A Day of Ruin

Chapter 14

Harlow

EventuallyIleftmy room. For the one good thing that could never be replaced.

Coffee.

The hot latte went down like a treat as I begrudgingly handed over a note to the coffee cart man. It was worth it though.

There was a cool breeze today and I could feel my cheeks flushed from the cold air as my hair whipped around my face. Most of the morning commuters were already at work so thankfully the streets weren’t overly busy. I took my time walking back, deciding instead to go for a little stroll down the block. I had felt so cooped up in the apartment and being so close to Dex constantly was shaking me to the core.

I hated him.

I was so mad at myself, mad at believing that for a second maybe shit would be different. That it could be different.

How could I have been so stupid?

But who was I kidding? It would never happen for me. My life was over. All I could do was just go day to day, waiting for the inevitable.

As I passed a newspaper stand, a familiar building on the front page caught my attention. I stopped walking, my eyes squinting to read the print.

THE FALLS EMPIRE HAS FALLEN.

Next to the photo of my dad’s company building, staring back at me was a picture of him. Larry Falls – my goddamn hero.

Seeing his face was a stab in the heart. I wasn’t equipped to handle this mess so early in the morning. Flashbacks of my dad pushing me on the swing, talking about walking me down the aisle one day to my husband, watching me get my high school diploma... all of it flashed before my eyes.

The pale, red-haired vendor watched me in front of the stand, her mouth obnoxiously open as she chewed pink bubble-gum.

“Here,” she muttered, popping her gum as she handed me a newspaper. “This one is on the house. You’ve sold me a lot of copies today.”

I hesitantly reached for it, the print becoming clearer as it got closer.

Larry Falls’ corporate empire has come to the end with the sale of his majority shares on Monday. The representative from King & Hall Bankrupt Trustees reported that the majority share-holds which are reportedly worth millions were sold to an anonymous buyer. The new board member is reportedly known to the existing board members. A representative from Falls & Partners said the board was pleased with the sale and that Mr Falls’ legacy would remain on. Following this it is expected that the board will appoint a new CEO in the oncoming days with talk of a rebranding in the near future.

The sound of popping gum broke my thoughts as I quickly folded the paper and shoved it under my arm.

It was over. Well and truly over.

I had tried everything to save dad’s stuff and it wasn’t enough.

I squeezed my coffee cup, my hand shaking as I tried to control myself from losing my shit in the middle of the sidewalk. A stray tear escaped my eye and I quickly turned around so the vendor couldn’t see.

Splat.

My gaze turned to horror as I watched my beloved coffee explode all over a shirt before falling like a water fall onto the pavement. I stumbled back out of the line of coffee, before gasping as I realized some poor soul was now wearing my caramel latte. I looked up and gasped again as I found Bryson staring back at me, an equally shocked look at his face.

“Bryson!” I stuttered, my eyes looking at his once white shirt under his dark navy blue suit jacket.

He reached into his back pocket, pulling out a handkerchief and attempting to clean his stained shirt. “Harlow, are you okay?”

I stared at him in disbelief. “Am I okay?” I repeated, looking at him like he had grown two heads. “You just had hot coffee spilled on you. Are you okay?”

Bryson paused his wiping efforts as he looked at me with wide eyes. “I’m fine. I’ll buy you another coffee. It’s my fault – I was looking at my phone trying to read an email and didn’t see you.”

“It’s fine, really.” I looked around, realizing that the newspaper from under my arm was now on the ground. I leaned down to scoop it up at the same time Bryson did. His warm hand bumped me and I instinctively pulled away, allowing him the opportunity to grab the paper.

His eyes scanned the page, slightly widening as he realized what he was seeing. He looked at me, a sympathetic pitying look filling his brown eyes.

“I’m sorry, Harlow. I know how tough this must be for you,” he murmured as he handed me the paper, his deep voice dropping so by–passers couldn’t hear. His tone was surprisingly soothing and I forced a shrug.

“I knew it was coming. I tried my best but it is what it is.”

Bryson frowned and I watched as his eyebrows pulled together as he pondered my words. “Let’s grab a coffee and get you out of the cold. Your face is pink. You don’t want to get sick.”

He turned and walked towards the coffee cart, and I stumbled after him, confused and dazed by everything happening.

“You don’t need to get me one, it’s fine.”

I was met with silence as he gave his order, including my coffee order perfectly and handed over some cash. I stood awkwardly, watching as curious gazes found my own. The more I looked, the more I realized I was the hot centre of attention. More than usual. Everywhere I looked, it was like I could see a copy of the newspaper or photos of my dad on people’s phones as they scanned social media and news websites.

“Harlow...”

My name dragged me out of my thoughts as I looked at Bryson with a dazed look. I realized he had already tried talking to me, my coffee in his outstretched hand.

“Oh, thanks,” I said quickly, taking the hot foam cup.

Bryson nodded behind me. “This is your building, right? Do you mind if I use your bathroom to clean up?”

I glanced back at the building, nodding. “Yeah, of course...”

We walked in silence into the building, letting out a sigh of relief once the warm flow of air hit us. I really didn’t like cold weather at all.

The silence followed us into the elevator, and down the corridor until we reached my apartment door.

What are you doing? I asked myself, biting my tongue as I slipped my key into the lock. This was madness.

But gosh, seeing Bryson was like a bloody beacon right now. An anchor to my old life.

“Here,” I said, holding the door open, “come in. I’ll show you the bathroom.”

Bryson stepped in, allowing me to close the door behind us. “I can’t believe I haven’t been here before,” he exclaimed, looking around the living room. “I mean, besides meeting you out the front for the city dinner...” he trailed off awkwardly, realizing his words as I swallowed hard. The bitter taste of regret sat on my tongue as I slipped my jacket off.

“It’s nothing special. I’ll be moving soon anyways.”

“Oh?”

Bryson’s tanned fingers flicked open the jacket button, as he slipped it off. The top button of his white business shirt was undone, and I could just make out the faint outlines of soft hair on his chest. My mouth dried up as I ripped my gaze away, cursing myself and yelling internally to focus.

“Yeah,” I answered, putting my keys in the dish next to the door. I noticed Dex’s keys were missing so he must be out. Probably a good thing since we still weren’t speaking and frankly, I didn’t want to see his bloody face right now.

“Why?” Bryson pushed, and I ignored him leading the way towards the bathroom.