Walls of Fire

Chapter 4: Work from Home?

"Hello-?" his angry voice banged against our ears.

I pulled up my hands in the air and signalled him in a dramatic way in order to seize his attention.

"Tell him I am not here." I slowly whispered once I caught his blue eyes looking at my direction.

"Sorry, wrong place," my life saviour answered to the voice echoing from my phone.

"I am 100 percent sure about my wife's number so you better stop playing games with me kind sir. Please fil me up with the truth me before I lose my temper." Adam's threat sent down chills throughout my body, making my knees shake uncontrollably.

James switched on the speaker mode even though the call volume was at its maximum level.

Before I could proceed to think how to answer Adam's threat, Mr.Black came to my rescue once again.

"I am a policeman and am expected to be honest with pupils. We discovered this phone model 16789AA-00 from a dark deserted alley and right now, we have no clue about the owner. However we would try our best to get hold of the owner and would gain in touch with you soon."

Smart reply!

James hung up the call and looked at me with a look of disgust.

"Is the guy a maniac?"

"He might be but certainly, he is not now. Adam has perceived the light of truth to you."

"That means you are married to him?" James furrowed his eyebrows and narrowed his eyes at me.

I inclined my head sideways in agreement.

"You look quite young for your age and to be honest, I ne'er had this thinking, I swear." I scanned his face for a minute after which I was able to announce that his expression cane out as a bombshell.

I made a weird face and replied him nervously, "Duh! I am 23 man, not a teenager."

I gulped down when he remained silent.

"I am-"

My words were left unfinished as he interrupted my saying.

"That means, YOU DID RUN AWAY FROM YOUR HOUSE?"

"Cool down. I reported to Adam that I am leaving and wished for a divorce."

"Am so sorry." The reply soon came by with an expression of sympathy for me.

I shrugged and continued, "It has been one year since we tied our nods and last night was our very first anniversary. He confirmed at 9 o' clock that he would be unable to make it home because of some urgent emergencies. I was curious, it sounded crazy to hear this repetitive excuse over and over again for the past three months. So, I drove to his office. I knew something was out of order and as I had expected, I discovered him cheating on me with my bestfriend. With my blury vision, I rushed out from his office and went back home. Next day, we broke into a fight and I am here now."

"I don't know what to say. It must have been really rough day for you."

"To add insult to injury, he was my first love." I shut my eyes.

"I loved him like crazy." My eyes began to fill up teardrops as my mind threw scatters of flashback infront of my eyes.

"Getting betrayed by your bestfriend is worst than having a divorce." He uttered slowly.

Gently, I unfolded my moistened eyelashes to face him.

"Yes, it is because I trusted her the most. She was my family and my ONLY support when my mom died. She helped me to get out of the pit but then she decided to backstab me." By the time, I had finished talking tears were streaming down my eyes like a waterfall.

He rushed to my help and took me in his arms.

"Amy you deserve so much better than those bitches." He mumbled while stroking my hair.

I sensed a wet patch has formed below my face and it was then I realised his polo shirt was soaking wet from my pool of tears. I pulled back immediately and apologised.

"Anything to make you feel better." James kneeled down on the floor close to my legs flashing me a huge smile.

"Now don't cry, tears don't suit your beautiful face." He grinned and kissed my knuckes.

"James stop giving me fake compliments. I am exhausted of men falsifying things." I averted my gaze

"I said the truth. You have got the most beautiful pair of eyes Amy."

I smiled, "That's a sweet compliment. Men, in general, are more drawn towards boobs and butt and those are the body parts they enjoy staring at them at their first glance."

"Amy, we men, are kinda the same. It is because we don't have boobs or round fine butt on our muscular frame. We have no curves, unlike women. That might be the theory why men enjoy staring and sometimes turn into creeps for groping the body parts."

"Do you enjoy groping a woman in a crowded place?" I gulped.

"Hell no!!! I don't and have never commited such a creepy deed. I believe consent is important as I have mentioned earlier."

I nodded my head sideways showing my agreement to his words and he, on the other side, wiped away the tears from my face.

"I am here for you. You are not alone." His words touched my soul for a moment but then a horrible thought striked mind.

"You are gonna be in trouble too if he finds out. He is not gonna give up on me so easily."

"Trouble is my second name and you acted out wisely by standing for yourself." As he smiled, I noticed the formation of a light sprinkling of freckles on his nose.

"I know it wasn't an easy decision."

"No, It wasn't. I am financially dependent on him but I couldn't tolerate his shitty lies anymore."

"I am proud of you Amy." A big smile spreaded across my gloomy face on hearing those words.

"You might think I am a stranger but believe me, I won't cause any harm to you." He assured me again with a smile.

"Thanks for everything, James."

"You can stay here." James said heartily.

"Are you serious?"

"Do you think I am mocking?" His voice was harsh this time as he responded to my question. His eyes were dark and he wasn't smiling anymore.

I was clueless when the sudden offer was thrown at me.

"If you decide to stay here, one day I will sneak at your room and kidnap you."

His story was greeted with derision and a loud ring of laughter.

"I am not kidding." He admonished me with a sense of cruelty in his voice.

"What will you do after k********g me?" I managed to form the correct words and continued to laugh till I was in a state of being breathless.

"Claim you. Is that a problem?" His eyes twinkled brightly as he angered my question.

I felt a soft panic or mini heart attack that could grow or fade depending on what he decided to say next. Claim me?

As in the sense, screw me till I would go nuts!!!

My vivid and wild mind was busy processing the meaning behind the words, and occassionally drawing dirty images in my blank mind.

The silence in the air was adding to the effect. My wild imagination was taking a dark turn gradually, making it impossible for me to let the sinful thoughts fade.

"I am messing around. I wanted to make you laugh in order to ease down the tension but seems like my effort went in vain." He began laughing.

I caught my breathe really slow, letting the thoughts leak into the ether and be the real boss of me.

"As a matter of fact, it is pretty much boring to live in the house all alone and I would highly appreciate if some beautiful lady takes the pain of welcoming home this tired man from clinic."

"What about your neighbours or friends?"

"They don't own my life. I make my choices. For your information, there isn't many people living in this apartment." He simpered, looking pleased with himself.

I had no place to go and I hardly knew any soul here. I was forced to accept this offer, taking into consideration my present condition.

"I would love to stay here till the time I get myself a proper living."

"Sounds perfect." He nodded in agreement.

"What kind of job are you looking for?"

"I have no idea." My voice almost cracked as the words escaped my mouth.

"What course did you join after high school?"

"I couldn't after my mom's death." I looked down at the cup of coffee.

"I apologise for bringing the topic."

I flashed him a weak smile, drawing small circles in motion with my fingertip around the top surface of the metal cup.

"Do you consider yourself good enough to fit the position of a Receptionist?"

"Not my thing actually. I don't like sitting at a table all day long, taking the pain to fix documents, making appointments for pupils and most importantly, treating them with utmost politeness and a smile even when they behave like an ill-mannered jerk." I raised my head up. "Instead, can I look after your house your absence if you are okay with it? I caary out the various chores like washing dishes and clean the house."

"That's a plenty of work!!" He remarked, exhibiting a hint of disapproval.

I protested back, "I am okay with that. It's the least I can do to return the favour and I announce it beforehand, I will not charge or accept any payment."

My gaze was fixed on him and right about the moment he was about to speak, I interrupted him.

"You said you are a doctor? Tell me more."

It was a good way to change the topic. I never wanted to monopolies the entire conversation and had a deep keen to know my new roommate.

"Yes, I am a gyno." I was taken aback and quite shocked by his response. My eyes were almost popping out and I couldn't believe my ears.

"You might be wondering why did I choose this field?"

It was like he read my mind instantly. But I thought it would be inappropriate to speak out the truth. I didn't want to hurt his feelings or insult the profession he was passionate about.

"Nah, it is not that." I lied.

"Let's be honest for this to work." He crooked his eyebrows and his charming smile had vanished away.

" I don't like speaking lies unnecessarily."

I preferred to stay quiet once I was charged guilty.

"The reason for the flabbergasted face isn't a mystery to me. I'm a man and am proud of the field I have chosen. However, in recent years, with women now entering medical training at approximately the same rate as men, the field has certainly become female-dominated."

"Yes, you hardly get to hear male gynecologists around." I commented my opinion.

"As being a doctor myself, I know this fact that women generally prefer a female doctor over a male one because of certain insecurities."

"James, this reminds me of my first experience of visiting a gynecologist."

"It might have been scary, right?"

"Yes though it was a lady."

"Most people, after recovering from that initial moment of surprise, tell me how great and refreshing it is to see a man passionate about women's health." He was sharing details of his regular experience and I following him with a great interest. Usually, the type of conversation which is out of my knowledge doesn't interest me but this time, it was all different. I was lost.

He is a gentleman indeed!

"Did you hear people saying 'it is smart choice' that allows you "to look at v*****s all day?" I questioned him out of my curiosity.

"That's when my head explodes. The implication that as a man I would get some kind of s****l satisfaction from providing gynecological care to women is disturbing and offensive for so many reasons. We even have woman urologists. I believe those critics are from the jobless people with full heads."

"I don't know about others but I am very professional when it comes to my work. I like helping women."

I was pleased with his answer and said with a beam of joy, "I am sure you are an amazing doctor."

He blushed instantly on the remark made and I couldn't resist my urge of captioning this moment with the title 'Cuteness Overloaded'.

"Tell me something about yourself Amy."

I chirped, "I am a 23 years old married woman who is trying to escape from her husband."

It made him laugh hard. "Amy Scott, huh?"

"How do you know my surname?"

"It was written on your suitcase. Besides, Adam has provided a good intro over the phone call." He chuckled.

"What is you real surname?"

"Johnson- I am Amy Johnson."

"So Miss.Johnson, do you like your coffee cold?" He said playfully.

"Oh Yeah!!I totally forgot." I instantly gulped down the coffee.

'How did it taste?"

"ummm..." I licked my upper lip before answering, "Good." I giggled like a school girl trying to cover up her mistakes.

A few moments back, I was howling in agony and now I am trying to control my laughter. I was incapable of thinking that this man would have the power to enlighten my mood in no time.

"So from when do you want start working?"

His words broke my reverie.

I answered, "Tomorrow sounds like my lucky day so why not start quick."

"I can cook today." He stated with his gracious smile.

"It may sound stereotypical but guys aren't much into cooking."

He guffawed at the remark. "No, I am different and you might need to dig in harder to get to know me inside out." He winked at making me blush once again.

TO BE CONTINUED....