10. Dinner Date
1177 Words
"Gary, you know you can draw other things besides giraffes, right?" I ask after he brings me his fifth drawing of a giraffe. This time, the giraffe has horns.
"No," Gary mutters and continues to draw his magical giraffe.
I sigh. This kid probably needs some therapy, and so will I while I try to figure this reincarnation s**t out.
After I looked around my class, I found a collection of Gary's drawings of giraffes. Horned giraffes, winged giraffes, and even giraffes with crowns—all seem to be part of Gary's magical giraffe universe.
"Gary, seriously, don't you want to draw something else for a change?" I persist, attempting to divert his attention from the fantastical giraffe realm he seems so fixated on.
"No," he replies, not looking up from his masterpiece. His dedication is almost impressive.
Someone knocks on the door, so I look up.
"Ms. Miller?" It's one of the administrative assistants, Millie, at the door. "Someone sent you a present." The girl smirks.
"A present?" I raise an eyebrow. "Who's it from?"
Millie hands me a bouquet of flowers. "Not sure, but there's a card inside."
"Thanks, Millie." I take the bouquet and quickly find the attached card.
I immediately recognized Axel's squiggly handwriting even before I read the name.
"Good luck on your first day back at work, baby. I love you," the note says.
I feel a flutter in my belly. This is all wrong. Who is this Axel? He was never sweet before. Have I been looking at this whole thing wrong? Maybe the point of my reincarnation isn't to take revenge for my murder but to start over with Axel.
But why with Axel, of all people? That part makes no sense to me.
The mystery surrounding Axel and the unexpected change in his behavior swirl in my mind as I walk down to the breakroom during my lunch break. Despite the sentimental note and the flutter in my belly, doubts linger.
"Ella," I ask one of the other teachers, "do you believe in reincarnation?"
Ella looks up from her sandwich, raising an eyebrow at my seemingly random question. "Reincarnation? That's a bit deep for a lunch break conversation, isn't it?"
I shrug, feeling the weight of uncertainty pressing on me. "I've been thinking a lot about it lately. What if we get a second chance at life to make things right?"
Ella chuckles, taking a sip of her drink. "You've been watching too many mystical movies. We have one life, and we better make the most of it. No do-overs."
I nod, contemplating her words. "But what if something extraordinary happened? What if life throws unexpected twists at you, and suddenly, you find yourself questioning everything?"
Ella leans back in her chair, studying me curiously. "Okay, spill the beans. What's going on?"
I sigh. "It's nothing. I was just thinking about these things, that's all."
"Well, if reincarnation is real, I want to be reborn as a dog. Preferably in a billionaire's house," Ella declares.
Gah, I wish that was the case. I would be as carefree as a dog right now.
The rest of the day flew by and it was time for me to go home.
Axel was waiting for me at the door. "Hey, did you get my little present?" he asked and smirked.
I smiled. "Yes. Thank you for the flowers. They are beautiful."
Axel's smirk widens, and he pulls me into a warm embrace. "Anything for you, my love?"
I hesitate, unsure of how to approach the subject that has been consuming my thoughts.
"I have another surprise for you," Axel said, pulling me inside the house.
My curiosity piqued, I follow Axel into the house, wondering what other surprise he has in store.
As we enter the dining room, I notice a small table decorated with candles and two plates with food. Axel gestures toward the setup, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I thought we could have a special dinner tonight. Just the two of us."
I smile, touched by his thoughtful gesture. "That sounds wonderful, Axel. Thank you."
~-~
Axel had transformed the space into something from a glossy magazine, with candles flickering like tiny lighthouses amidst a sea of shadows. He stands behind my chair, waiting for me to sit.
"Please," he urges, the warmth in his voice at odds with the coolness of his eyes, "I've made everything myself."
Settling into the chair, I can't help but arch an eyebrow. "You cooked?" surprise laces my tone. Axel, my stepbrother-turned-husband by fate's cruel hand, was many things, but a devoted partner wasn't one I'd thought.
"Every dish," he confirms, pulling out his own chair across from me. "Surprised?"
"Understatement of the year," I mutter, unfolding my napkin onto my lap.
I am shocked beyond belief. Axel never even washed a single dish when he was living with me and Mom. So how did he change like this?
"Try the risotto," Axel suggests, gesturing towards a creamy mound speckled with vibrant green herbs. "It's your favorite, isn't it?"
I hesitate, dissecting his eager expression.
"It is my favorite. Okay, I will try," I say, scooping a small portion onto my plate. The first bite is rich and savory. Wow, Axel is a good cook!
"Good?" he asks, a smile playing on his lips.
"Surprisingly," I admit, allowing a tentative smile to mirror his. Yet, even as I try to savor the flavors, my instincts scream that something isn't right. There is an intensity in Axel's gaze, a hunger that isn't for the food.
"Here, have some wine," he says. "This was a wedding gift," he says as he pours it into my glass.
"What about you? Aren't you going to drink some?" I ask.
"I am more of a beer and whiskey guy," he says and holds up his highball glass. "You enjoy it."
I take a sip of the wine, the rich taste complementing the flavors of the meal. Axel watches my every move, his eyes never leaving mine.
"It's good. Kind of sweet," I comment.
I take another bite and then another. Suddenly, my throat feels dry, so I take another sip of wine, bigger than the last.
"What's wrong? You look pale all of a sudden," Axel comments.
"I don't know. My throat feels weird," I say.
Axel narrows his eyes. "Weird, how?"
Suddenly, the world begins to tilt. A fiery pinch claws at my throat, tightening its grip with merciless intent. Panic surges through me, hot and relentless. I drop my fork, its clatter deafeningly loud as the room starts spinning.
"Can't...breathe..." I gasp, clutching at my neck.
"Chloe! What's going on?"
My vision blurs, the edges darkening as I stare across at Axel.
"Chloe?" His voice seems distant, filtered through the rush of blood in my ears. "What's wrong?"
"Help," I manage, my plea barely a whisper. The room is folding into darkness, and the last thing I saw was Axel's figure rising—too slow, too calm—as the world slips away into nothingness.
- Writer
