Chapter 2 LEGACY

Ella.

''Come on, you stupid machine'', I say to the coffee machine as I heard the front door open.

I've been standing there for 20 minutes, repeatedly hitting the top of my coffee machine, attempting to make it function. After inserting the pod, I press the button. It is dead. I've scrutinised everything, but nothing is functioning. I am giving up for today.

"All I want is a coffee'', I shout, getting frustrated.

''Wow. Wow. What is going on here, then?''

''Ask this stupid thing'', smacking it again.

''OK, women calm down and move out of the way''.

, she goes to the machine, looking at the back of it.

''Erm el, is there any chance that you haven't plugged it in?''

''It's plugged in. Jess, I never unplug it''.

''Well, it's not'' Picking up the plug from the side, she carefully inserted it into the outlet.

''You silly bitch, it was the toaster that was plugged in''. She laughs so hard that her belly aches and she doubles over in pain.

As I see her laugh, I can't help but join in, laughing and pointing at her with tears streaming down my face.

''It is your fault you made me laugh, and now I'm having a mental break-down'' I'm laughing so hard I nearly peed myself.

''Hey, don't blame me, blame your ex-jackass of a boss. He fired you, not me''.

''Shut up and stop laughing, will you''

Her laughter intensifies upon seeing my expression.

''OK, ok'', I say, after a minute.

We both take deep breaths, but you know when you laugh at something, then you still have it in your mind when you try to calm down, and you burst out laughing again, yeah well, that keeps happening after a minute of us being calm, I say.

"How about going to the legacy tonight? I really need a night out. I haven't had one in a long time and I think that tonight calls for it''.

''Yeah, sure, why not? Maybe we will meet the man of our dreams''.

''Yeah! That's a no from me. I don't want a relationship. You know what happened last time I was nearly dead? If you hadn't found me, I wouldn't be here right now''.

Jess looks at me with pained eyes. Fuck, I shouldn't have said that she had a bad time finding me like that.

Let me explain, so when I was 24, I had a relationship with a coworker at an IT department I worked at in Chicago. It was perfect for a couple of months, but then I noticed the little things he would do. I would put a cup in the sink and forget to wash it. He would blow up on me if the dinner wasn't done by a set time. He would lose it and one night he beat me so badly I was in hospital for 3 weeks with a fractured skull and 4 broken ribs. I couldn't eat normally because my face was extremely swollen, so I had to rely on a feeding tube. It was not fun for me. I've got scars on my body, some on my face, and I do my best to cover them up, but foundation can only do so much.

"sorry, Jess. I shouldn't have reminded you. Come on. Let's get ready, OK''.

I grab her hand and lead her to my room.

''So, what do you want to wear?''

''A dress'', rolling my eyes. I should have known.

Jess picks a black mini dress that just about covers her ass. If she was to bend over, you would see everything.

''Make sure you wear underwear'', I say, laughing.

''What do you take me for, a slut?''

''No, don't be silly. You're a tramp. There is a difference''.

''You bitch, she, throw's a pillow at me''.

Before she can throw another, I get up and put the music on.

''Enough women, get ready''.

She does as she is told, taking her clothes off and getting into the dress.

I go and make my own choice. I chose a knee-length dress in a soft baby blue shade and paired it with matching heels.

We dance, sing, drink and get ready. Within 2 hours, we are ready, jumping straight into the cab waiting outside for us.

"Can you please turn this up?" Jess asks the taxi driver when her favorite song plays.

He does as she asks, and we sing along happily buzzed already. I haven't had alcohol in a couple of months, so I will probably be drunk by 10pm.

Stepping into the club. The place was filled with a crowd of people. The bar seats are all full, so we just stand.

It's 15 minutes before a bartender is free, so when I see her I put my hand up.

''What can I get you, honey''

''Hey, can I get 6 shots of tequila and 2 vodka cokes please?''.

''Coming right up''.

within five minutes we have ours drinks.

''To a good night'', I hold my shot glass up

''To a good night'', Jess responds by doing the same.

I knocked it back, and I only got a minor burn in my throat, so I did the other 2 right after. It must be some weak shit because I have never had tequila that does not burn your throat.

Sipping my vodka and coke, I look around the club. There are men and women grinding on each other on the dance floor. Some are in the room's corner making out looking like they would like to strip each other off and do it right here., I look to my left and there is a couple sitting in a booth. The man has his hand up the women's skirt. I look away. My cheeks are turning red.

I notice two men in suits walking in from the corner of my eye. The one on the left catches my attention. He is attractive, with black curly hair neatly styled on top of his head. His suit fits his slim yet muscular body perfectly. As I gaze at his face, I see the corners of his mouth turn up into a smile. It's as if he's searching for something, and he finds it. I follow his gaze and realize he's looking directly at Jess

I look at the second man and my breath catches. He's incredibly attractive, exuding confidence and power. His brown hair, green eyes, and perfectly sculpted muscles make him irresistible. His suit fits him flawlessly, accentuating his physique. The white dress shirt clings to his stomach, highlighting his chiselled abs. Standing at 6ft 2, I can't help but be captivated by him. He's undeniably sexy, and I can't help but fantasise about being with him intimately. I bite my lip, unable to tear my gaze away.

''Someone is having fun.'' I hear from the side of me.

jumping I say ''What I wasn't doing anything''.

''no you was just eye fucking that guy over there''.

My cheeks go pink. ''He's hot. I wouldn't mind a piece of him. Besides, I have been all kinds of horny lately''.

''OK, too much information. I haven't seen this side of you in 2 years. Are you feeling OK?''

''Perfect'', I say, smiling. ''Maybe I'm getting fixed'', or maybe it's just that sexy man over there who knows, but I keep that part to myself.

''Why don't you go say" hi"?

''Why don't you say hi to his friend? He was staring at you. He wants you. I saw the smile on his lips''.

''No, you didn't shut up''. She blushes, Jess doesn't blush. There is only one time I saw it and that was with her high school crush and I have never seen it again until now.

''Speak to him. Maybe he's the love of your life'', I say, holding my hands to my heart.

''Shut up'', she says, smacking my arm.

''OK, I will go over, but you have to come with me''.

''Fine by me'', we walked over to the two men. All I can hope is that the one I like is not a jackass.