Angel.

Charisma’s POV

A puff of air left my mouth as I unlocked the front door to ly apartment. Home, finally! My lower spine ached in protest from standing too long. My hand rubbed the tender spot in a silent promise of relief.

The scent of vomit wafted in the air and my nose crinkled at the rancid smell. My best friend, Denise, all but fell out when Bobby G., a 9 year old with an upset stomach, blew red chunks on my favorite black scrubs.

My body violently shuddered at the memory.

I flipped on the light and the living room was illuminated in soft yellow hues. My feet throbbed in relief after I released them from their 12 hours of confinement.

"Eli? Where are you?" I called out into the space. I surveyed the area and found his ffluffy black body perched on the granite kitchen counter.

"Elijah Jones, I love you but I need your black ass to hop off my counter."

He looked at me with barely hidden disdain and leaped off the surface.

He sashayed over and encircled my legs with his warm body. He loudly mewed and purred, pushing his head into my hand.

"You're such a cuddle whore," I chuckled.

I moved to New York a few months ago and found Eli shivering behind a dumpster. He was missing clumps of fur and was mostly skin and bones.

It seemed like we were both orphans and I never could resist a stray. I lured him in with some nuts I had in my purse and we'd been locked in ever since.

After feeding Eli, I walked to my en suite bathroom and made quick work of removing my scrubs. Its been a long day and all I wanted was to rest.

The rickety faucet groaned in protest at being turned on. I climbed in and moaned as the hot water cascaded down onto my tired skin.

The dried lavender atop the shower head calmed my senses and the hot water melted away the tension in my back.

My eyes closed on their own accord and my mind began to drift. Images of him blurred into my thoughts of lush green fields and happier days.

I could feel his disgusting hands roughly grabbing my arm and the smell of malt liquor on his breath. The memory of the smell brought tears to my eyes.

It was like he was standing in front of me. Taunting me. Berating me. The walls of the shower began to close in and my breathing became restricted.

My eyes popped open when my knees began to buckle. Maybe I've been in here too long. I placed a slippery hand on the tile and pushed the memory away. Focus on the water, Char.

After 30 more minutes under the spray, I turned off the nozzle and grabbed my towe to dry off. I wiped away the thick condensation and stared at my reflection.

Dark brown eyes paired with heavy bags stared back at me. I pressed my fingertips to the swollen skin and grimaced.

"You're beautiful. Don't convince yourself otherwise" I told myself. I looked away from the mirror and focused on drying off.

Once I was dressed in my pajamas, I ventured to my closet and retrieved my "special box.”

My fingers moved in a practiced manner and began to roll a fat blunt. This was one of my favorite parts of the day.

Smoking was my glass of wine.

I grabbed my lighter and lit the grass filled paper. My back fell against the soft couch cushion and I watched as the smoke billowed around the room.

My body instantly felt weightless. It was like floating untethered in space. A dopey smile found its way to my lips. Much better.

The walls around me fell away and the world ceased to exist. There were no thoughts of him, work, or anything from the past.

I turned on the TV and absently scrolled untik I found some American Dad reruns playing. Yes, jackpot!

Just as I was becoming engrossed in the episode, I felt my phone vibrate next to me.

The time on the TV read *10:25 pm.* Its a bit late for someone to be texting me. God I sounded like such a grandma. I wonder who it could be?

My phone lit up next to me in a flurry of texts from my boss, Aaron Weiss. What could he possibly want? I suppose he and I have a decent working relationship. He’s an okay guy I guess.

When I first started working for his practice, he paid a lot of attention to me. He constantly checked in on me and always found a reason to touch me on my arm or shoulder.

Aaron wasn't bad looking. He was 6"0 ft, had a head full of wavy salt and pepper hair, and was wealthy to boot.

His attention wasn't entirely unwelcome, but I know most things in the realm of an office romance aren't a reality.

On top of him being my boss, I found out there was a Mrs. Weiss and that was the end of that. She saw us chatting one day at the office and called me some names i'd rather forget.

Once I began avoiding him and rejecting his advances, he lost interest. He must've realized my legs were shut for business and dropped me like Alabama trash.

Aaron W. (Boss)

Charisma, I apologize for texting you so late. There is an urgent matter I need your help with. *10:25 pm*

Aaron W. (Boss)

I wouldn't ask unless it was an emergency. Please understand the position i'm in. *10:25 pm*

Aaron W. (Boss)

I'm so sorry, please forgive me. *10:26 pm*

My brow furrowed deeper after every message. Why is he asking for forgiveness? I rolled my eyes.

"This man's probably drunk as hell. I can't wait to tell Denise about this." I thought with a giggle.

As I reread the strange texts, a pounding on the door made my skeleton jump in my skin. What is going on tonight?

I muted the TV and quietly made my way to the front door. I looked out of the peep hole and was met with an unexpected scene.