Chapter 36: Chapter 36

“How many to be exact?”

That slimy bastard!

“Six, there were six of them. Seven if you include his latest victim.” She growled.

“Shit!” I stare at her completely dumbfounded.

‘I know. The worst part is we let the creep into our house.” She says torn up.

“Hey, how were you guys suppose to know. I mean it's not like the jerk knows it was Conrad that brought the information forward does he?” I stare at her anxiously.

“I don’t think it would've taken him long to put two and two together once dad had got the police involved.  He's also prosecuting him for illegally gaining access to the files.”

“Surely he would get done for trespassing and sexual harassment?” I snarl.

“None of the women kept the stuff so there is no physical evidence to pin it on him.”

“That’s fucking bullshit.” I stare at her with wide eyes.

“Yeah, but I doubt that will be the last any of us hear from him. I can't imagine him keeping silent about it all.”

“I can only imagine the man will have some crazy vendetta planned already.”

Sicko!

We drop the conversation once our meals arrive and they're to die for. The best chicken lasagne I've ever tried. Mouthwateringly, orgasmic to be exact. We finish our meals within the hour time frame we're given due to the restaurant being high in demand. We move into the bar area where the live band is now playing a mix of R ‘n’ B, pop and reggae. We buy a few more rounds and stay longer than we had intended, by the time ten o’clock rolls around I‘m sitting at a table drinking water and snacking on peanuts to try and sober up a little before we head back to the hotel for the night. I look towards the crowd and spot Chrissy jumping up and down having the time of her life.

Ding…

Sanz: Let’s do dinner again when you come back.

Vanessa: As friends?

Sanz: Ofcourse Nessa.

Sanz: Another friend free of Judgement.

I mean yeah, that’s all anyone wants right? Someone you can confide in knowing they aren’t judging you.

Vanessa: I'm in desperate need of some new friends.

I reply with the laughing emoji.

Sanz: Sweet.. See you when you get back.

I smile as I tuck my phone back into my bag. Who would've thought that I'd even consider wanting to chill with Sanz? The headmaster, he’s such a sly snake. I suppose snakes deserve a chance in proving their worth too right?

When morning comes around I roll out of bed and look at the time in the alarm clock sitting on top of the bedside drawer next to the bed.

6.33a.m.

I sigh deeply and roll out of the bed trying not to disturb Chrissy while she still sleeps next to me. I use the toilet and take a quick hot shower deciding on what to order for breakfast. Bacon, eggs and toast…. Maybe some blueberry pancakes drizzled in maple syrup…..

Decisions, decisions.

I finish washing up not bothering to wash my hair as I didn’t bring my hair straightener and dealing with my untamed hair is not on my ‘I give a fuck' list today. A high loose bun will just have to do. I step out of the shower and wrap myself in a heated towel from the towel rack. And walk back into the room grabbing a sundress from my case. I put it in some black sandals and a fresh set of matching undergarments. I quietly tiptoe back to the bathroom and get changed. When I walk back to the room Chrissy is sitting up against the headboard rubbing her head.

“Someone nursing a headache?” I titter as I grab some Advil from my bag and a bottle of cool water from the fridge.

“Why do I do this to myself?” She sighs taking the items from my hands.

“Only you can answer that.” I watch as she swallows the pills and water.

“How about I order us some breakfast?”

“Yeah, I think some food might do me well.” She pulls the blanket up covering herself.

“Bacon, eggs and toast?”

“With hash browns and some fried onion and tomatoes.” She licks her lips.

“Done deal.” I pick up the phone and place the order with two coffees and orange juice.

“They said to give them Twenty mins max.” I sit back on the bed.

“Suppose I should get up and make myself look presentable. I can only imagine what I look like. I bet belong on the runway of ‘The walking dead’”

She throws the blankets back and stomps off into the bathroom mumbling in self-pity. I shake my head laughing as she turns the shower on and seconds later she yelps loudly. I like my showers warm and she likes hers scolding hot leaving her skin red. I get off the bed and make it knowing the hotels' maids will strip the bed. I don’t like the idea of strangers just entering into the room and cleaning it with all my personal belongings lying around everywhere.

But it is what it is. Besides how dirty can the room get in less than twenty hours with only two people? Sure clothes and shoes will be lying around the majority of the time. It’s not easy living out of a suitcase. I don’t want to carry my laptop around with me or have the odd feeling that’s things have been shifted.

I look around the room briefly before I pick up my laptop and walk into the living room giving Chrissy some privacy when she exits the bathroom. I open my laptop and enter my password and place it on the coffee table waiting for it to fire up. When it does I quickly check my emails and reply to at least three of them before there is a

Knock…

At the door. I get up and open the door and an older man is standing there with the trolley of food and drinks I had ordered. “Miss Maddison?” He asks.

“Yes. Please come through and leave it by the table.”

I open the door inviting him in. He rolls the trolley to the table and starts to pick up the plates of food.

“Oh, No, no, no..” I stop him.

“You don’t need to do that. My friend is still in the bathroom and we can do that when we are ready.” I look at him and smile.

“Thank you though.”

“Okay.” He straightens his jacket before he moves towards the door.

“Hold on.”

I quickly rush to the room and grab a twenty dollar note from my purse.

“Here you go.” I hold out my hand offering it to him.

“You keep your money dear.” He holds a hand up kindly declining the money.

“Pardon?” I frown at him dropping my hand.

“You keep your money. I am only doing what is required of me.” He smiles.

“No please, I insist.” I walk closer to him and tuck the money into his jacket pocket.

“Thank you, dear.” He lightly pats his pocket.

“I will use this to get my moko a birthday gift.” His voice breaks softly.

“Oh…” I look at him sadly.

“Times are rough these days and the pension just doesn’t go as far as it used to.” His eyes glass over.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” I suddenly feel a gust of sadness wash over me.

“It’s not your doing.”

“How old is your moko….” I straighten his name tag getting a better view. “Robert?”

“She turns six today. Aroha turns six.” His face lights up as he speaks of his granddaughter.

“Aroha, Such a beautiful name. If I wanted to see you before you finished today where would I find you?”

“I finish at four this evening and if you need me you can find me in the restaurant downstairs.”

“I have a feeling I'll be seeing you before you finish this afternoon.” I smile at him warmly.

“Until then, I shall count down the hours.” He playfully bows before me.

“As shall I dear Sir.” I bob in curtsy and close the door as he leaves the room.

I walk over towards the table and stare out the window that overlooks the city. I wrap my arms around my waist as a chill runs through my veins. I was never allowed to buy my niece a birthday or Xmas gift. I wasn’t given the chance to be able to walk into a shop and instantly grab everything that looked pretty and girly for her off the rack.

The best part would've been, playing dress-ups with little Rosalia. Every woman dreams of being able to dress their baby girl up with pretty flowered dresses and headbands to match. I just feel like a big chunk of my life has been rightfully stolen from me. I pick up one of the coffees from the trolley and cradle it between my hands letting the warmth of the mug take away the chill still coursing through me.

“Hey, let’s eat.”

Chrissy stands on the threshold running her fingers through her damp hair. I put my coffee down and place the plates on the table with the other cup of coffee and glasses of Orange Juice. I take my seat and start digging into my breakfast after I squirt a decent amount of tomato sauce all over my food. I wouldn’t be a true Kiwi if I didn’t.

“I met a nice man called Robert while you were in the shower,” I say to Chrissy as I take a bite of my hash brown.

“And Robert is?” She looks up at me.

“The man who delivered our breakfast.” I smile at her.

“Oh, okay…” She takes a hefty sip of her Orange Juice and places it back onto the table.

“It’s his granddaughter’s birthday today and I want to buy her a gift. The poor guy should be retired now but has to work to make ends meet and when I tipped him he didn’t want the money.”

“And you want to buy his granddaughter a gift because?” She scowls at me not understanding what I'm getting at.

“I never got the chance to buy Rosalia a birthday present.” I stare at her.

“Babe, you can’t go buying gifts for people you don’t know in hopes of making you feel less guilty of something that was completely out of your control.” She sighs.

“I’m not… Well not completely. I just want to do something nice for a change and Robert seemed distressed about not being able to buy his Mokopuna a birthday present today. So... I thought why not shoot two birds with one stone?”

“You want to do something selfless and selfish at the same time?” She shakes her head.

“Precisely! I want to buy my niece a sixth birthday gift and because I know I can’t give it to her I want to give it to someone who will appreciate it and enjoy it.” I place my hand over my chest rubbing it.

“What time do you want to leave to go shopping then?”

She stands popping the last bite-size piece of bacon into her mouth.

“In a few hours. I still have a few e-mails I need to follow up on.”

“Sweet as it gives me time to slowly get ready and call Conrad.” She smiles and walks off.