Griffin by Rahela Ferarri (smallest ebook reader TXT) 📕

Griffin:  “What kind of a concert?”

Diane:   “I just found out that Alex Black is coming to town and that he is having a big birthday concert in the city. Can you imagine? We have never had a huge star like him in the city. Aaaaand, I managed to get the VIP tickets! What do you think?” – She was ecstatic, trying to make up for yesterday’s fight.

I just couldn’t believe my ears.

Griffin:  “What? When?”

Diane:   “Look!” – She grabbed the newspaper, and there he was on the front page. Like she just knew where to stab me. If I didn’t know better I’d think she was provoking me. But she had no clue. I didn’t want to go, I mean, was there a worst thing for me to do to myself? But I wanted to see the man that won her heart. I wanted to see this ‘better man’. It was stronger than me.

Griffin:  “All right. We will go.”

Diane:   “Really? Great! Well, pick me up at seven then.”

Griffin:  “Okay.”

She would be there also. Probably at the back stage. And he will be holding her, and kissing her lips, making her smile like I never had the chance to. I just couldn’t imagine him touching her, taking off her clothes and possessing her body. The worst thing was that she belonged to him completely. Body and soul. And there was nothing I could do.

I was nervous. I picked up Diane, and we took our seats, next to this huge runway with the microphone stand at the end of it. Fuckin’ de ja vu. There were so many people on the concert that I don’t believe anybody stayed at home. Arena was filled to the last spot.

Then the things went wild. The bend was out on the stage, and the crowd was frantic. Every single girl wanted to get into his pants. Unbelievable. And I had the problem that only one of them was. He was so self-confident. Good looking. Great looking, I must say. Perfectly sculpted muscles. A star. Then a couple of songs later, he stepped to the microphone on stage.

Alex:      “Thank you! We love you! Now, I need your attention. You all know that it’s our first time here, in your city. We are so happy to play for you here tonight, but you should know that we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for one person. I must say, she is fantastic, and she takes my breath away just like she did the first time I saw her. Please, welcome Mia to the stage with a big round applause!”

I couldn’t believe what was happening in front of my eyes. Like I’m in some nightmare, and just can’t wake up. The audience was loud, cheering, applauding, and then she went out on the stage, and I couldn’t hear a single sound. Diane was holding my hand, surprised as hell, but gloating over this new development. I just stood and stared what is going to happen. He gave her a hand and took her on stage. I saw the lust in his eyes. He was proud. Every man envied him, and every woman envied her. Yes, from this point of view, they seemed like a perfect couple. He just loved the fact that he possesses her. And she? She was happy. Truly happy. The dagger twisted my stomach once more. She leaned toward him and whispered something in his ear, and this made him smile.

She was walking down the runway towards the microphone, so self-confident. She grabbed the microphone stand and spin it in the air. Yes, this was her. This black panther I saw in the office. She was a beautiful thing to be observed. This was the moment I saw her in her actual magnitude, with her wings spread. I saw the full depth of this woman inside of her, unleashing her full strength. She was just breathtaking. I don’t even remember when the song finished, and she was walking back through the runway toward the stage. Then in a split second, she spotted me and was paralyzed at the spot. She was singing, and quickly realized that I was in a company. There she was, awaking the same flame she did in the back stage. Everything I was trying to suppress all this time, just resurfaced again. I could see her heart pumping lice crazy. My God, she feels it too. What an idiot I have been. I should have done something. I should have taken her from him. I swear, we were both moments from jumping into each other’s arms and tearing up one another. Then the music silenced, and I saw him putting down his guitar. Everything became silent. He reached for her hand.

Alex:      “Ladies and gentleman, as you probably know, we have decided to take our career outside to Europe. This woman has made me the happiest man today, by accepting to accompany me to our new adventure, miles and miles away.”

I thought I was going to faint. God damn, don’t do it! My entire system wanted me to jump out on the stage and take her away from him. He continued.

Alex:      “Kid, I know I’ve been tough to handle. And since you have answered my question, I think it’s about time I answered yours. I love you. Don’t you ever doubt that.” – He kissed her and everybody went crazy. For the first time in my life, my heart broke into a million pieces. Nobody ever meant to me this much. My heart ached, and cold sweat covered my skin.

Griffin:  “Let’s go.” I said to Diane, and quickly left the concert. Diane said nothing, she just obeyed what I said. She was ecstatic. Every chance of me being with Mia was destroyed in a second, and she had the first row tickets.

I dropped her by her place, and left home. I opened a bottle of scotch and drank two glasses in an instant. How can she have this effect on me? My God, what I fool I was. And she loves him. She is leaving everything behind for him. She will never be able to explain to him what she gave up for him. He will never see how brilliant and smart she was when she excelled her job. When she stood against them all and took a stand. How happy she was when she did something right and how hard she had to work to deserve the respect and admiration from her colleagues. And how happy she had been when she deserved admiration from me. I know she had. It meant to her that much. Why did I let you go into his arms? Of course, seeing me with Diane must have contributed her decision to move on. Maybe she actually believed I thought Diane was better than she was. Her self-confidence stopped her from seeing how brilliant I think she was. Now, it doesn’t even matter. Nothing does.

Next day, all newspapers were covered with their pictures. The press speculated who she was, but none of them had a clue. But I had. They were referring to her as his lover, mistress, you name it. The press was all over the story and I turned off the TV. I couldn’t stand to watch it. Soon, she will be gone for good, and I will try to recover what’s rest of my dignity and move on. I couldn’t stand meeting her at work, so I called Claire and informed her that I’m taking two weeks off. She knew what was going on, but I didn’t have the strength to explain.

I could barely make myself getting up in the morning. I had work to do at the university, but only in the afternoon. I shut down all my phones and emails. I went out for a run, but nothing could help me getting my mind off of this. You live your life for 37 years, and this twenty-two year old kid just walks into your world one day and turns your heaven in hell. What would I give to have her hell instead of that heaven I thought I had? I had nothing. I was empty.

I had a lot of exam papers to score, and I thought it could take my mind off of it. My office gave me peace. It was my only remaining hideout. There were only few people left in the building, and my office was refreshingly quiet. I must have been there for couple of hours, when somebody knocked on my door. Some student probably. Never mind. I’m here anyway.

Griffin:  “Come in.” – Then I heard a familiar voice that twisted the dagger in my stomach. It was her.

Mia:       “Hi.” – She whispered shyly. My eyes were at the papers, and then I finally gathered the strength to look at her. She was again stunning in this knee length dress, and I tried my best to ignore her.

Griffin:   “Miss. Quite an unusual time to be at the University, don’t you think?” - I was bitter.

Mia:       “Yes. Mrs. Claire said you’d be here. I needed to see you.”

Griffin:   “Claire…always pushing her nose where it doesn’t belong. So, how may I help you? ” – I was still shutting her down.

Mia:       “James, please don’t be like that.”

Griffin:  “Why are you really here, Mia? What? Did you come to say goodbye? Sooth your conscience? Please, leave, I want to be left alone for a while.” – She was standing at the doorstep all the time, and then she approached a few steps.

Mia:       “James, we were both there last night, I was not less indifferent than you were. True, it’s all too complicated, but we need to sort this out. You can’t go on like that. I can’t.”

Griffin:  “What for? I can’t seem to see the point? You are leaving, aren’t you? Is that really what you want out of life?”

Mia:       “I don’t know! Shit, James, I don’t know.” She was perturbed. “I don’t even know why I’m here.” – I felt she was being honest. She really didn’t have idea why she came. But she needed to see me. As much as I needed to see her. We both paused for a few seconds, ‘till the tension relieved a bit.

Griffin:  “So, when are you leaving?”- I spoke in a calm manner.

Mia:       “In three weeks, four maybe.”

Griffin:  “What the hell do you want from me then? Why are you here Mia?” – I snapped again. Why did she come to torture