Chapter 93: Chapter 93

JUNE

Staring at the walls did nothing to calm me down. Most times, my thoughts will always drift back to my baby, who would have still been in my stomach had that incident not happened.

I have refused to see anyone, opting to stay cooped in my room all day, only coming out when it was time to eat. Kristen, Mark, and Edith have been trying to help me out of my dark times, but I never wanted to crawl out of the abyss.

I wish to be enveloped in the darkness, let it spread through my fingers and make me numb to the affairs of the world. But I know that won't be possible. Staying inside means my baby gets to die in vain.

I rose from the bed and stepped into the bathroom. I don't understand why we suddenly have to change houses. From Broadmoor to Southeast Seattle. It was a change that came unannounced, but I feel like Kristen knows exactly what he's doing since he promised to take me out of the country, soon.

I shaved, brushed my teeth and had my bath before I exited the bathroom to get dressed. I chose a black dress that fell just right above my knee, one that hugged my curves, though I was just a shadow of who I was before — bones and all.

I've lost some weight, and it's showing. Tying my hair up in a loose ponytail, I applied lip gloss to my lips before I wore a pair of blue nude sandals.

Dressed as if going on a walk, I left the room, closing the door behind me. I've not seen Mark for close to a week now. I know he must be super worried about me.

I don't know where my phone is since I've not touched it for over two weeks. That was why I was unable to call him. But I know Kristen will be downstairs waiting for me. And he was.

The house was so different from the one I grew up in. The furniture in the sitting room seemed to have been bought in a rush, but that was the least of my problems. Kristen is.

Knowing where he was from the smell of the coffee wafting from the kitchen, I strode over there.

To say he was shocked to see me would be an understatement. The expression on his face as he gaped at me, giving me a once-over, said it all.

“Doll?” He stood up from the kitchen stool, and approached me, taking cautious steps towards me. “What are you… Going somewhere?” He raised a brow, tilting his head to the side.

“Nah,” I shook my head, forcing a smile. “I just wanted a breather.”

“I'm so glad you decided to take the step,” he hugged me tight, sniffing back tears. “I'm sorry, Doll. I should have protected you more than I did. You are too young to—”

“Don't say that,” I interrupted him. “I… I… I just want to forget about the past. I want us to face the future together.”

“And we will, Doll. I promise I will keep you safe from now on. You won't have to worry about anything else.” He placed both hands on my shoulders, and made me look up at him, “I will keep you safe.”

The promise and determination in his eyes made me slowly nod my head. Since he's still willing to be with me despite everything that has happened, trusting him is the least I can do.

*****

Things didn't get better after that. But that was the least of my problems. Kristen is. He has been behaving abnormally for days. He made me study online, permitting only Mark to meet me.

Most times, I see him staring at his phone with fear evident in his eyes. But when I ask about that, he will always find a way to go around it, smiling with a wave of his palm.

Yet, I wasn't put at ease about it. I know he's hiding something from me, but there is no way for me to know what it is if he doesn't speak to me.

In two days times, we will leave this City for somewhere he alone knows, but I sense that this isn't the solution to our issues at all. He has worked so hard to get to where he is now. Letting go of his hard work isn't something a person does on a whim.

And I voiced my fears to Mark since he's the only one I'm close to.

“Why don't you ask him about it, then?” Mark suggested, drinking from the cup of juice I got for him.

“He won't tell me anything. He's always claiming that everything is okay, but I can tell he's hiding something from me.”

It aches when I see him distraught. He seems to have taken more blows from what happened than I have. Yet, he's shielding me from the public, trying to keep me safe.

“Then, why don't you try Edith? I know you aren't on good terms with her, but she has helped you a lot during this time. Had it not been for her, you would have been….” He trailed off, knowing I understood what he was trying to convey.

He's right about it, though. From the first time I met her, I have been nothing but bitchy to her. But she has been a great help to us.

She has been the one taking care of the company for Kristen while he goes about getting everything ready for our departure.

And had she not raised an alarm when she saw me in the bathroom, I would have long been dead.

“Do you think she knows?”

“Of course, she will. If there's anyone who knows what's going on, it has got to be her. She's the only one aside from you that Kristen is closer to. Just ask her, I bet she will tell you everything.” He raised his cup towards me before he took a sip from it, smiling coyly, like one who has a secret.

I sighed, leaning on my hands, with my focus on the cup of hot coffee in front of me.

“I will give it a try tonight when she comes over.”

“That's the spirit, June. Let by gone be by gone.”