AIMEE
"I found a perfect candidate for you, Aimee." Aunt Malissa said.
Not this again. I wanted to roll my eyes.
"He's thirty. And he's a doctor. His mom is a very nice lady." She continued. It was the same conversation every time we met. Them complaining about my love life.
They acted like I was sixty and there was no hope for me to find a husband anymore.
"I'm not interested, I told you. Maybe in two years." I mumbled with a piece of steak in my mouth.
It was New Year's and we were having dinner.
"It's a perfect time. I married your uncle when I was nineteen." My other aunt Violet said.
Why did that matter now? It doesn't mean I have to get married young as well. I loved my aunts but sometimes I felt like cussing them out. Which is something I would never do, but I wanted.
They would always compare me to their children aka my cousins. So what if they had boyfriends and girlfriends? No need to put that in my face.
I tried dating, but it was not working for me. With my way of working, I didn't even have time to date.
"I'm just focusing on my job right now." Can someone please change the subject of this conversation?
"She's a very hard-working young lady. Leave her alone. You'll find your person one day, Aimee." My grandpa finally joined the conversation. And thankfully gave me encouragement and agreed with me.
He was my favorite person in the family. He was like my best friend, supporting all of my decisions.
"Thank you." I mouthed. He smiled and winked at me.
"Dad, stop encouraging her with everything. She's getting old." Violet said. "Malissa found a perfect candidate. You should maybe go on a date with him." She looked my way.
Oh, God. This conversation was not going to be end.
My grandma was peacefully eating her food. Not even bothering with the rest of us. She always lived in her own world and never got into anyone's business. I admired her for that.
My dad and mom on the other hand, always supported my aunts.
When I was twenty-two, I moved out of their house and thankfully I didn't have to hear their complaining all the time. Only at times like this. On holidays and regular visits.
When we finished our dinner, Mom and I brought the chocolate cake to the table. We cut a piece for everyone and started eating.
It was delicious. Grandma always knew how to make the best food.
I took the dishes to the kitchen and looked at the clock. It was 7 pm now and I wonder if Mr. Hyde was still working.
Without thinking, I picked up my phone and dialed his office number.
It rang for a few seconds before I heard his voice.
"Yes?" He sounded tired. Why was he still working? It was late.
"Umm, hello Mr. Hyde. It's Aimee." I cleared my throat. I hope my voice didn't sound shaky.
"I was just checking if everything's okay at the office." And also checking if you are okay, but of course, I wasn't going to say that out loud. Why did I even care, if he was okay anyway?
"Everything's fine." Huh, okay. What should I say now?
"Oh, okay. Don't stay there for too long, you'll miss the firework." I tried to joke.
Wow. Couldn't you say something more stupid Amiee? I facepalmed myself.
"I won't, don't worry."
"Mhmm." We both stayed silent. I could hear his soft breathing and I bet he could hear mine.
Why was he not hanging up? This was so awkward.
"I... I should go. Sorry for bothering you, sir. Happy New Year." I said after a moment. "Bye."
"Bye, Zaria." I hung up and threw the phone on the kitchen counter. What was I thinking? Calling him this late.
Zaria.
He was the only one calling me by my middle name.
At least everything was going okay, I though to myself.
"Who were you talking to, Aimee?" My grandpa spoke behind me.
"No one. It was just my boss. He's at the office. I just had to ask him something." I lied. Well, when I think about it, I didn't. I was asking him something.
"Your boss is at work? Now? On New Year?" He looked shocked. I mean everyone would be.
"Yes, he works on every holiday actually." More like every day.
"Oh, why don't you take some cake to him? I bet he would appreciate it." Umm, what? There was no way I was going there now. At this time.
"The office is fifteen minutes away, right? It's not that far away." Grandpa insisted.
"I don't think that's a good idea." It was definitely not.
I'm not going. If I go, I'll just embarrass myself.
-----
Here I was. In front of the building with a slice of chocolate cake in my hands.
My grandpa always gets his way.
Marcel, the security guy who was at least 6'6, stood at the entrance door. I greeted him and went inside.
My nerves were kicking and I felt nauseous. Even though I worked with him for three years, I still got anxious.
You get anxious about everything.
Knocking on the door, I tightened my hold on the plastic container.
There was no answer. Just as I was going to knock again, Mr. Hyde opened the door.
He had a surprised look in his eyes. His eyebrows were furrowed together. His hair was disheveled mess on his head.
"What are you doing here?" He finally spoke.
"I just brought you some cake." I showed him the plastic container in my hands. "My grandma made it. It's really delicious." I waited for his reaction. He was probably going to kick me out.
He started at me for a few seconds. His eyes went from my face to my hands.
He sighed. "Thank you, Zaria." A big smile formed on my face. The top of his shirt was unbuttoned. He had a black shirt today. Which was new, since he only wore white or light blue. He had dark circles around his eyes. He looked really tired.
"You have snow on your hair." Oh, I was staring at him.
I touched my hair, and an awkward laugh left my lips. And I just realized how my outfit looked. I was wearing a big grey hoodie that covered half of my body, black sweatpants, and uggs. My hair was in a messy bun.
I could not look any more hideous.
"I should probably go now." I stepped back. Making sure not to trip.
"Again, happy New Year's, sir." I waved at him. To my surprise, he waved back. A small wave. But it was enough. I didn't even expect it.
Why was I still standing here? I smiled like the stupid thing I was and turned around. I heard the door close behind me.
As I exited the building, I said goodbye to Marcel and went to my car.
Stupid. You're stupid that's what you are.
My subconscious said.
I started to feel cold and I realized I didn't even bring a jacket with me.
"That's what you get when you don't even think with your chicken-sized brain," I murmured to myself.
I started the car and left.
I'm so sad that the comments are not visible on each paragraph now that I'm editing the book.ð¥²