Page 61 of Caffeine & Chaos
Nadia burst into tears, and Mandy rushed to her side, offering comfort with a gentle rub on the back. “I know it’s bad, but we can handle this. A little cleanup, some paint, and the place will be good as new,” Mandy reassured.
“It will never be the same,” Nadia sobbed, her voice trembling with fear and frustration. “How can I live here? That man was in here, in my home. Who was he? What does he want?” Her words came out in panicked bursts, her body shaking with each sob.
“Nadia,” Mandy said cautiously, “maybe this isn’t about you at all. Maybe Ryan is right, maybe this is about him. Maybe it’s about business, but maybe he also has an angry ex that saw the pictures of you two and freaked out.”
The idea hadn’t occurred to Nadia. She straightened up, sniffling as she considered Mandy’s words. Perhaps it was a jilted ex, someone from Ryan’s past. Melanie crossed her mind briefly, but she quickly dismissed the thought. Melanie didn’t seem the type, and hiring someone for such an act wasn’t in her character. However, that thought did unfortunately resurface her concerns that Melanie was the kind of woman Ryan could easily fall back in love with, in her absence.
“Could be,” Nadia nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll try texting him again. He didn’t answer me last night, but the ranch is busy, and he’s tending to his mom,” she explained, her words more for her own comfort than to convince Mandy.
“Text him, then let’s get to work. Let’s get this place cleaned up and go paint shopping. I’m thinking a change to the color palette, hot pink perhaps?” Mandy joked, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere.
Nadia squeezed Mandy tightly in a silent thank-you for her strength and support. Mandy was many things, but above all, she was tough. She hadn’t grown up with the cushy lifestyle that Nadia had, and her grit and determination were a testament to that.
“Why not just colour match with a bright orange?” Nadia said, gesturing to the spay paint on the walls.
“Hmmm, jumpsuit orange doesn’t suit you, my friend,” Mandy replied. She walked over to the broom closet and started sweeping up the glass on the floor.
Nadia pulled out her phone to update Ryan about the apartment.
Nadia: I’m at the apartment now. It’s a mess. Whoever did this also vandalized the place. There’s orange spray paint everywhere and my cushions have been slashed. Mandy and I are cleaning up. I’ll probably stay at her place again anyways. I miss you.
She jabbed the send button quickly before she could second-guess herself. The truth was, she did miss him. The thought of him at the ranch with Melanie never left the back of her mind, and the fact that he never responded to her text the night before was grating on her nerves.
“Hey Dutchess, you gonna help clean up this place or what?” Mandy looked over at her, her face playfully contorted into a scowl.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m on it.”
Nadia’s hands trembled slightly as she began picking up the couch cushions scattered on the living room floor. Each one revealed the vandal’s violent touch, slashed open and spilling its contents. Frustration and violation mingled in her thoughts as she hastily crammed the protruding stuffing back into the torn fabric. What a mess. She sighed heavily and settled on turning the cushions over for the time being. At least the rug in the living room appeared to be untouched.
“Nadia,” Mandy called her over to the kitchen, pointing at the empty key hanger. “Don’t you usually keep your spare keys here?” she asked, eyebrows furrowing in concern. Nadia nodded, her heart sinking as she realized they were missing.
“Damn it, yes. They’re gone,” Nadia muttered, staring at the vacant hooks on the wall.
“You’ve changed the locks, right?” Mandy’s gaze flicked to the front door, worry etched on her face.
“Yeah, the locksmith came yesterday. We’re good,” Nadia reassured her, though doubt lingered in her mind.
Why would someone take those random keys? The question gnawed at her, adding to her frustration and confusion.
Nadia made her way down the hallway and stopped short when she saw the state of her bedroom.
“Oh my god!” she exclaimed.
The room was a scene of chaos, worse than the rest of the apartment. The walls and mirrors were covered in graffiti, spray-painted in jagged lines of the same vibrant orange. The headboard of her bed was ripped apart, the fabric torn and dangling like tattered clothing. Sheets and pillows lay strewn across the floor, slashed through multiple times as if by a wild animal.
“Holy Shit!” Mandy chimed in, peeking around Nadia into the room. “Did they think you were hiding money in the mattress or something?” she asked.
“Maybe?” Nadia pondered. “Isn’t that a thing people used to do? I just can’t figure out why nothing of value was taken. Were they really expecting to find stockpiles of cash sitting in my apartment?” she asked rhetorically.
“Criminals are stupid,” Mandy shrugged, “I guess you’ll be staying at my place again tonight.”
“Yeah, this just solidified that plan. New paint, a new couch, and a new mattress and bed,” Nadia murmured to herself.
“Ooh, I love home shopping!” Mandy said cheerfully, once again trying to lighten the mood.
Nadia’s pocket buzzed, and she snatched her phone, hoping it was Ryan finally getting back to her.
Valentina: Please update me on what is going on. I haven’t heard anything from you, do you not think I worry? I am a mother with feelings, like any other.