet flats that had a thin bow and grabbed my handbag. I almost forgot to do my hair. I slipped a shoelace around my 4c hair, and pulled it into a high Afro, using a pick to comb it out. After I was done, I grabbed my phone from its charger, and left.  I worked at Wendy's electronic shop as the manager.  My boss, Wendy, was just the sweetest  thing.  She looked like a Wendy as well. She had fiery red hair that was obviously dyed, yet it looked great on her. She was black, just like me, and a little chubby.  Work was walking distance, not like I had a choice though, I didn't have a car and I also didn't trust services like Lyft, or Uber.  Yes, I would love to give a stranger my address so that they can store, and then pick me up to lock me in their car and drive me around. Around where? Around Mexico probably, maybe Russia, where they'll ship my ass all over the world for s*x trafficking! No thanks. "Amari!" Wendy greets as I open the door and I smile. "Hey Wend." "How was the weekend?" "I haven't gotten a boyfriend yet if that's what you're asking." I tell her honestly, walking into my office and she follows. "Uh no, I was just asking how was your weekend."  "Oh," I mutter, pausing for a second, "well, it was fine." I tell her before placing my bag onto the desk. "Glad to hear it. Tulip called in sick today, could you create those invoices for Mr.  Matulo?" "Who's That?" I furrow my eyebrows. I was familiar with all of the customers, but I've never heard of this one. "Oh, he's just a private customer. He should be over to pick them up today." Private customer? I didn't even know we had those. I nod. "Great, Ill send over the information to yo ur email." She leaves and I start up my computer, leaning back in my chair. What a weird name. Matulo. # "Done." I place the created and printed invoices on Wendy's desk and she smiles. "Great work as usual, Amari!" She happily does a fast clap before looking them over. "Does he run a secret service or something? Why did he need so many spy gadgets?" "Spy gadgets?" "Uhuh, bugs, pen recorders, wires, ear communication pieces . . . Other stuff you see on the list." "Oh, I'm not sure what Mr. Matulo does with this stuff to be honestly, Amari." I tilt my head. "You don't question him?" "Why would I?" "Because it's a little suspicious." "We don't question other customers when they come for hidden cameras." She retorts and I blink. I guess she's right. "Alright then," I reply, "I'll get back to work." "You know, actually, I have to make an important call and Mr. Matulo is in the waiting area, do you mind?" She outstretches the papers to me and I take them, nodding.  When I walk into the waiting area, there were a few other people. I glance at the cashier and noticed that she was busy with people as well. I made a mental note to come back out. I scanned the waiting area, and became confused as I recognized everyone there. There was no strange man.  I turned around to return to Wendy only to jump back as a 6ft monster stood in front of me. Startled, I take another step back. "Are these for me?" He asks. His voice was rough and rusty, as if he'd been smoking. "That depends," I say, regaining my composure, "is your name Mr. Matulo?" He nods, out stretching his hand. I place the papers in his hand along with a pen. He turns around to sit at The little coffee table we had. He signed. I watched as he scanned the contents, the pen held tightly between his fingers. His entire aura was frightening. His hands were littered with scars, as well as his neck. That was about all that was visible to me besides his face. He wore a tight black satin button up shirt, and black slacks. They were pressed perfectly. His melanin stretched almost flawlessly across his face. Almost. A scar ran from his eye to his mouth, and I thought to myself that that must've been painful.  But he was beautiful. He wasn't a monster after all "Can I just pay with you?" He asks as he stands again and I nod, leading him into my office. "You can have a seat." I tell him and he takes it. I begin to process his payment since he decided to do it electronically.  "Why haven't I seen you around here before?" I ask him and he smirks. "Would you like to see me around here more often?" I couldn't help but smile. "I didn't say that." "I usually just have Wendy to the transactions and I get it delivered. It's only once in a while that I'll show up here." "Oh, okay." "I haven't seen you around here either if I'm being honest." "Really? I've worked here since forever."  "I'm kidding. I see you all the time, but you're always stuffed in some papers." "That's just how it is." I tell him and he chuckles. "Okay, just sign here and here and you're all good." He nods, effortlessly moving the pen across the paper. Matulo, written in the finest cursive. "Thank you." He says as he stands and I nod. "And don't worry, I'll make sure that you see me more often."