“I didn’t want to go there but Daddy said I had to be there.” Anaya laughed as Ryle mimicked his father’s voice by dropping his voice down an octave.“He did not say that!” Anaya turned an accusing look at Henry.“Did you just mock me, Ryle?” Henry playfully narrowed his eyes at his son who was giggling uncontrollably.“I didn’t mock you, Daddy. I just said you said ‘I had to be there’” Ryle did it again and Anaya laughed harder at his cheekiness.It had been three days since Ryle got back from the hospital which meant he hadn’t been in school for almost a week now. He was getting tired and cranky and Henry decided they went out on a walk for him to stretch his limbs and exercise a bit.Anaya was a bit surprised when Henry asked her to come with them. Even though he apologized yesterday, they still hadn’t returned to their former dynamics of being playful and having banters every now and then.They simply exchanged the necessary information and acted formally with each other except wh
Anaya stepped out of her car as she saw the red convertible pulling into the apartment building. She rested her hip by her car as Daisy stepped out into the night breeze, holding her coat close to her body.Daisy moved to pick up her handbag and some files from the passenger’s seat and it was only when she locked her car and turned to head into the building that she paused on her tracks.Unpleasant surprise filled her eyes, followed by skepticism before she finally masked it out with a wide smile. The same fake smile she had been using to deceive Anaya for God knows how long.“Bestie. Are we doing surprise visits now?” Daisy walked towards her with a wide smile and opened her arms. “Give me a hug. How are you?”Anaya was stiff as Daisy wrapped her arms around her before pulling away quickly. “I am…fine.” Anaya’s tone was cool but guarded. “And you?” “I’m good too.” Daisy chipped cheerfully, a face full of fake delight. “What are you doing here by the way? I hope there’s no problem?”
“And here we are, tucked in very tight.” Anaya smiled as she patted Ryle’s head gently.Henry watched from the corner of the room as Ryle’s eyes drooped slowly but he tried really hard to stay awake. He had been discharged this evening after the doctors had run the necessary tests and administered all the medications he needed for the time being.Anaya had been with Ryle all the time and even though Henry was still a bit skeptical of leaving her alone with him, Ryle had wanted Anaya to be with him at all times. And Henry couldn’t let his fear interrupt the bond between.A small smile slipped into his mouth as Anaya used her fingers to close Ryle’s eyes so he could get some rest. She was good with Ryle, undoubtedly, and now, he felt guilty for being harsh on her.His mother had spoken to him, advising him to forgive Anaya and accept the incident as nothing more than a slip up. He knew he shouldn’t have said some things to her that night but the tension of the situation made him speak i
Anaya got back home and shut the door behind her. She rested her head on the door, breathing in for air to fill her lungs. The lights were turned off in the house and for once, she embraced the darkness, wanting to do nothing but just tune the world out.Her most highest fear had come true right in front of her eyes today. Daisy had been the one sending those threats or she had been part of it. The one person she loved with all her heart and the one friend who had been like family to her.“Anaya?” She perked up when she heard her name being called in the dark. Heavy footsteps drew closer and she wiped the tears on her face to hide her inner turmoil.Henry turned on the lights and she looked up at him. He was dressed in a grey suit, holding a file in his hand and he still looked tired but much better than this morning.His eyes narrowed at her and she turned her face away, taking off her shoes to conceal her red-rimmed eyes. “Are you okay?”“Of course, I am. Work was just…hard today.”
“Would you like anything else to drink, ma’am?” the waitress asked and Anaya shook her head.She pressed the glass frame to the bridge of her nose as she scanned the restaurant for the culprits. The time for their reservation was in five minutes and they still hadn't arrived. After everything Maia had told and shown her, Anaya knew she had to confirm if Daisy was indeed the one behind all the attacks. Maia’s innocence didn’t equate to Daisy’s culpability and the only way to find out was to know the reason Daisy was seeing Thomas behind her back.At the entrance of the restaurant, a couple walked in cheerfully in each other’s arms as they confirmed their seat with the waiter. They walked past her to sit on the table behind her and at once, their conversation flooded her ears through the earpiece she was wearing. Anaya had prepared everything beforehand. Disguising herself, she wore a red wig with thick black glasses and heavy makeup to completely change her look.She had bribed one
Anaya parked her car by the supermarket, her sweaty hands tight against the steering wheel. She looked outside to see the parking lot filled with families pulling their carts of groceries to their cars.h At the entrance of the building, there were two security guards stationed there. If anything were to go wrong today, she was banking on them to help her out.I’m here.She received a message from the same number that texted her an hour ago. Maia had begged for Anaya to meet up with her because allegedly, she has a ‘crucial’ news to pass through. And it wasn’t safe to say it over the phone.Anaya had agreed to meet with Maia but under one condition; it had to be in a crowded area with too many witnesses in case anything happened to her. The supermarket was her best choice and Maia agreed without further questions.It was crazy for Anaya to agree to meet with the person who had been accused of wanting to kill her. And it was even crazier that she didn’t tell anyone about her whereabout