Failed Escape
1133 Words
“Where’s the puppy?”
A ring of smoke hovered above Melvin’s mouth for a while before it disappeared. Melvin put the cigarette in his mouth and took another puff.
“Don’t tell me you threw this one away too.”
“I don’t think now’s the best time to talk.”
Collen raised a perfectly plucked brow. There was nothing wrong with the situation, except perhaps the blonde with her face buried in Melvin’s crotch. Collen tended to overlook Melvin’s ‘adventures’ since he had seen so much, it might as well be normal.
“I’ll wait for her to finish then.”
The room became quiet, filled with slurping sounds. Collen looked away, preferring to stare at his phone. The slurping sounds stopped and Collen felt a glare coming from beside him.
“Bro, do you mind?”
“No, I really don’t. Carry on please, dearest lady.”
“She can’t since I’m already soft. You can leave.”
Collen felt that the glare he was given was one of the deadliest yet as the blonde left. Still, he shamelessly stood his ground as Melvin zipped his pants up and turned to talk to him.
“Sometimes, I swear I want to kill you.”
“Then try it. Try to kill me, Melvin.”
The previously awkward atmosphere turned dark quickly even though one of them was smiling. Melvin’s jaw clenched and unclenched before he finally gave a sigh of defeat.
“I was joking about killing you.”
“I know. You should really stop doing things like this outside. What if you get caught? If you end up on the tabloids again, your mother will kill me.”
“That’s why I’m doing it in your club.”
“I don’t want strange customers like you” Collen rolled his eyes.
“So, where’s the puppy?”
“I don’t know. I’m not a stalker.”
“She seems like a good person to settle with. I know a good person when I see one. Why don’t you hang out with her more often?”
“Please don’t preach to me right now, Collen. Do you see how much I babysat her when she came to the club?”
“Why would you bring someone to the club on the first date? Are you stupid?!”
“Well, we were supposed to hook up.”
“I don’t care! Take her on a date. When was the last time you properly dated someone? Stop sleeping around and settle with someone!”
“You should probably take your own advice.”
“We’re not talking about me here. I know a good seafood restaurant……”
“Drop it, Collen.”
“Oh? You know what? It’s been a while since I’ve contacted Mr. Jones. Perhaps now would be a good time to send him a few pictures……..”
“Don’t you dare…..!”
“I’ll get a reservation. Bring her any way you can.”
“......fine. But you owe me for tonight.”
“Stay celibate so you can enjoy your first time with her properly.”
“AAAAARRRRRGGGHHHH!”
That was how Melvin found himself outside the office building that housed S Magazine with a small rose in hand. He deliberated for a long time in his car before he decided his father’s wrath was not worth it and entered the building. According to the information he got, they were on the third floor so he headed there. It was easy to access and once he opened the door, he saw her right away in an open cubicle.
“Hello. Welcome to S Magazine. How may I help you today?”
Her eyes slowly widened as she saw him and she immediately rushed to him. Spouting some kind of excuse, she dragged him away from the entrance to a cafe inside the building without so much as an explanation. When she finally stopped, she took a deep sigh.
“Well, a good day to you too, Bella.”
“I am so sorry about that, Mr. Jones. I freaked out and……”
“I got this for you. I’m not sure you like roses neither do I know anything about you but if you give me a chance, then I’ll know a little.”
“Eh?”
“What I’m saying is......damn this is hard......I want to take you out today.”
“R-Right now?”
“I know you’re still working so not right now. When you’re ready, just text me. I’ll come pick you up. Maybe by 6 today?”
“Yeah. That’ll be great” she smiled brightly.
As Melvin walked out of the building, he directed a text to Collen.
{Today by 6. Send me the location}
His phone vibrated and a message came in from Collen. They were coordinates he immediately imputed on his map. Once he saw where it was, he immediately started chuckling. With a grin, he drove back to his office which surprisingly wasn’t that far away. Thoughts he hadn’t possessed for a long time started entering his head once more. The need to impress a woman, he actually had it.
6 pm came sooner than expected. Melvin waited by the building for her to come out. He exchanged numbers earlier and texted her that he was waiting for her. She came out a few moments later, flustered.
“So sorry to keep you waiting. I had a few.....setbacks.”
“It’s no worries. Do you need to change?”
“Change? These are the only clothes I have.”
“Oh.....this is my fault. This was short notice. Wait a minute.”
He flipped through his contacts before landing on a name. He dialed the number immediately.
“Thank you for calling Titania’s Luxury, how may I help you today?”
“Tell your boss it’s Melvin Jones on the call.”
“......please hold for a moment, Mr. Jones.”
There was a shuffling sound for the next ten minutes. During that time, they were both seated awkwardly inside the car. Bella played with the edges of her black dress, unable to look at his face. Melvin’s focus was more detailed, especially on her chest. The coffee stain he saw was recent. He didn’t see it on her when he was there earlier. He wondered if she was being bullied because of him. It wouldn’t be the first time.
“Melllvvvviiinnnnn” a high-pitched female voice pierced his eardrums.
“Loud as usual, Titania.”
“Well, you finally called me. What can I do for you?”
“I need a dress as soon as possible. Where can I get it?”
“I’m in the store by Heaven Avenue. Bring her in too.”
- Writer
