Please, Jolie

We arrived at his condominium. It was nice. We parked in the garage, my head was pounding and I just wanted to go up stairs and lay down. Did I only drink five cups of wine or did I have more? I was so dazed out and tired.

"We are here jolie. Are you ready?". Phabeian's voice sounded mellow.

"Yes." I agree. I guess I didn't notice he had parked because not even five seconds later her was picking me up marriage style and carrying from the garage to the entrance of his condo.

"I live on the sixth floor." He said. Was he serious? It seemed far, was he even strong enough to hold me that long? For what seemed like eternity we finally arrived at his door. I guess he was reading my mind in the lobby because this was the first time he put me down since we left the car. Did he want to prove himself? He takes his key out his jacket pocket and jiggles them into the lock. The door opens and we step inside. The inside was beautiful! Open and vast. I loved it.

"Welcome Home jolie!" I heard him say walking toward the open kitchen.

"Home?" What was he talking about.

"Sorry, I meant this could be your home jolie". He chuckles as he pulls out two wine glasses from the cabinet. I feel sick. I think I've had enough, but something makes me ignore my mind and follow him to the kitchen for another glass of wine.

"Would you like another glass?" He asks.

"Yes please." A calm response as he pour another glass of wine.

"You look tired jolie, do you want to freshen up? The bathroom is just left of the kitchen...and the bedroom is just left of that. You can freshen up and put on something comfortable." I look at him and I'm amazed at his hospitality.

"Thank you." I step away from the island table and escort myself to the bathroom. The house was very square and everything seemed to surround the kitchen and living room. I went into the bathroom and decided to take a shower. I turned on the water and let it run while I undressed. The dress I wore was uncomfortable and I couldn't bare to wear it any longer. I got into the showers and began to lather my body. Just then I heard a creak! The door began to open.

"Hello? Phabeian? Is that you?" I call out. There was no response. Suddenly the showers curtain jerked open. It was Phabeian! "What the hell Phabeian! I'm in the shower".

"I know. You look beautiful by the way. Anyhow, I left you something to wear on the bed. Come to the living room when you're done." He said while leaving the bathroom closing the door behind him. I walked out the bedroom to see him sitting on the couch watching tv. He turns to me with a distinct frown.

"Grab the blanket and come sit and relax. We can watch tv together for a bit". I was a bit paranoid about his invitation, it was weird but his tone made him irresistible. I walked to the couch and grabbed the blanket that was folded at the end of it. I spread the blanket and sat next to him while he handed me my glass of wine. I took a sip then sat the glass down on the coffee table.

I guess he didn't like the distance because he yanked my arm and pulled me close to him. Here we were cuddled and watching a movie. I can't make out what the movie is because it starts getting blurry...everything gets blurry.

"Ph-Phabeian?" I mumbled. I didn't know if he could hear me. My mouth didn't feel like it was moving. I felt numb. I looked up and he was watching the movie. I was watching him for about five minutes before he started positioning himself to slouch a bit.

"You need someone to take care of you. You need me jolie. I need you to understand that you need me". I could hear him say faintly under his breath. What did he just say? I didnt need him? I've never needed him before. My mind started to race everything around me was somehow dim and grey and my mind was unclear. My mind was blank. How could he say something so displaced?

"What are you talking about?" I said pulling myself up from his arms.

"Look at where you're at jolie. A beautiful condominium, with a more than deserving man. You are too beautiful! Not just any man deserves you! You're special."

"And what? You deserve me?" I said getting angry. I was appalled! I didn't need anyone. I've taken care of myself since I was fourteen and I didn't need some dude telling me that I needed him after almost 10 years of doing it.

"Yes. I do deserve you jolie. And you deserve me." His tone got stern.

"And what makes you think that?" I had to know.

"You know curiosity killed the cat jolie, and satisfaction brought it back! Have you ever heard that saying jolie." I was stuck. What? What did that even have to do with anything. Why did he keep saying my name?

"I've only heard 'curiosity killed the cat', but what does that have to do wi-" He interrupts me.

"You were curious enough to disobey your own moral conduct to have dinner with me, to come to my apartment, to sit and watch a movie with me. You like it here with me. It might destroy you, but your satisfaction will bring you back to me. Always". He caressed my cheek. "You will love me and the life I give you, you are the cat jolie, and I am your curiosity". Those were the last words he said before getting up and walking into the bathroom. I was left stuck in a daze. He was talking like a lunatic. A crazed psycho. But I don't know, the idea of being so passionately loved and cared for seemed like heaven. I've never experienced that type of intimacy. Most men want to get in my pants then have nothing to do with me. It has been a while since I've heard such exhilarating words. They literally took my breath away. I was completely be-winded and I was speechless. After a short time he returned but he didn't sit on the couch. He stood in front on me.

"Can I take you somewhere jolie, a very special place to me." He said putting out his hand signaling me to reach for it. I didn't know where he wanted to take me and after his words I wasn't sure if I wanted to find out. What was he talking about and where was this place. I couldn't stand not knowing. I grabbed his hand and he led the way. We walked into the hallway of his condo and then to elevator. He clicked the button for "rooftop". It felt a little cheesy. Was his favorite place on the rooftop? under the stars? It sounded like something from every romance movie I ever seen and book I've ever read. The elevator came to a complete stop and we arrived at the stair case that led to the roof.

"Follow me." He said totally avoiding the stair case and walking passed it. I was surprised. We weren't going up to the roof? Little behold just behind the staircase was a door. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small set of keys.

"Do you like collections jolie?" He questioned before unlocking to door.

"Depends on the collection."

"Do you like personal collections?" His question made me quiver. He unlocked the door and opened it. We entered the pitch black room. The only light seeping through was from the door and even that disappeared when Phabeian closed it. He flicked on the light and the entire room lit up maroon. Was this photo room? I started to look around. It was. I seen pictures hanging from threaded lines and some on the wall. I seen photo albums and computers. It was fascinating.

"Are you a photographer?" I asked.

"Yes. It's my passion. I mostly take pictures of landscapes." He replied walking over to a shelf that had a few photo albums sitting on top of it. He ruffled through them and grabbed the second to last album. He dusted it off and walk towards me with it. He handed it to me and smiled.

"Look for yourself." He said urging me to take the album. I looked at him and again around the room. In the short distance was a small sofa. I took the album from his hands and started to flip through the pages. The photos were beautiful. Did he really take all these? There were pictures from mountain tops, skylines, the deep sea, even safari's. Did he really do all these things? How wealthy was he?

"You really took all of these pictures ?"

"Well who else? Those ones however aren't recent. There actually fairly old pictures from family vacations as a kid."

"You took these as a child."

"Yea. My father was a pretty adventurous dude and when my mom was diagnosed with cervical cancer he was eager to do everything before she passed."

"I'm sorry for your loss Phabeian. It must be hard."

"It was, but it's life. My father passed about a year ago, so now it's just me."

"Wow. You're strong. I don't even know what I'd do if I didn't have my parents." I said with empathy.

"You'll live on to the next day of your life..." his word words were hollow and cold. "I used to think I wouldn't be able to live without them. Then, my mother died. It was hard for both my father and I. Everyday was a struggle; learning how to live without her, but we did. And almost ten years later after my mother died so did my father. I was devastated and alone. It's been the worst trying to figure myself out without them." His words made my eyes swell.

"You don't have any siblings."

"Yes. Just one, but I don't know her. She was my fathers first child from his first marriage. My father was very young and left her and the mother behind. I don't know if I'll ever get to meet her. My father only mentioned her when he got letters from her and her mother."

"What's her name."

"April."

"April? That's a nice name."

"I guess." His remarks seemed unjust.

"Do you wish you grew up with her?"

"Eh- it might've been nice...but I had a good life so what would it have done? Make my experiences less personal?"

"You'd be less lonely..." I couldn't tell if I was aggravating him or opening him up.

"It's getting late, would you like to go to bed?" He asked opening the door again. The way he ignored my last statement made it clear this is where the conversation would end. I looked at him and smiled. It was getting late and I was getting tired. He was right, it was time to turn in. We left the room and headed back to his condo. When we arrived, he opened the door and we entered. I walked to the couch and went to lay down.

"Wouldn't you prefer the bed?" I was shocked by his question. The bed was his...was he expecting us to sleep together?

"It's okay, I'll be fine on the couch". I replied as he walked closer to me.

"No...you will take the bed and I'll rest on the couch." He said picking me up and bringing me to the room. The way he carried me made me melt in his arms.

"Thank you." He continued in silence. He laid me on the bed and tucked me in. He slowly rubbed my forehead before walking out. He left the door open and I could see him setting himself up on the couch. He was nice and I was at peace. It was finally time to rest.