7: MR. MOBLEY

A week later and I went back to the hospital for a check-up. The oddest thing was that I was told Doctor Bailey no longer worked there. The nurse I asked informed me he resigned from the hospital and moved to another state. Something felt off in the pits of my stomach.

Sinister avoided me like a plague, but I did not mind at all. Badboy2.0 kept me company while I recovered.

❤️Lonergirl: You're really not going to tell me your actual name?

💋Badboy2.0: Nope. So, you will not send me a picture, so I know who I'm talking to?

❤️Lonergirl: I guess you'll have to wait until we meet at Harvard.

💋Badboy2.0: That's like 4 years from now. 😒😒😒

❤️Lonergirl: I know, but good things come to those who wait.

💋Badboy2.0: Can we at least exchange numbers? I am dying to hear your voice.

Shit! I couldn't tell him I didn't have a phone.

❤️Lonergirl: Sure. You can send me your number. I will call you when I'm ready.

💋Badboy2.0: You are a difficult and mysterious woman. I like it.

❤️Lonergirl: OK. I have got to go. Talk to you soon.

💋Badboy2.0: I will be waiting.

He told me he went on a trip the other day and that was the reason he did not reply to my messages earlier. I truly liked him a lot. He was fun and funny. He made me laugh, and he made me forget how screwed up my life surely was. I could not wait to meet him. I would dream of that moment every night. He kept me sane throughout my trials in that mansion of torture.

************

“Pebbles, where have you been for the past two weeks?” Evie ran to greet me as soon as I stepped on school soil. She scrutinized me. “And what the hell happened to your neck?”

“Nothing, Evie, I just fell down the stairs. And thank you for sending me my classwork. You really did me a solid.”

“No problem, but your housekeepers are so rude. They refused to let me come inside to see you.”

Right, I had the staff do that. I could not have Evie seeing how I was living, plus I risked putting her in danger. God only knew what Sinister would do if he found out I had a friend.

“I know. I am sorry. But I am here now.”

“Pebbles, your hair. What happened to your beautiful hair?”

A tear slid down my face, and she wrapped her arms around me. We hugged and then we headed to class. The rest of the day was uneventful. Thank heavens and when school was dismissed, Evie asked me to join her at the mall. I told her no, but she insisted.

“Come on, Pebbles, it'll be fun.”

“OK, but only for an hour,” I pulled on a baseball cap.

“Deal.”

I asked Maxwell to cover for me, and he said he'll notify them I had a tutoring class to catch up with my studies since I was out for two weeks. Evie's driver drove us to the mall. I did not know that one person could own so many pairs of shoes.

“Pebbles, take it," she suggested as she handed me white Nike sneakers.

“Evie, I can't accept this. It's too much.”

She still argued, but I maintained my answer.

“OK then, the last stop is the tech store," she blew out a breath.

We walked until we saw the door that marked Gadgets, and we went in. There were several types of phones and laptops. Video games and iPods.

Evie bought herself a new cellphone. “Why do you need a new phone? There is nothing wrong with the one you already have.”

“I know, but this one is the latest version and I have to keep up appearances," she giggled. “Speaking of phones, how come you don't have one?” I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. “Here, take my old phone. I will assign you a different number.” She handed me her old phone.

“I can't-”

“Listen to me, Pebbles, you will take it. Rumours are going around about how your grandfather treats you over there.”

“There are? What kind of rumours exactly?”

“People are saying he beats you, and when I say people, I mean Jenna.”

“Oh," I hung my head low. She sighed.

“Look, if you ever need a place to stay or someone to talk to, just call me. Okay?” She hugged me and then we left the mall. The drive back to Sinister's mansion was quiet.

The dread and loneliness sank in as the car parked in the driveway of the mansion. Her driver opened the door and let me out.

“Thank you, Evie.”

“Anytime. Remember, call me if you need me or just call me – you know – because that's what friends do.”

I nodded my head and smiled. The car drove off and I quickly hid my cell phone and then made my way inside. There was loud laughter coming from the living room. I hurriedly dashed for the staircase, hoping that they would not see me.

“Pebbles, is that you?” Blair shouted.

“Yes, it's me.” I gulped, stopping in my tracks.

“Come in here.”

I trudged to the living area. There sat Sinister smoking a cigar. He had one leg perched on the other. He took a large puff from his cigar, and then he flashed me a devilish grin. Blair was sitting next to Jenna, and a very handsome man was sitting in the opposite chair. He had black hair, mixed with specs of grey and dark eyes. He licked his pink lips as he stared at me. I felt uncomfortable. He leaned over and whispered something to Sinister and the devil tensed then he did something he had never done before, he introduced me to the old man. And he used my name. “Pebbles, this is Mr. Mobley. He is one of my business associates.”

“It's nice to meet you, Mr. Mobley," I curtsied, and Mr. Mobley chuckled.

He stood up and took my palm in his. “I'm pleased to meet you, Pebbles.” He held onto my hand. I wanted to yank it from him, but I did not dare to be rude to Sinister's guest. His eyes roamed over my face, they stayed too long at my lips and I felt like I wanted to throw up. He stunk of danger and evil. I could tell by the way his eyes were undressing me. Blair quickly cleared her throat, and Mr. Mobley dropped my hand.

“Harrison, what time are you picking me up for our date tomorrow?” Blair kept her eyes on me while she spoke.

“Whatever time is more convenient for you," he replied coolly.

“OK, handsome. How about 7?”

“7 it is then.” He checked the time on his watch. “Sinister, I have to be going now," he shook the devil's hand. “We'll talk more about changing our arrangements," he said the last part while he stared intently at me.

“Yes, and thank you, Harrison. I owe you," Sinister chuckled. His eyes were now dead on me.

I wondered what Sinister meant by that.

“And it was nice meeting you, Jemma and Beth," he went and shook their hands.

“It's Jenna and Blair, Mr. Mobley," Jenna giggled.

“Right, how silly of me to forget," he chuckled. He walked off, and then he turned around, his eyes locked with mine, “Pebbles, it was a joy in meeting you. I am looking forward to seeing you again.”

I swallowed hard and then he left.

“Uncle Sinister, you see what this little slut is doing? She is trying to take away Harrison from my mother," Jenna yelled.

“Jenna, don't be stupid. There is no way a high-class man like Harrison Mobley would be interested in a bastard like Pebbles," Blair scoffed.

“Go to your rooms now!” Sinister roared. I started to retreat. “Not you, Pebbles. Stay.” A ton of fear came crashing down on me. Blair and Jenna hurriedly sauntered to their room. “Sit down.” I hurriedly sat on the couch opposite the devil. He watched me for what felt like hours. “How Old Are You?”

“I-I'm 14,” I gulped.

“Hmm, I see, and have you started fucking?” He took a puff from his cigar. My breath caught in my throat as Sinister's eyes burnt me for the answer.

“N-No. I am still a virgin.” I stuttered. He crouched over in the chair and his pupils got dark. I could feel the shift in the atmosphere.

“Don't fucking lie to me. I saw those photos, with your perky young breasts and your bushy little cunt. You let the principal's son fuck your little pussy, didn't you?” He grunted. Tears streamed down my face.

“No, I'm telling the truth. I did not have sex with Chris or anyone else.”

“OK. If you say so. You may go to your room now.” I dried my eyes and started to make my way to my bedroom. “And Pebbles?” He called.

“Y-yes," I stopped in my tracks.

“I will visit you in the morning. Your hair is growing out again.”

I nodded my head then bolted to my room and locked the door behind me.

What the hell just happened?