Revenge Looks Good In Gucci

Behind The Shadows

The line went dead.

Amber stared at her screen, her hand trembling like a faulty switch.

  “Ma’am, are you okay?” a voice asked gently.

She blinked, finally registering a uniformed officer holding her by the elbow and guiding her to a seat. Someone else offered her a bottle of water.

  “I’m fine,” she muttered, still dazed.

She didn’t know how long she sat there, but the sound of footsteps made her look up. There he was, Xavier, hovering above her with a concerned look on his face.

  “Amber?” he said again, his voice softer this time.

She blinked, then forced a smile. “Oh, that was quick.”

He sat down beside her, confused. “I also can't believe I’m out just like that. How did you convince them?”

  “Yep,” she said, brushing imaginary dust off her jeans. “I explained things to the right people. Sometimes, all it takes is talking to someone who listens.”

Xavier narrowed his eyes. “Amber… that wasn’t just ‘talking.’ What did you actually do?”

She stood. “Are you going to sit here and ask me questions or are you going to come with me to get food? Because I'm hungry, I don't know about you.” 

  “I will pick food,” Xavier said with a sincere smile. “I am also actually hungry”

  “Now come on. Let’s get out of here before you start getting used to this place.”

He followed her without another word.

They ended up at a small local restaurant with peeling yellow walls and the smell of deep-fried something in the air. They sat in a corner booth with two bowls of spicy jollof and grilled turkey.

Xavier stared at his plate for a while before digging in.

  “This is good,” he said between bites. “I haven’t had proper food in days.”

Amber smiled. “Good. Maybe you’ll finally stop looking like a ghost.”

He laughed softly, then grew serious. “Are you sure you're not going to get into trouble? I mean, leaving work… to come bail me out?”

Amber waved her fork. “Business has been slow lately. Plus, Old Mike’s been under the weather. He hasn’t shown up in days. Nobody’s going to notice the café didn’t open today.”

He watched her for a second, then leaned back. “You looked worried when I came out. Like something else was on your mind.”

She hesitated, then shrugged. “Just… scared. You were arrested, Xav. Do you know what it felt like hearing that?”

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “It feels like the world’s out to break me in pieces.”

  “It’s not,” she replied quietly. “But you’ve got to stop letting life kick you while you’re down. You need to move on.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Move where? Do what?”

  “Anything,” she said. “Get busy. I saw a vacancy sign at that new corner bakery. I can go ask about it for you tomorrow.”

Xavier looked away, guilt creeping up his face. “Amber… I didn’t mean to become your responsibility. I didn’t want to be a burden.”

She placed her spoon down, her voice firm. “You’re not a burden, okay? I offered to help because I care.”

He looked at her, surprised.

She leaned forward. “I get it. Lisa hurt you. Deeply. And no one can fix that. But how long are you going to keep sinking, Xav? You can’t mourn a future that didn’t want you. You’ve got a whole life ahead of you. And I’m ready to scout the entire town if that’s what it takes to help you start again.”

He let out a dry laugh. “Start again with what qualifications? I didn’t go to college. I gave up everything to support Lisa… and look how that turned out.”

  “And that doesn’t make you less of a man,” Amber snapped. “It makes you human. You sacrificed for someone you loved, that’s not weakness. That’s loyalty, and now… it’s your turn.”

He looked at her, really looked. And for the first time in weeks, he felt something close to hope.

On their way back home, Amber suddenly stopped walking.

  “We need to get you new clothes,” she said.

Xavier looked down at himself. “Why? What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

Amber gave him a look. “Xav, those clothes have seen better days. Plus, half of them were outside when Lisa sold the house and it rained on them, remember?”

He sighed. “I guess I do look like a walking sad story.”

Amber smiled and tugged at his arm. “Exactly. So come on, there’s a boutique around the corner.”

They walked into a small clothing store that smelled like clean fabric and air freshener. Amber went straight to the racks, already picking out shirts and pants like she knew exactly what he needed.

  “You really don’t have to do this,” Xavier said.

Amber raised an eyebrow. “You want to go job-hunting in that faded T-shirt?”

He gave a small laugh and raised both hands. “Alright, alright. You win.”

While he was in the changing room, she shouted through the curtain, “Try the navy-blue one first!”

He stepped out after a few minutes wearing it, paired with a nice pair of chinos.

Amber’s eyes lit up. “Now that’s a man who can get hired.”

Before Xavier could respond, an older man nearby looked at them and smiled warmly.

  “You two make a cute couple,” he said.

They both froze.

“Oh no, no...we’re just friends,” Amber said quickly, laughing.

“Yeah,” Xavier added. “Just friends, more like bros. Nothing like that.”

The old man chuckled. “Sure, sure. That’s how it always starts.”

They both laughed awkwardly and made their way to the counter. As the cashier was ringing them up, Xavier glanced toward the window.

Someone was standing just outside.

A figure in black clothes. Hood up, watching them.

Xavier’s smile dropped. He squinted, trying to make out the face, but the guy didn’t move. Just stood there like a shadow.

  "Amber,” he said quietly. “Do you see that guy by the window?”

She turned quickly, but the spot was empty.

  “What guy?”

Xavier looked again.

The person was gone.

  “Never mind,” he muttered. “Maybe I’m just seeing things.”

Amber nudged his arm gently. “You’re just paranoid. After everything that’s happened, I don’t blame you.”

But Xavier wasn’t so sure.

Because something about that moment didn’t feel random.