Tonight is the first time I will not be able to sleep beside Athena. I never thought I would be able to love someone like this in my whole life. I guess being a mother is indeed the best profession ever. Normally, having a guess in the motel doesn't stop me nor Sarah from going home. We could just leave our phone numbers to the guests and tell them to give us a ring when they need something. We were never worried something in the hotel might go missing. Marshville is a very small town, and you cannot go anywhere without anyone noticing. All people know who the residents here are and we treat each other like a family so no one would dare to do something bad to anyone on us, let alone steal from any property.
I bought a sandwich from the convenience store for my dinner. I can cook something in the motel kitchen, but I feel lazy to do so and I also don't want to get anything in there without paying. I was immersed in the book I was reading when the sole guest showed up.
"
After escaping from Geoff, I became very paranoid in everything. Whenever I see a new face in Marshville, I can't help but be scared thinking that that person is working with Geoff. I can't imagine a life without my daughter. I am willing to do anything just to make her safe."Why are you so quiet? Are you really scared of me? I don't know your husband, I swear!" His cheeks are now red, a signal that he is already drunk."What happened to you and your wife?" I asked. They said a drunk person is one of the most honest people in the world. Since he already knows everything about me, I guess it is just fair for me to know about him as well. He got his phone and typed something again like the last time I asked about him. He then gave me his phone with a picture of a pretty woman on the screen."She is my wife, ah no, ex-wife. Probably, our divorce papers are now approved. She is a very simple woman, you know. That's why I fell in love with her. She doesn't like the
I woke the next day in the bedroom assigned for me and Sarah. Whoever works here at night can sleep in this area comfortably. I looked for my phone immediately to look for the time. Luckily, my phone is on top of the bedside table. I don't really know how I managed to come here after last night. I remember drinking a lot, but I can't remember every detail of what happened. It's already half past 10 in the morning. I got up immediately and found Sarah in the reception area."Why didn't you wake me up? Sorry, I should have helped you clean the area. Were there a lot of empty cans and wrapper in here?" I asked Sarah."I didn't wake you up because I can guess that the man upstairs disturbed you the whole night like what he did to me the other night. And what empty cans are you talking about? I didn't see any cans in here.""Really? Did I put them away before sleeping? I should throw the trash!""I already did. Don't worry about it. The bin was almost empty. T
"I don't want a grand wedding. Simple one is okay, something private. I want Athena to be there, my mom, Annie, Danny and the people in Marshville since they are also like my family.""I want to give you a bigger wedding than the last one you've had.""We got a civil wedding, nothing grand, no wedding dress, no guest. I prefer that one, except with the no guest part.""He's rich. How could he have that kind of wedding?""He never loved me. He only married me so he could make that bitch jealous and also to have a baby.""Do you want me to crush them?""I just don't want to see any of them anymore and that they won't bother me and Athena again. I don't care what happens to them.""Will you really let them go that easily? After all that they did to you? Your husband and that woman, I bet they are still so happy now and the mother.""Regina also helped me, not that much but I don't have any grudge against her. She never wanted me t
"Hahahahahahahahaha!" The lobby was filled with his laughter. I removed my arms immediately from his neck and got up from my seat."Come here, sorry. I didn't mean to tease you. Sit down. I won't do it again." Colin saidI was still confused of what was happening. We were both serious talking about our plans a while ago when he initiated the first move. What is happening now? I look at him in total confusion."Sorry. Come here. Sit down." He grabbed me by the arm and sat me to the chair where I used to sit."I now know why your husband didn't take you seriously. You are too naive, too innocent."I was still staring at him blankly. I feel so humiliated."You trust others easily and you don't know how to say no when someone asks you something. Life isn't like that. You should always use your brain before doing something. People will take you lightly and they will take advantage of you because you just give in so easily." He explained. His expl
I snatched the phone from Danny's hand when I had the chance. She didn't protest nor say anything. She was just staring at me with a blank expression. She seems so surprised and confused at the same time.I went to the bathroom immediately and locked the door."Hello. Joan here. (pause) I expected it would happen. What does he want? (pause) I can't let him see my daughter. He might take her from me. I will die if that happens. (pause. I'm starting to hyperventilate so I tried walking back and forth in the small room to calm myself down.) What should we do then? (pause) Okay. Yes. (pause) I guess I have no choice but to wait. Please make sure he won't find us. (pause) Thank you. (pause) Yeah, see you soon." I was about to say something when the call ended. He didn't even ask me how I am.I had to stay in the bathroom for a while. I could see a shadow beneath the bathroom door so I'm sure Danny is trying listen to our conversation. I know she is very curious, and
As time passes by, I feel more and more tense. The white dress I am wearing is not close to a wedding dress, but it still makes me feel pretty. Something that I haven't felt before. I have been married once but it was never with such extravagant. What am I thinking? I'm not even sure whether it is a wedding I will be attending!I was ushered by the two women and Danny downstairs. Athena was waiting for me at the end of the stairs. She is wearing a pink dress with a basket in her hand."Baby! You look very beautiful. What is it that you're carrying?" I asked after giving her a soft kiss on her cheek."I'm a flowel gil today mommy," she said sounding very proud. "Daddy said I'm petty (pretty).""Who's daddy?" I asked. Hearing this word from her makes me feel so scared. The last person I hope she would meet is her father.The front yard looks very bright and elegant, totally opposite of how it looks like on a typical night. The place that used to be so calm and dark is now filled with lig
Hearing the news that my mom is here made me feel so excited. I was never close with my mom. In fact, I hated her when I was young until before I got married. I used to hate her for always leaving me at home alone and for growing up independently. I sometimes even think that growing up without a dad is one of the reasons why I fall in love with a guy easily. I have always longed to have a father who can guide and help me with my decisions, something I look for in a man. But those memories are now just memories. I am finally meeting her again.I ran as fast as I can towards the beach to see my mom as soon as possible. I can't remember a time when I missed her this much, maybe I never had that time in my life.I saw her playing sand with Athena. Beside them is a figure of a woman. She has a curly hair and looks pregnant. I tried to look closely who it is and was surprised to see that it is Annie. Far from them are John and Colin, talking.I ran towards my mom and
The next day, almost everyone gathered in front of Dorothy's apartment to send us off. The atmosphere was a mixture of sadness and happiness. Sadness that I, Danny and Athena have to say goodbye to the people we considered our family. Happiness because we can finally start a new life, a life without fear. I can also see some women smiling at us, I think they are also happy to know that we are finally safe, and we are finally free.These people started arriving since early morning. Some volunteered to help us pack our things while others gave us gifts and letters. Everyone promised not to cry today because we know we will be meeting again someday. Colin told us to leave most of our things behind since we will not be needing then anymore, but all the things we have now remind us of how we survived hiding from Geoff. It is filled with good memories and leaving them would seem like I am also ready to forget those behind so despite his suggestion, I still packed everything we have
After almost a month, Geoff finally decided to introduce himself to Athena. I have been preparing her ever since because I know that someday, she would meet her real dad. Colin supported my decision of introducing her to Geoff. They have talked a couple of times about it. Geoff has invited him to have drinks and Colin never said anything bad about him during their meetings."He's a respectable man. He's too different from how I saw him in the past months. You know I had this image of him as a bad husband because of your story, but I think he's just manipulated. He was furious thinking that the woman she loved betrayed him." He said once before we went to bed."He was nice. I guess love can really make us a monster once we got hurt.""But I think I'm the one who benefited in what happened to the two of you. If Ericka didn't say nasty things about you, maybe you and Geoff are still together until now. Then, I wouldn't meet you in Marshville. I wouldn't be your second husband. So, I shou
I felt very light and dizzy. I didn't know what was happening. Everything around me was turning. I could see Ericka's back while she slowly disappeared from my view. Ericka was just here on the rooftop a while ago. She was here mocking and insulting me. I could hear her voice clearly. She was just here."Aaah!" I shouted as I got up. I was dreaming. It was all a dream. I woke up in a familiar room. It's the master's bedroom in Colin's apartment, it's our room.Colin rushed inside the room when he heard me screaming. He hugged me immediately and patted me in the back. "You're here now. You're safe.""Where's Ericka?!" I asked, panicking. "She's dead. She jumped from the rooftop in one of Geoff's hotels.""Where's Geoff?""He called me and asked me to pick you up. He said you lost consciousness. He told me about what happened to you the other night. You should've told me about your plan.""Sorry. Geoff asked me to stay with him. I thought it was best if I followed what he said.""I und
"Eat!" He said with a smile. He put some food on the plate in front of me."What are you planning? Please, I just want to go home. Ericka is the last person I want to see tonight." I couldn't help but feel scared. She is the person I trust the least and her presence means trouble. She has never liked me and the feeling is mutual. The best thing to do to have a peaceful life is avoid her."I won't let her hurt you. Don't worry.""I really don't wanna see her.""Why would you be scared? If you're telling the truth, then there's no reason for you to be afraid of her. Unless you don't want me to know that you are lying.""I never lied to you. Her mere existence reminds me of all the bad experiences I had after marrying you. I don't want to go back to that time again.""Just eat. The food is getting cold." He turned the video on his laptop. It's an English romance movie. I can't focus well on either eating or watching the movie. All I could think of is meeting Ericka and the trouble she co
There were many messages and missed calls on my phone. Most of them were from Colin and some from my mom. I was hesitant at first to call Colin and tell him I wouldn't be home for another night. Actually, all I want now is to be home and hug Athena. I felt so sorry for growing up without a father, but now that I heard Geoff's side of the story, I felt happy that he wasn't that bad of a father after all. I can't say that he wasn't to be blamed for what happened to us though. I didn't want to stay here for another night with Geoff. I can't fully trust him, but I don't have a choice. I need to be nice to him and get his trust, so I would be sure that I could get out of here alive. Ericka is a smart woman, maybe she is part of Geoff's plan of bringing me here. I still need to be careful with what I say and do.With hesitation, I dialled Colin's number. "Hello! My God, Jez where are you?" He answered the phone right away. I didn't even hear the ringing sound on the line."I'm okay. Sorry
"Please, let my hands go, then we can talk. I promise to be honest. I have actually always been honest with you." I was already begging. He could do anything he wants to me without me defending myself. I also want to listen to his explanation about what happened to us since I got pregnant."I don't know what to believe anymore.""I was your wife. You promised to protect and be with me. I have always trusted that promise. I escaped when I felt it wasn't safe for me and my daughter anymore. You saw how violent you could be when you're angry.""You're the one who made me angry!""I didn't do anything. Anywhere I went, I was with Nancy and the driver. You could have asked them what I did for you not to believe me.""They were your allies. Of course they would not tell me what you were really up to.""Nancy did her best to protect me from you, and so did the driver. They saw I suffered because of you.""Ericka told me your plans from the very beginning. She showed me pictures of you and al
Having a headache, I woke up in a small dim room. The curtain covers half of the glass window on the right side of the bed. Based on the light, it seems like it's early in the morning. I immediately got up from the bed, but my left hand was pulled by something. It was tied to a metal which was fastened to the side of the bed. I couldn't see it clearly yet. I could feel pain all over my body especially from my left hand where the metal was tied and my head. A pitcher of water and a glass were set up on top of the side table. The room seems like one of the cheap motel rooms you can rent while on the road. Outside the window, I could glimpse some trees and a view of the sky. I was still wearing the same clothes I had worn since yesterday. My shoes were neatly arranged on the side of the bed. My phone and my small pouch were nowhere. I could finally check my left hand. I was handcuffed with the other end attached to the bed. Where am I? I wanted to scream and maybe ask for help from anyo
The next day, I was so anxious waiting for a message from whoever has Nancy. I was still trying to convince myself that Nancy is just somewhere, calming herself down before meeting me. She would show up in our house unannounced anytime soon and say how much she misses all of us, especially me and Athena. I decided to be on leave from work indefinitely. I kind of blame myself for being so busy that I didn't spend much time with my family, including Nancy. It feels like I abandoned them just because I want to prove something to Geoff and Ericka. I got so busy avenging that I forgot the most important people for me.We also asked for Athena to stop going to school for the meantime. She sounded hesitant about the plan at first since she likes spending time with hwr friends, but later she realized that playing with her toys and reading books at home are more fun.Mom is sometimes suspicious of how I was acting, but I was happy that she didn't ask too many questions. I don't want to make he
The next day, I decided to take some days off to spend more time with Athena. I also would like to wait for Nancy and have a chat with her. We haven't talked for months now and partly I blame myself for being so busy that I never even tried to reach out to her. I never asked her how she is despite knowing that she comes home late almost every night for the past months and she sometimes doesn't come home. If only I tried talking to her, sending her a message or calling her, maybe this wouldn't happen. I still didn't tell mom about what happened and I don't have any plans of telling her.Two days has passed and no signs of Nancy. Her phone can't be reached and she also doesn't respond to messages. I was starting to get more worried but as Colin said, we should give her some space. She also needs time to think. We spent our weekend to an amusement park like what we promised to Athena. It was a happy day, but I can't totally ignore the worry I feel for Nancy. I don't know Cristoff's phone
Cristoff! I haven't seen him in ages! He was not that nice to me either when I was still living with Geoff. If I remember it correctly, the two don't really have a good relationship. I looked at Nancy in disbelief. "What is this guy doing here? Why are the three of you together?" To give her the benefit of the doubt, although I already know the answer, I still asked her that question. I am hoping, although it may sound impossible, that it was just a coincidence that he was with her and Athena."He's my boyfriend." She confidently said. I was expecting her to say more, maybe to explain her side why she didn't tell us about him, but she remained silent after."Since when?" I picked Athena up and carried her in my arms."Long time ago.'"Why didn't you tell us?" I said coldly."For this exact same reason. You will just ask me to stay away from him.""You saw how I suffered when I was with them. Didn't you learn anything at that time?" Cristoff didn't utter any word. He was just there, li