Payment

"Like what?"

Derick spun on her. "Did you really believe that I was cheating on you? That I would give up all that I had for a fling? If you think that, you are dumb as shit. I never touched that woman, and I think you know that. Always have known that." Derick left Lydia behind, standing on the sidewalk, stunned.

Derick reached the stoop of his apartment building before she snapped out of it. "Derick, hold on a second. You want a new beginning?"

"Yes, I do want a new beginning."

"We can start a new life together, just the two of us. C'mon." She pulled on his jacket like a child wanting candy in the checkout like at the grocery store.

Derick's anger prompted him to push her off the stoop so he could open the door to the building. Lydia recovered quickly. Her alabaster skin flustered. Lydia managed to grab the door before it closed on her and slipped inside.

"Please, let's just talk about this. Over some coffee or tea? You used to love the way I made tea."

"No. Don't come anywhere near me."

Derick had to endure Lydia's pleadings all the way up to the 27th floor. Once they got to the door of his apartment, he stopped her. "This is where it ends, Lydia. Goodbye." Derick walked into his apartment, slamming the door in her face, and locking it.