After the nurse’s exit, silence reigned between us. Since I had more than a million of questions in my head, I might as well ask my friends the ones they could answer.Perhaps, for distraction.“How did you even find us?" I finally asked, breaking the silence.Alice's soft voice answered, "We called the police, but it was Gabe..." she trailed off, flipping her gaze to him, "...he's the one who really tracked you down."Confusion clouded my mind. I turned to Gabe for explanation but he only gave me a weak smile and a shrug.“Tell me," I urged, "what really happened?"Brielle stepped forward, her hands shoved in her pockets. "Well," she began, "it all started with Jacob from the site. He called Alice, agitated because you hadn't returned after they said you hurriedly after– after well, you know… the site got ruined.”That. I almost forgot about that. My very important project. The one I had invested a lot of time, energy, and hope in.Gone like the wind.“They even checked with the CEO,
“Do you want me to put off the light or do you want to see every bit of it?” Shawn asked me, unbuttoning his shirt.Staring at the switch in a bid to avoid his gaze, “Dark is better.” I replied, my fingers swearing to fall off should I not quit brushing them against each other.Blame my nervousness. Timid was too kind a word to describe me but then again, my reaction was justified.I expected the lights to go off but instead, Shawn began to chuckle and advanced towards me, bare-chested. I was sitting at the edge of the bed and he climbed atop me. “I want to see every bit of it, Pookie. Don't try to run from my radar.” Every corner of his lips broke into a maleficent grin.Why then did he ask initially? I would have put my thoughts into words but my timidity wouldn't allow me to speak. I stared at nothing in my fingers instead. “You know it's funny how you stare at me so much in class that you grew popular for it and couldn't look into my eyes now that we are together in my room.” Sh
I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing. At first, I thought I was hallucinating or something close to that. Yet, the entertained chuckles told me otherwise as it emanated from the four boys except for Shawn who only stood with a straight face, eyes settled on my body but avoiding my gaze.They were flashing their cameras and taking pictures of my nakedness!The frenzy struck me so hard at first that I remained frozen with widened eyes. It wasn't until their laughter increased that I regained a bit of my senses and knew to cover myself up with the duvet.“I can't believe half-nosed Calistar could look this hot without clothes.” Gabriel, one of our classmates thundered with taunt.I had always known Gabriel was a jerk. He was always the first to call me out for staring at Shawn in class and also the one who invented the ‘Half-Nosed Calistar’ nickname.I wished for the roof to fall on him right now and crush him to death. With tears burning in my eyes, “Get out! Get out, you asshol
I ran faster than the wind. I just wanted to sprint home and bury myself beneath my shower. One thing I needed to worry about right now was how to handle my parents. I finally arrived on our street and was almost by our house when I found both of my parents with Fiora in my dad’s Minivan. Owing to the stain on my body, I couldn't wait to address them because I was sure they were out to search for me. However, my eyes collided with that of my mum’s and I was sure they had seen that I was okay.Thankfully for me, the door was opened and I wouldn't have to wait for my parents to come with the entrance key.Hurriedly, I entered and found Cassey, our neighbor’s first daughter playing with Isla, my little sister. “Calista, your back!” Isla screamed upon sighting me after I stepped in.I was too drowned in shame to even look Isla in the eyes. “Yes, I am,” I stated and rushed to get to my room.“Did you not meet your parents on the way? Everyone went searching for you, Calista!” Cassey’s v
“Open it.”And… I did.‘Hey, Calista. I need you to know that had I thought you were this innocent, I wouldn't have pulled such a fast one on you. I'm sorry, girl. I know I owe you and won't ask you to forgive me because I'm undeserving of it. Instead, I'll ensure the pictures and videos are all deleted and never posted. Xoxo.. ♥︎’I read the content of the text out loud to Fiora.“Let me see.” She impatiently snatched the phone from me and read the message herself. When she was done with it, “Such a disgusting loser! Argh! I wish I could turn into a cat and scratch his So-called handsome face off!” She gripped at nothing in the air and ended up making the both of us laugh...The weekend was concluded and we resumed school. I did all I could to avoid Shawn and his friends but it was inevitable and they never failed to throw tantrums at me. True to Shawn’s words, the videos and pictures were never released.Well, not until we graduated. The moment we were done writing our exams, my nu
After checking with him, his secretary led me to his office and soon, I was inside. This should be the hardest thing I've ever had to do. To maintain composure after seeing Shawn’s face for the first time in six years.I knew if I had a gun at the moment, I wouldn't have hesitated to use it.“Good day, Mr. Donnelly.” I reprimanded myself and forced a professional smile on my face as our gazes interlocked.Shawn’s face was bland. His expression was numb as though he had just seen a ghost. I noticed how mature his face was now. His facial features were sharper. His jawline was more defined and his cheekbones were more central. I could remember his eyes were once bright blue but now, they were close to steely grey. His blonde hair remained the same though.Even if I hated to admit it, Shawn was more handsome now.“C — Calista?” He stuttered and my legs wobbled in response.I had to maintain my stamina and composure. I knew there was a chance he’d recognize me but since that unfortunate ni
I smiled at him but heaven knows it was a cynical one. “Alright then, Mr. Donnelly. I guess we’ll be meeting at the site tomorrow. Will you be arriving after all of our materials are moved or before?” I asked.“You look like someone who knows exactly what she's doing, so I'll trust you, Ms. Fairchild. I will arrive after the materials are moved to see for myself if everything is intact. I like to be precise.” Shawn stated with a professional lilt in his tone. Look at him acting like he's not so rotten on the inside; I grimaced to myself but played along anyway. “I’m honored to have your trust, Mr. Donnelly. You won't regret it. Guess I'll see you tomorrow then.” I extended my right hand in the initiation of a handshake.He stared at my hand for a split second before taking it. I could tell that he was battling something inside. Probably the guilt of his past misdeeds. Although I do not look like the old me, I was glad he was able to pick on Calista’s face on mine.It meant every time
“I saw the house burn down the next time you entered the kitchen and tried to commit this grave crime of cooking!” I snorted, catching Alice off guard.Though flabbergasted, she chuckled and then gave me a pet Pat. “Why you!” Another chuckle. “It can't be that bad. I need a few more practices and then, I'm good. By the way…” She waved her hand. “How was the meeting?”For a while there, I forgot all about Shawn and my worries but now, they came rushing back. “For starters, I’d say fine.” I shrugged.“But then why did your countenance suddenly turn ugly?” Alice wasn't convinced.My chest had begun to tighten again. “Nothing, Alice. I just need a refreshing bath.” I replied, walking out of the kitchen.“And some finely cooked Lasagnas!” Alice called behind me and I couldn't help but smile again.She was just a sweetheart. Her husband sure was damn lucky. However — men? I bet he’d still cheat on her if he could.I entered my room. It was not so big but manageable room that Alice and Bill,