Chapter 1 - Echo
We all remember one or two movies where the main character likes to scream out their frustration just because they feel like it. It seems like a perfect way to let it all out. You would scream and the wind would carry it around until there is nothing but silence left. It’s that echo that always seems so perfect.
It’s also like you can’t shout it out loud, and that same thoughts end up echoing in your head. Only they never die out. Unlike the thoughts that keep running back to us, it’s the gunshots that die out.
For a split second, it is the loudest sound imaginable, but everything is pretty quiet afterwards. A gunshot from that close is so loud that it almost sounds quiet, and the only sound you hear is the loud beeping in your ears that never goes down. It grows louder until the sound of people screaming breaks through the thickness of pressure that has build in your ears and your thoughts come rushing back.
It the mere second you stand still as your brain tries to process what is happening.
.3 seconds has passed and you are down crawling to someplace safe only to never reach one.
The music has always been part of my life. There is not a single second of my life that hasn’t passed without me not listening to music. It’s part of me. It helps me move and express myself. It is relaxing.
No matter what type of music it is, it’s the best way to let it all out. The negativity one can keep within himself is turned into something less hurting but also satisfying and hyperactive. It’s like you are placed on a charger, instead of powering you up, it is pulling out every ounce of that anger you felt that day and replaces it with something more powerful, dance.
When the night arrives, and when there is nothing else to do but to go out and get drunk there is no harm done in dancing all your problems away.
You dance to get it out of your system. You don’t care if anybody is watching. You are doing it for yourself, to make yourself feel better. You are doing it until you lose the ground under your feet and some very hot stranger helps you to get up.
“Are you all right?” He mouthed but I couldn’t hear anything next to the loud music. Instead I smile and show thumb up. I shout thank you and walk to the bar ready for my first glass of water.
I need to sober up. I think to myself when I notice my boss sitting at the booth with his son and discussing business, casually, like they weren’t here to have fun.
The sight of my boss made my stomach twirl in pain causing me to groan. Unsatisfied with myself today, I turn to bartender who was looking at me very amused.
“What can I get you pretty?” He asks throwing the wet cloth over his shoulder.
“Glass of water and that wet cloth would be perfect, thank you very much.” I say turning my head in the direction where my boss is sitting. He is the worst. You don’t deserve his company, you could do so much better. I thought until the cold and wet surface of a glass touches my skin making me shiver and turn around.
A cocktail.
“I ordered a glass of water and a wet cloth, not another drink.” I complain to bartender who tried his best to look like he is in a deep conversation with another customer.
“Compliments from guy from the booth up in the right corner.” He said showing to the guy who was sitting at the other end of the club. When I finally saw him he raised his glass and nodded while drinking his alcohol.
I smile flirtatiously as I take the cocktail and tap on the first person next to me.
“Congratulations darling. You just got complimented with a drink from the club’s very finest.” I say showing at the guy who didn’t seemed very happy with me declining his drink. Winking at him, I wave a small goodbye and try to leave when bumping into my ex-boss and his son.
“You have got to be kidding me,” was all that came out of me.
“Emma, what a surprise seeing you here.” Eric blurts not happy that he ran into me tonight. “Out of all the places you could have chosen to go, you had to come here, didn’t you?” Rude, but then again, two can play this game.
“Ah, Eric. I see you still haven’t removed the bug that is still high up your ass. No wonder why you seem a little stiff this evening.” I say back. He didn’t seem too happy with my comeback that he wanted to say something when his father decides to jump in.
“Miss. Crimson, I know we haven’t left things the way we wanted earlier today. I just want you to know that I am not proud of my decision of firing you today, but someone had to go, and you... You were working for me for five years and we need new faces around the company.” I’m sorry. Did I said he was my boss? I mean previous boss. Ex. Previous. Former boss.
“It’s okay sir. I’m sure I will be fine.” I say emphasizing the word fine, when actually I wasn’t fine. I worked for this man for five years. I was his accountant. A personal accountant. I loved my job. It was the only job I ever had, and I got it through my father who is a friend with Allen McCain.
My entire life is evolving around the numbers. They have been my friends for the past five years, and now? Now they are abandoning me.
New York was a perfect place for me while I had this job. Now I am rethinking everything, and the worst part is that I don’t know from where to start.
" I am truly sorry. I’m sure your father will understand.” If my father wasn’t a cop handling his jury and trial, sure he would. Only now, I don’t think he will see it the same way.
“Toddles Emily Crimson.” But I was thankful for one thing though. I am never gonna have to watch or put up with his stupid and arrogant son ever again.
“What are you? A baby?” I ask considering he acts like one. That spoiled daddy’s son.
“I’ll have you know Emma that this...”
“Eric we are leaving.”
“I’m coming.” He said quickly. “Consider yourself lucky, but this isn’t over. You will see more of me. I will be you nightmare Emily Crimson.” He shouts as he finally leaves the club while taking all the negativity and uncomfortable atmosphere along with him.
“God, I hope I won’t see him anymore.” He wasn’t my nightmare okay. He was more like a bully you couldn’t get rid off even after high school. “Scotch on the rocks with a twist.” I shout to bartender ready for another round thanks to these two idiots.
“No water?” He asked amused like he just saw the entire situation unfolding in front of him that he wanted to have his fun in this future-less hole.
“Do I look like someone who will drink water after the conversation I just had with my former boss and daddy’s boy?” I ask looking at him on what he raises his hands in surrender. “Make them two and mind your own business.” I say when someone taps on my left shoulder.
“You know it is very rude to decline a drink when a guy buys you one, but that’s okay, cause what strike me the most was the fact you gave a drink from me to you, to my little sister who isn’t even supposed to be drinking or be here at all because she is seventeen years old.” Oh crap.
“So?” I ask trying not to care, but apparently I didn’t show it very well.
“Have a drink with me and I will let it all go.”
“What?”
“If you have that drink with me now, I will forget the fact you just gave my underage sister alcohol.” That seems fair enough.
“Name?”
“Francis.” I hesitate for a second not sure if I should tell him my real name or lie.
“Emily. You can call me Emma.”
Will you be my echo, cause the only thing I remember is you even this foggy morning while I am laying here on the ground thinking of how we met and how you brought this storm into my life, considering the deal we made that night?
