Bittersweet Memories (Off-Limits)

I frown when I notice the pile of clothes at the entrance of my building. This… this is all mine. Why the hell are my clothes on the street? I bend down to pick up as much as I can, only to freeze in shock when my landlord walks out of the building carrying a box filled with my belongings. “Mr. Smith?” I ask, confused. “What is going on?”

He smiles at me, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Sorry, kiddo. I’m going to have to evict you.”

“What?” I stare at him, struggling to comprehend what he’s telling me. “Why? I’ve never missed a rent payment. You haven’t even given me any notice or warnings.”

He shrugs and drops the box he’s holding to the floor, sending some of my books flying out of it. “You’re subletting, kid. I don’t have to give you shit. I want you and your things out of here. Now.”

I start to tremble and tears gather in my eyes. It took me weeks to find this place, and it’ll be impossible to find something this cheap quickly. Even if I do, it might not be safe, and I can’t afford anything more expensive until I get my first paycheck. “Where am I supposed to go?”

I see a hint of sympathy in his eyes, but it’s gone before I can utter another word. “Not my problem,” he says, shrugging. “I’ve already had the locks changed, so don’t bother trying to get into the studio.” I watch as he walks back into the building, the door slamming closed behind him.

I sink down to the floor, surrounded by every single thing I’ve ever owned, all of it scattered over the floor. A hint of something I can’t quite place flickers through my mind, filling me with pure agony. Memories of a hall filled with bunk beds and dim lights, a man’s voice calling my name… just as I think the memory will solidify, it’s gone, leaving me feeling empty.

I have nowhere to go, no one to turn to. There are a few people I know from college, but I’m not close enough to anyone to ask for help. The only person I’ve ever dared to rely on was Ryan, but I can’t call him. I won’t.

I gather my things together as I try to think of a solution. There’s one place I can go to right now. If nothing else, that’ll give me a few hours to figure out what my options are. I bite down on my lip as I open up the ridesharing app on my phone and order a taxi to Sinclair Security.

If I get caught sneaking into the office after hours with all of my belongings in tow, it isn’t just my pride that’ll be at risk. It’s my job too. Sinclair Security doesn’t condone a lack of professionalism, and I’ve already angered Silas once. But what else can I do?

I’m terrified as I walk into the building, my arms trembling under the weight of the boxes I’m carrying. Just a few more steps until the elevator. Please, I silently beg. Please don’t let anyone see me.

For once, my luck holds up, and I make it to my floor undetected. I place my boxes underneath the desk I used today and sink into my chair, trying my best to keep from crying.

At times like these, I find myself wondering if there’s anyone out there who misses me, who’d want to be there for me… but then I remember that in all these years, no one has ever come looking for me.

I grab my phone, wondering if there’s anyone I could call, only to find twenty-two missed calls from Ryan. I unlock my phone and frown at the countless messages he’s sent me.

Ryan: Where are you?

Ryan: Why aren’t you picking up?

Ryan: I’m in front of your house

Ryan: Please, can we talk?

Ryan: Seriously, Alanna. Where are you?

Ryan: Call me as soon as you see this

Ryan: I’m worried, honey

I hesitate for a moment. If I asked, he’d help me. He might have been talking shit about me, but he’s never actually treated me badly otherwise, and even though I’ve been going out of my way to avoid him lately, he hasn’t stopped trying to contact me. I don’t have anyone else I can turn to. He’s all I’ve got.

“Alanna?”

I tense, a surge of panic rushing through me. My heart starts to race and my stomach drops, fear rendering me speechless.

“What are you doing here at this hour?”

I turn to face Silas, trying my best to keep from trembling. Tears start to gather in my eyes, and though I try my best to keep them in, I can’t keep them from spilling. He told me I’d lose my job if I messed up in the slightest, and I barely lasted a week. Showing up even remotely hungover can cost you a job, let alone this. Using company assets for personal purposes is strictly prohibited, and I’ve definitely crossed the line. “Please,” I beg. “Let me explain. Please don’t fire me, Silas. Please. I swear I can explain.”

He walks up to me and places his hands on my shoulders, his gaze reassuring. “Okay,” he says. “I won’t fire you.”

I blink in surprise, and he nods at me. “I won’t fire you, Alanna. Just tell me what’s going on, okay?”

“I… I was evicted without notice. I had nowhere to go, and I know this is unprofessional, but I just came here because I needed somewhere to think. I won’t stay here, I swear. It had started to rain, and I just didn’t know where to go. I’m so sorry. I know you want to get rid of me and you have a zero tolerance policy for unprofessionalism. I know that… but please, please… I-I’ll call a friend now to come get me.”

He looks into my eyes and takes a step closer to me. I tense when he cups my cheeks and sighs, his thumbs swiping at my tears. “Get rid of you, huh? Your mind really is quite peculiar. I wonder how you came to that conclusion, little overthinker.” He runs a hand through his hand and sighs. “Come with me,” Silas says, his voice soft yet firm. He grabs my hand and pulls me along before I can protest.

“Where are we going?” I ask when he leads me to the elevator. I’m scared he’s personally escorting me out of the building, and I don’t know how to convince him to let me stay.

He tightens his grip on my hand and pulls me into the parking garage. Before I realize what’s going on, he’s holding the door to his bright red Ferrari open for me. I stare at him in confusion, and he tilts his head toward the door. “Get in,” he orders.

I don’t dare object and cautiously get into the car, scared of dirtying his seats somehow. I’ve already destroyed one of his cars. He won’t let me off if I damage another.

Silas gets in beside me and leans over me as he reaches for my seatbelt, his face inches from mine. I inhale sharply when my eyes meet his. He smiles, and I look away as he fastens my seatbelt for me. He doesn’t seem angry, and the tenderness in his gaze takes the edge off my anxiety.

“Where are you taking me?” I whisper, my heart uneasy. Something about today’s situation makes me feel restless. It’s almost like being thrown out of my studio flat rubbed salt into wounds I didn’t know existed. I feel heartbroken, and it’s about more than just being evicted. It’s got something to do with my lost memories, but I can’t figure out how or why. Have I been in this situation before?

“I’m taking you home, baby,” Silas says as he starts the car.