Overneath the Path of Misinterpretation (Alvis Alendran&Malicious Lullaby)

Mallory sighed softly. Somewhere, the part that refused to listen, knew that Esther was right. That Harrison was right. That it’d be good to talk to someone. If not a shrink, just someone. Sure, it didn’t actually happen but she was touched in places she didn’t want to be touched by just anyone, her dress was ruined and the entire psyche of it was discombobulated. But all she could do was just nod her head and look at him, maybe with some wishful thinking that there was more. But she didn’t. She had to start accepting it before it became true. It was just sex. Nothing more. Two people enjoying the carnal pleasures of being a man and woman. “Thank you.”

Glancing to Hrothgar, a smile broke out onto her face, a first since last night. He was like a big muscled teddy bear. She wanted to keep him.

Esther came out of her shower. She wanted to soak in it longer, let the hot water scald her skin even more but she feared that if she did, she’d lose herself in her thoughts and probably try to drown herself in it. Thankfully, her bathroom was adjoined to her bedroom. Within five minutes, her hair was towel dried, her body dried and she was putting on undergarments followed by a pair of yoga pants and a tank top. Walking out of her room and to the living area, she saw they had company. Harrison Trenton. “Hi Mr. Trenton. Maybe you can talk some sense into her.”

Walking over to where Hrothgar sat, she sat beside him and playfully tried to steal a breakfast burrito. What could she say? She had a soft spot for the giant.

"No problem." Harrison told her. He loked over as Esther slowly slid th bad of food towards her, and Hrothgar just as negligently slid it back to him. This went back and forth a few times. Harrison rolled his eyes, and went to the counter, and sat down. He looked at Esther as hrothgar slid the food bag back to him. For the eighth time. "I think I may have found out who's been looking for you." He said quietly. He didn't want to add to Mallory's day, so he'd try and keep her out of it. He glanced at Hrothgar who pointedly lifted the food bag, and winked at Esther as he moved to the couch, sitting near Mallory.

Hrothgar nodded to Mallory.
"Somethign you may consider? Several of the people in my comapny can teach you some ways to better defend yourself. It's actually a service we offer freely. If you like, I can make a call, and get you an appointment booked?" he offered, his voice rumbling at just enough volume to drown out any cahnce of harrison's words travelling to the couch.

"Claims he's an ex of yours. Chad. Also says his therapist recommended that he talk to you. Something about closure on what happened between teh two of you. I told him I'd tell you, and if you were willing, book a time and place for you to meet him. I don't know anything about what happened, but if you want to do this, and want to do it with a friendly face present, I'm willing to do that for you." He offered.

Esther wasn’t trying to steal his food. No, she just wanted to give him a hard time. So each time he slid the bag back to him, she slid it back to her. It went on and each time, she was trying not to giggle. But when Harrison walked over to her and answered the mysterious question, all need and want to giggle went away, even as Hrothgar slipped out of her radar. So much for going back and forth. She really liked that game while he was trying to eat. It amused her.

Mallory looked up as the teddy bear giant sat next to her and she listened, nodding her head slowly. Now that she might enjoy a lot more than talking to someone. Learning how to defend herself, how to beat the shit out of someone? Yeah, seemed a lot more up her alley. “I-If you’re offering, I won’t decline. I’d rather do that than talk.”

Everything inside of her went below zero and her eyes went wide. She stared at Harrison’s face as if he just said the one thing that terrified her the most. Actually, he did. Chad was exactly the reason that she shut down, refused to have any kind of a social life outside of going to bars when she could and was the reason why she hadn’t dated anyone or had sex with anyone in the past four or five years. And now he was back.

She swallowed something uncomfortable down and nodded her head. Maybe what she needed was closure. It’s probably why the universe wouldn’t let James bone her yesterday. Because between her and Chad, it was unfinished business. He tried to talk to her about it, explain things. Instead, she told him to—and these are exact words—‘Get the fuck out and go fucking die, choking on your own fucking dick!’ before she slammed her college dorm room door on him. That was the last time she dropped the f-bomb, until today, when she went to go shower. See, believe it or not, but Esther had a temper. Especially after years of bottling everything up just so she wouldn’t feel the way she did when she and Chad broke up? She was a ticking time bomb.

“I’d like to meet with him. Talk to him. Finally get this resolved.” She said simply, almost monotone. Chad was her first everything. Not that firsts really meant anything anymore but then it did. And considering the nature of their break up, it devastated her tremendously. “So…did you see him?” She asked randomly. “H-How did he seem?”

Hrothgar nodded.
"My family has long taught that good unleashed aggression can be very cathartic. Controlled violence is good for the mind and soul. I'll be happy to make sure that you can find a good teacher, even if I have to do it myself." He told her, not one ounce of him exaggerating or lying. WHile he might run the company, he believed in a very hands on approach. He would never let himself forget where he'd come from.

Harrison nodded, and took out his smart phone, making a few notes.
"All right. I think we should get this resolved quickly. He'll be calling me in about...five hours or so. There's an open-air cafe over on 4th, we could meet there. Would you mind terribly if we did this around two this afternoon" Harrison was in planning mode now, getting thigns lined up. He paused at her slightly stumbled question. "To be honest? He looks kind of a wreck. He's either terrified of meeting you again, or is strung out on drugs. Though if he's seeing a therapist, I'm inclined to think it might be the fear."

Mallory nodded. “I might even be more comfortable if I was taught personally by you. But that’s just me. I wouldn’t want to burden you or anything. After all, you’re already spending so much time on both Esther and me. I wouldn’t want to take up more of your time.” She hadn’t broken in the ice with Hrothgar the way Esther did so she couldn’t just be casual. Like trying to steal his food away. Still, she mean it. She’d much prefer if he taught her.

Esther nodded her head, a little spaced as if she was still processing everything but fully capable. “Yes, I can do two.” She nodded her head, her hands in her lap. She hadn’t realized she was hanging onto them really tightly, so tightly she could feel her fingernails digging into the flesh of her palm. Never a good sign. But she couldn’t feel it. Just the mention of Chad’s name brought everything back. Everything she either pushed away, repressed or forced herself to forget. However, the moment Harrison answered her question, she suddenly felt the pain in her hands, as if satisfied by his answer. That Chad had been a wreck. All Esther could say was, “Good. He deserves to be.”

Hrothgar smiled.
"You are not a burden Mallory. You are actually far less trouble than many of my clients have been in the past. So how would Saturday monrings sound to you for a starting point? We can test things out, and see if you like what I teach you, and if you do, we can add mroe sessions as you want them." Hrothgar suggested. He was a rare kind of bodyguard. Willing to teach others how to look after themselves. hrothgar was more than willing to put himself out of a job if it meant that no one needed to be protected, because they could all protect themselves.

Harrison hesitated a moment after her response. It was a lot...colder than he had expected. But there was clearly some old, poorly healed wounds involved here. It was just as good he'd offered to come along. It sounded as though Esther might kill the man if left alone with him.
"It's good of you to do this. From the sounds of it, everyone involved coudl use some closure." he said calmly. He wanted to know what it was all about. But then again, he didn't. Not his business.

Mallory managed another smile and she nodded her head. “Thank you Hrothgar.” She said softly. “I really appreciate. Saturday sounds great and we can go from there.” She nodded. Then she thought about it. “Wait, today is Saturday. Does it mean it starts now?” She looked as if her eyes might pop out of her head from how wide they went.

It was a lot colder than Esther had usually been but that’s just because everything came back as if it had been just yesterday when Chad told her everything. And thinking she’d take it well since he decided to tell her, she instead lost her mind a little bit. Not seriously, but it did severely damage her in the sense that she hadn’t dated or put herself out there in almost half a decade.

But at the same time, it was probably wise Harrison would be there, otherwise she’d be needing to have him defend her for murder. Still, Esther snorted. “Yeah if he’s lucky, that’s exactly what he’ll be getting.” Her hands finally unclenched from each other, both palms having deep nail cuts, a little bit of red, some even having produced a bit of blood. When she looked down at them, her eyes widened and she quickly placed her hands palms down on her legs. “Thank you Mr. Trenton.”

Hrothgar smiled, but shook his head.
"I was meaning the next Saturday." he drew a business card out, and handed it to her. "This is my personal number. If you like, call me during the week, and I can help get you established at one of the fitness centres that I frequent. Help get you ready to work with me." he told her.

Details were ironed out until Harrison got the call from Chad, and set up the appointment. There was a new tension in the air now, one that Harrison hadn't seen on Esther before, not even when she was at risk of losing her job. This personal thing was really weighing on her. As the hour rolled near, Harrison had Hrothgar escort Esther downstair while he tok care of one last thing. He approached Mallory.
"I wanted to talk to you before I left." He admitted. "Before I left the office, Lloyd brought me in to talk to me. One way or another, he found out. About what we've been up to."

Mallory smiled a bit of a sheepish grin and accepted the card. “You’ll hear from me.”
The time went by. In that time, Mallory had gotten a shower in and probably scrubbed for an hour just to get the dirt, grime and unholy feel of those men touching her from last night. When she was finished, her skin was red and felt tender but the minute she got into clothes, it didn’t seem to matter. She was in a simple pair of jeans, boot cut with a long sleeve shirt that was off shoulder on both sides. She wore a tank top underneath and brown boots on her feet. She decided to leave her hair alone, not bothering to blow dry it. Simply tying it up in a messy bun piled atop her head and let some wet tendrils frame her face. This was incredibly casual Mallory who was about to treat herself to maybe a long afternoon of shopping with money she didn’t have. That is until Harrison approached her while she was gathering things to leave.

What he said took the wind promptly right out of her. She had felt it coming. She lowered herself down onto a stool and looked up at him, pushing back everything. She was right not to cry in his arms last night. She was right not to seek any kind of comfort from him at all. It all made sense.
“That’s why you were so distant last night.” She said softly. “So…where does this leave us, Mr. Trenton?”

Harrison sighed, at least glad that she was responding to thigns reasonably. He noted the use of 'Mr. Trenton', and a part of him winced, it made sense.
"As it stands...full stop. Anything more..." He shook his head. "...Lloyd can't touch me. He knows that. But he can make things very difficult, or even impossible for you. This... I am not worth that for you." He told her firmly. It was only the truth. "You're not being fired, or dismissed, or even having this put on record. One of the other lawyers in the firm needs an experienced secretary to keep their affairs in order, and Lloyd has recommended you. It's a good position. Better benefit package than with me. If you find that you can't stay in the office, we've a number of other interests that we can transfer you to with good references." He sighed. It wasn't the easiest way of breaking up with someone, from whatever they'd had. But it was honest. "I hope..." He trailed off. He wasn't sure where to go from there. "...I'm glad for the time we had Mallory. I've no regrets. I only hope you have the same feeling." He nodded to her, and started to rech to touch her shoulder, but withdrew, thinking it might not be welcome. He took his leave, and went downstairs. he looked over at Esther as Hrothgar went back up.
"Ready to go?" He asked.

She knew he was trying to be as nice as possible and for that she was thankful. For the most part, Mallory remained pretty much devoid of any emotion, for she didn’t want him to feel bad or take pity on her because all of what he was saying basically crushed any of what she thought might have transpired from this. Taking a deep breath, she managed to calm herself, at least while he was still standing in her presence. She seemed to take a page out of Esther’s book and clapped her hands together tightly in her lap, nails digging in. They’d both have the same injury but perhaps it was just a human thing. Something to hold onto. It’s not like she was going to go die but considering she had a crush on this man since she started working for him—probably a sign of doom from the beginning—and she did have some high hopes, it hurt. Quite a bit. Even if he was being nice about it. No ‘dumping’ was ever easily done, especially as he said he hoped she felt the same, she really didn’t. But she didn’t say anything. All she could do was nod her head. If she spoke, she’d break down. Simple as that.

Seeing his hand reach up, she looked away, as if mentally willing him not to. It’d only sting. And when she heard the recede of his footsteps and the door shut, did she finally turn on the bar stool and bury her face into her hands, sore fro her nails trying to dig into her flesh. No blood, thankfully. But she did cry. After last night and then this, could it get any worse?

Esther kept pacing back and forth downstairs, outside. She kept looking at her phone, kept staring at the doors, nearly vented to Hrothgar as to why Harrison was taking forever. If he was going to make her wait this long for something she wanted to get over with but knew she also needed, she’d go on her own or go seek out the bastard and handle it herself. But she also knew that if she were to go unsupervised, she’d go to prison for life, most likely. Unless she plead insanity. Which might not be a far stretch from the truth.

She had changed into a pair of skinny jeans, again, but they were dark blue in color as opposed to the gray ones she wore yesterday. On her feet she wore flats and for her shirt she wore a red halter top that was rather form fitting, definitely gave her a boost on her cleavage—not that she needed it—with a black cropped jacket to go with it. Okay, maybe she definitely dressed herself up a bit to possibly rub it in Chad’s face but she was a woman. And this is what a woman did and if Mallory had taught her anything, it was a better sense of style and fashion and how to sell her assets. Her hair remained untied and pulled over one shoulder. Hearing Harrison, she turned to him and nodded. She was clearly on edge, tense and might have pushed herself into the early stages of cancer with how much stress she was feeling. Like a boa constrictor tightening around her slender frame.

Hrothgar nodded to Esther as Harrison emerged.
"Until next time Esther Martin. Dasvidaniya." He bowed his head as he said the last, before going back inside. He did want to make sure that the apartment was secure. After all, th threat was essentially over, but Hrothgar had agreed to a few day, and it looked as though Mallory could use some company. or she'd tell him to leave, and that would be that.

Harrison and Esther got into his car, and he started to drive. he lokoed at her, and saw that she was turning more and mroe into a tightly wound bundle of stress and either worry or rage. He reached out a hand, and gently touched her shoulder.
"Breathe Esther. Let go a little, or you'll be so stressed you'll pass out." He advised. This particualr kind of emotion? Something he was well used to. High profile cases and clients, and usually someone on the verge of losing their mind over the stress caused by the incident. He recalled on one case his client had been essentially drugged on a steady supply of valium just to keep them reasonably sane. Hopefully Esther wasn't going to be that bad. 4th wasn't far, and he pulled the car into teh space he'd had reserved for him. And from there the open air cafe was close by. he led the way to the table that was set up a little bit away from others, per his request. This place always abided by his rewuests. As well they should, since he owned the place. A waitress came by.
"Can I get you anything?" She asked.
"I'll take a green tea. And whatever she'd like as well, put it on the expense account Alice." Harrison replied.
"Of course sir." She took Esther's order, and left to fill it.

Mallory heard a door open and she sniffled. She quickly snatched a napkin and dabbed at her eyes to wipe away any evidence that she had been crying. She didn’t really need anyone to know. She still had a shopping date but at the same time, she didn’t even feel like shopping anymore, she just felt lousy. Was this payback for being how she had been all these years? For what she did? Swiveling off the bar stool, she turned towards the exit of the kitchen where she saw Hrothgar and she bit her lower lip hard. “Checking to make sure the apartment’s safe?” She asked, her voice a little bit, well not normal.

Esther got into his car and she buckled up. Her knees bounced absently and she stared out the windshield. She was in her own world until she felt a hand touch her shoulder and it caused her to jerk just the tiniest bit. When she looked, it was only Harrison. He was not a threat. He didn’t do what Chad did. She bit the inside of her cheek and nodded her head slowly. “I know.” She whispered a little bit. “It’s been a while. And the last time I saw him, it didn’t go well.” She figured she could spare him some of the details but just tell him the story but at the same time, she figured telling a high profile lawyer about her petty squabbles when she was a teenager in college would seem highly redundant. So in that case, she decided against saying anything. Besides, he might learn it all during this meeting.

They arrived a café and Esther hopped out of the car. Walking inside, they were taken to a very secluded table which was probably good and a safe thing depending on the nature in which this could easily turn. Sitting down, she took her jacket off and let it hang on the back of her chair. She wore the top well. It was a treat to herself a year ago after she made her major bank from teaching, her first paycheck from teaching. She had some money left over after bills and loans and well this seemed like a perfect thing to get. It was the first time she wore it and she was feeling pretty confident about it. She wasn’t trying to make Chad see what he had lost. No, she just wanting to feel extra confident. Plus, if her mom and a lot of the color guard moms taught her anything about being a girl, it was ‘girls’ night out!’ And while her girls were safely tucked in, a lot of cleavage showed. Show it off. There was no harm.

“I’ll have chamomile tea with extra honey please.” What she missed out on having at home, the ultimate drink to cool her tenseness. She was itching for it.
“Thank you again for this Mr. Trenton. You really didn’t need to.” But maybe he did. She knew Chad wouldn’t harm her. That’s not what she was worried about. She was worried about hurting him. Murdering him. Maybe dragging him by his thumbs through the streets then a public display of quartering him, boil his parts and feed them to the dogs before another public execution of his head only to stab it on a spike for all the world to see. Yeah, that seemed fitting.

Hrothgar took a look at Mallroy. He wasn't sure what exactly had been said to her, but it had clearly upset her. What could a man she'd barely met say to this situation? Well, the truth wuld be a good start.
"The apartment is safe. From what harrison has told me, any potential situation is resolved, or will be in an hour. So you need not fear anyone coming for you. I came to see that you were safe. That you might be...okay." He admitted, wanting to feel out another word, but not having the time. hrothgar was not a stupid man, but he often times had trouble finding the words that would best fit the situation.

Harrison smield as the drinks arrived. They were, admittedly, about five to ten minutes early, but he'd wanted to be here early, get Esther as settled as one could.
"Thanks Alice." He said to the waitress. She nodded.
"You need anything else, you flag me down, okay?"
"Of course." Alice left the table. Harrison idly stirred his tea a moment. Not the normal prepackaged drink, this was made from scratch, real tea leaves in it, steeped to perfection. It was a feature that one could get here if you were willing to pay extra. And since it was all onthe expense account, why not? Esther would have something similar in her glass. It might be a bit more potent than she was used to, but it would do the job.
"You are welcome. And you've had a terribly streeful time lately. The least I can do is try and make things a little easier on you." He explained to Esther, though there was actual concern in his voice.

Mallory crossed her arms over her chest and she nodded her head. “I’m great.” She swallowed down the lump in her throat and forced a smile on her face. “I was just about to go do some shopping. Shopping always makes me feel better.” She might go for a little bit, at least go get the pair of shoes she’d been dying for and they were finally on sale. She already had them on hold for her because she had been stalking them the way a proper shoe lover would. She should at least get them. “Thanks for everything. And I’ll be sure to see you next Saturday morning, bright and early.” She quickly walked passed him and went to her room to gather her purse and keys before heading to the front door, practically dashing out and going her marry little way. Except not so merry.

Her hands were in her lap, between her legs like one might do as if to bring them warmth. Except her hands were not cold. And her knees still kept bouncing. Only once the tea was placed right in front of her, the scent of sweet chamomile tea wafting up her nose, did she seem to relax instantly. Her shoulders relaxed from their seemingly permanent shrug and her hands came around the cup, fingers hooking around the handle while the other placed around the rim, lifting it up. She looked to Harrison and blew over the tea. “At least work gets done when I’m all stressed out and probably going out of my mind.” She said softly with a small smile, her attempt at a joke. She took a sip of the chamomile tea and her eyes closed. It tasted like golden honey and the way it trickled down her throat, in her system, she felt the warming effect. Esther took another sip. Chamomile tea. It always did the trick.

Hrothgar had the thought of maybe asking to go with her, keep her company, but something about the way she was holding herself, the way she spoke, made it seem like she would very much like him to please go away right now. And she did have his card.
"You are welcome. If you need anything, you have my number. Don't hesitate to call." he told her, before taking his leave. he got downstairs, and then came o an annoyed realization. he had been on a job, which meant he didn't carry cash with him. And Harrison ahd given him a ride. He put his face in a hand. Looks like he was walking back to the office. At least it was a good day for it. He got himself into motion.

Harrison was about to respond, when he caught sight of the ever nervous Chad had entered the cafe. He spoke to Alice, who pointed him in the right direction. He caught sight of Harrison, and hesitated. He caught sight of Esther, and his eyes widened a little. Harrison hardly blamed him. Esther did cut quite a figure in her current outfit. Chad made his approach. He stumbled over a few words before harrison cleared his throat.
"Boy?" He said firmly.
"Yes sir?" Chad responded.
"Sit down." Chad looked at the extra chair as though it had only just then grown out of the floor. He pulled it out, and seated himself. he squared off his shoudlers, adn that gave harrison a chane to really look him over. He was thin. Not a kept ni shape thin, but an unhealthy thin. Like he'd been dealing with something that caused him some issues with his appetite. He looked at Esther again, and it seemed to be a force of effort to actually look her in the eyes.
"Hi Esther. Thanks for...meeting me like this. You look good." He managed."

Mallory went to the store and she paid for the shoes with money she didn’t have, via credit card. Hopefully she’d be able to have the money to pay off the bill when she got it at the end of the month, alongside her next paycheck. Otherwise, she might be a little SOL but these shoes were worth it! They were Christian Louboutin thigh high black suede boots. They were so worth the cost and she had tried them on again to make sure they fit. Sure, it meant having to take her jeans off but they looked good on her.

Afterwards, she went home and got changed. She wanted to wear her new boots out and what better place than a bar? So she took her time. A long time. She needed the pamper and relaxation. In the bathtub, she soaked and tilted her head back, letting herself drift in the ambiance and scents of rose, jasmine and euphoric bath salts and bath oils.

Esther followed his eyes and there she caught sight of the ex boyfriend she used to know. He seemed like a ghost or lanky version of his former self. What on Earth had he gotten himself into? She should have felt good to know that this is what he ended up being. And sure, maybe a small vindictive part of her was. But as he walked over to them and his eyes seemed to widen at her appearance—which only made her hands grip her tea cup for all her life after she placed it down—Esther was back on edge. He was checking her out! He had no right to!

No wait, that’s why she dressed up the way she did. So he could add another thing on his list of things to feel bad for. So he was seated. Directly across from her and her eyes stared into his, as if trying to stare into soul, maybe send some daggers down there too and watch the rest of Chad Dougherty plummet to his death. Wow, she really hated this guy.

“Chad.” Was all she said, curtly almost. She looked like she might just hurl her cup of piping hot chamomile tea with extra honey at him. It’d be part of the way she imagined to kill him. Boil something on him.

Chad stumlbed a moment, and looked away, looking more and more uncertain. He shifted. He looked at Harrison, and was met with an unimpressed look.
"Maybe...maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Look, I'm sorry to waste your time-" Chad started, and made to stand. Harrison pointed at him.
"Sit." Chd obeyed on reflex.
"You are here because your therapist thought this would be a good idea. Now just think about whether you'll have another chance. Esther ahs been good enough to take the time to see you, despite not wanting to. So you have something to say. Spit. It. Out." Harrison drew the last few words out. Chad swallowed. If it had just been him and Esther, he was pretty sure he could have kept it together, but this other man...he kind of scared Chad. But maybe that kind of fear was what he needed to get through this. he squared his shoulders again, and nodded to no one in particular.

"Okay. Esther. Thanks for...welll...being willing to meet me, even after how things went. Before I say it all, you should know that I'm not trying to get you to forgive me. Or feel sorry for me. What I did was really really shitty. But I wanted to explain it so you at least know...why." Chad started. With a deeper breath he started to tell the tale.

"I figured I had thigns going pretty well, when we hit college. Grades were good, I had you, and things were going well. But...college just wasn't like I thought it was. My tuition fell through so I had to do a lot of extra stuff just to stay in. I never really told you because...well...you'd have done something. And I didn't want to make you have a hard time because of me. So...well, then my grades started to slip, and well, I kind of...went crazy for a while." He paused, looking away for a second, to get his thoughts in order. "Not...jokingly either. I mean I really just kind of snapped. I started...doing things. Not smart ones either. Went to a few parties, and they gave me some stuff to try, and it helped me not feel so stressed out, and that was great. And then after a little while on that, I started doing...dumber things. Just...whatever came to mind. I didn't think about it, think about what might come from it. And what it might be doing to you. And then mallory found me at a bar, coked out of my head and drunk to boot, and she tried to talk me down a little, and after what happened with her, you found out and dropped me like a bad habit. Not saying I didn't deserve it. Actually, kind of deserved worse than what you said to me." He looked away again, before sighing. "I guess what I wanted to say was...back then, I did a lot of shitty things to a lot of peopel. But I did the shittiest thing to you. And... I know it's probably not worth much... but I'm sorry."

Esther had to stifle a smirk. Yeah, that’s right. Harrison could make anyone his bitch with that much of an authoritative tone. No wonder Mallory easily swooned. Any woman would, especially if he was that controlling in bed. But she wasn’t going to think about that right now. Highly inappropriate and of all times too when Chad was sitting right across from her. He didn’t look like the Chad she used to know. The Chad she’d hang out with all the time. They used to be best friends. From middle school onward. They started dating at the end of their junior year. Then college happened. That summer before they went to college, they had everything planned. Then somehow, things went to shit and she didn’t know why.

So she listened to his tale. But what put her more on edge was when he started off in the beginning about wanting to explain, about letting her know why. Her grip on her tea cup tightened even more and she felt as though she might not breathe. She was going to finally have that major question answered. Oh god…

She listened. Stared him down the entire time, looked as if she might not be breathing. And then there came a point where it seemed as if she had actually stopped breathing for a moment. It was tragic to hear that he got involved in drugs. That because he didn’t want to get her involved in something that she had every right to be involved in considering he was her boyfriend, he let them die. That angered her. Learning that he instead turned to drugs, absolutely broke her heart all over again and angered her more. But what sealed the deal was when he mentioned Mallory, a bit of news she had never known. No, she broke up with him because she found out he had slept with a bunch of other girls. But Mallory? That’s what made her look as if she suddenly stopped breathing.

She kept repeating it over and over again in her mind. And then mallory found me at a bar, coked out of my head and drunk to boot, and she tried to talk me down a little, and after what happened with her, you found out and dropped me like a bad habit. Mallory, her best friend in college, her roommate and her current roommate now, slept with Chad. And all this time, she never told the truth? After…everything?

“Y-You and Mallory slept together?” She said it very slowly, as if it was all sinking in. Drugs was one thing. Lying was another. Cheating was a deal breaker. And that’s why she dumped him. But this? This was news. And news she wished she never learned of. It all came back.

Chad paused, looking at Esther. He had the mounting feeling of dread that made him really think he might have done little else besides screw things up. A lot. Again. But he mustered what little remained of his dignity and courage, and nodded.
"We...yes. I thought that was how you found out, that Mallory told you. I mean, after you...told me off, I realizede just how badly I screwed up. I lef the school, tried to get cleaned up. It...didn't go that well, and I ended up in jail for a year or two, and when I got out...I got some help. And I've been seeing a terapist to try and sort this out. And I just wanted to apologize for everything I did. So unless there's anything else...I'll get out of your hair, and never bother you again." Chad finished, looking at the door like he was contemplating bolting.

Esther blinked her eyes and she swallowed hard but her throat had gone dry. All she could do was nod her head. “You can go now Chad.” Her voice was cold, stern and shaky. She was teetering on the edge. She was way passed the boiling point and if she took one wrong step, she’d lose her mind for real this time probably. She hardly usually ever let herself feel. She just did her work. But now? Well it was becoming increasingly difficult to contain anything. To just stay quiet. To stay mum. To walk on like it never bothered her. But it always did bother her. She just stayed quiet. And now, she stayed more quiet but it wasn’t the same kind. It was like she was radiating the anger she was about to unleash. Trying to calm something, she took a big sip of her tea. It was a wonder she hadn’t crushed the cup in her hands. But all the tea did was fuel the fire in her. The anger. The unbelievable anger she let build up. She knew it already. It wasn’t anyone’s fault but her own. Unfortunately someone was going to pay the price.

Showing mroe control than Harrison would have credited him, Chad stood up, and walked with a reasonable calm to the exit. Once outside the cafe, he scurried away. He was clearly glad to be done with this portion of his therapy, even if from what Harrison could tell, his biggest accomplishment was to make Esther into a tower of rage and fury. He knew it was really just looking for a target, and he'd have to tread carefully. Though if she did unleash it on him, he'd be able to whether that storm. He'd had to deal with worse in his line of work.
"Esther. Did you want me to take you anywhere?" He asked her quietly.

She took another large gulp of her still scalding tea, not even feeling how it burned her tongue a little bit or even hurt a little going down her throat without blowing on it. She was seething. Oh, very much seething. All the years she spent just being nice and biting her tongue for fear of hurting anyone’s feelings went out the window in that moment. Putting the tea cup down and taking her hands away from it, she settled them in her lap and held on tight. She took a few calming breaths but it did nothing. Nothing at all.
Turning her head to Harrison, she nodded slowly. “Can you take me home?” Because with her luck, Mallory was still at their place. But it wouldn’t be their place for long. No. She was done being nice at least for the moment because it apparently got her nowhere.

Already standing, she grabbed her jacket and put it on. Oh yes, she was ready to go.

Harrison nodded, not really trusting himself to say anything that wouldn't set Esther off. Frankly, he was already thinking that he might want to do something to help calm her down a little. But what the hell could he do when a person found out their 'best friend' and roomate had been screwing them over for years? That one was...a little out of his field. He led her back to his car, and ushered her in, before pulling back into the street. He was quiet for a little while, before he decided that he might as well risk the wrath, and try and say something to at least take a little of the burgeoning rage off.
"Esther. I'd like to ask you a few things before I drop you off, okay?" He asked calmly. He didn't make it seem like he was afraid of her, since the worst she could do was scream at him, and that was somehting he was able to deal with.

She happily walked out and sat as comfortably as she possibly could in his car. Buckled in, her hands were in her lap, wringing together and her knees were once more bouncing. She stared out the passenger side window, not the windshield. She was in her own mind, her own thoughts, and now the same death she had planned out for Chad, was directed towards Mallory and Chad. Not that she'd actually do it but imagining the suffer through that brought her some ease. Some. Not a lot. Just enough to sort of keep her from going off on the first person who spoke to her now.
Then Harrison spoke. Yeah, like Harrison. Calmly, she turned her head in his direction and nodded her head. "Sure." Her voice was calm, soft even, as opposed to the coldness she showed to Chad when she greeted him and dismissed him like he was nothing. She wasn't sure if his intention was to actually bring her closure. It brought her closure with him, but opened up a whole new chapter with Mallory that was waiting to be written.