005

Kensington returned home with a decision settled in her heart. She ate dinner and even exchanged conversations with Sander.

 Sander's face was coloured surprise. She talked with her while wondering what might have played out in Mr. Henry's place.

  After dinner, they retired to sleep. Sander's face began to ring, disrupting their sleep. She checked the caller ID. It was Jerome.

 She sighed harshly and turned her phone off. She turned off the light and returned back to sleep.

 Kensington slept peacefully, pushing back the wearying thoughts in her mind.

>>>

  Sander was shocked when she heard Kensington ask to go to the park with her. 

“Are you serious?" Sander squealed in excitement. 

“Yes. And we will visit the mall as well. Prepare your favorite dish," Kensington added much to the bewilderment of Sander. 

   “Really?" Sander squealed. 

“Yes. Dress up, we need to go," Kensington said, her face brightened by a warm smile. 

   Sander hugged her heartily. She ran into the bedroom and began to comb through her dresses. 

 While she was away, her phone began to chime. She left her in Kensington's hands when she ran to get changed. 

  It was Jerome. Curiously, she received the call. With shaky hands, she placed the phone above her ears and waited to hear what he had to say.

  “Where the hell is she, San?" Jerome's voice boomed from the other end.

  She remained silent and said no word but rather she listened to what he had to say.

  “She shouldn't think of reporting me to the higher authorities. I will track her down and destroy her before she does," He ranted angrily.

      Kensington ended the call, breathing heavily. She dropped the phone on the table and stepped out to the open window. Clean air rushed to her. She wrapped her hands around herself and allowed air to seep through her body.

“Hey, Are you okay?" Sander touched her shoulder lightly, concern laced in her voice.

  Kensington hummed and pulled up a smile. She decided to pretend she never heard Jerome spill out all that.

“Yes. Are you ready?" 

“Yes. And you?" 

“I am," Kensington giggled and they began to trudge out of the house.

“My phone?" Sander recalled and returned to the room, she picked the phone and met Kensington outside the house. She flagged down a cab and drove to the park.

In the cab, Kensington was beginning to feel unease. Her stomach growled nervously, she rubbed her palms together while her eyes scanned the area.

“Kenzie, Are you okay?" Sander has been watching her all the while. She noticed her discomfort.

“Yeah," Kensington nodded and pulled up a smile.

“No, really. Should we go back home?" 

“I am fine, Sander. Today is for having fun and nothing is going to stop that." 

  The cab drove to the park. They got out and walked into the ever busy park.

“Let's get ice cream," Kensington squeaked and dragged Sander to the ice cream stand.

They spent so much fun in the park that Kensington wished time wasn't moving. With time, she slowly returned to herself forgetting all about Jerome and his ridiculous deal.

   While she pushed Sander’s swing, her giggles rang high in the air mingling with the excited screams in the park. They heard some teens standing an inch away from them discussing in low tones.

  “Isn't that Reddie?" One of them gestured, pointing in Kensington's direction. Kensington's blood ran cold.

   Her heart slowly began to throb. They recognized her. She thought no one would recognize her. She always went by a different name during her shoots.

“Wait a minute," The other kid dug his phone out from his bag, “She is truly the one. She is quite beautiful in person." 

“Yo, Imagine those pretty ass sitting on your face," The first said and they broke into laughter. Kensington stopped swinging.

   She became withdrawn.

“She is sexy. And plays her role perfectly. Do you think she has stopped playing those crazy roles?" 

  Her ears rang. Blood pumped ferociously through her veins. She couldn't stand hearing those kids say disgusting things about her.

  “Kensington.." Sander heard the teens.

“No, I .. I'm fine," She pulled a smile.

   Sander looked over her shoulder and watched the kids walk away while casting leering glances at Kensington.

“Come on, Let's leave here." 

“No. We haven't had enough fun already." 

“Let's go to the mall," Sander held her hands and pulled her out of the park.

  She left the park but a part of her didn't leave. She was broken and scarred. She lived a life she didn't love and now she has to pay the price. She carried a heaviness in chest. She thought she was safe while hiding behind a different name but she isn't. 

   “Wear this," Sander picked a hoodie from the mall and began to pull it over her body.

“I wish I could gouge the eyes of these men," Sander fumed as she drew the hoodie over her chest.

     Kensington was overwhelmed by the love Sander had shown. She never criticized her, not for once. She hugged her tightly, “Thank you so much, San." 

 Sander kissed her hair and stroked her back tenderly. They picked a few items and returned back to their home.

A black Honda Accord car which Kensington recognized as Jerome's was parked outside the building.

    She cringed and halted in her steps. Sander noticed her withdrawal.

“Hey?" She held her hands, squeezed slightly.

“Jerome is here."