9: Haunting Visitor

“Mum!?”

I mop in absolute bewilderment as I stare at my exact replica. She’s in a tight denim high-waist skirt that jumps above her chubby knees. Her top is a long-sleeve crop top. 

Beside her is Ella, my baby sister and only sibling. She's twenty-three, five years younger than myself, and equally prettier. In high school, she was the hottest chick. She had the hockey captain on her tail. 

She did explore men… it's our little secret. 

Unlike myself, she's lucky with every guy she dated. She called the shots and did the dumping. 

Well, I dumped James… it's complicated. 

“I'm shocked you still see me as your mother.” My mum scoffs and rolls her eyes. 

“Hi, sissy.” Ella grins and shakes her ponytail. 

When I remain frozen by the door, my mum shoves me to the side and walks through like it's a park. Ella jumps in as well, but not without giving me a quick hug.

Hmm… honestly, I miss her.  

My eyes hastily scan the area. 

There's no sign of my stalker. I hastily shut the door. 

“In just two years, you've changed your numbers more than the earth does her seasons.” My mum grumbles and dumps her bag on the couch. “You don't check your emails or reply to them. Care to explain?” 

Her hands cross below her racks. 

I stutter. “Still, you should have at least informed me before springing up on me.”

She sighs. “And what if I say I did? Three times prior to this visit. How about that?” 

“Mum!” Ella's bubbly voice breaks our tension. “Tessa is just being naughty. This is an actual surprise!” 

She runs to the table and dips her hand in the cookie bowl. She plunges the cookie into the mix of honey, peanut butter, and vanilla dip, then takes a bite.

“Holy heavens!” She hums and munches. “This is so good.”

‘Oh, god.’ My hands clench beside me. I already feel like choking her. 

My mum's eyes sweep up and down my body in a quick motion before she walks over to the table and joins Ella. To worsen things, they pop the cans of chilled soda on the table and greedily slurp. 

“You know, you need to open a bakery.” My mum resumes. “You'll hit the local headlines. Just cut down on the salt.”

I palm my face, exhausted. 

They just had to complicate my day. 

I can't tell when my mum crosses the table and goes over to the spot where my ‘Goodbye ugly James's calendar’ is hanging. 

“What is this?” Her tone is flat and cold. 

I jerk out of my mind and find her looking at me with displeasure. 

Oh, shit. 

In haste, I walk over and yank it from the wall. “You should never have seen that.” I roll the old cardboard. “If you had informed me before coming, I would have made an effort.”

She shakes her head pitifully. “You count every fudging day since your breakup?” 

I look away. “It’s not that easy.” 

“No,” she sighs. “This is madness. I mean… it's insane.” 

I shove it inside the top locker and do well to hide my fucking toys. 

“The whole town knows that a crooked pie is straighter than James's ass. Well, he's living his damn life. And happy too.” She starts her sermon. “While my daughter, pretty as the sun, is sulking all her life.”

Not again!

She looks around my cramped apartment and sniffs the air. Thankfully, I had done a quick cleanup because of my supposed visitor. 

“Tell me, any man in the picture?” 

I groan and sigh. “You literally just got here mum. At least, relax.” I murmur. “Wonder why I chose my peace for years?” 

On the other end, Ella hums. “A private number?” 

My heart skyrockets above the ceiling. 

I look at her to see my phone vibrating on the table, and she's about to take my call. 

Like a crazy robot, I shoot in her direction. The quick rocket dive sends me tumbling over the couch. Luckily, I snatch it from her reach. 

“Crap.” I groan when my wrist smacks the sharp edge of the table. “Can you at least mind your business?” 

She makes a confused face and continues eating her cookie like I'm making a fuss out of nothing. “Weird.”

I ignore her. 

In silence, I massage my aching body. 

A part of me is right here and the other has left my soul. 

Goosebumps crawl along my skin. It's a relief that I'm fully covered.

It's him… 

I think he's coming… Maybe he's already here. 

Dear Lord. What do I do? 

My family can't see him. My mum already thinks I'm deranged. It'll seal her claim. 

I walk over to the window to peep. 

Nothing. 

“I think you should see a therapist.” My mum's voice makes me a jerk. 

“What?” I turn to face her. I'm hurt by her words. “You really think I'm that crazy?” 

She swallows dryly. “Honey, therapy isn't for crazy people. It's for people who are picking the pieces of their lives together, just like you.” She yaps. “There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.”

My lips press firmly. I'm speechless. 

“Dr. Clara is good at it. Plus, she will take us in for a subsidized rate.”

Wow… already mapped out. How convenient. 

“I never said I'm going,” I argue. “I can't just leave my work without prior notice.”

Not to mention Clara is a very nosy and judgemental woman. She's our family old friend. While growing up, she thinks Ella is smarter and better. 

“Case solved. I already spoke with your boss.”

My jaws drop.

“Mum!?” I find it hard to speak. “Can you at least respect my privacy? For once?” 

She frowns and plays the guilt-tripping card. “Honey,” her hand lays on my shoulder. “You know I mean well.”

I don't speak. 

She always does this. 

“Just one month.” 

Her request has me chuckling. “I can't. It's way too much.”

“Fine…” she struggles with her next words. “25 days… oh okay, two weeks, honey.” She pouts in persuasion. “I just want you to heal. If in that time it doesn't benefit you, you can quit.”

That's an already-won game. 

“Three days,” I say instead. 

She blows out air and makes that silly lip noise as if I'm a handful. “One week. That's it, honey, one week.”

I shut my eyes and let my messy day sink in. “Well, since Dr. Clara is a travel therapist, can she come over…”

“No. Because we're leaving tomorrow and you, honey, are coming with us.”

I arc my brows. “And why is that?” 

“Tada!” Ella cheers and pulls up her right hand as she wriggles her fingers and displays her shiny gold engagement ring. “Peter proposed!”

Peter is the last guy I knew of before leaving town. He's the first guy that I saw who made Ella grin and kick her feet up at night while they whispered in late-night calls. Lucky her. 

“It's so cute, right?” She pouts and blinks her puppy eyes. “I tried reaching out for the engagement party, but you just won't bulge. Well, there's no way I'll let another lady be my chief bridesmaid.”

My mum grins. “Ella's wedding is in three days.” 

“What?!” I mop. 

So soon? But I don't say it out loud. 

“How am I supposed to get ready in three days?” I stick out my fingers.

From the side of my eyes, a dark figure walks past… that familiar scent hits. 

He's here.