Unfazed

I was quiet. Awfully quiet as Denzel and Hunter did all the talking. They wanted to set things right and repair the damages. Despite understanding their motive, I felt like they were wasting their time. The deed has been done. I was shattered and broken. Thoughts of my poor mom wrapped around my mind. 

By the time Denzel was done speaking, Lena was crying. And for some reason, I was not moved by her tears. 

Although, I noticed how she couldn't control herself. Rehan held her, his head bowed in shame.

"I'm so sorry. I was threatened. I didn't know what to do. Raven is powerful. I couldn't stand against her. So, I lied and covered everything up." Lena said when she caught her breathe. 

"How could you let her do that to you? Burn you like you weren't human. How on earth did it happen?" 

"It was a year ago. We were both at a conference. She drugged me and did that to me. When I received consciousness, she pretended like she had no clue what was going on. Eventually she confessed and said she was sorry, that it was all a mistake." Lena narrated. My stomach churned in disgust.

"So, she's a psychopath." I whispered only to my hearing. I was sitting at furthest sofa, away from them.

"Rehan? What did you do about this?" Denzel questioned.

Rehan looked up, his face had gone pale. 

"Mom's constant heart failures prevented me from doing anything serious about it. And when Lena told me to keep quiet about It. I respected her wish." Rehan answered.

"That's messed up. Raven is way out of line." Hunter cussed running his hand through his hair. 

I tried to picture what Hunter would have done if Raven happen to hurt his wife, that's if he had one. Hunter would clearly grab her by the neck and squeeze the life out of her. Or didn't Mrs. Raven deserve punishment for that wrong?

"Sheldon," I heard and my heart skipped. Oh, I kinda zoned out from the harsh reality.

It was Lena calling my name. So I peered my eyes into hers but I didn't respond.

"I'm sorry for the accusations and everything. It was very cruel of me considering you've been so kind to me. Please, forgive me." She said, her hands clasped together like she was praying.

I was unfazed.

I'll forgive you when you make Raven pay.

"I think I left my phone in the car. What was I thinking?" I mumbled like I had lost my mind. I got up from the chair and headed for the door. When I got outside, I stretched and felt a tear drop from my left eye. 

"Mom, if you can hear me, I'll avenge you, I promise." It was the only way to redeem myself after making a fool out of my family. 

I was walking down the lonely road observing how big the trees were on both sides. I wonder what motivated Rehan to get a house in such a place? There were no convenient stores nearby and I haven't a seen since I started walking, just private cars breezing pass. I felt the presence of Denzel's car some seconds later but I chose to ignore it. 

"You know I won't leave you out here by yourself. So, it's best you get in and let's go somewhere nice." He yelled after the window slid down. 

I was mute.

"You won't like to miss your favorite dish." 

More silence.

"Please, Sheldon. Don't put yourself through pain because of someone else."

"If you love me like you say it, you would leave your car behind and walk with me." I snapped.

He looked shocked at first but slowly stopped the car. My walking pace increased. The next thing I felt was his hand on my shoulder. That felt nice. I glanced at him and grinned. He actually listened to me. He suddenly bent over. Whoops.

"Denzel!" I screamed when he carried me into his arms. "Oh my God! Put me down!" 

He carried me to the passenger side and got in since he wasn't giving me an option to walk. 

I thought he would shut the door and get in on his side but he remained put, staring at me. His eyes were becoming different from the way I saw them the first time. This time it spoke more than his lips did. 

"You've been very difficult today. Look at the stress you're putting me through." He grumbled. 

I felt guilty but I didn't let it show. 

"Why did you bring me here? I don't care what goes on in your family. I don't want to be part of it." 

"Sheldon, I'm sorry. I wanted to clear your name and I couldn't do that without the full truth which came from you and Hunter." 

"She shouldn't apologize. I don't know what to do with her apology." I mumbled trying to pull my hands from his grip.

"I love you, Sheldon." He professed. I blinked twice wondering if he was really okay upstairs. 

"Denzel, take me home." I stated, now avoiding his gaze. It was too intense, it made me uncomfortable. The more he acted like a lovesick puppy, it kept giving me ideas to use him and destroy his mother. If only I knew how to pull that off. 

"Before we go home, want to go somewhere fun?" He asked still holding me. 

Yes, your mother's grave. 

"I don't know. I'm really not in the mood." I jibed.

"Fine, we'll go." He assured me before letting go and finally getting in the driver's seat. 

On our way home, he stopped for ice cream but he didn't get anyone for himself. He was still that shade of all dark and gloomy I saw that day back in my apartment. Now, he has been trying to be happy and cool but I know it's because of what his after. Whatever that may be. It's weird that a guy who couldn't stand the sight of me was now being all lovey dovey. I wouldn't be surprised if he turns on me. That night, I went through my email and I finally saw a positive response from one of the companies I applied. That was fast, I thought. I sent a few more documents they requested and still had my fingers crossed for something good. 

The next morning, I was washing my car with hopes of driving with it to work very soon. I'll work my way up to higher position until I finally become a head of something. Another thing I needed to sort out was my wardrobe and fashion sense. I ordered lots of designer bags, shoes and dresses from Denzel's boutique which would be arriving in an hour. Unfortunately for me, Denzel saw me ordering and decided to pay for everything. That was a little let down on my ambitions to becoming a rich independent woman. I'll just have to be patient until that works. 

Denzel was outside and I had no idea why I was annoyed at first. Why wouldn't he just let me be? Oh, today was sunday. He doesn't have much work to do. 

"You are doing a great job." He said coming closer. I turned on the hose and pointed it at him and he yelped. I laughed and directed the hose to the car.

"You'll ever be crazy, Sheldon. Look at what you've done to me." He chuckled. 

I bit my upper lip seeing his hair drenched from the water. 

"I'm leaving tonight for the airport." He said when I watched in silence.

"Okay. Safe trip." I pretended not to care but deep down, I wanted to hold him down for hours until his flight gets canceled. I wanted to torment him more. Or maybe I could?

"Can you stay in alone?" He asked, concerned.

"No, actually, I was thinking I could spend the night in your room tonight. My room gets too cold. I think it's because of the window angle." I blabbed like I knew what I was talking about. 

"Oh, I see. I'll just leave the door open then. You can use it whenever you want." 

"Really? Thanks." I took fast steps closer to him. Suddenly, we heard a crack sound. "What was that?" Upon looking, we saw that the car window has been pierced through with a bullet causing a whole in the glass. The bullet was resting on the driver's seat. Denzel held me behind him and stared up ahead at the distance. 

"A sniper." He said. My breath hitched where I stood. 

"He's getting away!" He ran out while I was in a trance. The thought that I could have been shot if i didn't move forward haunted me.