Page 69 of Petite Fleur

When I walk downstairs, I’m horrified by the state of our living room and kitchen.

Carlie took her frustrations out on my things.

My cookware and dishes are all smashed, bread is thrown all around the apartment, and the limited food that I had is thrown into the trash with what appears to be pasta on top of it.

The worst part is my birthday cake, half melted and sitting on the kitchen table with bread smashed into the half that wasn’t eaten by my former roommates.

I hope Carlie liked it because she just ruined the last little piece of happiness that I had.

Chapter 26

Leon Aldon

Everything is set.

I scrubbed every inch of our home with a citrus and vanilla-scented cleaner, something all-natural that I know Maeve enjoys. I filled a vase with flowers from our garden, stocked the bathroom with all of her products, and cranked the AC down the last few degrees.

Everything should be perfect.

I even let the football star go.

I didn’t want to, but in the end, it would break the code that I’d made for myself if I killed someone who hadn’t done anything wrong yet.

So, I drugged him and dragged his ass to the hospital, pretending to be a concerned citizen helping a stranger in need.

It got me thanked by countless doctors and even a few phone numbers from some sleazy nurses.

The numbers were promptly thrown into the trash while they watched.

They’re not Maeve, why would they think I’d ever choose them over ma petite fleur?

Overall, my home is ready for my girl, and she’s the last piece that I’m missing.

I wait until it's dark out to drive over to Maeve's apartment.

I know that for Saturday night, her roommates will be out partying until the bars close, so she's home alone.

I hope she's okay, I need her to be okay, but I'm pissed when I realize that her roommates didn't even lock the front door.

I made myself a key, but I didn't even need it; they really don't care if Maeve is safe, and it’s sickening.

I sneak in, seeing the apartment is pitch black. I want to pack things I know are hers, but I don't know what is hers outside of her room.

Whatever, I'll just buy her new shit if she needs it.

With the little bit of light shining in from the street lights and headlights of the cars that drive by, I can see a birthday cake on the kitchen table. It’s half melted, half eaten, and there’s bread smashed into the little bit that is left.

Her roommates disgust me.

They know how much my girl hates bread, and yet they willingly ruined the only thing my girl has splurged on since I’ve met her.

I wonder if she got to eat any of it before they ruined her birthday for a second time…

No worries, I will buy her another.

I’ll buy her a thousand birthday cakes if it will make her smile like she did that day at the store when she bought this one.

I make my way upstairs, seeing Maeve is sound asleep in her bed.