Allude

CHAPTER ONE

ALLUDE—saying all but what you actually want to say

After spending my whole life clustered up in my grandma's old house, where the smell of cats and vintage perfume stains the air, I find myself seeking higher things in life. Growing without a mother's care or a father's guidance didn't hinder me from becoming the person I am today. Nanna did inspire me to chase my dreams before they chase me. Packing up the last of my stuff I watch Nanna carry one of my boxes to the front porch. At the age of sixty-one, she still looks young and strong as ever. I'm going to miss her complaining about me not feeding the cats or not taking out the trash. It took me four years studying  Architecture and I'm proud that I've actually got the job I kept dreaming about. I was  tired of being a handyman.

They say enjoy life  while you're still young but I don't see the point of enjoying the best life if you're broke. Spending all my time studying, doing internships, and being a handyman, I didn't put aside any spare time for partying or relationships. Working and making money is the only relationship I'm interested in.

Florida will be turning tables for me, they actually took me on to sketch a new hotel. They needed me so bad that they provided me with somewhere to stay free of cost.

Shoving my three suitcases through the door of my new apartment. My eyes first caught the view that overlooks  the city, distant palm trees stood tall as if they sprouted up from the sea, calm waters of cool shades of  blue sits still under the part cloudy skies. The white and balck modernise home decor with a small artificial plant to the corner is to my liking, this apartment seem too big for one person but I've always wanted my own space so this is a win. Settling was easy, I got all my stuff packed out in the right places and all I have to do now is wake up for my big day tomorrow.

When you dedicate all your hardwork and time  into achieving your objectives, you end up losing people around you. I was too insensitive and my lack of time for friends obviously left me friendless. I'm a lonely guy who thinks working all the time can bring me happiness.

Where do you draw the line?

Seated in my best suit, I watch two grown men who are suppose to be my bosses argue like two four- year-old  kids. 

Mr. Jhonson on the right squeeze both his temples and fix his eyes on his co-owner Clark Myers  "He's too young Clark, kids these days sleep on the job and then  collect the big check when it's pay day to buy some new crap  that's advertising!"

"I can assure you that—" he points at me "What's your name again son?"

"Its Elijah Collins"

"I can assure you that Elijah will not disappoint us in any way" 

With his hand on his forehead Mr. Jhonson sighs "Fine I'll work with him but if he slips you slide"

"Danny please  show Mr. Collins here what we've come up with so far" 

Danny who looks in his late forties, in a trice dust dome donut toppings from his hands before handing me the drawing of the hotel he'd made, I have to sit for a while to exam his childish.

"This is to-ta-lly  garbage, I can't even see the work its covered in donut toppings" Casting my eyes up at the three shocked gentlemen "This is suppose to be the hotel your going to build?"  

"Yes" Mr. Myers answers proudly "Isn't it obvious?"

"No it's not, this looks like the public school I use to attend and believe me the classrooms were very small"  Examining the paper again I just couldn't hold anything back "Is this the work of child?....a hotel is suppose to attract people what the hell is this going to attract?"

"Quit criticizing can you do better?" Danny asks 

"That's the reason am here, let me show you the sketch I've come up with last night and this is just a draft"

Rolling the paper out on the table for them to see I couldn't help but give Danny a pat on the back "If you're going to make a hotel you have to think outside the box because they are tons of hotels in Florida, you have to think what my hotel has that theirs don't have—"

"It can't be lower prices because people will spend a lot of money to go to a five star hotel because its unique and have better service. This hotel I've sketch up as you can see it has the shape of a guitar"

"So everything  will be made entirely of  g-glass" Mr. Jhonson points out

"Yes but not any glass, it's a hotel people will come to do what their hearts desire and I know your thinking with glass they will see right through but it all depends on the type of glass"

"That will surely burn a hole in my pockets!" Mr. Myers feuds 

"Oh shut up Clark that daughter of yours surely burn more than a whole in it—" He goes on to say  "I like your idea so far Elijah I wouldn't mind if we continue this tomorrow, I want you to get this drawing to perfection so I can build this hotel before I die" 

Danny roll up his  piece of drawing and clutch it under his arms, his uneven feather-like bangs slightly touch his forehead  as his tiny eyes stare right into mine "I'll see you around at lunch time, we can talk about your idea"

The smell of strong feminine perfume of  rose and peach came through the front door "Dad did you tell Uncle Clark about my party this friday" 

Straight down her  slender  shoulders, her honey blonde hair flows. Delicate thin bottom lip with a distinctive cupids bow were excuted perfectly by pink and baige undertones, that drew out her dark blue eyes. Eyes of such shade evokes such strong s****l image, she took glances at me as if my existence spark some interest.

"And you are the new guy"

"Elijah Collins" introducing myself  with my best smile she came closer.

"I'm Waverly Jhonson—" she shook my hand "You must come to my party this Friday

Smirking nicely I looked her dead in the eyes "I don't do parties"

"Oh, that's unfortunate I would love if you could be there"  Her eyes examine mostly my facial features and then a quick glimpse of  my lips.

How lonesome can a person be?.

Taking a sluggish glance around the spacious living room, I marveled what would it be like if I had a friend to come over. Focusing my eyes down at the half cup of coffee that's cold and still as my emotions, the past came trudging from the nothingness inside. Remembering all the people I've kicked aside and all the dreams I crushed to make mine shine, sparks anger within me. The crashing sound of the coffee cup against the wall made me realize how they must have felt when I chose studying rather than to help them when they really needed it.

I won't lie nor will I deny the fact that I'm a narcissistic son of two nonexistent people, picking up the broken pieces from the floor  is indeed a perfect example of myself.

At the age of twenty-five I can picture myself sitting around a old work desk filled with scattered pencils and designs I never got to sell, no wife, no children just a dog I'll name Cash. After wiping up the spilled coffee I then made it to my room and dived under the covers hoping I'll wake up with a reason other than work to carry on.

--

Jane and Luke were close friends of mine, Jane wanted to be a writer while Luke trained extra hard to get a football scholarship, we all had the big dreams. I hate myself for refusing to read her work because I was busy landing interns and getting straight A+ that I forgot the people around me. I've never made it to one of Luke's big games nor did I motivate him to push pass his limits.

"Hold the elevator!" I watch her run towards the doors but I find it so difficult to take my hand out my pockets and do what she asked, her flared up face was the last thing I saw before the door closes.

"Collins, you're early" I hate it when people acknowledge me by my last name since it can be use as a first name too, Danny hands me a coffee "I wasn't expecting you so early"

"I don't expect you to expect anything from me and I'm here to work not to argue over donuts"

He roll his tiny mature downturned eyes at me and sip his coffee "I'll be watching you Collins"

"Danny have you seen my father?" Waverly walks in the room wearing a white all in one pants suit which is showing a good amount of cleavage. Her presence hits the tension through the window as she stare at us both, waiting for an answer.

"He had to fly out early this morning to a meeting"

"Oh" she stares at me intensely "Have you changed your mind about coming to my party?"

"No"

"Why not?, I really want you to come" I don't know why she's insisting I already told her I don't do parties.

"I'll think about it"

Taking a sigh of relief she took up her leather peach purse "I hope you do, Danny please inform me about my father's location"

Waverly is just another spoiled child that will lay in bed with a man if he has the looks, I can tell by her personality that she is a drama queen that like things done her way and will stop at nothing to get it done her way.

...

I stare down at my phone in confusion trying to find a good place where I can get some food to eat, asking strangers questions is something I hate to do.

"Hi do you know where I can find a good place to eat?"

She looks over her shoulder and ignore my whole existence, her jet black dreads hanged loose along her back as the top section form something like a dough....dumpling.... bun. f**k I don't know but it looks sorta nice.

Insisting to get an answer because I'm starving to death I approach her again "I'm talking to you"

"Did you hold the elevator when I asked you to?"

"No" answering her question bluntly without hesitation she shook her head and walk off down the street, I didn't even realise that she was the person from earlier. I'm not gonna chase her to get a damn location for a place she's not the only one walking the streets.

After a hour of walking around in circles I gave up, I was stupid to follow directions from a hobo, sitting down on a bench across from the mall my stomach roars for the third time in a row. At this point I'm desperate to get something in my stomach, not too far from me is a boy in his teens dropping some bites in a burrito.

"Hey where did you buy that?"

He swallows hard "Right over there by the food truck"

"U-um....thanks"

Collecting my order with so much eager I didn't even care about my change, I just want to sit and eat. Releasing two belches and a sigh of satisfaction I retrieve my phone to check the time since I don't own a watch, it's amazing how slow the day moves when your hungry. Strolling pass a couple of shops my eyes caught a glimpse on a dark burgundy blazer. It's rich wine-inspirerd  shade would look amazing against my skin, and somehow my mind  flash images of me wearing this to Waverly's party.

Should I take the risk?

Maybe I'll meet some new people or make friends.

An elderly woman whose selling some small crafts smiles at me "It will look good on you my child"

Granny always knows what looks good on me, so maybe this lady is right "Thank you so much"

She hands me a keyring with the word Allude carved into it "No worries"

With the shopping bag grip tightly under my arm quickly slip my apartment key on to the keyring. I did make up my mind about going to Waverly's party,who knows, maybe this will make a change in my life.

Have you ever been in a situation as this, I've been embarrassed before but this is beyond everything I've been through. Standing from a shadowed corner of the huge room, I watch as people dry hump to the latest music all dressed in ripped jeans and cool tshirts yet I'm fully dressed in a f*****g suit. I want to get sucked in by the walls and spit out by the ceiling. Waverly didn't inform me that the party won't be formal, I honestly thought a girl from her class would be dancing to slow music and be sipping expensive wine. Showing up here is the biggest mistake I ever made, I just hope no one sees me.  Successfully slipping out the back of the building without being seen, I find myself  leaning on the wall for support as I drown myself in my own embarrassment.

How could I be so stupid?

I had my fair share of  being socially awkward  but this particular situation stand out than the others. Feather like drops of rain slowly got my hair damped, it doesn't matter if  I'm  about to get soaked  right now I just want to get the f**k out of this place. Standing under a lamppost as the light flickers every few seconds,  I wait patiently for the uber  I called to arrive. Scrolling  through a couple Missed calls from Nan my fingers glides  smoothly  over the damp screen, hitting redial I wait for her to pick up.

"Hey Nana I just got your miss calls"

"Hi how are doing, did you settle in good?"

"Yes I did" opening the door of the backseat of the uber I got in the car. "How are you doing?"

"I'm quite fine, Tumper misses you"

Releasing a sigh which came from deep down,the second she mentioned Tumper the cat and his lazy self because I use to wish I was that stress free little fur ball.

The car slows down at the red light, my eyes got glued to the wipers, watching them move from side to side, reducing the blurriness from the windshield, times like these a  man my age would just walk right into a bar,  get drunk and have a one night stand with a lucky girl.

"Are you hearing me 'Lijah?"

"Yes I miss that furball too, I'll call  you back

when I'm home"

Arriving at my safe haven with the need for some rest I quickly took a shower and then find myself catching up on some anime. The rain came down harder, soothing  my current mood. A light tap on my front door  scent  me over board. Turning the door handle downwards I slowly  creak the door open.

A coat of  full camouflage green and big black buttons greet me, her  black woman boot heels end somewhere higher than the knees, coursing down her shoulders with big curls her blonde hair seem damped from the rain. Lips coated with  the colour of  seduction as her eyes glisten with sparks of pleasure.

"I didn't see you at the party—"  she steps pass me leaving the smell of cherry blossoms for my nose to wonder "So I thought Its best if  I stop by"

Relieved  that she didn't saw me at the party I close the door  and  face her  "That's  very considerate  of you"

"I guess you  already know why I'm here so lets just end this litt chit chat—" she removes her coat slowly, langire stitched with black lacey fabric hugs her sexy frame perfectly "And get down into knowing each other more"

With lust washing over i drop myself on the couch and allow her to straddle me.

.....

Peering myself from under Waverly's naked body i took a shower and got dress, I wasn't planning to go to the store so early  but  what if  she wants something to eat, the only thing i have in my cupboards are instant noodles. I took one last look at her sleeping peacefully, the s*x last night wasn't good but it wasn't bad either, even though I had her screaming and body quivering  I still wasn't giving it my all.

Dropping some bacon on the other stuff  I have in the basket I examine some pancakes wondering which brand I should choose. I know nothing personally about Waverly so i don't know what she likes or dislike moreover I've never shopped for a woman other than my old lady and what she likes is only for old folks tongue. 

Standing in front the  shelf  full of  cereals  I corner eyed  the person continuously jumping to get a big box of Froot Loops, she obviously isn't that short so why isn't she making a real effort to get the damn box of cereal, she attempt to get it once more but fails. Placing her hand on her lower abdomen her face scrunch up in discomfort.

"Um......can you please get me-"

"The Froot Loops" I cut her off to say, her face turns fully towards me, her pervious dreadlocks are now replaced with tiny kink curls reaching her shoulders.

Realizing that I was the guy in the elevator she dropped all hopes of me doing her a favour "Never mind"

"No its okay I'll take it down for you"  One good deed can't harm me but the one bad one I did backfired.

Her naturally full wide lips along with her dark brown eyes hesitated before she whispers  "Thank you" 

Sighing with boredom I gave her a dry welcome before grabbing the last of what I need, the last time I ran into her she didn't look so timid and frail. She made it to the cashier and its typical for any human to spy on what another person is buying its just apart of what makes us human beings. After putting out a whole lot of junk food on the contour she cash some Advil and a pack of pads. Slapping myself for not thinking of that in the first place when she asked me to get the cereal.

Flipping the last three pancakes I got confuse weather she would rather orange juice or coffee. f*****g someone you know nothing about is this stressing?.

"Wow you made me breakfast" her eyes lit up as she walks to the table in only my tshirt

"Yeah I hope you like it"

And i also hope you'll hurry up and eat so you can go......i have to finish my work.

Starting on the pancakes first, she moans for every bite I'm wondering if she's faking it "Wow this taste really good-" she swallows  "I wasn't expecting you to be so good"

"I like to be unpredictable" Its funny how she enjoyed last night, I was just playing around with her, afteral we don't have a connection that would make me want to do a second round.

"Unpredictable indeed"

NOT EDITED