Two

His room was completely blocked off from view other than a window mirror covering on of the walls. It was more than bullet proof glass, as strong as it came, just in case.

There was a switch you could flick that would change it from a mirror to a window on the inside and they covered the outside by a curtain to give him a little privacy.

I walked in and Dr. Shawl was sitting on a chair, his head in his hands.

"Dr. Shawl." I acknowledged him and he lifted his head to me, giving me a small smile.

"Hey Opal." He said quietly.

"Having problems with 32?"

He sighed nodding.

"He refuses to say a word, I'm not even sure he knows how to speak. He just stares at the wall, won't even look at me. Its going to be a lot of work." He answers in his usual gentle tone.

I smiled reassuringly, "If anyone can help him its you. Is there anything you need before I head home for the night?"

He waved his hand dismissively.

"No, no, go on home, you're already here too late as it is. I'm right behind you."

I nodded before heading out.

Thank God its Friday.

I got home and did my usual routine. PB&J, I watched a little Brooklyn 99 before heading to bed where I would finally get a full 8 hours.

I woke up happily at 10:00 before heading out for my usual jog, running a little farther so I could eat properly tonight.

I got home where I found Jake passed out in our bed, still in his uniform.

I tucked him in properly before taking a shower.

When I got out I made some pancakes, Jake's favorite, leaving them out for him before heading to the dog adoption event I was volunteering at.

I loved animals and they've always seemed to like me too so I volunteer on my weekends. Jake doesn't like animals so this way I can get my fill of puppy love for the week.

I smiled as I walked in at the familiar old face or Bee, the leader of the adoption events.

"Hi, Bee" I greeted.

"Hi there sweetheart!"

"Lots of dogs today!" I said happily leaning down to pet the little puppies outside, wearing their handsome little bandanas to get adopted.

They all ran up to me, licking at my hands , jumping around my feet as I giggled happily.

We managed to get them all adopted by the end of the day, when I headed back home to get ready for my dinner date tonight.

I entered the house with a smile still on my face.

"I'm home!" I yelled, putting down my purse and hanging my keys.

No one answered so I looked around a little.

I checked my phone to see a text from Jack.

Went out with the boys. Meet you at the restaurant at 6:00. Make sure to dress nice

I sighed, not really that surprised. I cleaned up the dishes he left out and picked up his clothes off the floor, taking a mental note that I needed to do laundry before getting ready.

I don't know why he always insisted on telling me to dress nice, its not like I dress like a hobo every day which by the way I'm very tempted to.

I straightened out my hair, curling it lightly so that large ringlets rolled down my back.

I put on a large amount of makeup, Jake always preferred when I did and I don't mind, I've gotten pretty good at it.

Once I was finished I slid on my little black dress that showed off my curves but covered enough so that I didn't look like a prostitute before grabbing my purse and checking the time.

Right on time as usual.

I smiled triumphantly, slipping on my heels before heading out to my jeep and heading to the restaurant.

I hadn't eaten anything all day so that I could treat myself tonight and I was really excited.

It wasn't very far away and Jake has been dying to try it ever since it opened, I have no idea how he managed to get a reservation.

I entered the restaurant and smiled at the hostess.

"Reservation under Jake Crimson."

She nodded and smiled back, "Follow me."

I followed her to a cute little table set up in the middle of the packed restaurant.

I thanked her as she poured my water.

"Can I get you something to drink?"

"I'll just wait until my boyfriend arrives, but thank you."

She smiled one more time before leaving me.

I sat there, with my hands on my lap and a small smile on my face, looking around at all the happy couples, some of which were old and other seeming to have just started dating.

I checked the time and frowned.

Jake was almost an hour late.

I was about to text him when he showed up in front of me with a smile in a smart suit.

"Hey babe." He said smiling "Sorry I'm late I lost track of time."

I smiled, standing up to hug him, giving him a quick peck on the lips before sitting back down.

"Its fine, you look great." I said, happy to finally be spending some time with him.

"Thanks, new suit."

"What are you thinking of getting?" I asked after a couple of minutes of looking over the menu.

He shrugged, "I was thinking the lobster."

I nodded, "I noticed that, but I think I'm going to go for the chicken Alfredo."

He looked at me with disappointment and then took a peak at my body.

He probably didn't think I noticed his disapproval but I did.

I know I don't have the skinniest body. Maybe I should just get a salad...

The waitress came over and took our orders. He ended up ordering the most expensive bottle of wine and the most expensive meal on the menu. I had looked at the menu before hand and noticed the insane prices but held my tongue because Jake was so excited.

We made light conversation for a bit, he told me about his new cases at work and how overwhelmed he had been while I listened happily.

"You'll never believe what happened at work today! We have this new patient and-" I trailed off as a look of annoyance flashed across his face. He thought it was really boring when I talked about my work.

"Never mind." I said with a smile, "You'll probably find it boring."

He smiled in reply, "Go ahead, I can tell you want to say it."

I looked at him sheepishly before telling him about how crazy my day has been and about patient 32 and how mysterious the whole situation was but the whole time he was staring at something behind me.

I looked back for a second to see a really gorgeous skinny girl in a clearly expensive beautiful red dress. Her hair was blonde and looked like it had been professionally styled.

I sighed knowing I could never look like her but shook it out of my head. I looked down at my salad and seemed to have lost my appetite so I just concentrated on how happy Jake looked eating his lobster.

"Is your lobster good?" I asked, breaking his attention away from the blonde.

"Delicious." He responded.

I smiled, happy that he was happy.

"Excuse me I have to go to the washroom, I'll be right back."

He nodded and smiled at me as I made my way to the bathroom.

As soon as I got in there I leaned against the counter sighing.

Jake and I used to have so much fun going out but now I feel like I'm just a burden for him, keeping him from fucking other girls that he clearly wants to go after.

I heard the door open and looked up to see the blonde.

I smiled at her and she smiled back approaching me.

"Hi, I'm Leah."

"I'm Opal."

She approached the mirror, checking her makeup while I fixed some of the mascara that I'd managed to smudge a little when I got in here.

"I love your dress." Leah said, looking me up and down.

"Thank you, but its not nearly as nice as your dress, you look gorgeous."

"Oh honey, please, you're stunning. Who's the man you're with?"

"My boyfriend. Been together about 3 years."

She sighed turning to me.

"Look Opal, I know I don't know you and I have no right to say any of what I'm about to say but you need to hear it. You're gorgeous and clearly really sweet and I think we've both noticed how your man's eyes have been wandering all dinner. Honestly I feel a little uncomfortable and you deserve much better. I overheard some of you conversations, and he sounds like a dick. You should leave him, you can do so much better."

I just stood there, in shock at her honest words.

She handed me a piece of paper, "My number, text me when you ditch the dick."

With that she left the bathroom, leaving me standing there stunned, reflecting on her words.

I sighed. I don't think I can do it. As much as he's been an ass lately I still love him and I know he still cares for me too. We're just going through a rough patch.

I went out, back to my seat, shooting Leah a secret smile before sitting back down with Jake who was just finishing up his meal.

"So, Where were you today?"

"Out with the boys."

"Ya, but where did you guys go?"

"Why?"

"What?"

"Why are you asking do you not trust me?"

"No, of course I trust you, I was just making conversation."

He scowled, "Well it feels like an interrogation." He said, standing up from his chair.

In a huff he left the restaurant.

I just rubbed my face, careful not to mess up my make-up, trying to hold in my tears.

I glanced back at Leah who looked really angry and sad, clearly she'd heard our conversation.

"Here's the check, miss. Did you enjoy your food?" The nice waitress asked.

"I did, thank you so much, it was delicious, please tell your chef he did an incredible job."

She nodded happily before finishing clearing the table and leaving me to the check.

Dread filled me as I looked at the little black folder waiting to be opened.

Of course he left me with the check.

I opened it and nearly cried once I saw the numbers.

I shakily placed my card in the slot, waiting for the waitress to come take it, calculating what I would need to cut back on until I got my next pay check. I was saving up for a new purse, my current one starting to rip a little around the zipper but I guess it'll have to wait.

I noticed on the check that they had charged him almost 300$ for the reservation alone. I guess now I got how he managed to get the reservation and somehow I was the one paying for it. I don't even like these places.

I was hoping he would split the bill since I only had one glass of wine and a salad, not to mention he stays at my house rent free but he stormed off before he had the chance.

I headed home, my stomach rumbling a little, clearly not satisfied with the small amount of salad I ate but pushed through.

Leah's words kept echoing through my head.

Maybe its time, but I just can't bring myself to do it. Not yet at least. I know how good he can be maybe if I push through it'll get better again.

I entered my apartment to find my bedroom door locked.

There was a not on it so I removed it careful not to rip off any paint and read it.

'I'm still mad about tonight and don't want you sleeping in my bed with me tonight.'

HIS BED?! ITS LITERALLY MY APARTMENT I'M LETTING HIM STAY IN!

I let a single tear slide down my cheek before settling on the couch.

All my stuff was in the bedroom and all my toiletries in the bathroom attached to the bedroom so I couldn't get any of my things.

I just sighed, removing me heels and settling on the little couch. We also store the blankets and pillows in my closet which is only accessible through my bedroom so this is as good as its going to get.

I wanted to just sob and yell at Jake but I held it all in, dreaming about a day when this would all get better.