INCANDESCENCE. Nadia Rexler

to order but the warm expression on the older lady's face put the pressure on, "do you have lemonade?" I asked in a faintly audible whisper.

      "We sure do, freshly squeezed," she beamed, "anything else?"

      My eyes shifted back to the menu, trying to figure out the lowest calorie item on it when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to meet Charlie's smiling eyes.

      "I think she's done," He answered, and I guiltily nodded my head in agreement.

      "Well alright then," The waitress looked between us, suspicion on her face," Have a seat and I'll bring it right out".

      "I thought you weren't getting anything," Charlie questioned as we sat down at a nearby table.

      "Oh, yeah, I guess I got thirsty," my eyes averted as I put on an awkward smile.

      Charlie stayed quiet for a moment, which made me look up out of curiosity and once I had, his head flew back while a laugh erupted from his chest.

      I cocked my head to the side, trying to figure out if I'd missed out on a joke or if he was simply insane.

      "It's alright to say you're shy you know," he said once he calmed down, "nothing to be embarrassed about."

      "It's that obvious huh," I let a breathy giggle escape as I looked down again, fidgeting with the sugar packets on the table.

      "Dreadfully so, I can't imagine why your employees call you..." he trailed off, realizing what he was going to say.

      "It's alright," I chuckled artlessly, "I know what they call me. I didn't think it would spread to you so fast." I mumbled the last part.

      "They all flocked to me in the breakroom, trying to figure out how I managed to get the big bad boss lady to smile."

      My brows knitted together ready to defend myself, hoping he'd understand, I wasn't some horrible boss torturing every employee but him. Hoping he didn't think he would eventually see me as the she-devil as well.

      Those thoughts were abruptly interrupted by our waitress sitting my glass of lemonade on the table. Prompting me to close my mouth.

      "Don't stop flirting on my account," she winked, noticing our sudden silence.

      "No," I rushed to say, "We weren't flirting. We're simply friends... co-workers... well, actually I'm his boss..." I babbled, feeling beads of sweat start to form on my forehead.

      "We're not dating," Charlie clarified, saving me again. "Now Debbie,” he smirked, reading her nametag, “if you wanted to know if I was single, you could have just asked"

      "Oh please," she scoffed, "I have cats older than you". None of us could resist a light giggle. "Your food will be out in a minute." She informed before sauntering off to help other customers.

      "Don't worry," Charlie spoke, "I told my co-workers you were much nicer than you appear."

      "I'm sure that went over well," I scoffed.

      "Have you ever tried to convince someone with arachnophobia spiders are more afraid of them? It was a bit like that."

      "Great, now people have Jerrie-phobia, I have nothing to worry about at all," I said sarcastically, making Charlie laugh again.

      "Where was this attitude when Debbie was around!"

      "I don't know, I'm shy remember," I said as bashfully as I could, batting my eyelashes.

      "Don't ever do that again," Charlie snorted.

      "Did it look as horrible as it felt?" I questioned laughing, Charlie nodded emphatically.

      Debbie was back out with Charlie's food a minute later, which Charlie inhaled with great delight. Since we insisted, we were not a couple, Debbie separated our orders, which I was thankful for. It was best to keep boundaries as a boss. I couldn't let my comfort with Charlie override my responsibilities. Though I felt Charlie had no issues with the dynamic, it's always better to be proactive.

      I loved the weightlessness I felt, talking to someone who didn't have the stain of judgment, rumor, gross innuendo or pity on their face. People's feelings were almost aromatic, you could smell it on them like cheap cologne. My nose rejected those scents like an allergy, shutting my systems down before a word was spoken. I'd convinced myself it was a part of my ever-growing list of paranoia’s, but if it were, why didn't I smell it on Charlie? Why hadn't I shut down, not for a single second?

      "Have fun?" I heard a voice call from the dark.

      I had mindlessly sauntered into my apartment while deep into my thoughts, only to get the shock of my life. A light flipped on, deeply shadowing Leo's eyes, accentuating the sharp lines of his bone structure and showcasing his obvious anger.

      I almost wished it was a stranger instead.

      My heart was iced over from the utter shock. 3 1/2 years I have lived in the loft, and not one single time had Leo ever stepped inside of it. Or so I'd thought. Seeing him lounging comfortably in my rarely used living room, of which he never had a key, skepticism saturated my mind.

      "You're eating burgers now Jer?" he spat as he began to approach me, the light leaving his face the further he strayed from the lamp.

      I stood still, my feet planted to the floor, sinking into the quicksand of my brain. He closed in on me, a dark expression, the darkest I'd ever seen, covered his face, followed by what could only be described as a growl. My breath hitched in my closing throat, and I closed my eyes bracing myself for some sort of impact. The door slammed behind me instead, leaving my body unharmed but my mind unhinged. Tears dropped from my eyes when I opened them again, my body shaking, resembling a cold Chihuahua.

      "I come here..." Leo began to whisper from behind me, "to make sure my girlfriend has gotten home safely, after riding with some stranger, to find not only is she not here, but she's out on a date with him and using MY money to do it!" I could hear his teeth clenching together as he spoke.

      "I-It's not..." I squeaked.

      "No, you shut up!" He bellowed, moving in front of me again, yanking my purse off my shoulder in the process.

      He opened it, plucking out my wallet before dropping it carelessly to the ground. Walking backward, watching me, commanding me not to move before he turned on the main light switch, lighting up the room further. My eyes adjusted to see him holding my bank card in one hand and a pair of scissors in the other. I stepped forward with pleading, watery eyes as I realized my worst fear was coming into fruition. My mouth opened to beg but no sound would come out. His eyes were focused on mine as he cut off the edge of my card. I dropped my head and let the tears flow freely. The sharp sound of metal rubbing together followed by plastic hitting the hardwood floor could still be heard. They drew closer with what I knew was his footsteps until I could feel the heat of his body beside me.

      "You sure as hell better hope Charlie will take you to work from now on, I wouldn't want to have to fire you."

      "H-how am I supposed to live without any money?" I cried.

      "Not my problem," He hissed before slamming the door behind him, rattling the pictures on my walls.