A surprise visit

Chapter 7

He has the audacity to call me as if we are friends. I know the look I gave him was disapproving and I don't mind. I didn't respond as I went back to scrolling through f*******:. "At least don't ignore me, Anne, it doesn't look good on you." I still didn't say anything. It's better if I pretend he was just a dog barking. He left to sit at a table, but I could still feel his eyes on me. This was a guy I thought I would spend my life with, what a joke. "Annette." I instantly relaxed upon hearing that voice. I looked up and it was Cole, who had a concerned expression on his face. I smiled as he sat across from me. "You didn't look happy, is everything okay?" he asked. "I just have a little bit of a bad mood, I'll be fine. How is Collins?" That seemed to make him smile. "He's doing well, he often asks about you."

Harriet brought my meal and as she glanced at Cole, she smiled, "Well, well, well, if it isn't the man himself." Cole smiled back at her, "Harriet, you're looking good." I chuckled, Harriet and Cole weren't really close when we were young. She was my friend, and through me she got to know Cole and everyone else. They all got along well. I must admit, she had a crush on him, just like many other girls, including Diane. She set my meal on the table, "here you go, enjoy your meal. And Cole, what can I get for you?" I realized how hungry I was, "I'll have the same as Annette." She nodded and went to get his order. After a while, she returned, we paid, and ate in silence.

My mind went back to the day he seemed upset about the word marriage. I wanted to ask him about his personal life and how he had been since leaving our small town. We finished our meals, and he called me, "Annette, we should talk."

Does he want to open up about his life now? Suddenly I felt like the back of my head was on fire and I think Cole noticed it too. "Someone's staring at you so intently," he says as he kept eye contact with the someone whom I most definitely know it's Rodney, without looking at the someone I say, "that's my ex." Cole averted his eyes towards me, "but I believe I have seen him with Diane." Yeah, both he and Diane had been over themselves like a newly wedded couple so I wouldn't be surprised. I wonder why she isn't here with him today. "Yes you have, he cheated on me with her, and broke up," I said, not quite feeling anything though. "You mean the same Diane stole him from you?" I could see the surprise expression he has. "Don't worry about them, he is a preek and she is a spoilt brat, they suit themselves," he laughs, he still has that beautiful dimples on his cheeks, it's nice to finally have Cole back.

"Well shall we?" He got up and offered me a hand after leaving some cash on the table. I took his hand and we left the cafeteria after we greeted Harriet. I could still feel Rodney's gaze on me, but I paid him no mind. "So where are we going?" I asked. He smiled, "to our secret place." I blushed, he still remembers it, the place we go to often when we were kids, the little waterfall we discovered. I had gone there many times when I missed him and reminisced about our time spent together. "Do you still remember the way?" He nodded his head, was he blushing too?

We got into his car and drove there in silence, the place still as it was. I smelt the fresh air, oh how I had missed this spot. It gives me comfort. "I miss this place," I turned and looked at Cole. He has his eyes on me. How long has he been looking at me for? There is something about the way he stares at me, which brought my mind back to I and Mrs. Rachel's conversation. "Yeah," he replied. We sat on the grass as we watched the little waterfall. I really didn't know what to say. "Annette," I looked at him, his eyes still fixated on the waterfall. Here comes that sad expression. "I'm really thankful for my son and I love him more than life itself, but," he stops. Really, please tell me. "How I got him still traumatized me," he says. What does he mean? The impulse to hug him was there. I could feel how troubled he was, his eyes were shaky. "What happened, Cole?" He closed his eyes as if remembering a bitter event. "I'll tell you everything, why I left, how I got married and how I have my child, everything Annette, and also how I do wanted to come back to you," his voice cracked. I frowned. I didn't like where this was going one bit. My chest was tightened. "That morning."

Thirteen years ago.

I kissed her and couldn't sleep a wink. Today I will tell Annette that I like her. She didn't push me away when I kissed her, so does she like me too? I clutch my pillow, we are both fifteen years old, is it okay to start dating her? I have had a crush on her for too long, I feel like I will burst anytime I see her. I don't think I will be able to forget that kiss easily. I smile into my pillow, I will definitely tell her about my feelings today.

Suddenly, my mom knocked on my door. "Cole, are you awake?" I got out of bed and opened the door. "Yeah, is everything okay?" My mom did not look too good as I asked, "What's wrong, mom?" She weakly smiled and said, "Let's go into your room first, okay?" We sat on the bed and her eyes were on my wardrobe. "Cole, we are going on a little trip today. Why don't you pack a few of your favorite things?" I didn't quite understand what she was saying. "Today? Where are we going on this little trip?" I asked. " It's not even a holiday, and I need to prepare for school." "Yes, I know. But we'll come back soon. It's your dad, he wants to see you," she said. My dad, who didn't really care about me for those years, suddenly wants to see me. Who says I want to see him? You must be joking. "I'm not seeing that man," I said. My mom looked frustrated. "Please, Cole, I beg you. Pack some stuff. We're leaving now." Wow, she was serious. "Is everything okay, mom?" She looked at me and smiled faintly. "I'll explain later. But get ready and pack your things. We'll be leaving in thirty minutes." I didn't want to argue further so I did as she said. I quickly got my bag and packed my clothes and some favorite things, the most important one being Annette's picture. She looks so beautiful. I automatically smiled.

But am I just going to leave for a short while without telling her? She'll be devastated if she doesn't find me at home or school. "I went downstairs with my luggage and my mom was waiting. "But mom, I have to tell Annette I'll be going for some time," my mom smiled and said, "I already talked to her mom, she will inform Annette. We need to go now so we don't miss the flight," she says as she holds my passport and hers. I shook my head and we headed out of the house as she locked the door. A taxi was already waiting for us as we headed to the airport. The whole journey took about seven hours. I was so tired, I had never traveled that long as it was my first time leaving our town.

When we arrived at the airport, we were met by a man in a black suit. He greeted my mom and me and showed us to an expensive car. We got in, everything was surprising to me but not my mom. She was barely looking at me now. Sometime later we arrived at a very big mansion-like house. I looked at my mom questioningly, but she never returned my stare. I sincerely did not know what was going on. We were escorted in and taken to a study room where I met a man that looked exactly like me. On seeing me, his eyes became warm. He examined me and let out a little laugh. He looked kinda hurt. He looked at my mom and said, "how could you hide him from me all these years?" Okay, now I'm confused.