Zizi (Part 7)

I hold open the door for her as we reach my apartment building. She gives me a small smile before walking into the safety of the lobby. I can tell that the events of tonight are catching up to her despite her attempts to hide her emotions. I give the security guard, Sam, a nod on our way by, as we walked to the elevator. “Goodnight!”

“Goodnight!” He calls after us.

“I don’t know about you but I’m exhausted,” she breathes once the elevator doors close behind us.

“Now that you mention it I am very tired from the events of today.” I yawn as I lean against the wall for emphases.

“Zizi, I’ve been thinking and there’s something I cannot quite put together. How were you able to trust me after Oliver, James and I tracked you down and captured you?” She inquires giving me a look that made me realize that comparing this woman to Viv was wrong. It’s wrong because I only felt physical attraction with her. What I feel with Nora is something I haven’t experienced before. It’s something more than the obvious physical attraction.

“Because eventhough I knew it was stupid of me to do I felt like and still feel like I can trust you. I’m not sure how to explain it I just had a feeling and I’ve never felt like this before so I’m trying something I haven’t tried before.” My words came tumbling out of my mouth before I could stop them. “How were you able to trust me?”

“Back before we jumped onto the balcony I had this moment where my training told me not to go with you and to pull you off the windowsill. However, my heart was telling me that you were being sincere and that I could trust you. My brain told me that my heart was right and so far you’ve been more trust worthy than the ones who were supposed to have my back.” Her voice stops as the elevator door opens. Before she turns away from me I spot her misty eyes through her cloak of hair.

I walk her to my apartment door and unlock it for her. She walks into the middle of my small apartment and looks around for a moment. “It’s not much but you can have the bed and I’ll take the couch.” I suggest standing next to her.

“I appreciate the offer but I can tell I won’t be sleeping much tonight. I’ll take the couch so I can watch some television or something.” She turns to me with the smallest of smiles on her lips. Her mask falls and I can see how sad her eyes truly are. My heart squeezes and I wish I knew how to bring her comfort.

“I know there is no way I can comfort you but I can listen if you need to vent.” I reply leading her over to the couch.

“I don’t know what I need right now, but I feel like I need to cry.” She tries to cover her face as the tears start to fall. I catch her hands as they rise and I pull her into my arms.

Her cheek rests in the nook in between my neck and my shoulder. I feel her body start to shake as she releases her tears. I gently lean over to grab the box of tissues from my coffee table. She lifts her head long enough to dab away some of the moisture on her face. Once her tears slow to nothing I break the silence. “Do you feel better?”

“In a way yes. I just need rest and time to figure out what the hell I’m going to do now. K.N.O.C.K.O.U.T. was my entire life, my identity. Now I don’t know who I am anymore.” She sighs and puts her figure tips to her temples. “Is there any chance I can get some water? My head is killing me.”

“Of course,” I reply while getting up. “Let me tell you something that someone wiser than I told me. You are the only one who knows who you are. Nobody else can tell you who you are. Whatever people tell you is only their opinion of you. The only person who has to love you is yourself. Do the things that make you love yourself and fight for what you believe in even if you are the only one standing.” I repeat the words my father once told me before he and my mother were murdered when I was younger. I bring her back a glass of water.

“Whoever told you that is a very intelligent person.” She answers pondering my words for a moment. “Thanks for the talk and the water.” She smiles at me and yawns. “Who told you that?”

“My father.” I answer shortly wondering if she could tell I couldn’t talk about it further right now.

“Another piece in the puzzle,” she smirks at the confusion written all over my face. “I’m slowly piecing you together, Zizi. You’re very difficult to read but I’m getting a clearer picture the more we chat.” She elaborates.

“What have you put together so far?” I ask genuinely interested.

“Well what I have learned so far is that what K.N.O.C.K.O.U.T. knows about you is correct in a way but they have your cause all wrong. From the articles that you’ve shown me I know that they are the ones who are letting innocent people die so they can pamper the rich. I can tell that you’ve lost people close to you which means you either seek revenge or justice for those who have passed. I can only guess that it was your parents, and others.” she pauses for a moment to study my face. “I can see by the pain on your face that you don’t want to talk about it now. I just know pain changes people. I just hope my feeling is right about you.” She finishes explaining and lays her hand on my shoulder which feels strangely comforting.

I smile at her and bring her fingers to my lips for a second then release them. “I’ll be in the bedroom if you need anything. Get some rest. You can stay as long as you need to.” I stand and walk to my bedroom door.

“Thank you. Goodnight.” She calls just before my door closes.

This feels like something that is more than likely going to come back to haunt me but what I feel is unexplainable.

To be continued…

Hey since it is a new week I am going to be doing some throw back writing and continuing some of my previous stories. Thank you for the support! Enjoy!

• My Friends and I
  I could feel the feelings sinking into me again as I crunches through the leaves. Well, they never truly left me. There’s always thatContinue reading “My Friends and I”
• The First Encounter (Part One)
  The outline of her love was clear. She blinked not believing her eyes. How is this possible? There was an accident- No words wereContinue reading “The First Encounter (Part One)”
• The Second Encounter (Part Two)
  A soft chill swept down her body. He’s here again. She thought. Her body quivered with a mix of fear and excitement. She lookedContinue reading “The Second Encounter (Part Two)”
• The Third Encounter (Part Three)
  He lurked in the dark, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. A shadow blending into the darkness whispering words of wisdom into herContinue reading “The Third Encounter (Part Three)”
• The Final Encounter
  Sensing him she turned. He gazed at her intently. She imagined what it would be like for him to gently caress her skin again.Continue reading “The Final Encounter”