"You don't have to worry about that." Hailey smiled at her. "Kendrick won't know a thing about this, I promise.""Okay." Kara nodded weakly and turned for the door. "I hope you make it fast, Hailey. Rick– that guy– he's too alert. I don't think I can hold him up for long." "I will." Hailey followed behind her and they grabbed a chair in a corner where they could get a clear view of the entrance and the customers coming in and out. Rick had entered the diner and he stood beside the counter, his eyes fixed on the device in his eyes. But Hailey knew well that he was watching her. "Let's pretend we're having a nice chat, Hailey. Otherwise, he might suspect something." Kara suggested. "Then I'll distract him when Rob comes in. And you can have your discussion– whatever."Kara still didn't like the idea of her discussing something with Rick. "So, tell me, Hailey." She raised a brow and quirked up her lips. "I'm so busy I barely had time to call you. You don't also give me a call that mu
Kara looked surprised that she'd brought it up."Yes, Hailey." She quickly retained her expression. "Don't worry, she'll no longer return to this place. I made her promise that. You don't have to worry about seeing her."Hailey sighed again and slowly nodded. Yes, she was bothered about seeing her. And she didn't want to. But now, she had to. "Is there a possibility that she might return here someday?" She looked up and asked. "She won't." Kara's tone was affirmative. "Don't you believe me, Hailey? I swear I made her promise never to return."Hailey shook her head and chuckled sadly. She should clarify things with Kara. Maybe she might be of help since she didn't want to tell Kendrick anything yet. If the woman had been close to Kara the few times she came here, Kara should know one or two things about her. Because honestly, Hailey didn't know how she could reach her. And she couldn't ask her grandfather. She didn't want to make him hopeful. "Actually, Kara." She hesitated before
"N–No— No problem." Hailey shook her head and gulped. Then her eyes wandered around the place filled with people. "You said you wanted to see me." Rob seemed to be checking her out. His face held a gentle smile. "Y–Yes." Hailey fiddled with her finger, her eyes darting around. Then Rob moved forward and he lifted his hand, wanting to touch her hair. But Hailey cowered back. The smile in his eyes faded at that. "You seem anxious," he said in a worried tone and followed her gaze to the many customers at the place. Then he sighed and turned to her. "Maybe we should get some privacy." And without waiting for her consent, he took her hand and walked out of the diner— leaving Hailey baffled. "Where— Where are you taking us?" He was very fast and Hailey was half running. "To get some privacy." Rob glanced back and smile. And in no time, they reached the parking lot and he made her enter his car. "We didn't have to come here." Hailey shifted uncomfortably on the seat. They could sp
"Forgive me, Rob." A slight sob left her lips and she couldn't keep on looking at his face. "Please forgive me, I know I've committed a great mistake." "What are you talking about, Hailey." Rob lifted her chin to make her look up. "In my heart, you're the most perfect woman. You can never commit any mistake." He wiped her tears as he said those flattery words. But those were not just flattery words. He'd told her these kinds of words countless times in the past. He never ceases to picture her as the most perfect person he'd ever met. And Hailey had let those words get to her head. She had enjoyed hearing them. Those flattery words made her feel important in all the aspects she thought she was lacking. And she'd gotten used to them so much that she had once pictured herself as the perfect woman. Before Kendrick came. Before everything took a different direction. "I'm so sorry, Rob." She couldn't stop sobbing. "These past few months, I've kept you waiting. I promised you to get the
The car ride was long, Hailey didn't even dare glance down at her wristwatch. And as the place came into full view, her eyes widened and her head snapped to Rob. He had taken a different route heading to their old school. That was why she hadn't known where they were headed. And now that the car was parked in front of the high school, she wondered why he had brought her here. "Take a look, Hailey." Rob stared up at the tall building through the window. "It's been so many years. This place is still the same."Hailey's eyes were also on the building and she couldn't prevent the memories from flooding back. All those happy memories of her naive days. Those days she thought she was only happy because she was dating a guy who was good at almost everything. She had ceased to realize that most of the other students never looked down on her. Even the teachers loved her. She never got bullied by bigger kids. Until now. Until now, she never realized all those things she had overlooked. "Ro
Thinking about it now, maybe she not only admired Rob. She had been obsessed with him. Just like a fan to an idol. It was never love. "Follow me." Rob took her hand again and he took her to many other places. The school was big, but they toured almost every area. They even ended up in the principal's office, who congratulated them. The woman was so ecstatic to know that they were still together. And as it turned out, Rob had been making huge donations to the school. No wonder all the staff remembered him. Even the new ones knew him. And as they walked past each staff, words of congratulations filled her ears. And Hailey felt uncomfortable through it all. "Rob." She tugged at his hand after they left the staff area. "Enough of all these. I want to go back, please take me back to the diner."Rob stopped in his footsteps and tucked her hair to the side. "Are you tired?" He asked in a worried tone. Then he gave her stomach a glance. This was the third time he stared at it. And a heavy
But Hailey never really cared. All she only ever wanted was the smile. Rob did not only walk her to the entrance, but he also entered the door and they stood facing each other. Hailey's hair stood on end. Her heart couldn't stop drumming. The diner seemed to have close already. She couldn't hear the chatters of the customers. And she couldn't look away from Rob because of their current proximity. "Hailey." He gently tucked strands of hair away from her forehead. "Thank you for today. After such a long time, I had a great day." His smile became wider. It was as if only Hailey could feel the tension hanging in the air. Rob was standing in front of her, blocking her view of the diner. Hopefully, Rick was nowhere nearby. If Rick was close to the entrance, there was no doubt he would sight Rob. "O–Okay." Hailey stammered out and gulped. "R–Rob, you can go back now." But Rob didn't appear to hear her. He didn't listen. She even made an attempt to pull him away, but he didn't budge. "
Kendrick was like an out-of-control beast. He moved too fast and every one of his attacks landed where he aimed it. Kara's screams were what brought Hailey out of her shock. And she stood helpless in the midst of all that. How had things come to this? No, she couldn't just stand and watch. If she didn't do anything, a life would definitely be lost. And Kendrick looked so ready to kill. She'd never witnessed this side of him. "Kendrick, please stop! You can't do this!" Hailey wailed and sobbed. She went after him but ended up being pushed back. "Kendrick, stop it!!!" He didn't seem to hear her. He didn't even flinch when she beat at his back. And Hailey was once again helpless. She couldn't watch the scene. It was too horrible. When she was pushed back again, Kara came in time to stop her. "Kara, please help! Stop him!" Kara was shaking and she quickly shook her head. "Don't go near him, Hailey. You'll get hurt."Hailey sobbed helplessly. Even Kara wasn't willing to help her.