Eyes Like Ice by Radia Al Rashid (books successful people read TXT) 📕

“If it’s needed, you’ll be the first one to know.” She laughs, “gotta hang up Crackpot, Alvin puked again. Mom’s not home, so it is me to clean up the mess.

“Alvin?”

“Ha, my annoying baby brother. Oh, forgot to tell you, I changed his name from Bob to Alvin. Doesn’t Alvin sound cooler?”

I laugh at her always-so-out-of-the-box nature, “Yeah, no doubt! Now, hang up and clean up the mess. Don’t forget to drop by as planned, ok?”

“Yes, I’ll be there on time, no worries. You sure you will be okay hanging out now? Just double-checking, don’t get me wrong.”

“I PROMISE I’ll be okay, more than okay.”

 “Alrighty then see ya! Bye for now! Love you.”

“Love you too. Bye!”

“Mija, you up already?” Serena peeks into the room.

“O yeah! Good Morning, Serena come on in.” I give her a pretending-to-be-perfectly-fit smile.

“Are you feeling okay, dear? You don’t look that good. What’s with those eyebags and dried out lips? Are you feeling sick again? Should I call Julia to take you to the hospital?” her voice gives off that anxious vibe that instantly reminds me of mom.

I let out a big sigh, “Nah, Serena! Relax, I’m fine, it’s just probably another post-surgery crap.”

“You really sure about this, mija?” the worry does not get brushed off from her voice.

“Yes, I am sure, like 1000% sure. Will it do?” I beam.

Serena grins at me, “alright, I’m bringing the breakfast now, have it quickly before taking the morning meds.”

crap! I already had them with the heat of the moment. Anyway! How worse can it be, I’m still open to dying.

“I’m going out with Anna, will be back within 5 hopefully.” I head towards the front door.

“Holy hell, you’re going out already? I’m telling you Mija, Julia’s gonna be SOOO mad when she’ll figure you’re out in this physical condition.” Serena comes to me running.

“Relaaax, it’ll keep worsening if you don’t allow me to hang out a little, please, Serena! You’re the best, don’t say it to Julia, it’s a little secret between you and me like the chocolate stealing from 2nd grade.” I hug her tight.

She rolls her eyes, “You’re terribly good at convincing, okay, you can go but do not extend the time further. Julia will be home at 6 sharps.” She gives me a serious glare.

“Sure thing, don’t you worry about anything. I’ll be here before you can start panicking officially. Goodbye!” I wave at her and step out.

She grins and waves back.

The fresh air hits my face with a serene calmness. I inhale sharply and try to shove off all the negative memories trying to make their way to my mind.

“Hallow Crackpot! Look at you, all glowing with smile and I don’t know what else.” Anna pulls me in for a long never-let-you-go hug.

“Nothing else is there, you dirty-minded prick.” I grin.

“So, let’s go pick Sarah up from work and bring back the banging session of endless crappy entertainment.” She winks.

I chuckle and clamber in her sports car.

Anna has always been the most reckless while driving a car. Still, I always enjoy the adventure of riding the car with her bizarre, action movie’s way of overtaking and pulling the gears. Taylor Swift’s ME perfectly syncs with her wild driving. I’m enjoying today’s ride more than ever. It does not take long for us to reach the name-dropping, posh office building where Sarah the rich girl works. Apart from being her own father’s Company, Sarah does have astounding qualifications to be employed in the popular White Swan Inc. I eye the huge building awe-inspiringly. Sophistication lingers from top to bottom of it. The blue glasses look clearer than my bedroom window. And the thought of the window brings back the icy gazes. I shake off my head and turn to Anna. She is dialing Sarah’s number without caring to gawk at the office like I just did. I actually am awkward; gawking has become a thing for me lately. Gosh! I need to be more nonchalant, in a cool way obviously.

“She’s not picking.” Anna shrugs.

“Ow! Should we wait or go inside?” I ask.

“Um! I won’t go, I can’t stand the sight of that stupid colleague of her.” She scoffs.

“Who, David? The one who asks you out every time he sees you?” I tease her.

“Shut it! That one is a real A-hole,” she gives that purely-Anna eye-roll.

I laugh, “okay, calm! I’m going then, what’s the floor?”

“It’s on the 11th floor. Will you be okay going alone?”

“I mean, come on. I know I’m a little weird but I am no kid.” I turn to her dramatically parting my lips apart.

She smirks, “I didn’t mean that dumbo. Alright go then, I’m waiting right here. Gimme a call if any other jerk like David tries to hit on you. I’ll smash the face and cut off his...”

“Don’t go down there, I can manage that.” I smirk.

She winks in reply.

I tap on the 11th button of the elevator and stand there silently waiting. Two immaculately dressed up Blond girls were discussing something about projects in a totally professional tone. I actually feel like some middle-school kid with no style whatsoever. I self-consciously stare down at my outfit to find the floral blouse and my go to blue jeans. Suddenly, I start feeling out of place and my ever-present existential crisis creeps in. I try to wear the power-pose while straightening my posture. In the 5th floor, the elevator halts and someone gets in. I do not bother checking out the person as I am so occupied being presented as a perfectly confident adult.

“How’s the preparation going on?” a deep, sexy voice floats into my ears.

“Yes, Sir! We’re almost done...” one of the sophisticated blondies answers.

I immediately turn on my heels to face them and as a matter of fact, I’m back to my jaw-dropping awe. The guy in impeccable grey suit is staring at me through the specs.

Holy shit! What is Ted Bundy doing here? Is he stalking me? Blah! Course not. Those blondies are calling him Sir, O my! What can he be? like, someone in a bossy position or something? Hmm… Sarah must know him then, argh! What do I do now? I need to play it cool, right, it’s time to show him how cool can I stay after seeing him. I’m not actually that gawking weirdo but… what should I do now? He’s looking at my way...

A ghost of a smile appears on his lips as he’s nodding to the blondies while giving me a side glance. I don’t know what comes over me when I take my phone and start dialing Anna’s number. Not after a full ring, she picks up, “What is it, Eve? Any a-hole alert? I’m coming right away.” She scowls.

“um… no, no listen! It’s not like that...” at the very moment, all the discussions end with a snap and all three of them stand silently. I can hear my heart hammering in the pin-drop silence. Though Mr. Serial killer is not eyeing me right now but I can tell he’s interested in hearing what I have to say to my friend.

“What? Evelyn? What is it? Are you okay? Are you fainting, or, is any of those shitty symptoms making its way back to you?” Anna sounds anxious.

“Nah, relax! It’s just T...” I was this close to say out his name loud. Gosh! Am I gonna fuck myself up! Such a nonsense I can be! “I mean, I think I forgot the...um in the car.”

“What?” her voice tells how confusing I’m making the situation for her.

“that... my phone.” I am nervously glancing at Ted standing calmly threeish feet apart from me. The elevator halts at the seventh floor and two more urbane guys step in.

“Your phone? How are you calling me then, weirdo? What happened to you? Are you possessed?” Anna’s voice gets sharper in pitch.

“Well, no! that’s not what I mean, it’s just the 1000 years old alchemist here, remember?”

The one blondie standing next to me seems to be a bit weirded out at my strange wording. She sneaks a quick glance at me before returning to her extremely impeccable standing position.

“Wait, Ted? What the freaking pre-historic show is going on there?” Anna chuckles.

“I don’t know. I’m just as confused as you are.”

“So, you’re admitting that he’s prehistoric, ha? Atta girl!” she teases me.

In reply I just roll my eyes, “Right! Talk to you later.” I hang up. My palms are sweating like crazy. Finally, the 11th floor comes and I feel like already spending 1000 years inside with that collected Alchemist. I hurry in stepping out of the elevator and trip on my own foot almost falling on my face like a complete loser. I hear a slight gasp from behind. Without turning back, I quickly duck out and start walking at Usain Bolt speed. I feel ashamed of my clumsiness and idiocy. Why should I always make a freaking fool out of me whenever I’m before... well, any guy?

“Hey, Eve! Is that you? O my word! The accident got you really drained, didn’t it?” Sarah advances to give me a hug.

“Hey! How have you been? Long time no see. Such a busy, responsive human!” I grin hugging her.

“You know Dad! He just wants to create a xerox copy of himself out of me” she shrugs, “anyway, let’s get going. We’re getting late, no?”

“Yeah! Sure, um... let’s just take the stairs, I am in a mood of moving a little, you know standing in elevators is not my thing.”

“Um...ok! if you can then it’s fine, but are you sure? It’s 11th floor, so it’ll take quite some time to reach the ground floor.” She looks puzzled.

What the fuck is wrong with me! Obviously, he is not still in the elevator. Just calm down, you don’t need to make a big deal out of nothing. There is high possibility he didn’t even recognize me!

“Shoot! I completely forgot that, pfft! What a shame! Yeah, let’s catch the elevator then.”

Anna is pacing back and forth in front of the office building. As soon as she notices us coming down, she rushes towards us.

“EVELYN CAYLEN LAWRENCE, tell me about your Ted Bundy. What the fuck is he doing here? Or, maybe you’re just having hallucinations from overthinking about him?” she narrows her gaze.

“What did I miss, guys?” Sarah alternatingly glances at both of us.

“Argh! It’s nothing about nobody! Let’s get into the car then I’m telling you.”

“Come on! Just out with-it girl!” Anna scoffs.

“We’re getting late missy! I need to be at home within 5, remember?” I grunt.

“Alright, guys! Let’s not make a scene here. Just get in the car and we’ll hear about whatever you guys are speaking of.” Sarah intervenes with her ever-peaceful attitude.

Anna stomps her foot and heads towards the car.

I begin on my own after settling down on the seat, “Okay, so I saw him in the elevator while going to meet Sarah.”

“Okay! But why did you call me then? Did anything more happen? You could just wait until getting in the car. No?” Anna gives me a side eye.

“I-I know but I kinda messed up back there.”

“Wait, wait! Can someone please tell me what’s going on? Who’s this he? Who called who?” Sarah shifts from left to right