Chapter 14: Chapter 14

BELLA

My mom threatened to come over to St. Vincent if I don't visit her in America. I knew my mom doesn't give empty threat and her coming will only blow up my cover. So, on Friday after school, I got my things ready and headed for the airport. Lucy offered to drop me off at the airport and I was happy she did. We said goodbye to each other and I boarded the plane going to Washington, D.C. Katie and Diana were at the airport to welcome me. It was kinda surprising to see them. I expected them to be in New York. Katie ran to me. We hugged each other and you could tell how much we've missed each other. "I've missed you," Katie cooed

"I missed you too, sweet". I smiled. Diana was standing a distance away from us. "Hey, Dia" I called. She looked away and I chuckled. I walked closer to her. "Come on, don't you miss me?"

"I did not miss you" Dia answered

I chuckled. "But you know I do miss you, right?"

She scoffed. "Like you miss me"

"Come on, I missed you, both and I know you miss me too"

Katie chuckled. "I miss you and I know Diana missed you too. She's been talking so much about you"

"I haven't" Dia defended

"You have"

I chuckled. This is what miss so much about them. Especially Dia. I hugged her. "I missed you, Dia"

She groaned. "Maybe I missed you"

I chuckled. "Of course you do"

She smiled. "I missed you. You couldn't even call me"

I batted my lashes. "I called. We had conference calls so many times"

She scoffed. "There is nothing conference about that call"

I chuckled. "Can we go home, please? I'm starving"

Dia frowned. "Weren't you fed in the plane?"

Katie smiled. "You don't look hungry to me"

I rolled my eyes. "Dia, stop acting like my mother would"

"I'm telling her that"

I chuckled. "You know we are besties right?"

"I can't remember that" Dia answered and began to walk away. I couldn't help but laugh. She sometimes acts like my mom and I wondered if she isn't my secret sister or stepsister.

**

I woke up feeling so tired. Mom had engaged me in some night talks, which I considered not relevant. She had called it the girls talk. She wanted to know how my relationship life is going. Even when I tried to make her understand I wasn't in any relationship and isn't ready for any relationship yet. Mom just won't let me be. She believed I was possessed and needed deliverance. Diana wasn't helping matter also. She supported mom. When I got tired of their fruitless conversation, I gave an excuse to leave, and surprisingly, it worked. Now, I woke up with a slight headache. I dragged myself lazily out of the bed. I needed to go for my morning jogs. I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth and then get ready.

**

People say a lot about Washington, D.C. but to me, nothing was fascinating here. Maybe that's because I loved New York than I loved it here. Or maybe mom's nagging and questions were the main reason I don't like Washington. Dad's absence at home made it worst. Diana and Katie had gone out with mom. And though I wanted to go with them, mom said I should sit back and think about my inability to get a man. I had rolled my eyes at the thought of it. I still don't get why mom thinks there is something wrong with me just because these men don't want to be kept by me. Now, being left alone in this big house, I felt so bored. I decided to take a stroll. I picked up my headphone and headed out. I was enjoying my music and also the weather. I must have been lost in thought and didn't realize someone called my name until I felt a hand touched me. I flinched. "Sorry, ma'am. I don't mean to scare you"

I batted my lashes. E-Ethan?"

He smiled. "It's me, ma'am"

I looked around. "What are you doing here?"

"I came with Jayden to see his mom"

I blinked. "Jayden stays here?"

"Not really. His mom stays here"

I sighed. "Where is he?. I mean Jayden?"

"He left"

"Left?"

He nodded. "He was so angry with his mom"

I frowned. Why is he so angry with his mom?. What has she done to him?. Is his mom as annoying as mine?. "Why?" I asked

"It's a long story, miss Bella"

I smiled. "We can talk it over a meal or maybe a drink"

He nodded. "I need that drink. My car is over there". I nodded. I followed him to his car and we entered. "You haven't told me what you're doing here"

I batted my lashes. I never thought about telling him why I was here. "Well," I began. I coughed, trying to buy myself some time.

"Are you, ok?"

I nodded. "My aunty stays a few houses away from here. I came on a visit". He smiled. I couldn't risk telling him my parent lives here. He pulled the car over in front of a restaurant and we entered. We sat down to talk. Ethan told me a lot and I realized Jayden had gone through a lot and needs help even when it doesn't look like he will accept that. I stood up. "Where is he now?"

"At the graveyard, I guess"

I smiled. "I will go see him"

He batted her lashes. "You will?". I nodded. "Don't let him know I told you where he is"

"I promise"

**

I wanted to go home and get my car but decided to take a taxi. I do not want Jayden to find out I came from a rich family, considering what Ethan had told me. The drive to the graveyard was taking so much time and I was beginning to wonder if I would meet him there. When the car finally came to a halt, I rushed out of the car, forgetting to pay. He called me back and I pulled out some dollars from my coat pocket. "You can keep the rest of the change" I yelled running. I sighted someone standing a distance away. From behind, I could tell it was Jayden. I moved closer to him and without drawing his attention, I heard him say all those words. I could feel his pain and I wished his dad was alive. He stood up. "I will be returning to the Caribbean today and won't be coming back to America for a while. Can you please take care of yourself for me?" He asked

I smiled. "I'm sure he will" I answered.

He turned and batted his lashes. "Bella?. I mean, miss Bella. What are you doing here?"

There was no way I was going to tell him, Ethan told me he was here. I had promised Ethan I would keep it a secret, so I smiled. "Well I was passing by and I saw you. I wondered what you were doing here. I came to confirm"

He sighed. "You should leave"

I moved closer to him and squatted. I dropped the flower I was holding. "Dad, I hope you understand why Jayden had turned out to be cold-heart. Your death had caused him a lot but I can tell you he's going to recover and when next he comes to visit, he will be the jovial little boy you had brought up"

I stood up and he frowned. "I'm not cold-hearted"

I smiled. "You are"

"I'm not"

I shrugged. "You are but you won't anymore. Follow me"

He frowned. "This isn't school. You can't order me around"

I laughed. "Come on. We need to talk"

"I don't want to..."

I held his hand and dragged him. "You don't have a choice "