Lacquered Tattoo

Chapter Two

“Finally! I was starting to get worried; you could’ve been a human trafficking victim – oh my, are you at your new place? Let me see!”

I laughed at how Louise squeaked excitedly, turning on the light on her bedside table. She leaned on her headboard and I got a clearer view of her. It doesn’t seem like she was just sleeping. Maybe she just got to bed.

Good timing.

I switched the camera so she could see the apartment. We surveyed the place together which made my heart sting a little bit as she was not with me personally to celebrate but I quickly brushed the feeling off. She could visit me here once I have well-adjusted and we could always video chat.

“It’s pretty cute. You could definitely decorate it more to your liking and buy nicer furniture when you can,” Louise commented.

I switched the camera back to me. “I don’t know, aunt Lou. I kinda like the shabby vibe.”

And I honestly do.

I just have this vision of how the whole place would look once lived in.

The small room feels homey from the kitchenette to the round dining table accompanied by two stool chairs. There were two closets and I estimated from their sizes that I probably would only need one, and I could already imagine how the empty space left could be a place for a bookshelf.

I love how the daybed was in the corner, right at the window, beside a desk which was perfect since I have plenty of stationery and I love having a designated area for my writing.

It looked like a college dorm room. It made me feel nostalgic and even more giddy.

I hauled my suitcases one by one from the hallway and locked the door right before I open the door to its right that leads to the bathroom. It was opposite the kitchenette. I wasn’t sure about how that was positioned.

Turning the lights on, my eyes scanned the bathtub/shower hybrid, toilet, and sink built in on a cabinet. There was enough counter space for my toiletries. It’s a shame the same could not be said for my kitchen.

I love cooking and was pretty messy when I do so. I guess I could use the dining table for extra cooking space and if that isn’t enough, I’m considering making use of my desk as well.

“Have you eaten? Do you have groceries over there?”

Louise’s concern made me smile. When we were living together, I was the one who cooked. Before I learned how to prepare a meal, we used to live in take outs and pasta, the only dish she knew how to make.

Funnily enough, I got to master making different types of pasta because it had become my favourite food when I should have been sick of it for eating it almost every time Louise couldn’t think of anything else to eat. It was our to go food and though it wasn’t her favourite, she really didn’t have much choice as it was the only meal easy enough to make not to mention that it was both cheap and healthy with the right ingredients.

Not that Louise didn’t take good care of me, but she just didn’t know how.

A single carefree young woman enjoying her mid-twenties made to take care of her older brother’s daughter when he and his wife were killed in a robbery couldn’t be faulted for her misgivings, especially when she tried so hard.

She gave up a lot for me and no, it wasn’t just her lifestyle.

It broke my heart as much as when I learned how my parents died when Louise’s boyfriend ended their relationship because she chose me over him. What a douche, really, for asking her to choose between him and a family, a four-year-old orphan at that. Still, it made me feel guilty when Louise told me that story.

I love her so much for everything she had done, and I only wanted her to have the best things in life. I wanted her to be happy and my wish came true last year when she met Ben. Only five months in their relationship and they got engaged.

Speaking of the devil, Louise’s camera panned to my future uncle as he snatched it away from her, greeting me with his booming laugh.

“Meaning she hadn’t eaten a single decent meal since this morning when you left, good thing I came by tonight. How you doin’ there, kiddo? Everything good?”

Ben was a good man and I’m relieved Louise have him now that I’m gone.

“Hey, Ben. I’m actually still full from the food they served on the plane, but I do plan on buying some groceries later. I saw a nearby supermarket that I might check out but maybe I’d just order in for today. Or buy takeout”

“Good, good. Make sure you eat. Don’t starve yourself, okay?”

It’s my turn to chuckle. “When did I ever?”

“I told you you’re too skinny, right Benny?” Louise grabbed her phone back and I saw her again with a crease marring her forehead.

I don’t think I’m like that at all. In fact, I didn’t notice anything different about my body. To me, I still looked the same. And it didn’t bother me whether I lose or gain weight. I know I’m eating healthy.

“She does not. It was just her body type.”

“Thank you,” I said to Ben as he came to my defense. He gave me a wink and I giggled as Louise smacked his arm.

“What? She looked okay to me.”

Ben’s huge accusing eyes were too funny I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You guys, I better go now. I have to unpack and I’m running on data but I’m gonna find a way to get wi-fi,” I told them. “Perhaps one of my neighbors would like to share, I’ll pay up monthly, but if not, I guess I’ll have to get on set up for myself.”

“Wouldn’t that be too expensive?” Louise questioned.

I shrugged and only then did I notice that I was still wearing my backpack. I carefully laid it on the wooden floor. “If I don’t have any choice. We’ll see. I mean I haven’t checked out the plan for my service provider. Maybe there’s something cheap there for me.”

“Alright, it is getting late here, and you do need to rest from your flight.” Ben yawned as Louise told this to me.

I nodded my head and smiled at them. “I miss you guys.”

Louise looked like she was about to cry which is not good because, like her, I have shallow tears. “Oh, honey, we miss you, too.”

Before I make her cry more by crying myself, I swallowed the lump in my throat and waved at them, trying my best not to sniff before I hung up.

“I’ll call you again tomorrow. Love you.”

“Love you, too, Cassie.”

The sadness of being alone was starting to creep up, the excitement was getting replaced and I couldn’t just shut it off. It was what she called me that had triggered it.

Louise rarely called me Cassie when I turned adult. Sometimes it would slip up but it was so rare that I had forgotten the last time she did. It would always evoke a feeling within me like I was a child again but instead of feeling afraid that I might get reprimanded as someone would when they were called by their full name, Louise calling me Cassie only sour fond memories of her taking care of me during my younger years.

I said goodbye to them before leaving all my things to be out away later on and choosing instead to lie on my bed with tears silently flowing down my face.