Chapter Three

Kayla would bring Mr. Anonymous home for the very first time; therefore, things had to be done specially, and too many things had to be sugarcoated. 

June made every preparation herself. She chose the garden as the best spot for the outdoor dinner. The sun didn't shine to a peak, and the weather wasn't fervent, rather it was mild to the skin because the sun was about going down and the wind blew gently. Mr. Anonymous was filthy rich, so June saw to it that plenty of rich food were on the table — delicious edibles that could tease his senses and make him want to marry Kayla after having a bite. 

Kayla's sisters who mocked Kayla for dating a man nobody knew, were eager to see Mr. Anonymous. Apart from Tally and Lena, all other daughters of Jonathan family dressed to kill, they planned to allure Mr. Anonymous if he turned out to be good-looking as expected. Everyone was willing to be at their best so that Mr. Anonymous found something interesting in the family that would keep him. 

At three, the entire family of Jonathan gathered at the table, waiting for Kayla to arrive with Mr. Anonymous. Maria and Pinky started to whine once it seemed Kayla had delayed. 

Everyone had been waiting at the garden since three o'clock, and time grew until 3:20p.m. Their patience dropped, aggravation filling them up from all angles, but only a few people displayed their irritation. 

Pinky got off the phone and frowned. “Kayla’s not picking up the damn call.” She dropped it on the table. “I’m getting tired, and I'll leave here if Kayla doesn't show up in three minutes.”

An amusing smile touched Sam's lips as he glanced at Pinky. “Really, Pinky?” he asked Pinky. Pinky scowled at him, she grasped the smile on Sam's face; she knew he was about to say anything near annoying. “Just leave already, Pinky. You don't waste time to flee from a place that bores you, so why delaying now? Has Mr. Anonymous glued your feet to the ground?” 

She raised her middle fingers up in the air. “Go fu— yourself.” 

Sam spotted Kayla approaching toward the garden with a tall man he believed could be Mr. Anonymous. Blown over by excitement, he stood up and informed with a voice thundering with ecstasy, “They’re here!” 

Following Sam's information, they all became excited, smiling with a thousand expectations. Out of excitement, Maria, and Pinky jerked up to their feet, seeming even happier than every other person. Pinky, who claimed to have a well-off boyfriend, started making sure her dress looked well, she even looked through her phone camera to see if her make-up and her hair looked perfect. Lena saw all these and only scoffed.

With a broad smile on their faces, they watched Kayla and Mr. Anonymous approach from a distance. When they started advancing near the place where everyone sat, June's brows arched in familiarity. June got entrapped in confusion, she tried to examine his appearance carefully and tell whether she knew him or not. She wished she didn't.

June's confusion carried on until Kayla and Mr. Anonymous were some steps away from the table, the pieces fell in place, and she realized she'd met Mr. Anonymous before. 

On seeing him, June's heart jolted and hung in her throat. Fury and deep fear collided, and struck June with insanity. She began shivering like it were snowing, her lips trembling, acting like a mute in danger. No doubt she'd end up having a heart attack. She tried holding herself together, but it was impossible. How could it be possible when the enemy she had been running from had come as Kayla's own boyfriend?

Jonathan, who sat next to June, noticed the uneasiness that had her perspiring. “Will you tell me what's wrong? Or should I ask Lena to pacify you?” he asked in a low tone.

June's quivering finger pointed at Mr. Anonymous. “It’s him,” she spoke with a low, terror-struck tone at first, confusing Jonathan. Then she stood up and picked up a knife, pointing it at Kayla and Mr. anonymous, who now stood at the end of the table. “It’s him. It's him,” she shouted.

June's sudden behavior threw everyone at sixes and sevens. They all stood up, watching June act like a lunatic, slashing the knife at Kayla and Mr. Anonymous and saying Chax stayed back.

Why did June suddenly start acting up after seeing Kayla and Mr. Anonymous? That was a question nobody could answer as the situation was ever so subtle, they all believed that June had gone crazy this time.

Kayla and Chax avoided June's slash by standing far from the table.

Kayla felt a great deal of sadness that rushed tears into her eyes. She stood in front of Chax like a shield, gazing at June, who was misbehaving. June made her believe she had found her Mr. Perfect. Now there June was, trying to chase Chax from her life as well. June had done enough, she had kept her single since she was a teenager until now she was twenty-seven. Enough is enough, she wouldn't mind ignoring June this time. 

“Move away from him, Kayla. He's not the one for you. He's your enemy, and he's going to hurt you, he hates you,” June yelled. “Stay away from my daughter, you dead punk.” 

“Mom, please stop,” Kayla pleaded. She couldn't contain the feelings any longer, so she teared up.

Mr. Anonymous watched June. He had that bamboozled look on his face, which made it seem like he were watching an inexplicable event. Kayla said Chax was a shy person; that was who Chax appeared like at that moment. Shy, calm, and perplexed.

“What has come over you, June? Get a grip,” Jonathan urged. 

“This is not a time to get a grip, Jonathan, this man has to leave right this instant. He has come for all of us. Kayla, this man will kill you as promised.” June tried convincing Kayla, but she wasn't thinking straight for some tough, discreet reason.  

Lena's mouth dropped open when she realized that June was speaking about Clinton. She became afraid, gaping at Mr. Anonymous. Lena couldn't think of a way to stop Kayla nor speak the truth because people who knew nothing about the past were there, all she did was gaze with baffled eyes. If she joined June to convince Kayla, she'd as well be taken as a lunatic and an ingrate. What should she do?

“Kayla. Aren't you listening to your mother? Get away from him, and we'll talk about this later,” Was all Lena said. 

Kayla closed her ears with her hands, not wanting to hear those words June was saying that drove her insane. Lena's warning, too. She couldn't believe her ears, Lena too? The first ever time Lena had asked her to leave the man she loved, why were they doing this to her? Did they plan it together? Kayla shook her head with her hands still on her ears. Not again. June and Lena ruined everything. 

When Chax intended to put his arms around Kayla, “Get your bloody hands off her.” June threw the knife at Chax. Everyone snapped their eyes wide open, stunned by what June just did. She threw the knife, but luckily Mr. Anonymous and Kayla escaped it. As if that weren’t enough, she picked up another knife, “You son of a b—” She tried to throw the knife. 

“Stop it, Mom! Enough of your drama,” Kayla shouted to make June stop. The scene quietened for Kayla to speak. Kayla held back her tears so it didn't distort her voice. “Just because I’ve respected you from the day I was born until this very moment doesn't mean I'm your fool. You've stopped me all the time, Mom. But not this time.”

June teared up. She was helpless. Except for Lena, Jonathan, and Kayla, no other person knew everything that happened in 2002, and June tried to avoid making them cognizant of it. She tilted her head to the side, suggesting Kayla took pity on her and heard her out for once. “Please, Kayla—”

“Not a word from you, Mom. You've chased every man who loved me, and I danced to your tune—” She paused. “This time you've managed to chase me along with the man I love. I’m leaving with Chax, and there's no coming back for me. Never again.” She began storming away. Chax followed her. 

“Kayla,” June called out, running after her. 

“Stop right there, Kayla.” Lena went after Kayla. Kayla realized they were coming after her and quickened her steps. “Don’t be stubborn, and stop there.”

“I’m speaking for your own good, Kayla. You don't deserve Mr. Anonymous. He'll hurt you. Just take a good scrutiny of his face, and you'd understand.” June followed Kayla behind, pleading with her. Kayla covered her ears with her hands as she walked, she preferred not to hear a word from June, let alone hear words that could change her mind. “Kayla, please listen to me.” 

“Kayla,” Lena called. Seeing that she walked the same track as Chax, she halted and walked to his front, putting him to a halt. Glaring daringly at him, she folded her arms and smirked. “Stay away from Kayla, you dead hooligan.” 

For a few seconds, Anthony stared impassively at her. He tried so hard to be at his best; he would not allow anyone make him unleash his true nature before getting what he wanted. And if he must get what he wanted, he must keep up with the untainted act until Kayla caught in his trap. 

“Pick your words carefully, Lena. Otherwise, I'll make it worse for every one of you.” He proceeded to the garage.

Lena watched him walk away, still having the daring smirk on her face, though there was a hint of defeat and fury apparent in her eyes.

Kayla entered the car and slammed the door at June. There in the car, she still covered her ears. Her body vibrated heavily as she cried, whimpers escaping her throat with every sob.

June pounded her hands against the window, begging Kayla to hear her out, she even started saying, “Don’t you remember the year 2002? Clint is —”

“— stop being a child, June,” Anthony's voice disrupted, walking toward the other side of the car to sit next to Kayla. “Why waste your saliva? Can't you see the soundproof windows are closed, and your sweet Kayla can't hear you?” He grabbed the door handle to open it, “Leave the garage, else I'll order the driver to run you over.” 

Enraged, June stormed to the place where he stood. She grabbed his shirt, giving him a pleading glance. “Let Kayla go, please,” she cried out. 

A huge enemy like June had the audacity to grab his shirt. He was bad-tempered and little things made him blow his stack. But when he resolved to do something, he could go any mile to achieve it. Therefore, he'd avoid doing anything capable of ruining his plan. 

Anthony was quiet for a second, until then, “If you look into the car, you'd understand that your dear Kayla had fallen into the trap already.” 

His words frightened June and made her look curiously into the car as he had said. She saw Kayla on the phone, what more did he expect her to see? June thought until it dawned on her. She streaked to the other side of the car to see what Kayla was doing. 

Kayla was blocking the phone numbers of her family members. So she meant what she said about cutting ties with them? 

June’s heart fluttered, and fell in a turmoil. The fear of losing Kayla to Anthony subdued the whole of her. She started pounding hard on the window, screaming for Kayla to step out of the car. “Kayla, he's Clinton. He's going to harm you. Please, don't do this—”

“— I’m inviting you to our engagement party.” He entered the car and shut the door.

His words rattled June, she gaped at Anthony before proceeding to pound harder on the window. When the car was leaving the house, June chased the car until she could chase it no more. 

June's family members already came to the garage. They watched her cry as if she lost a dear person. Meanwhile, Kayla only left with the man she loved. What's wrong with this woman?

★★★★

Kayla's drowned in pain after all that happened back at home, her expectation shattered in one fell swoop. Although she believed ignoring June and Lena was the best thing to do, she wasn't all happy about ignoring them, and she had no idea why. However, nothing could make her relent this time. She must marry Chax. So many women she knew had gotten married, she as old as she was should also get married.

There she sat in the car, driving to Chax’s home, Kayla rained tears. Her phone rang continuously, and buzzed with messages. She either declined the calls or let it ring until it stopped. Both her friends and family called and texted her. 

Chax didn't offer to console her, he rather fixed his eyes through the window. Meanwhile, Kayla looked forward to apologizing for the embarrassment her family caused him. She often glanced at him, searching for words to mollify him with because she sensed he was upset. 

While Kayla tried to find words to console Chax, the texts and calls zoned her out and snatched her ability to think. Fed up with the distraction, she made to put her phone on silent. But on looking into the screen, her heart skipped several beats and her breath caught in her airway.

June used Tally's phone to send her an unnerving text that gave her chills and made her blood run cold, throwing a wrench into her. Her eyes tarried on the screen without an intent to look away. Kayla’s sorrow rolled away, confusion took over. 

‘Chax is Clinton Kings. Mom was meaning to warn you about him. He's sugarcoating his true intention to trick you. Clinton didn't die in the year 2003, it was all a lie. He's back to take revenge on you as promised. Run, Kayla! Run!’

All Kayla's life, she had lived believing Clinton died, but it seemed everyone was lied to. Or was this June lying to make her abandon Chax because she clearly remembered the day of Clinton's burial.

Kayla pushed her head toward Chax, gazing at him with fear in her eyes, which she tried to hide. She examined him to see if it was true what June claimed. Clinton had a birthmark behind his left ear, just at his nape. She needed to spot the mark on him. 

The man who sat next to her had a birthmark at the same spot. Furthermore, Clinton had the habit of tapping his fingers lightly on any surface his hand rested on. Chax did the same thing as Clinton there in the car, and it felt like Kayla's heart raced with every tap of his fingers.

But what if Chax was an imposter? Yes, he must be. But how come he possessed Clinton's qualities? No, he must be an imposter. Confusion and fear overwhelmed her. Clinton had promised to wreak vengeance on her, which scared her. But … this man cannot he him! What the—, she must be certain first. She glanced over at Chax often, now thinking of a way to excuse herself and call June.

Kayla throttled down a bit of her fear to avoid coming off nervously. “I’d — like to use the restroom.” Anthony gave her such a look she barely understood because his expression seemed quite flinty and enigmatic. Terrifying.

Anthony gazed at his prey for a moment, then broke the gaze and ordered the driver, “Pull over.”

The driver pulled over at a bar they almost drove past.

Kayla stepped out of the car without her bag. She walked with a peaceful, brisk gait to convince Chax that nothing was wrong. Immediately she walked into the bar, she rushed straight into the restroom to call June. Her hands shivered as she was unblocking June's number. 

June did not pick up at first. Kayla became frustrated. She dialed June's number twice again. June still wasn't picking up the phone. Devastation had Kayla beating her feet on the floor, pacing and uttering profanities. The thought he might be an imposter trying to lure her into harm killed her.

The severity in the text June sent convinced her that something was wrong — she felt it deep in her bones. Especially the part where he was eager to marry her, proposing on phone just a month of knowing him. Then he was doing things Clinton did  She was a fool, agreed, but she wouldn't let him fool her completely.

She tried Lena's line. Lena didn’t pick up, either. “The— c'mon, pick up the phone!” Intending to dial Tally's number, Lena called. She quickly picked up. “He cannot be Clinton, okay. Tell me why you think a dead person can rise up—”

“I too, I'm surprised but you need to come home, Kayla. Anthony is not who you think he is. He confronted Mom in Wilshire Boulevard, and claimed he's Clinton and he'd wreak vengeance on you, so, clearly he has bad intentions—” Lena was interrupted by June's panicking voice.

“Kayla, dear. Please tell us where you are. Had Clinton got you? Did he hurt you?” 

“He’s not Clinton, Mom!” Kayla growled with the pain and uneasiness in her voice. She relaxed a bit. “I’m still in Malibu, I'd find my way home—”

The restroom door burst open. Kayla flinched out of shock, and her phone fell on the floor. A big man in black suit and sunglasses stood at the door, who she recognized was Anthony's driver. He had come to get her, the imposter sent him.

The forbidding aura he oozed  heightened Kayla's fear. She started stepping back, shivering. June's and Lena's voices muffled in her ears, her fear placed her entire focus on the man. 

“Stay away from me,” Kayla said with fear and anger in her tearful voice, glaring at him. “Leave me alo—” She was about yelling when the man pulled a gun at her. 

“Get back into the car,” he commanded. The gun rendered Kayla helpless, she had no choice but to follow the man, unknowingly leaving her phone behind. “Pick up the phone,” the man said.

Kayla obediently followed the driver to the car and they drove off. If it weren't for the gun, she surely would have escaped. She came to realize that she didn't mask her uneasiness properly, because Anthony caught her. And truly, for the man to hold a gun at her, Anthony really had bad intentions. 

Kayla set her eyes on Anthony. Whether this man was Clinton or an imposter, she believed she was staring at the consequences of the mistake she made in the past. In the process of finding her Mr. Perfect, she found her demise. She saw Clinton's corpse being buried into the ground; therefore she'd rather die than believe Anthony was Clinton, not minding Anthony's surname was Clinton. Nothing the imposter did could fool her. 

Anthony knew she were there, he sensed her extreme rueful presence, but refused to look at her. He had the whole time in the world to do things to her — things more than just looking at her.

Anthony still had his eyes fixed through the window when his voice broke the silence in the car. “The plan was to wait until we get married.” He turned his head to look at her. “But since you figured out already… your new life begins from now on.”