Chapter 11 - I Should Have Stayed Home

There are bad omens in life. A black cat crossing your path. Walking under a ladder. Walking into the bodega and immediately sensing that something is very, very wrong.

I pause at the entrance, gripping my iced coffee like a lifeline. Catherine is not alone.

Sitting next to her by the snack aisle is another woman.

Same energy. Same judgmental expression. Same half-amused, half-ready-to-fight-you smirk.

I am staring at two Catherines.

Luis meets my gaze from the register and shakes his head slowly, like he's offering a silent prayer.

I should leave. I should turn around and walk out.

But like an idiot, I take a step forward.

Catherine notices me first. Her smirk deepens.

"Pierre," she says, voice dripping with satisfaction. "Meet my friend, Elise."

Elise tilts her head, examining me. It is terrifying.

"Oh," she says, nodding. "So this is the man."

I do not like the way she says that.

Luis? Already holding in laughter.

Catherine sips her tea. "Be nice, Elise. Pierre is very sensitive."

I scoff. "I am not."

Elise immediately narrows her eyes. "What's your opinion on iced coffee?"

I pause. This is a trap.

"…It's essential to my survival."

Elise looks at Catherine. "Yeah, he's awful."

Catherine nods in agreement.

Luis has to turn away from the counter, physically shaking.

I exhale through my nose. I have lost, and I don't even know how.