Page 12 of The Phyre that Burns
It took me a little over an hour to unpack my belongings, and by the time I finished, I was starving. I grabbed my phone and opened my food delivery app. After adding my new location, several restaurants popped up. I chose a Mexican restaurant and probably ordered too much food, but I was hungry, and whatever I didn’t eat would be leftovers for tomorrow.
Out of habit, I headed to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, gasping when I saw it was fully stocked. Strangely, Ilooked around as if there was someone there for me to question because I was more confused than ever and prompted to check the pantry.
“What the fuck? This is weird.”
The pantry was stocked, and I didn’t know what to make of it.
“Something ain’t right.”
I went back to my bedroom to grab my phone. I wanted to look at the contract to see if I missed something. As grateful as I was for a fully stocked fridge and pantry, there had to be a catch.
“They’re probably taking this shit out of my paycheck.”
Just as I found the contract, I heard the buzzer for the apartment. It was too soon for my food to be here, but I wasn’t expecting anyone else. I went to the monitor in the wall near the door and saw a woman holding a bouquet of sunflowers, which were my favorite.
“Can I help you?” I asked after pressing the button.
“I have a delivery for Ginae Burns.”
“Umm, okay. Do I need to come down, or will you come up?”
“I can come up.”
I pressed the button to allow her entry into the building. After opening the door to my apartment, I waited for her to enter the door to my hallway.
“Here you go, ma’am. Can you sign here?” the young lady asked, offering me an electronic clipboard for my signature.
I thanked her as I scribbled my name on the signature box. After taking the bouquet, I closed and locked the door, then rushed to the kitchen counter and placed the vase down. I quickly removed the tiny envelope and snatched the card out, anxious to see who these were from.
Ms. Burns,
Welcome to Black Elm. I am excited to have you with us for the next six months. I hope you have settled in nicely to your new apartment and everything is to your liking. The fridge and pantry are stocked with some basic items to get you started. The office opens at 7am each day, and I usually arrive around six. Feel free to come a little early if you’d like a few minutes to get acclimated. I’ll see you on Monday.
Dr. J.
I looked back and forth between the sunflowers and the card, more confused than ever. I’d never received such a warm welcome when I arrived at any of my other assignments. Although I appreciated it, I couldn’t help but think it was odd.
As I thought about what I considered special treatment, I went back to the refrigerator to examine the contents. Inside was my favorite brand of flavored water, strawberries, plums, peaches, cucumbers, avocados, coconut milk, whole-grain bread, and several other items I enjoyed.
In the freezer, there were frozen yogurt popsicles, a bag of frozen strawberries and pineapples, and peanut butter ice cream, which was my favorite guilty pleasure.
I closed the freezer and returned to the pantry. Upon inspection, it, too, was filled with some of my favorite snacks. The staffing agency had never asked me to complete a survey or questionnaire about my favorite foods. It was utterly impossible for them to know that information, and I was beyond baffled.
The buzzer sounded again, and this time, it was my food order. After allowing him in, I waited at the door as I did for the flowers. Once I received my food, I thanked the young man and locked myself inside the apartment.
After washing my hands, I sat in one of the stools at the breakfast bar to enjoy my food. My mind was racing, and I did my best to stop it from going in the direction it was determined to go. The more I thought about today’s events, the more nervous my stomach became.
The upgraded rental car, the apartment, the groceries, the flowers, and the name at the bottom of the note, . . . Dr. J.It couldn’t be.It was one thing for the universe to bring me back to Black Elm, but it was another for me to be assigned to work with the man who broke my heart for the next six months.
God, please tell me this ain’t that.
The thought of being thrust into a situation that put me in very close proximity to someone who hurt me to my core made me feel sick, but somehow, I managed to finish my food. After a quick shower, I crawled into bed with my phone and my laptop and FaceTimed my best friend.
“Hey, Nae. Are you all settled in?” Devyn asked when she answered my call.
“I am.”
“Uh-oh. You don’t sound right, and you look like you’re on the verge of breaking down. What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
